Jawa has updated its motorcycle lineup and launched the Jawa 42 Fj version, a sportier take on the 42 that still sticks to the retro design language. Thanks to shorter fenders and a few other touches, the motorcycle looks sleeker and smaller. This puts it directly in the line of Royal Enfield’s offering for new riders, the Hunter 350.
With prices starting at Rs 1.99 lakh ex-showroom, the Jawa 42 FJ costs Rs 50,000 more than the base version of the Royal Enfield Hunter, which costs Rs 1.49 lakh ex-showroom. Let’s take a detailed look at both the motorcycles and how they compare against each other.
Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter design and dimension
The Jawa 42 FJ carries a lot of design similarities from the 42, but has its own unique touches to make it stand out. The tear-drop-shaped tank, the round headlight, the narrow seat, and the up-swept dual exhausts add to the sporty nature of the retro-themed motorcycle.
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 also features a similar design, with a round headlight, up-swept exhaust, a narrow seat, and being small compared to other Enfields. The intention is to get new riders onboard and the Hunter is the perfect stepping stone for that.
| Dimensions | Jawa 42 | Hunter |
| Length | — | 2055 mm |
| Width | — | 800 mm |
| Height | — | 1055 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1440 mm | 1370 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 178 mm | 150 mm |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 790 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 12-litres | 13-litres |
| Weight | 184 kg | 177 kg |
Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter equipment and features
The new Jawa 42 FJ and the Hunter get similar equipment, such as telescopic front forks, dual rear shocks, LED lighting, blacked-out engine components, disc brakes at both ends and alloy wheels amongst others. However, they do have their differences. The Hunter gets 17-inch wheels, while the Jawa 42 Fj gets an 18-17 combo. The Hunter has a semi-digital instrument cluster while the Jawa gets a fully digital unit.
| Features | Jawa 42 FJ | Hunter |
| Suspension (F) | Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Suspension (R) | Dual Shocks | Dual Shocks |
| Brakes (F) | Disc | Disc |
| Brakes (R) | Disc | Disc |
| Tyre (F) | 100/90R18 | 100/80R17 |
| Tyre (R) | 140/70R17 | 120/80R17 |
Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter engine specifications
Both motorcycles are powered by a single-cylinder engine. The Jawa 42 FJ gets a liquid-cooled motor mated to a six-speed gearbox while the Hunter gets an air-cooled unit paired to a five-speed gearbox. That said, the Jawa 42 also makes more power and torque than the Hunter 350.
| Engine Specs | Jawa 42 FJ | Hunter |
| Displacement | 334 cc | 349 cc |
| Power | 29 bhp | 20 bhp |
| Torque | 29.6 Nm | 27 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
