Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa 350: Image Comparison

Sub-400cc retro motorcycles have always been in high demand in India. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been a benchmark in this category since the late 2000s. The Jawa 350, with its recent update this year, is looking to fight the Royal Enfield for its place in this category. So how do they fare against each other on paper?

Design

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has always been a darling of a motorcycle with those gorgeous and timeless retro looks. The simple and elegant styling with the big, round headlight cowl makes the bike instantly recognisable on the road. And with its recent upgrade around two years back, thankfully, Royal Enfield has kept the styling pretty much untouched. 

The Jawa 350 gives the Classic 350 a tough fight with its equally timeless and beautiful retro looks. The pinstripes on the tank, the inscriptions on the gold and chrome coloured fuel tank lid along with the incredible retro detailing on the instrument console make it stand out on its own in this battle for 350cc retro motorcycle supremacy.  

Engine

The Classic 350’s engine has a more relaxed nature to it than the Jawa 350, as we found out while doing a comparison test recently, and produces its peak torque output at 4000rpm. This means the great bottom-end grunt makes it fun to ride in the city. The Jawa 350’s motor produces its peak power output at 7000rpm and is more rev-happy and peppier than that of the Classic 350 and making quicker overtakes is easier on this bike. Out on the highway, you can comfortably cruise with the Classic 350 at speeds of 100-110kmph without any vibrations. The Jawa 350 can do such speeds as well on the highway and the extra 6th gear does help with its capability but vibrations can be felt past the 80kmph mark. 

The Jawa 350 recorded a 0-100kmph acceleration time of 10.98 seconds during our recent test while the Classic 350 was slower by 5.32 seconds. So, the Jawa 350 is the quicker motorcycle and has a sportier nature than the Classic 350.

Underpinnings

The suspension setup on both motorcycles work in a similar manner with the rear units being on the firmer side. For a pillion, because the grab rails on the Jawa 350 are tucked underneath the seat, the riding experience is slightly more uncomfortable than the Classic 350. Both get an upright riding posture but, as we found during our test, the Classic 350 has a more relaxed posture, whereas it is more engaging on the Jawa 350. 

Also, because the Jawa 350 gets a 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup and a higher centre of gravity (compared to the Classic 350’s 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel setup), it tips into corners more easily. One thing to note is that despite being heavier and getting a slightly smaller fuel tank, the Classic managed to produce a better mileage output (both in the city and on the highway during our test) than the Jawa 350. Something to consider when you are making a purchasing decision between the two.  

Features

The Classic 350 gets an analogue instrument console with a digital inset that shows speedometer, Eco indicator, odometer and fuel gauge readouts. The Jawa 350 also gets an analogue instrument console with a digital inset that shows similar readouts. But the Jawa 350’s console’s lower portion is difficult to read unless you are a tall rider (about 6 feet and above). Whereas with the Classic 350 there are no readability issues with the console. 

One important point to note here is that by forking out an extra Rs 5,000, you can get the tripper navigation pod in the Classic 350 that shows turn-by-turn navigation. This is a big miss on the Jawa 350 and thus, the Royal Enfield bike gets the upper hand in this category. Also, the way the tripper navigation pod is neatly placed in the layout on top of the headlight cowl alongside the instrument console is very satisfying to look at. 

Verdict

(all prices ex-showroom Chennai)

(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

As we have seen in the above sections, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 has a tried and tested formula of providing a relaxed riding experience in terms of performance and comfort levels along with the timeless Royal Enfield looks. The Jawa 350 gets a much sportier motor with its own beautiful classic looks as well. So, if you prefer a retro bike that will satisfy your needs both in the city as well as on the highway, then the Classic 350 is the one for you. Whereas, if you are a fan of retro looks but want a sportier engine and riding dynamics, then the Jawa 350 is the one you should consider. 

One thing to note before you make that decision is that by stretching your budget by about Rs 6,000 (compared to the Jawa 350’s price tag), you can get alloy wheels on the Classic 350, which will remove any stress of getting punctures on the road. The Jawa 350, on the other hand, comes only with spoked wheels.