Jawa 42 Bobber Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

Stylish Design

One of the unique selling points of the Jawa-Yezdi 42 Bobber is its design. The factory custom look is appealing and it grabs attention wherever it goes. Now, at first glance, the new 42 Bobber may look similar to the Perak. However, this Jawa-Yezdi product gets a new design that is visible in the form of a compact headlight that uses an LED setup instead of the halogen light seen on Perak. The fuel tank, too, is noticeably different from the Perak and the 42 Bobber comes with knee recesses and tank pads that allow the rider to hold the motorcycle more efficiently than the Perak. Moreover, this bobber-style product comes with a newly-designed saddle that is two-step adjustable for better ergonomics. Then, there is the low seat height of just 740mm, making it effortless to mount the 42 Bobber.

Apart from the styling improvements mentioned above, the 42 Bobber also gets more colour options than the Perak. The colour palette on this motorcycle includes three options – Mystic Copper, Moonstone White, and dual-tone Jasper Red. The dual-tone red, which carries the highest price tag, is also the most stylish and appealing option on the list. The good paint quality on the fuel tank looks premium while the 42 badge on the headlight elevates its design quotient.

Better Equipment

The design is further complemented by an improved feature list and the 42 Bobber gets full-LED lighting and a fully-digital instrument cluster that shows more information than the unit on the Perak. The switchgear from the Yezdi motorcycles adds a touch of premium feel to the package while the USB charger enhances the utility value. Unfortunately, Jawa-Yezdi has still not announced a Bluetooth module for the 42 Bobber, not even as an optional extra. However, this feature is available on its direct rival, the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Meanwhile, the headlight is among the best units that we have tested in the recent past. The low beam has a good spread, while the high beam packs a commendable throw. Further, the six-speed gearbox benefits from an assist and a slipper clutch mechanism, and the lever on the 42 Bobber feels much softer than the unit on the Perak Bobber.

Engine and Performance

The 42 Bobber shares its 334cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with the Perak. It also makes the same power and torque output as the Perak, producing 30bhp maximum output and 32.7Nm of peak torque. This motor keeps treading ahead without complaint anywhere above 3,000rpm. It does, however, start building power smoothly above 4,000rpm. It also packs a meaty mid- and high-rev performance. In the sixth gear, the 42 Bobber cruises at 80kmph at 5,000rpm while 100kmph comes just shy of 6,000rpm. This leaves you with about 3,000rpm still at your disposal for quick overtakes. The refinement levels, however, aren’t something to write home about. More on that in the latter part of the review.

Pricing

Despite all the updates mentioned above, the Jawa-Yezdi 42 Bobber is available at a lower price tag than the Perak, which makes it a better value-for-money product than its bobber-style sibling. The Mystic Copper paint theme, which is the most affordable option on the list, is available at Rs 2,06,500. Meanwhile, the Moonstone White and Jasper Red (dual-tone) paint options have been priced at Rs 2,07,500 and Rs 2,09,187, respectively.

Cons

Refinement

Remember when we said that the refinement levels aren’t something to write home about? That’s because the vibrations are evident right from 5,000rpm, and they become more pronounced as the revs climb higher. The sound from the engine, too, feels very industrial and harsh, and it isn’t a pleasant experience when riding the motorcycle. Then, there’s the gearbox that lacks the crispness in shifts and feels rough, especially when riding in traffic.

Comfort

Comfort isn’t a strong suite for this motorcycle either and the suspension setup, which comprises telescopic front forks and a rear monoshock, feels stiff. Jawa-Yezdi claims that the setup has been tuned for a more pliant ride, but the 42 Bobber doesn’t feel very comfortable. The setup starts to feel harsher as the speed climbs. On the upside, this setup is useful for spirited riding, but the low ground clearance doesn’t allow you higher lean angles.

Practicality

Practicality is another aspect where the Jawa-Yezdi 42 Bobber falls short, and this cannot be the only motorcycle in your garage. Giving the pillion seat a miss reduces its practicality while the fewer luggage mounting options and lack of windblast protection rob it of touring capabilities. Sure, Jawa-Yezdi will sell you a rear-fender luggage rack, but it cannot be used to mount saddlebags. Lastly, while the engine packs a very enjoyable character, the braking setup doesn’t complement its performance and a little more initial bite from the anchoring hardware would have worked well in this motorcycle’s favour.

Verdict

So, should you buy it? It is, without a doubt, a stylish motorcycle that will make you the centre of attention wherever you ride it to, especially if you purchase the dual-tone red version. The paint quality is commendable too, and so are the switches and the headlight performance. Further, the engine packs a very enjoyable character, and it will keep you engaged as long as there is smooth tarmac.

But it lacks refinement and needs a plusher ride quality. Further, the practicality aspect doesn’t work in its favour either and the single-seat setup limits the use of this motorcycle. Lastly, despite its aggressive pricing than the Perak, the 42 Bobber still retails in the same price range as the Classic 350 which has a better sales and service network across India along with a long list of accessories. While at it, don’t forget to check out our detailed comparison of the Jawa-Yezdi 42 Bobber against the Royal Enfield Classic 350 HERE.