Jawa’s journey in India has been gradual. It’s easy to overlook that the brand was introduced in 2018, yet it has overcome its initial challenges. Owned by Mahindra, Classic Legends has unveiled the 2024 Jawa 42, which boasts a range of updates, including mechanical enhancements. The company’s top-selling motorcycle, the Jawa 42, is now compared with another iconic brand, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350.
2024 Jawa 42 vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Engine Specs
Some might compare them to chalk and cheese, yet we think otherwise. Despite their distinct characteristics, both motorcycles evoke a sense of nostalgia with their classic aesthetics combined with modern mechanics. The Jawa 42 boasts a 294.72 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that delivers 27 bhp and 26.84 Nm of torque, coupled with a 6-speed gearbox featuring an assist-and-slipper clutch. Jawa claims that the J-panther engine offers better responsiveness at the low-end power band, enhanced cooling efficiency, and reduced noise, vibration, and harshness levels.
The Bullet 350 was introduced last year, equipped with a new 349 cc J-series single-cylinder, air-oil cooled engine that produces 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.
| Specifications | Jawa 42 | Royal Enfield Bullet 350 |
| Engine | 294.72 cc liquid cooled | 349 cc air-oil cooled |
| Power | 27 bhp | 20.2 bhp |
| Torque | 26.84 Nm | 27 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
2024 Jawa 42 vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Hardware and Features
Both retro motorcycles are based on a double cradle tubular frame. The Jawa 42 is equipped with 35 mm front telescopic forks and twin gas-charged rear shocks with adjustable preload. It sports a 280 mm front disc brake and a 240 mm rear disc brake. The Jawa 42 rides on an 18-inch front tyre and a 17-inch rear tyre, available with either wire-spoke or alloy wheels. The alloy wheel variant comes with tubeless tyres. While the entry-level models come with single-channel ABS, the mid-range and top-tier models are outfitted with dual-channel ABS. Unfortunately, the Jawa 42 does not include a USB phone charger.
The Bullet 350 has larger dimensions with a wheelbase of 1390 mm, whereas the Jawa 42’s wheelbase is shorter by 21 mm. The Bullet 350 features 41 mm telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers at the back. It sports a set of 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, equipped with single-channel ABS on the more affordable models and dual-channel ABS on the higher-end variants. Additionally, the Bullet 350 comes with a USB charging port, and there’s an option to include the Tripper navigation system.
2024 Jawa 42 vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Price
The updated pricing for the Jawa 42 begins at Rs 1.73 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.98 lakh, ex-showroom. With the addition of six new colours — Vega White, Voyager Red, Asteroid Grey, Odyssey Black, Nebula Blue, and Celestial Copper Matte — the Jawa 42 now boasts a total of 14 paint schemes, encompassing both gloss and matte finishes.
The Bullet 350 is priced between Rs 1.73 lakh and Rs 2.16 lakh, ex-showroom. It comes in seven colours: Black Gold, Standard Maroon, Standard Black, Military SilverRed, Military SilverBlack, Military Red, and Military Black.
