JAWA Forty Two

The JAWA Forty Two is one of the most iconic motorcycles available in the Indian market today. It has proved to be a masterstroke by Classic Legends and has generated sizable interest amongst buyers ever since its launch. 

How’s the design? 

The JAWA Forty Two gets several design tweaks now including brand new alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. There is a blacked-out design for the exhaust pipes and engine along with new wheel pin stripes and a chunky racing stripe for the fuel tank alongside. The Classic Legends name has been integrated into the motorcycle as well. The bar-end standard mirrors aside, there are accessories like the smaller fly-screen, headlight grille and rear metal rack. The switches are all-new including a button for scrolling across the trip meters on the bike. The small digital screen is hard to read at times and lacks a trip computer, gear position indicator, and clock. The white, black, and red colors are all available along with the chrome and silver design for the original model. The bike looks attractive enough although there is a gap that juts out between the tyres and rear fender. 

How is the performance? 

The JAWA Forty Two comes with a single cylinder 293 cc engine that makes 27 BHP and 28 Nm of maximum torque. The bike is lighter and this does boost performance levels considerably. Power figures have also increased slightly for the JAWA Forty Two. The Cross Port technology brings in several refinements in this regard. The engine offers better performance and more power due to the superior exhaust flow. The power delivery feels better this time with a strong mid-range and the note of the exhaust is also more pleasing. 

How does the JAWA Forty Two ride? 

The JAWA Forty Two offers decent ride and handling. The bike corners neatly with a revamped side stand to avoid any scrapes. The bike feels light and maneuverable and is responsive enough. The ride quality still remains as firm as ever although the bike can tackle bumpers and potholes with relative ease. 

How comfortable is the JAWA Forty Two? 

The JAWA Forty Two comes with a revamped seat pan and there is foam used with higher density here as well. The seat offers higher support this time with the same seat height. The ergonomics and position are slightly lower this time and taller riders may have some issues. 

How’s the tech? 

The bike comes with Cross Port technology for the engine along with several optional accessories. There is the digital screen which lacks a bunch of readouts as well. 

How’s the mileage of the JAWA Forty Two? 

The mileage of the bike is approximately 35 kmpl. 

Is the JAWA Forty Two good value for money? 

The JAWA Forty Two offers reasonable value for money, with its better handling, improved engine and higher power. It also comes with a stylish design and plenty of brand value in addition to that classic recall factor. Hence, at its price point, it seems to be a value pick for buyers seeking something exciting. 

How is the after sales service? 

The service intervals are 1 month or 1,000 kilometres and 6,000 kilometres or 6 months, whichever is earlier. The third and fourth service intervals are 12 months or 12,000 kilometres and 18 months or 18,000 kilometres respectively. 

Which motorbikes compete in this segment? 

The JAWA Forty Two competes with several rivals in its category including the Honda H’Ness CB 350, Royal Enfield Classic 350, and the Benelli Imperiale 400. While it decently stacks up against most of its rivals, its biggest competitor is the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The latter is priced higher than the JAWA Forty Two and gets a bigger 349 cc engine (as compared to 293 cc for the JAWA Forty Two) and this makes 20.2 BHP of power as compared to 27 BHP for the JAWA, meaning that the latter is more powerful with a smaller engine. This does tilt the scales in its favour. 

Verdict (Value for Money)

The JAWA Forty Two offers a value proposition for buyers at its price point. It comes with plenty of brand and recall value, a stunning design, and good performance. This will be a sporty option for most buyers in their garages and it should continue doing well in the Indian market.