Why Jawa 42 Ivory Launch Failed To Impress Me
I rode the new Jawa 42 Ivory from a Pune dealership to Lonavala’s ghat roads yesterday, lured by its pastel shade and vintage vibes at Rs 1.84 lakh. Everyone praises the retro look, but they missed the vibrations and weight that sour the thrill on real Indian highways.
The Disappointment
I saw the Ivory finish up close first—subtle pastel with “42” graphics on the teardrop tank and chequered decals nodding to Isle of Man TT racers, but the 294cc liquid-cooled J-Panther engine buzzed harshly past 80 kmph during my test. At 184kg kerb weight, it felt porky maneuvering Pune traffic, and the asymmetrical cluster distracted more than informed, echoing BikeWale complaints about Jawa’s ergos for taller riders. Six-speed gearbox with slipper clutch shifted smoothly, yet mid-range torque dipped on inclines, far from the punchy 27.32 PS promised—suspension jarred over potholes with 165mm clearance proving shallow.
Telescopic forks and twin shocks handled corners okay, but 280mm front disc and 240mm rear with dual-channel ABS couldn’t mask the heavy feel versus lighter rivals like Honda CB350. At Rs 1.84 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, it screamed premium pricing for outdated vibes, not the game-changer hype.
The Surprising Truth
Ghat climbs to Lonavala unlocked its charm: the 26.84 Nm torque pulled steadily at 90-100 kmph, 13.2-litre tank promising 250-300km range with 30+ kmpl real-world efficiency per Zigwheels tests. Neo-retro design turned heads—compact 2071mm length and 788mm seat fit Indian riders perfectly, while four-year/50,000km warranty plus eight-year RSA outlasted competitors. Cultural “42” nod from Hitchhiker’s Guide added personality for individualists ditching cookie-cutter Enfields.
Liquid cooling kept temps stable in traffic, and optional maintenance plans eased ownership—solid daily thumper once vibed-in.
India-Specific Impact
Ex-showroom Rs 1.84 lakh top-spec Ivory; Mumbai on-road Rs 2.18 lakh with 12% RTO/insurance, Pune Rs 2.14 lakh, Delhi base listed, Bangalore Rs 2.25 lakh higher duties—Jalna around Rs 2.10 lakh via Classic Legends dealers. Mileage suits Rs 95/litre Maharashtra petrol at Rs 3/km, 184kg stable on Mumbai-Pune Expressway but wobbles loaded. 450+ dealerships ensure Pune/Aurangabad service, though waits hit tier-2 like my hometown.
Ground clearance scrapes Jalna roads, but fuel range covers 200km commutes; rivals RE Classic at similar price but Jawa edges ABS/warranty.
Rushi’s Verdict
After 150km mixed runs, verdict: Wait for vibe fixes or price cut—style wows, power adequate for cities, but heavy for highways. Buy if retro calls at Rs 2.1 lakh on-road; Honda safer. 3.5/5 overall.
FAQ
Jawa 42 Ivory real-world mileage?
30+ kmpl highway per CarDekho; city 25-28 kmpl.
Better than RE Classic 350?
Jawa lighter cooling, warranty; Classic smoother low-end.
Price in Pune?
Rs 2.14 lakh on-road Ivory; extensions to 6 years available.
