Jawa 42 First Ride: Feels Different in a Good Way

If Jawa Classic was based on a motorcycle from a by-gone era, then what is Jawa 42?

Agni MotoInc Pvt. Ltd., the authorized distributor of Jawa bikes in Nepal, made their entry in the Nepali market with two Jawa bikes: Jawa Classic and Jawa 42.

We have already gone into detail about the Jawa Classic, be sure to check them out!

Despite its imperfections, we fell in love with the Jawa Classic.

If you didn’t know there are major part-sharing between the two models, which theoretically should mimic a similar experience in handling and performance.

We wanted to find out the true difference between the two Jawa brothers, trying our best to separate one experience from another.

Before we begin, Jawa 42 price in Nepal starts at Rs. 6,20,000 (Single-channel ABS) and Rs. 6,48,000 (Dual-channel ABS).

With that in mind, this is the First Impression of the all-new Jawa 42!

Jawa Forty Two First Ride

Modern Undertones

Jawa 42 comes with a classic design with a modern undertone.

It resembles the Jawa Classic design, even managing to feel original and more contemporary.

On the front, it gets the same rounded headlamp matched with halogen bulbs all around the motorcycle.

However, the handlebar is separate from the headlamp housing. It is a blacked-out single-piece handlebar, topped with an off-set inverted analog-digital instrument cluster.

Interestingly, these are shared elements between the Classic and Forty-Two. Nevertheless, blacked-out aesthetics helps set them apart from one another.

Jawa 42 comes with a more muted design, less chrome finishing, and eye-popping colors.

Additional unique design elements include smaller front fenders, exterior fender guards, and a rear saree-guard.

On the side profile, it gets the same metallic 14-liter fuel tank along with a large engine, and dual exhaust configuration. Sleek lines and graceful curves are less noticeable, especially with the muted styling.

Like the Jawa Classic, it gets classic spoke wheel tyres to complete the overall retro styling.

Jawa 42 is available in six different colors: Nebula Blue, Comment Red, Starlight Blue, Lumos Lime, Halley’s Teal, and Galactic Green.

We tested it out in the Nebula Blue color, which is one of the most beautiful colors I have ever seen on a motorcycle!

ALSO READ: Jawa Classic Review: Almost Perfect in all Regards!

300cc Refined Engine

Jawa 42 gets a BS6-Compliant Engine which is a 293cc, Single-Cylinder, 4-stroke, Liquid-cooled, Fuel Injected DOHC engine. It can generate a max power of 26.51PS and max torque of 28Nm. Moreover, it is mated to a 6-speed transmission.

Both Jawa 42 and Jawa Classic are powered by the same engine.

Talking about the suspension setup, it gets a standard Telescopic Hydraulic Fork at the front and Twin Shock Hydraulic at the rear.

Moving to the braking performance, it is available in both Traditional Braking Option (Disc-Drum) and Dual Disc Braking Options.

If you choose the one with the standard braking option, you will get a Single-Channel ABS. Similarly, the Dual-Disc variant comes with a Dual-Channel ABS.

Like I’ve said earlier, the overall spec-sheet is the same as the Jawa Classic.

Addressing BS6 Controversy

There has been a lot of confusion regarding its “BS6-compliant” tag, so it would be appropriate to address it now.

Jawa motorcycles initially launched with a ‘BS6-ready’ engine, meaning it launched with a Fuel Injection engine adhering to BS6-norms. Moreover, the ‘BS6-compliant’ does not come with any performance change with the ‘BS6-ready’ engine.

Hence, these Jawa bikes can be called BS6-compliant in themselves. Still, there is a strong chance that Jawa Nepal might reintroduce Jawa bikes with BS6 tags in the future.

However, there will be a negligible difference between the two, except for a higher price tag.

ALSO READ: Suzuki Intruder 150 Review: Suzuki Gixxer Experience in a Cruiser Body

Loaded Features

Jawa 42 comes with more features than its competition, which we have already seen in its Classic sibling.

Here is a quick list of features in the new Jawa 42.

Jawa 42 Feature Highlights

• Retro Design with Modern Undertone
• Premium Metal Body Feel with Matte Finish
• Blacked out Design Elements
• Classic Circular Headlamp with Halogen Bulbs
• Unique LED Taillamp
• Off-set Analog-Digital Instrument Cluster
• 293cc Fuel-Injected Engine
• Twin Exhaust System
• Drum-Disc Braking (Dual Disc Braking Optional)
• Single-Channel ABS (Dual-Channel ABS Optional)

First Ride Experience

We are still in process of testing out the new Jawa 42 (priced at Rs. 6.48 Lakhs).

Interestingly, it feels so familiar yet so different. The design might be different but it is mechanically similar underneath.

The level of vibration is minimal in lower RPMs and noticeable in higher RPMs. Furthermore, the noticeable vibrations are mostly limited to the footpegs.

Nonetheless, there are vibrations feel in the handlebar some of the time.

Yet, Jawa 42 seems different in a way.

The handling feels more precise and confident inspiring. Moreover, dual-disc braking has excellent stopping power. In its own way, the Jawa 42 adds to the experience where the Jawa Classic was lacking.

Moving on to the suspension setup, the travel is definitely short. The overall experience is bumpy and stiff on rough roads with a smoother ride experience on highways.

Again, we have only driven the Jawa 42 for an hour or so. Regardless, we will get into meaty details in our Jawa 42: Full Review.

Until then, this has been the First Ride experience of the new Jawa 42 in Nepal.

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