2024 Jawa 350 Review: Curious Case Of A Modern Classic

Modern classics help revel the joy of motorcycling like no other - effortless, comfortable and soothing to the eyes. Many players have tried their luck but the household name has been Royal Enfield, followed by Jawa-Yezdi. The latter, backed by Classic Legends, re-entered the market in 2018 with the Jawa Standard. The motorcycle looked like a modern classic but rode differently. Quality and service issues marred the image further. Fast forward to 2024, the company has received fresh investment, and its new market strategy begins with the re-engineered Jawa 350. In a word, this new motorcycle is what I would have expected from the brand from day one. Let me tell you why:

Jawa 350 is a scaled-up version of the replaced Jawa Standard. This has been primarily achieved by reworking the chassis and swingarm. Wheelbase, seat height and ground clearance stand at 1,449 mm, 805 mm and 178 mm respectively. For you, it means, even if you are 5 feet 8 inches taller or above, this will be comfortable. The posture is upright, reaching out the handlebars is effortless, and thighs grip the tear-drop fuel tank. The footpeg placement is marginally rear set, which 10 mm pushed to the front would have been so much better.

Jawa 350’s retro-charm remains highly desirable. Whether it’s the old-school, round halogen-reflector bulb up front or the long, chrome-finished twin exhaust pipes, the Jawa 350 looks neat from more angles than one. The softness of the tanned brown seat may sore your back on a long ride but loses no points in the finish or the way it looks. The technology expertise of the motorcycle is from the Jurassic era, and that’s often appreciated by the riders. No blue tooth connectivity, no ride-by-wire, no LED lights, no traction control or digital instrumentation, it remains true to the ethos of Jawa’s of the past. What you have though is dual-channel ABS, and I quite enjoyed the bite and feedback. The initial bite from the brakes is assuring, and the feedback from the levers is progressive. No wonder, Classic Legends relentlessly brag about these Continental-sourced brakes.

What about the engine? Out goes the 294-cc engine and in comes the 334-cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled mill, which Perak, Bobber 42 and a slew of Yezdi motorcycles use. This, however, is different from what you have experienced before. There is almost a 20% drop in power and yet it is not shocking. The character has been manipulated. The compression ratio of the engine has dropped to 9.5:1, and along with a remapped ECU and the quintessential changes to the engine parts, the Jawa 350 behaves like a retro motorcycle. Healthy torque is available from 3,500 rpm and builds nicely in the mid-range. There is a raspy thump in the beginning. Twist the throttle, and there is a healthy surge of torque until 7,000 rpm. The higher you go, the more the vibrations kick in. Cruising at 80 kmph is effortless, and the Jawa 350 can be pulled to 100 kmph without much fuss. The company claims 125 kmph to be the top speed.

Unlike the RE Classic or Honda H’ness, the Jawa 350 comes paired with a 6-speed transmission, aided by a slip-and-assist clutch. Over my 300-plus-kilometre ride today, I faced no sore fingers or uncomfortable heat waves radiating towards my legs. That being said, the weather was sub-20 degrees Celsius and the road arrow straight appears as a caveat to speak much about engine heating or weight of clutch pull. Largely, the engine felt tractable and gearing seemed much neater than before. The throws are relatively long. Quick overtakes shouldn't require dropping a gear or two.

The interesting aspect is the way Jawa 350 swings and sways in corners. With the wheelbase going up by 80 mm, over a 10-kilo bump in kerb weight and the centre of gravity presumably higher than before, one may think the handling is compromised. To understand the dynamics, there is more than just numbers. Firstly, size matters. Jawa Standard to Jawa 350 is a story on XS to L, which is a very good thing. Average-height Indian riders will feel more natural swinging a leg over. The sense of control over the motorcycle has improved. Additionally, a fatter section of the rear tyre and dual-channel as standard all add to the rider’s confidence. Not meant for corner carving, the Jawa 350 is pretty much point-and-shoot when it comes to handling. Relatively speaking, the Jawa 350 feels more assured handling curves than the RE Classic 350, however, it is the latter that tips the scales when it comes to ride quality. The 35-mm, telescopic front forks feel more supple than the twin-spring suspension on the rear. However, preload adjustability (rear) means you are free to tinker with the settings to find the sweet spot.

A few of my fellow riders faced fueling issues, and others said panel gaps are still bothering them. I liked the Jawa 350 though. At ₹2.15 lakh (ex-showroom), it is a more complete product than ever. ‘Being basic can be classy,’ the Jawa 350 screams loudly. The engine has a character and stance becoming bigger than before are my takeaways from the ride. If you are looking for a modern classic, I recommend a test ride of the Jawa 350. The product is out, and now the brand has to work on its image. I hope the dealership experience and aftersales paint a supportive picture for the ones walking in.