Jawa motorcycles made their debut in Nepal at the end of 2020, introducing with it a new player to the retro motorcycle segment of Nepal. And when it comes to the retro motorcycle segment, there is one name that springs to mind: The Royal Enfield.

In a relatively uncontested segment, the RE name has reigned supreme for years. However, Jawa Motorcycles comes with a significantly strong legacy backing its foray into the market. There was a time when Jawa, the Czech motorcycle manufacturer, enjoyed the same popularity that Royal Enfield commands today. In 1973, the Jawa was rebranded as the Yezdi and continued to find success in the Indian motorcycle market. In fact, if we were to believe some locals, there were a few Jawas and Yezdis strolling the streets of Nepal.

Unfortunately, with the 90’s came the age of globalization and most of the hefty, fuel chugging, masculine classics had to make way for sleeker, more fuel efficient and cheaper alternatives. With time, motorcycles that made sense edged out the motorcycles that made your heart flutter. The lone survivor of this metamorphosis was the Royal Enfield.

That was until, around the end of 2016, Mahindra and Mahindra acquired the British motorcycling firm BSA along with the license to produce and sell Jawa Motorcycles. This made way for the resurgence of the Jawa Motorcycle brand, the lone contender to the cult following of the Royal Enfield.

And that brings us to here. Reviewing one of the two available Jawas in Nepal, the Jawa Forty-Two.

Design

The Jawa Forty-Two looks like an old classic motorcycle, there are no two ways about it. However, it manages to add a modern flair to its design. Compared to the Jawa Jawa, Jawa motorcycle’s other offering in Nepal, the chrome use is drastically reduced. The front fender is also smaller, the handlebars are wider and it gets a more contemporary offset instrument cluster. Shorter riders will be happy with the short seat height of 765mm.

It comes with a 280-mm front disc and an option of a 240-mm disc at the rear and boasts of an option of dual-channel ABS. Many will also appreciate the dual silencers that add character to the Jawa Forty Two.

Performance and Handling

The engine is derived from the Mahindra Mojo and displaces 293cc. The liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, despite being a single, gets a dual exhaust system. (Jawa Trivia: Rustom Hormazdji, a vital part of the R&D back in the 1970s, defended the single-cylinder twin-exhaust styling by comparing it to a woman. He was often quoted as saying, ‘how would a woman look like with just one bosom?’). While the exhaust note is decent, the dual exhaust is mostly there for aesthetic purposes. The engine performed well and exhibited a good low-end to mid-range grunt.  You won’t run into any surprises with these engines. Throttle response is linear and you really get to enjoy the machines without worrying about any nasty behaviors on the motorcycles’ part.

In terms of the numbers, the engine puts out 27BHP of maximum power and 28NM of maximum torque. In traffic, the engine is manageable and lugs around comfortably. The Jawa Forty-Two weighs in at a relatively lightweight of 170kgs which makes it easy to handle. Thanks to the wider handlebars of the Forty-Two it has a more commanding position and better ergonomics.

On the highway, the Jawa Forty-Two is capable of attaining cruising speeds quickly and staying there for longer periods of time. Twist the throttle and you can make overtaking maneuvers with confidence too. However, if you really pin the throttle and push the revs, vibrations creep in through the handlebars and footpegs. It feels most comfortable cruising at a moderate speed.

The taller front and shorter rear mean that the rear gets a shorter and stiffer suspension. This also means that road undulations will not go unnoticed. The front suspension gets a softer setup which is susceptible to diving under hard braking. Surprisingly, the Jawa Forty-Two performs well when taken off-road, mostly due to its higher ground clearance.

Verdict

It’s good to have the Jawa name in the streets of Nepal. Not only is it a fresh new entrant, but it seems to be a worthy contender for the almighty Royal Enfield. Although it might be too soon to say how it’s going to fare against the big guns of Royal Enfield (especially with the brand vowing to consistently bring out new products in the coming years), Jawa Motorcycles definitely bring new flavor to the retro motorcycle segment.

While still a retro-inspired motorcycle, the Jawa Forty-Two takes a slightly modern take. It is sportier than its sibling, the Jawa Jawa, which is more conventionally designed. We loved the way it rides, and the wide handlebars give you great ergonomics. Power output and riding dynamics promise a fun ride across longer distances and durations.

And now that there is a second, more improved, version of the model out in India, it looks like Jawa Motorcycles is entering the fight all guns blazing. We will be looking forward to seeing how they fare in the Nepalese market, but for now, we have nothing but good things to say about the Jawa Forty-Two.

Jawa Forty Two Review | Nepal Drives