Jawa 350 OHC Revealed - Will It Come To India?

Jawa is one brand which holds a special place in every Indian classic bike enthusiast’s heart. The thump of the 250cc single-cylinder motor is still a melody for the people who ever owned one. But as the emission norms got stringent, the two-stroke motors had to make way for the efficient four-stroke motors, leaving Jawa behind. But now, Jawa has entered the four-stroke market with a new 397cc motorcycle which is Euro-IV compliant. Called the 350 OHC, the bike carries the iconic retro styling of the brand and has been priced at about Rs 2.6 lakh in the Czech Republic. As of now, the bike is built for the Czech and North American markets only. 

The Motor

The new 397cc four-stroke motor is capable of producing 27PS of maximum power at 6,500rpm and 30.6Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm. Though the engine is a single cylinder unit but it gets two exhaust outlets like other Jawas from the past. Mated to this engine is a 5-speed gearbox which lets the bike reach a top speed of 130kmph. The engine is built by blokes sitting in China by using a blueprint of the XR400 engine, with the addition of a fuel injection system. As this engine is Euro-IV compliant it will also meet the BS-IV norms here in India. 

The Retro

In terms of styling, the bike takes you back to the sixties, with a circular headlight, iconic Jawa fuel tank and a flat seat. The bike weighs 160kg and is the first ever Jawa to get ABS. The spoke wheels with an 18/19-inch combination complete the retro look. The retro-classic bikes are timeless and, coming from a brand like Jawa, will surely be very popular here in our motherland. 

The Chances

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Now, if you are reading this article, chances are high that you want this bike in your life. And what if we say, it could be a possibility. Our homegrown automotive manufacturer Mahindra had acquired a brand license of Jawa, which entitles them to produce and sell Jawa bikes here. So, when Jawa makes a comeback, the styling could be similar to the 350 OHC but the bike might use the 295cc motor from the Mojo. This will not only make the bike cost less in a cost-conscious market, but will also make the running and maintenance a hassle-free process for the owners. If this indeed is true, Mahindra could price the Jawa motorcycle close the Mojo, making it competitive in the market. There is no indication yet whether the new Jawa bike will be launched in India, but if it does, we expect to get more clarity on this subject next year at the Auto Expo. 

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