Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 – Know the one that evokes old-school appeal more

Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 – Know the one that evokes old-school appeal more

Being a consistent name among the top ten-selling motorcycles in India, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 might seem unbeatable with its roaring sales numbers, but the Jawa 42 comes across as a strong contender.

• The Royal Enfield Classic 350 got a thorough update in 2021, while the Jawa 42 came in as an answer with minor updates over the ‘Forty-Two’, its pared-down and more affordable version.
• The 349cc, air-cooled engine of the Classic 350 offers more torque, while the 294.72cc, liquid-cooled engine of the Jawa 42 claims a higher power output.
• Among the two motorcycles here, the Jawa 42 is the more affordable one.

Launched more than a decade ago, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is a sales champion and front-runner of retro roadsters in India. With a timeless design and impressive torque, the Classic 350 has become a raging success over all these years. However, every champion finds a worthy contender at some point, and the Classic 350 also met one in the face of Jawa 42. In 2021, both motorcycles received their respective upgrades, making them more potent and desirable machines. Which one among the two feels more accomplished and charming motorcycle? We find out.

Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42: Design and features

Both Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa 42 are thoughtfully designed retro roadsters, which give them an old-worldly charm. However, in comparison, the Classic 350 has a more distinctive design with an old-school approach, reminiscent of the Bullet from yesteryears. But that doesn’t mean that the Jawa 42 is a one-level down motorcycle, as it looks quite fresh and charming. Overall, design is a purely subjective aspect, with both Classic 350 and 42 holding their grounds firmly.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has an edge over the Jawa 42 in the list of features and fit and finish levels. Compared to the 42, the Classic 350 feels better built with tighter fit and finish levels, while getting more features like a part-digital instrument console and split seats. However, the availability of dual exhaust pipes of the Jawa 42 is a rare sight in its segment and makes it an attention magnet. While the Jawa 42 gets black alloy wheels as standard, the Classic 350 gets them as an option in two of its colour schemes.

Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42: Engine and transmission

The single-cylinder, air-cooled, 349cc engine of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 fares better than the single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 294.72cc engine of the Jawa 42 in terms of refinement and torque. While the Classic 350 posts better torque output, and that too at a lower RPM, than the Jawa 42, it is the latter which feels faster flat-out with its peakier power output and superior liquid-cooling tech.

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

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has a clear advantage over the Jawa 42 as far as the overall chassis setup is concerned. While both the motorcycles come with telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and hydraulic coil springs at the rear, the Classic 350 has wider forks and an additional step in preload adjustment. The Classic 350 also gets larger front and rear wheels with wider tyres in this comparison, which results in better stability levels, especially around corners. Even the front and rear disc brakes of the Classic 350 are larger and have more bite, compared to those of the Jawa 42. Both motorcycles come with the facility of dual-channel ABS.

Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42: Dimensions

While the Jawa 42 might seem a bit compact in comparison to Royal Enfield Classic 350 from a distance, it is the former which is wider and taller among the two motorcycles here. The Classic 350 is the heavier one and with a taller seat height, which makes the Jawa 42 a friendlier motorcycle for newer riders.

Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42: Price

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is available in multiple colour options, all of which range between Rs 1,90,092 to Rs 2,21,297 (ex-showroom, Delhi). On the other hand, the Jawa 42 is being offered in a single variant with three colour options, all of which are priced at Rs 1,93,246 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The 42 also gets a namesake version in the ‘Forty-Two’, which gets spoke wheels and misses out on the black theme, alloy wheels option and headlamp grille, which is priced even lower. So, it is clear that it is the Jawa 42 which offers more value for its asking price.

Conclusion

While the Jawa 42 might look like a clear winner on the value-for-money front with its higher power output, dual exhausts and appeal as a lighter motorcycle with a lower seat height, there’s more to the story. In comparison, the engine of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 might be lower on power, but it is more refined and packs in more usable torque. 

In addition, the Classic 350 has plusher and wider front and rear suspension units, wider front and rear tyres, and bigger brakes, which makes it mechanically a superior product. Also, the fit and finish levels of Classic 350 are one level up over those of the Jawa 42. Keeping all these advantages in consideration, the Classic 350 appeals as a more mechanically-sorted product over the equally good looking Jawa 42.