Choosing Your Retro Ride: Jawa 350 or Royal Enfield Classic 350?

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The Jawa 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 are both popular retro-styled motorcycles in the Indian market, each with its own distinct character and appeal. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand their differences:   

1. Engine and Performance:

  • Jawa 350:

    • Engine Type: Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Liquid Cooled, DOHC   
    • Displacement: 334 cc   
    • Maximum Power: 22.57 PS
    • Maximum Torque: 28.1 Nm   
    • Gearbox: 6-speed
    • Top Speed: 125 kmph (claimed)   
    • Owner Reported Mileage: Around 28-30 kmpl   
    • Performance: The Jawa 350 offers a more peppy and responsive engine compared to the Classic 350. The liquid-cooled engine and 6-speed gearbox contribute to a higher top speed and a more engaging riding experience, especially at higher speeds. Some riders might experience vibrations at higher speeds.   

  • Royal Enfield Classic 350:

    • Engine Type: Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Air-Oil Cooled Engine, Spark Ignition
    • Displacement: 349.34 cc
    • Maximum Power: 20.21 PS @ 6100 rpm
    • Maximum Torque: 27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
    • Gearbox: 5-speed
    • Top Speed: 120 kmph (claimed)
    • Owner Reported Mileage: Around 34-41 kmpl
    • Performance: The Classic 350’s engine is known for its smooth and relaxed character, especially in city riding conditions. It produces a distinctive “thump” exhaust note that many enthusiasts appreciate. While it has a slightly lower power output, it offers good low-end torque, making it suitable for comfortable cruising. Vibrations can be felt at higher speeds.   

2. Design and Styling:

  • Jawa 350: Features a classic retro design with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank with chrome accents and Jawa branding, a flat seat, and a generous use of chrome on components like the exhaust and headlight bezel. It has a more roadster-like stance.   

  • Royal Enfield Classic 350: Emphasizes a timeless, vintage cruiser look inspired by post-war G2 models. It features large, round mudguards, a teardrop fuel tank, a round headlight with a nacelle (casquette), and typically spoke wheels (alloy wheels are available in some variants). It has an upright riding posture.   

3. Features:

  • Jawa 350:

    • Instrument Console: Analogue speedometer and analogue trip meter, digital odometer, and fuel gauge.
    • Brakes: Dual disc brakes with dual-channel ABS as standard.   
    • Lighting: Halogen headlight, bulb taillight and turn signals.
    • Other: Low fuel indicator, passenger footrest, stand alarm, hazard warning indicator.   

  • Royal Enfield Classic 350:

    • Instrument Console: Analogue speedometer with a digital inset showing odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, and gear position indicator. Some variants offer the Tripper navigation pod (optional), which provides turn-by-turn navigation via Bluetooth.   
    • Brakes: Front disc brake with single or dual-channel ABS options, rear drum or disc brake depending on the variant.
    • Lighting: LED headlight, bulb taillight and turn signals.
    • Other: USB charging port (on some variants), service due indicator, low battery indicator, engine kill switch.

4. Dimensions and Weight:

  • Jawa 350:

    • Kerb Weight: 194 kg
    • Seat Height: 790 mm
    • Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 liters
    • Ground Clearance: 178 mm
    • Wheelbase: 1449 mm

  • Royal Enfield Classic 350:

    • Kerb Weight: 195 kg
    • Seat Height: 805 mm
    • Fuel Tank Capacity: 13 liters
    • Ground Clearance: 170 mm
    • Wheelbase: 1390 mm

5. Price (Ex-showroom Delhi, May 10, 2025):

  • Jawa 350: Starts from approximately ₹ 1,98,950 and goes up to ₹ 2,28,950 depending on the variant (spoke or alloy wheels, chrome or solid colors).   
  • Royal Enfield Classic 350: Starts from approximately ₹ 1,95,300 and goes up to ₹ 2,32,645 depending on the variant and color scheme.   

6. Riding Comfort and Handling:

  • Jawa 350: Offers an upright riding position that can feel a bit sporty due to the slightly rear-set footpegs. It has a longer wheelbase and higher kerb weight, contributing to better stability. The suspension setup is generally plush at the front but can feel stiff at the rear.   

  • Royal Enfield Classic 350: Provides a comfortable, upright riding posture suitable for long rides. It is known for its balanced chassis, making it easy to maneuver in city traffic. The wider handlebars also aid in comfortable riding.   

7. Pros and Cons:

Jawa 350:

  • Pros:

    • More powerful and refined engine.
    • 6-speed gearbox.
    • Dual-channel ABS as standard.
    • Higher ground clearance.
    • Distinctive retro styling.

  • Cons:

    • Lower fuel efficiency compared to the Classic 350.
    • Rear suspension can feel stiff.
    • May experience vibrations at higher speeds.

Royal Enfield Classic 350:

  • Pros:

    • Timeless classic-retro design with strong road presence.
    • Smooth and refined engine, especially for city riding.
    • Comfortable ergonomics.
    • Good mileage.
    • Optional Tripper navigation.

  • Cons:

    • Less powerful engine compared to the Jawa 350.
    • 5-speed gearbox.
    • Single-channel ABS available on lower variants.
    • Can feel vibrations at higher speeds.

Conclusion:

The choice between the Jawa 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 depends on your priorities. If you prefer a more powerful and engaging ride with modern features like a 6-speed gearbox and standard dual-channel ABS, the Jawa 350 might be a better fit. However, if you value a classic, comfortable cruiser with a strong heritage, better fuel efficiency, and a distinctive exhaust note, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 could be your preferred choice. It’s recommended to take test rides of both motorcycles to get a better feel for their individual characteristics and see which one resonates more with your riding style and preferences.

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