Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Roadster or Cruiser?

Two retro bikes from two retro companies, which one comes out on top? 

• The Jawa 42 Bobber is the only true-blue bobber in India, apart from the Perak. 
• Royal Enfield’s Meteor 350 is the brand’s first shot at a cruiser in a long time. 
• Underpinnings, features and hardware, all are fairly retro on both bikes. 

The Jawa 42 Bobber is a stunning motorcycle and Jawa's latest addition to their line-up. Its captivating design is certainly one of its standout features. However, as with many bobber-style motorcycles, you may wonder if it's all about its eye-catching appearance or if there's more to it. 

But with the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, is its dominance in the small capacity retro bike segment threatened? Here’s what our analysis of the bikes was, in our road test review: 

Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Design & Features

The Jawa 42 Bobber is a sportier and more modern version of the Perak model. It has some cool features that make it stand out. First, it has a muscular fuel tank with special spaces for your knees to fit comfortably. The headlight is also different and uses LED lights, which are brighter and use less energy.

The bike has a new seat that is designed for better comfort and a slightly sporty riding position. It also has adjustable footpegs to fit your preferred riding style. In terms of technology, the 42 Bobber has LED lights all around, including the headlight. It also has a circular LCD screen that shows important information while you're riding. For safety, it comes with dual channel ABS, which helps you control the bike's brakes better, especially in tricky situations.

To make it easier to use, there are buttons on the left side of the handlebar that give you quick access to different functions. And if you need to charge your phone or other devices while riding, there's a USB charging port right there too. 

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 maintains a similar style to its predecessor, the Thunderbird 350X. This cruiser bike is designed with rider comfort in mind. It has a handlebar that is easy to reach and footpegs that are positioned forward, allowing for a relaxed and comfortable riding position.

The round headlight of the Meteor 350 comes with a halogen bulb, but it also features LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for a modern touch. The bike's LED tail lamp and turn indicators are also circular in shape. Its design flows smoothly, with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank seamlessly blending with its low-set split-seats.

Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Engine & Gearbox

The Jawa 42 Bobber has a powerful engine that provides a thrilling riding experience. It is equipped with a 334cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which is compliant with OBD-2 regulations. Just like the Jawa Perak, it generates 30.64PS of power and 32.74Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox, allowing smooth shifting between gears.

As part of the BS6.2 updates, Jawa has made improvements to the engine. They have optimized the performance by tuning the engine and making adjustments to the throttle body and exhaust ports. These enhancements result in better overall performance without compromising the power output figures.

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is equipped with a strong and efficient engine. It has a single-cylinder, 349cc engine that meets the latest BS6.2 emission standards. The engine uses fuel injection technology, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. 

The engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox, offering a range of gears for different riding situations. This allows riders to find the right gear for optimal power and efficiency.

Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

The Jawa 42 Bobber is equipped with a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. 

When it comes to braking, the 42 Bobber has reliable stopping power. It features a 280mm disc brake at the front and a 240mm disc brake at the rear with the additional safety net of dual-channel ABS as a standard safety feature. 

The Jawa 42 Bobber rides on spoked wheels, with an 18-inch wheel at the front and a 17-inch wheel at the rear. These wheels, combined with tubed tyres, contribute to the bike's overall stability and handling. The front wheel is fitted with a 100-section tyre, while the rear wheel accommodates a wider 140-section tyre. These tyres provide good grip on various road surfaces, enhancing the bike's traction and manoeuvrability.

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is built with a sturdy twin downtube spine frame, providing a strong foundation for the bike's components. Its suspension system consists of a 41mm front fork and twin tube emulsion shock absorbers at the rear. The rear shock absorbers offer six-step preload adjustment for personalized comfort.

Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Dimensions

Both bikes aren’t too large by any means and feature fairly tight proportions. That said, the 42 Bobber’s slightly tighter rake angles and overall steering geometry make it the better bike to perform your daily commuting activities on. Even its engine is the peppier one, making it the go-to bike among the two for enthusiasts.

Jawa 42 Bobber vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Price

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is available in three different versions: Fireball, Stellar, and Supernova. Each version can be purchased in regular colors or customized colors. The Fireball variant, which comes in Red, Yellow, Matt Green, and Blue, has a price tag of Rs 2,04,408. 

If you prefer the Black Custom variant of the Fireball, it is priced at Rs 2,06,244. The mid-spec Stellar variant, available in Red, Black, and Blue, is priced at Rs 2,10,580. The top-end variant, known as Supernova, comes in Blue, Brown, and Red, and is priced at Rs 2,25,533 (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

As for the Jawa 42 Bobber, it is available in a single variant, but you can choose from three different colors: Mystic Copper, Moonstone White, and Jasper Red Dual Tone. The Mystic Copper variant is priced at Rs 2,12,500, the Moonstone White variant costs Rs 2,13,500, and the Jasper Red Dual Tone variant comes with a price tag of Rs 2,15,187 (prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

Verdict

Selecting a victor from this pair is proving to be more challenging than anticipated. In our initial assessment of the Yezdi Roadster during its maiden ride, we expressed our fondness for this motorcycle as our preferred choice among Classic Legends' offerings. Undeniably, it is an appealing bike. However, when it comes to declaring a winner, we would have to give the nod to the Meteor 350 due to its authentic cruiser nature. It exudes the quintessential qualities expected from a cruiser.