Jawa 350 Review: Rann-tastic Ride Through Gujarat

Updated: Sunday, January 21, 2024, 16:46 [IST]

Jawa, the legendary Czech motorcycle brand, recently came out with the latest modern rendition of its classic bikes in the form of the all-new Jawa 350. Jawa invited us on an adventure through the state of Gujarat, traversing the diverse landscapes and culminating in a awe-striking ride across the Rann of Kutch.

So how did the Jawa 350 do as a companion for this unforgettable journey? Let's take a look at how the latest Jawa 350 fared when we put it through its paces in Gujarat.

Jawa 350 Review: Design and Features - A Neo-Retro Classic

The latest version of the Jawa 350 breathes new life into the classic motorcycle, blending old-school charm with modern muscle. Prominent chrome elements like the headlight, exhaust pipes, and engine casing enhance the retro aesthetic, while the dual-tone teardrop tank with its embossed "1929" emblem on the fuel cap adds a touch of heritage.

Circular indicators and a redesigned solo seat further increase the vintage look, while a longer mudguard and wider tires offer improved stability and comfort. Add in the Mystique Orange paint scheme on our machine and we drew eyeballs everywhere on the run across Gujarat.

Underneath the stylish exterior lies a significant amount of upgrades. These include a new chassis, a bigger engine, revised suspension which Jawa claims will offer a more powerful and capable ride. A taller suspension and higher ground clearance make the Jawa 350 better equipped for rough terrain, while wider tires offer improved grip.

Additional comfort comes from the redesigned seat and the assist and slip clutch, which make even long journeys enjoyable. The redesigned cooling system with a smaller radiator provides efficient temperature management making those journeys less toasty for your legs.

Specs and Dimensions: Extended Wheelbase for Mile Munching

The 334cc single-cylinder engine that powers the Jawa 350 has been reworked properly and worked wonders. Gone are the thumpy days, replaced with smooth, linear power throughout the rev range, and a much more refined engine. The DOHC motor puts out a decent 22.1bhp and 28.2Nm of torque which is sent to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox with a Slip & Assist clutch.

The extended wheelbase (1,449mm) provides exceptional stability and comfort, while telescopic front forks handle turns with confidence. Adding to the comfort aspect are the high-profile tyres with spoked wheels that we have on the front and rear.

But don't be fooled by its classic looks. The improved ground clearance of 178mm and seat height of 802mm makes it surprisingly capable of tackling unpaved paths and sandy dunes with ease. The tractable engine, with the smooth pull, doesn't make it a maniac to manage when the ground gets slippery. It always felt under control, even while pushing it to its limit.

Coming to the wheels and the suspension setup, the Jawa 350 rides on MRF Zappers and with a 100/90-18 setup in the front with 35mm telescopic forks and on the rear we have 130/80-17 wheels suspended on a twin suspension. The suspension travel that we find on the 350 is 135mm in the front and on the rear we have 100mm of travel.

In the front and rear, the braking system incorporates Bybre's floating calipers on 280mm discs in the front and 240mm discs in the rear. Both the brakes come with ABS that has been tuned by Continental, ensuring adequate and improved safety.

Riding Impressions: A Versatile Retro Ride

The Jawa 350 truly comes alive on open roads. Its extended wheelbase helps the Jawa live up to the term 'Mile Muncher' soaking up bumps and imperfections with ease and allowing us to ride for hours on end with absolutely no discomfort.

We carved through twisties with confidence, the telescopic front forks handling surprisingly well once we adjusted our riding style. Initially, however, the front did feel a little playful while cornering aggressively.

Coming to the braking, the Jawa did not disappoint. The 280mm front discs had a good stopping force, making the Jawa slow down quite well while the rear 240mm disc brakes also had a decent grab to it when engaged hard.

The rider's triangle wasn't too aggressive nor was it too laid back. The rider sat upright and had extremely comfortable cushioning due to the seat that Jawa had reworked on. The footpegs were placed at the ideal position as the rider did not feel awkward while sitting on the bike.

While not a speed demon, it pulls effortlessly to highway speeds and cruises comfortably at 100 km/h and more without strain. However, certain vibrations were felt on the motorcycle. While holding the speeds of 80-90km/h, there was buzzing that we could feel on the handlebar and the footpegs. But, surprisingly, at around 110km/h, the vibrations seemed to reduce.

But the Jawa 350's capabilities extend beyond just the road. The increased ground clearance allowed us to tackle unpaved paths and sandy dunes with surprising ease. We navigated the streets of Gujarat and the marshes of the Rann with confidence, proving that this classic roadster has a hidden adventurous streak.

Riding on the Rann, we expected the bike to get stuck in the soft sand quite early on, but surprisingly enough, with the increased ground clearance (and some spinning), we managed to take the bike more than a kilometer into the white desert.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

The Jawa 350 is a motorcycle that defies expectations. It's a head-turner with its retro good looks, but beneath the surface lies a modern machine that's both refined and capable which should be perfect for someone looking to add a neo-retro motorcycle to their life.