Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 — What Should You Buy In The Classic 350cc Segment?

Jawa Motorcycles have re-entered the Indian market with the launch of two new models; Jawa and Jawa 42. The two motorcycles directly rival the Royal Enfield Classic 350 in the segment. Both motorcycles stay true to their rich heritage by offering a classic retro design, with clean lines and minimalistic bodywork.

Prospective buyers in the segment now have a tough decision to take, in terms of which motorcycle to purchase. Here is a quick comparison between the two motorcycles to kick-start the decision process.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Design & Style

Starting of the design of the Jawa, the motorcycle offers a simplistic bodywork with minimalistic design features. The Jawa gets as authentic as possible in terms of design from a modern day classic. It offers the classic teardrop-shaped fuel tank, rounded headlamps surrounded by chrome. The sides of the tank are also covered in polished chrome, with the ‘Jawa' badging on either side.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

The clean lines and a large amount of polished chrome, add character to the motorcycle. The rear follows the same retro-theme with the small tail lights. The twin-exhaust pipes on either sidefurther add to the drama. To know more, check out our First Look Review of the 'Jawa' motorcycle, here.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Moving on to the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the motorcycle also follows the classic-retro design theme. However, the design has been a bit modernised to suit the current demands.

The Classic 350 also features a lot of chrome all around the motorcycle. It also gets the classic rounded-headlamps, teardrop-shaped fuel tank. The multi-spoke wheels, with chrome accents on the spring coil rear suspension and the side indicatorfurther add to the overall retro-design of the motorcycle.

Overall Design Rating:
Jawa Motorcycle: 8/10
Royal Enfield Classic 350: 7/10

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Engine Specifications

The ‘Jawa' motorcycle is powered by a 293cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. It produces 27bhp and 28Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a six-speed mesh gearbox.

Jawa Motorcycles introduced two models in the country. Both models, Jawa and Jawa 42 come with the same engine specifications. To know more about the Jawa 42, check out our first look review, here.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is powered by a 349cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. It produces 19.8bhp and 28Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a five-speed transmission. This makes the Jawa motorcycle more powerful than the Classic 350.

Fact Sheet

Specifications
Jawa Motorcycle
Royal Enfield Classic 350
Engine 293cc Liquid-Cooled Single-Cylinder 349cc Air-Cooled Single-Cylinder
Transmission 6-Speed 5-Speed
Power 27bhp 19.8bhp
Torque 28Nm 28Nm
Mileage 32 - 35km/l 30 - 35km/l
Tank Capacity 14-Litres 13.5-Litres
Brakes 280mm Disc (Front); 153mm Drum (Rear) 280mm Disc (Front); 153mm Drum* (Rear)
Tyre Size 90/90 R18 (Front); 120/80 R17 (Rear) 90/90 R19 (Front); 110/80 R18 (Rear)
Seat Height 765mm 800mm
Kerb Weight 170kg 192kg

*Rear-disc variant also available

Overall Engine Rating:
Jawa Motorcycle: 7/10
Royal Enfield Classic 350: 6/10

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Features

Both motorcycles, Jawa and Classic 350 come with minimalistic design and therefore do not offer a number of features to boast about. Although, both of them do come with their fair share of safety features.

In terms of Safety, the Jawa comes with 280mm disc and 153mm drum brakes at the front and rear, respectively. The front disc brake is further supported by a single-channel ABS as standard. The Jawa rides on 90/90 R18 (front) and 120/80 R17 (rear) multi-spoke wheels. The motorcycle also features telescopic front forks with a dual spring-coil set-up at the rear.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

The motorcycle also comes with a single-pod instrument cluster. The speedometer and the fuel gauge on the cluster is read in the anti-clockwise direction, a small touch to pay homage to the olden days. The single-pod cluster also has a small digital screen on top, to display the time.

Jawa Motorcycles also unveiled a 'factory custom' at the launch event, called the Jawa Perak. Check out the First Look Review of the Bobber-Style Jawa motorcycle, which will be introduced in the market at a later stage.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 also features a 280mm disc and 153mm drum brakes at the front and rear, respectively. There is, however, a rear disc variant on the Classic 350 model with 240mm discs. Royal Enfield is slowly introducing rear discs with dual-channel ABS on its 350cc models, ahead of the government regulations of 2019.

The Classic 350 rides on 90/90 R19 and 110/80 R18 multi-spoke wheels at the front and rear, respectively. The suspension system is similar to the Jawa with front telescopic forks and twin spring-coils at the rear.

Overall Features Rating:
Jawa Motorcycle: 7/10
Royal Enfield Classic 350: 6/10

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Pricing

The ‘Jawa' motorcycle comes with a price tag of Rs 1.64 lakh. The brand has also introduced another entry-level model, called the ‘Jawa Forty Two' which has the same features and engine specifications but is priced slightly lower at Rs 1.55 lakh.

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 comes with a price tag starting at Rs 1.39 lakh and is available in a range of colours and variants. The rear disc variant of the Classic 350 is priced at Rs 1.47 lakh.

*All prices mentioned are ex-showroom (Delhi).

Overall Price Rating:
Jawa Motorcycle: 8/10
Royal Enfield Classic 350: 7/10

Jawa Vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comparison: Price, Specifications, Features & Images

Verdict

Both motorcycles; Jawa and Classic 350 are capable machines, which offer a rich heritage and also stay true to their roots with a retro-design. However, the Jawa offers a more authentic design while the Royal Enfield has been modernised to suit the demands for today's market.

If you are looking to buy a motorcycle, which stays true to its iconic history and offers a product which brings back the nostalgia of the past, then the Jawa motorcycle is the best choice. However, if you are looking for a classic retro-design motorcycle which still offers a slight modern day feel, then the Classic 350 is the where you should be headed.

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English
Article Published On: Friday, November 16, 2018, 12:23 [IST]
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