Classic Legends, the motorcycle arm of the Mahindra group, gave us a chance to relive the days of the legendary motorcycle brands – Jawa and Yezdi. They are now turning the classics that we loved as kids into modern classics that the current generation can love as well. In the process, they introduced us to the country’s most affordable Bobber – Jawa Perak. While the Perak was a hit and a miss, it was well-accepted by enthusiasts. To keep the Bobber spirit alive, Classic Legends now give us the Jawa 42 Bobber, which is more affordable than the Perak but comes equipped with a better kit.
Let’s deep dive and see what this new modern classic can offer as a low-slung bobber.
Design
Right off the bat, the design is a huge improvement from the Perak and one would appreciate the way this motorcycle looks. I would like to go out and say that this indeed is one of the most pretty-looking motorcycles on this side of the ₹3-lakh mark. The new round headlamp with complete LED lighting is not only modern but looks superb. The DRLs also add to the overall look of the motorcycle even when riding during the day. The suspension forks are nice and chunky and merge into the spoked wheels that house the chunky tyres.
The engine bay has a blacked-out radiator, behind which you will find the engine finished in chrome. The exhaust pipes are blacked out like the other components of the motorcycle and both make the side and rear of the motorcycle look appealing. The single seat sits on a mono-suspension and the setup makes the bike look brawny from the rear. The tail lamps sit on the rear fender and is flanked by LED turn indicators. The chunky tyres on the rear complete the Bobber look. It looks stunning from any angle and will definitely grab a lot of eyeballs.
Also read: The New Jawa Perak – Five Hits And As Many Misses
Power
The 42 Bobber is powered by a 334 CC engine that produces 30.6 PS of power and 32.7 Nm torque mated to a 6-speed transmission. The Bobber is equipped with a slipper and assist clutch as well. The throttle response is much better than it was on the Perak and the power is quite adequate for regular highway runs. This is a high-revving engine which is why you need to work the gears to keep it in the torque band. It is not as tractable as we would like it to be and you need to shift down at lower speeds to avoid knocking and stalling. On the plus side the slipper and assist clutch makes quick work of the downshifts. The upshifts are smooth too but not as slick as the downshifts. I found that the upshifts were a little chunky at times. The heat is also managed really well. The bike tends to heat up in traffic conditions, however, the fan does a good job of keeping the hot blast of air away from your legs. On the highway though, the engine purrs away happily when you’re cruising on the 6th gear at 90-100 kmph.
Ride Quality & Handling
The 42 Bobber is a heavy motorcycle but its low height makes it easy to handle the motorcycle. The handlebar though wide is not something you won’t be able to handle in city traffic. You can still make your way through the small gaps between vehicles. I would only be worried about the bar end mirrors that extend out of the handlebar. One will have to consider them being there while manoeuvring through traffic. The suspension, on the other hand, is not meant for bad roads. Don’t even think about taking it off-roading.
The ground clearance is also low and you have to be careful on uneven bumps and speed breakers, as there is a chance that you will scrape the motorcycle’s belly. Well, that is a characteristic of Bobbers, they are low and have a longer wheelbase making them sit closer to the ground. If you are an enthusiast, you already know that and would not complain about the same. The 42 Bobber comes into character when you show it a set of highways.
The straight-line stability is amazing and if you love cruising, you can do it all day long on this Bobber. Corner carving? Well, it’s a Bobber, you don’t buy a Bobber to take on the twisties. You will enjoy the motorcycle on highway trips and on smooth roads of the city.
Mileage
Though we were not able to perform a comprehensive fuel consumption test, with the few hundred kilometres that we rode gave us a fair idea of the mileage. In the city you can expect the mileage to be in the 25-28 kmpl range while on the highways expect a healthy 32-34 kmpl. The average efficiency should be in the 27-30 kmpl range which is quite respectable for this engine size.
Features
The 42 Bobber comes equipped with all LED lamps including the turn-indicators. The seat is adjustable for two-steps for you to get a comfortable riding position. You will also get a full LCD instrument cluster with complete digital readouts. The LCD display is clearly visible in bright sunlight as well.
The quality of the switchgear has also been improved and they feel like they will age well. The bike is also equipped with dual-channel ABS. Another safety feature is the engine cut-off when the side stand is engaged which for some reason does not let the bike start even when it is in neutral. The motorcycle also gets a USB charger that supports both USB-A and USB-C cables.
Pricing and Colours
The pricing of the Jawa 42 Bobber depends on the colour that you choose. The Mystic copper is priced at ₹2.06L, the Moonstone White at ₹2.07L and the flagship Jasper Red is priced at ₹2.08L. All prices are ex-showroom. This makes the 42 Bobber cheaper than the Perak as well.
Competition
If you are set out to buy Bobber, the 42 Bobber has only its cousin, the Perak to compete with unless you have a higher budget and want to set your hands on one of the Harleys. Between the two, I would put my money on the 42 Bobber as it gives more value, features and a prettier-looking motorcycle while saving money for fuel for my next trip.
Verdict
Bobbers are not everyone’s cup of tea. Only the enthusiasts will be able to appreciate the true characteristics of a Bobber. That being said, if you are someone who wants a low-slung bike for your weekend highway runs, you could definitely give the 42 Bobber a shot. You would also be happy with the number of eyeballs you are able to grab while you ride on this single-seated beauty. Also, considering the price, it has been priced well. If you are looking for something that stands out from the Royal Enfields, TVSs and the Hondas, the Jawa 42 Bobber could be your pick.
On a side note, the motorcycle has a capable chassis and Jawa should capitalize on the same and build a higher-capacity engine. That will be a much more fun motorcycle to ride.