Jawa Motorcycles Puts the Hit Out on Royal Enfield

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Jawa Motorcycles is back in action with three new models aimed directly at Royal Enfield’s offerings.

Royal Enfield has always made some of the coolest bikes out there, in my opinion, but now Jawa has some models that will give the bikemaker a run for its money.

Jawa showed off three new models that look vintage-cool and completely ready to take down the motorcycling stalwart in India. Here’s a look at the bikes.

Three New Jawas

Jawa has three new models: Jawa, Jawa Forty Two, and Perak. Jawa’s website says the standard Jawa has a ’50s aesthetic inspired by the brand’s heyday.

The bike definitely looks cool and Jawa does a good job hitting nostalgia with the styling. It’s a damn cool-looking motorcycle with plenty of chrome in a very non-Harley-chrome kind of way.

Jawa motorcycles being unveiled
Jawa motorcycles during their unveiling. (photo: Jawa)

The Jawa Forty Two looks like a standard Jawa with a few subtle styling changes designed to make it look a little more modern. Again, it’s a damn cool-looking bike.

The Perak takes the styling of the first two bikes and puts it into bobber form. It’s another great-looking bike and, according to RideApart is the first of its kind for mass production to be sold in India.

All three of the bikes should be able to pull people’s eyes away from Royal Enfield’s bike lineup, and probably steal sales.

Jawa Specs

The first two bikes get a single-cylinder 293cc engine good for about 27 hp. The Perak gets a slightly bigger 334cc one-lunger that makes 30 hp. Jawa’s new engines almost equally match Royal Enfield’s offerings.

Jawa will sell the bikes in India for about $2,150 ($2,280 for the Perak).  Mahindra Group, which now owns Jawa, expressed no plans to come to the U.S. I hope that changes, though, as Jawa starts to sell more of these bikes.

Author: Wade Thiel

Wade started Wind Burned Eyes and runs it. He's always up for chatting, so feel free to reach out.