Jawa recently debuted the 42 FJ as its second offering on the revised 350 platform. The bike brings a new touch to the standard 42 and rivals the Royal Enfield Classic 350 in its segment. That said, Royal Enfield too recently updated the Classic with a few new bits. So, we have faired the two on paper and here is the result.
Design
The Jawa 42 FJ is a thorough retro-looking motorcycle and so is the Royal Enfield Classic 350. Both bikes get a round LED headlight, a wide fuel tank, circular instrument console(s), and old-school theme overall. However, the 42 FJ sports pastel colour schemes with a brushed aluminium finish on the fuel tank. Meanwhile, the Classic comes chrome laden and boasts a gloss finish for most of the colour options.
Features
Jawa has equipped the 42 FJ with an LED headlight, a fully digital instrument console, a USB charging port, and dual-channel ABS. On the other hand, the updated Classic 350 also gets an LED headlight and position lights, a USB charging port, dual-channel ABS as well as a semi-digital cluster. You can also purchase the Royal Enfield Classic 350 with a single-channel ABS setup. The Jawa 42 FJ has the upper hand since it gets a fully digital setup.
Engine
Powering the Jawa 42 FJ is a 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It develops 28.7bhp and 29.62Nm and gets a six-speed gearbox. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 uses a 349cc, single-cylinder, engine that produces 20.2bhp at 6,100rpm and 27Nm at 4,000rpm. The Jawa 42 FJ makes more power and torque than the Classic 350 and scores extra points on paper.
Hardware
Both bikes ride on telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks. But the Jawa 42 FJ comes with a front and rear disc brake setup for all trims whereas the Classic 350’s base model gets a front disc and rear drum brake. Moreover, Jawa has equipped the 42 FJ with spoke wheels and tubed tyres for the base trim and alloy wheels with tubeless tyres for the rest. Royal Enfield on the other hand offers alloy wheels only with the Stealth Black colour.
Price
The asking price for the Jawa 42 FJ is set at Rs. 1.99 lakh for the spoke wheel model and Rs. 2.20 lakh (both ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top-spec alloy wheel variant. Royal Enfield has priced the 2024 Classic 350 at Rs. 2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
