Jawa Perak Ridden: Jawa Gets In Its Stride

The large brake discs of the Perak shed speed quite rapidly. Braking is fairly predictable, with stopping distances at par with the competition. That said, we would have liked a little more fierceness from the brakes and feedback at the levers. ABS intervention can be a bit bothersome as the system kicks in even on smooth tarmac. It could be because of the Ceat Zoom Plus tyres, which, while offering great traction overall, don’t really hold up well under hard braking.

Stunning To Admire… From A Distance
The Perak is an exquisite motorcycle to look at; styling is its Ace of Spades. Its dark overalls, the gold accents, floating seat, and the integrated tail lamp lend it a spiffy air that's hard to match at its price point.

That is when you admire the bike from a distance. Get closer, and you start to notice the blemishes. The panel gaps are inconsistent, there are rough edges all around the bike, and the rear turn indicators seem as though they were an afterthought. Quality levels have improved from BS4 times, but it isn’t anywhere close to what we’ve experienced on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 or even the Benelli Imperiale 400.

Nostalgic But Not Readable
There isn't much additional feature to be found -- no LED headlight, no digital dash, and obviously, no smartphone connectivity module. The digital inset displays just the odometer. There’s no trip meter, no clock, or no tachometer, for that matter.

And then there’s the dash itself. It has its nostalgic appeal and looks lovely in the dark, thanks to the black background and white readouts. Still, reading the exact speed is a challenge. Between 40kmph and 120kmph, I could barely make out the speeds I was clocking.
The experience could have been improved on had Jawa angled the dash towards the rider and provided a chamfer on the panel it has been mounted on. That would've made it easier to read the speedo.

Uncomfortable Seating
Our biggest complaint with the Perak happens to be its riding ergonomics. Yes, at 750mm, the seat is easily accessible for riders of all heights, and you do not have to stretch much to reach the wide bars. But it is those footpegs that cause massive discomfort. They are located directly below the rider’s seat. Traditionally, on a bobber, you would find them neutrally located if not entirely forward-set. And since they are so high, it almost creates a knees-up riding posture for larger riders, as if you were sitting on the toilet. Even if you are healthy and in prime shape like our testers, you can only clock 100-150km at one go as it becomes extremely uncomfortable.

The seat angle should have been sloping downwards. Currently, it is horizontal to the ground, which, when braking hard, slides the rider forward into the tank. The constant movement also tires you out. If it were sloping downwards, you wouldn’t be rocking to and fro as much, considering there'd be a slight scoop to keep you from sliding backward every time you went on the gas.

Lastly, the bar-end mirrors irritate your palms. It doesn’t become an operational hazard but is a bother nonetheless.

Yes, this is a bobber, and bobbers are conventionally single-seaters. If you are keen on buying this bike, you have to keep in mind this inherent shortcoming. So, when you are out on a date, even if you end up impressing your date with its looks, you will have to call for an Uber to get them home.

Good But Not Wow!
Does this Perak instil hope that better days are on the horizon for Jawa? Why, yes! It is the most affordable bobber for sale in India. The larger engine is more usable and versatile than the smaller 293cc mill. It makes for a good commuter and is adept at highway cruising too. However, while it scores high on style, it doesn’t leave you much impressed in any other department. The inherent drawbacks of the bobber genre limit its practicality quotient. And when you factor in the quality on offer, its near-Rs 2 lakh price tag feels a strain on the pocket. What really mars the bobber experience is the weird riding posture and the muted exhaust note.

So, with the Perak, Jawa is certainly getting into its stride. But we would've liked to see the larger engine make its way into the classic Jawa. In our books, that would make for a great contender in the 350cc retro motorcycle segment.