KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Jawa 42 has just received a major price cut
- Prices now begin from Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom)
- A host of mechanical upgrades for a smoother ride experience
- Lack of equipment and mixed aftersales experience
Ever since its launch, Jawa has been continuously been tweaking the Forty-Two, in order to keep it fresh and relevant. Recently, the bike maker launched yet another updated version of the 42, with a reduced price tag of Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom). If you are looking to buy a retro motorcycle, here are a few things to consider about the Jawa 42 before buying it. But first, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community for the latest automotive updates!
Also read: 2024 Jawa 42 Launched At Rs 1.73 Lakh, More Colours, Features & Other Updates
Jawa 42 Pros
Design
If you were a fan of the older Jawa motorcycles, you will not be disappointed. The Jawa 42 remains very close to its two-stroked ancestor in terms of design, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia, albeit without the bluish-white smoke coming out of its twin exhaust pipes. However, underneath the retro looks, the 42 is a thoroughly modern motorcycle.
Being the sportier sibling in the Jawa family, you can no longer spec the 42 with chrome, and you now get black treatment all over. However, certain lower variants come equipped with spoke rims, which make it look properly retro.
Engine
The Jawa 42 has recently been given a new 294cc J-Panther series engine, producing 27.32 PS and 26.8Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The bikemaker says that it has optimized the gearing of this motorcycle, and that there is an improvement in performance thanks to the addition of a larger cylinder head and larger throttle body. The gear shifts are also said to be smoother, with optimised gearing and the addition of gear-based throttle mapping. Jawa has also added a new hub-type balancer gear and a redesigned balancer weight to keep vibrations in check.
The Jawa 42 has always had a punchy, responsive motor with great acceleration, but its shorter gearing and lack of bottom-end torque has made it a task while riding in low-speed conditions. These updates should help resolve that issue, but we shall know the complete answer after a road test.
Also read: Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Pros and Cons
Handling and Ergonomics
While the kerb weight has gone up from 171kg to 184kg, the Jawa 42 remains a lighter motorcycle when compared to something like a Royal Enfield Classic 350, which makes it easier to live with on a daily basis, and also makes it more agile.
You sit slightly leaned forward, which adds a certain degree of sportiness to your commute. The suspension is a little on the firmer side, so if you're someone who loves spirited riding and can sacrifice some amount of comfort, the Jawa 42 is the one you should be looking at.
Colour Options
The Jawa 42 gives you the choice to choose from as many as 18 paint options, which includes both dual-tone and single-tone paint schemes. Here's a list in case you would like to check them out.
| Vega White (Single channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,72,942 |
| Voyager Red (Single channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,74,942 |
| Asteroid Grey (Single channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,74,942 |
| Odyssey Black (Single channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,74,942 |
| Vega White (Dual channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,82,942 |
| Voyager Red (Dual channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,84,942 |
| Asteroid Grey (Dual channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,84,942 |
| Odyssey Black (Dual channel ABS, Spoke wheels) | Rs. 1,84,942 |
| Nebula Blue (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,95,142 |
| Celestial Copper Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,95,142 |
| Orion Red Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Sirius White Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,89,142 |
| All Star Black Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Infinity Black Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels), Dual Tone | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Celestial Copper Matte (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels), Dual Tone | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Starship Blue (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels), Dual Tone | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Cosmic Carbon (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels) | Rs. 1,98,142 |
| Cosmic Rock (Dual channel ABS, Alloy wheels), Dual Tone | Rs. 1,98,142 |
Cons
Equipment
The Jawa 42 continues to be almost bare-bones when it comes to features on offer. While the latest model has received a new digital instrument cluster, the digi-analogue cluster of the old motorcycle will continue to be offered on the lower priced trims. There is no navigation, bluetooth connectivity, or riding modes to speak of. However, a USB port is available as an option.
Also read: Royal Enfield Classic 350: Old VS New Check Out The New Updates
Instrument cluster
The instrument cluster on the lower-priced trims of the Jawa 42 continues to be the digi-analogue unit, and while the retro theme of it looks cool, the fuel gauge is annoyingly small and difficult to read when on the go.
After-sales
While Jawa has continuously been working on expanding its service network across the country, the experience can be a hit-or-miss based on mixed customer reviews. However, Jawa seems to be working on resolving that issue as well.
Verdict
The Jawa 42 is a good option for those who want a properly retro-looking motorcycle that does not sacrifice on enthusiasm. Its slight lean towards sportiness means that comfort takes a backseat, but it makes up for it in being a spirited handler.
