Jawa 350

The Jawa 350 is a classic-retro-style motorcycle that has gained attention for its design, engine performance, and enhanced features. Let's delve into a comprehensive overview of the Jawa 350, covering its design, performance, features, competition, and overall verdict.

Design and Aesthetics

The Jawa 350 boasts an old retro classic design with a teardrop tank, round headlight, and twin exhausts, giving it a classic and retro look. The bike features polished chrome and golden pinstripes, enhancing its vintage appeal. The overall quality of the bike has been improved, with attention to details such as switch gear, welds, and wiring, contributing to a more refined appearance .

Priced at ₹2.14 - ₹2.15 lakh ex-showroom, the Jawa 350 competes directly with models like the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Hunter 350, and Honda CB350, offering customers a compelling alternative in the mid-capacity motorcycle segment. Despite the price increase, the updated Jawa 350's enhanced engine, performance, and classic design make it a competitive offering in the market.

Engine and Performance

The Jawa 350 is powered by a new liquid-cooled, 334cc, single-cylinder engine that delivers 22.5hp of power at 7,000rpm and 28.1Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. The engine's low-end torque is praised for providing a gutsy performance, and the throttle is described as crisp and light, offering good mid-range performance. The six-speed gearbox is noted for its precision, and the clutch is reported to be light and responsive .

Riding Experience

The Jawa 350 offers a comfortable riding experience, with a good balance between comfort, control, and handling. The bike's handling is highlighted as one of its strongest traits, providing a nimble and stable feel while changing direction like a smaller, lighter motorcycle. The low seat height and less kerb weight make it easy to maneuver in the city, and the suspension, featuring telescopic forks at the front and adjustable preload twin shock absorbers at the rear, strikes a balance between sportiness and comfort .

Features and Safety

The Jawa 350 comes with a short list of features, including halogen headlamps, taillamps, indicators, dual-channel ABS, and an assist and slipper clutch. The instrument cluster features a round design with old-style fonts for the numbering and a small LCD screen displaying various information such as ODO, trip meter, and side stand warning. However, the placement of the instrument cluster limits the rider's view of the speedometer's range between 60 kmph to 100 kmph marking .

The switch gear, welds, rubber bits, and wiring demonstrate improved quality and durability. The bike also features halogen headlamps, taillamps, indicators, dual-channel ABS, and an assist and slipper clutch

Verdict and Competition

The Jawa 350 is positioned as a classic-retro-style motorcycle with a touch of modern technology, appealing to riders seeking a blend of vintage aesthetics and refined performance. Priced at Rs 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom), it competes with models like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda CB 350. Despite its higher price and certain limitations, the Jawa 350 is recommended for those who appreciate its classic-retro style, enjoyable city riding experience, and refined engine sound .

Pros and Cons

The Jawa 350 boasts a timeless and elegant design, brisk mid-range performance, strong front brake bite, and comfortable ergonomics, making it an involving motorcycle to ride .

However, it's criticized for being too vibey at higher speeds, lacking useful features, and carrying a price tag of Rs. 2.15 lakh, making it less competitive against motorcycles like the Royal Enfield Classic 350, which offers better brand recall and popularity at a lower price

In conclusion, the Jawa 350 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering an enhanced riding experience, bolder design, and improved performance, making it a compelling option for motorcycle enthusiasts seeking a classic-retro-style bike with modern features.