Jawa Motorcycles recently launched the 42 FJ in India, with several enhancements over the standard version, including a larger 334cc engine and new colour schemes. The bike starts at Rs 1.99 lakh and competes with the recently upgraded Royal Enfield Classic 350, which has a comparable starting price. Given that these two models are among the top contenders in the 350cc market, we'll compare them on paper to determine which is the best option.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 FJ: Engine
The Classic 350 is powered by a 349.34 cc single-cylinder air-cooled mill and a 5-speed gearbox. It boasts power and torque ratings of 20.2bhp and 27Nm, respectively. On the other hand, the Jawa 42 FJ is equipped with a 334cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 28.7bhp and 29.62Nm and comes mated to a six-speed transmission. In this section, the Jawa bike outperforms its competitor with its six-speed gearbox and higher power and torque outputs.
Also Read: Jawa 42 FJ Spoke and Alloy Wheel Variants Explained: What's Different?
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 FJ: Hardware
The suspension system of the Royal Enfield bike consists of twin shock absorbers with a 6-step preload adjustment in the back and 41mm telescopic forks at the front. The higher-spec models have dual-channel ABS and disc brakes on both ends for braking. In comparison, the lower-spec models sport a disc-drum combo and single-channel ABS. The motorcycle has spoked wheels at the front and rear, measuring 19 inches and 18 inches respectively. However, only selected models are available with alloy wheels.
The Jawa bike, on the other hand, features rear shock absorbers with a 5-step preload adjustment and a telescopic front fork. For braking, it sports a 320mm disc brake up front and a disc brake in the back. The bike also comes with a choice of wire-spoked or alloy wheels, covered in rubber tyres.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 FJ: Design and Features
The updated Classic 350 has seven colour options (Madras Red, Commando Sand, Jodhpur Blue, Emerald, Medallion Bronze, Sand Grey, and Stealth Black), which are spread across five distinct models (Heritage, Heritage Premium, Signals, Dark, and Emerald). It sports a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a large mudguard, and all LED illumination for the headlight, taillamp, and turn indicators. In terms of features, the bike includes a gear-position indicator, adjustable brake and clutch levers, and a USB-C charging socket.
The new Jawa 42, in contrast, features a split grip rail, a single-piece handlebar, a thinner fuel tank with a brushed aluminum finish, and a 'Jawa' decal. As for colours, there are different options to choose from, such as Cosmo Matte Blue, Mystique Green, Deep Matte Black, and Deep Matte Black with Red Accents.
The Jawa 42 FJ is also a feature-rich bike, with equipment such as all-LED illumination, an offset speedometer, dual-channel ABS, a USB charging port, and a digital instrument cluster (with Bluetooth connectivity).
The 42 FJ (1440mm) has a slightly longer wheelbase than the Classic 350 (1,390mm). It also features a longer seat (805mm) compared to the Royal Enfield bike (790mm). The fuel tank capacity of the former is 12 litres, and the latter is 13 litres.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 350 - New vs Old: What's Different?
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 42 FJ: Price
The entry-level spoke wheel variant of the Jawa 42 FJ is priced at Rs 1.99 lakh, while the top-spec alloy wheel version is priced at Rs 2.20 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi). The Royal Enfield Classic 350, in contrast, costs between Rs 1.99 lakh and Rs 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
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