Jawa 350 review, first ride

When Classic Legends first announced the return of the legendary Jawa brand name, there was a myriad of speculation, both positive and negative. Fast-forward 5 years and things aren’t really as rosy as those nostalgia-tinted glasses will have you believe. There have been quite a few user reported issues with Jawa motorcycles, but, things are slowly starting to turn. Earlier this year, Classic Legends launched the updated Jawa 350, which, as the name suggests, gets a larger engine and a number of other crucial changes. We got our hands on this revised Jawa not too long ago, in order to try and figure out if these changes are just skin deep, or have they made an actual difference to the motorcycle.

First, let’s get all of those changes out of the way. The most crucial difference has to be the bigger 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor which churns out 22.5hp and 28.1Nm of torque. Strangely, the power output figure is down by around 5hp in comparison to the earlier 293cc engine. Although, torque is up by around 1Nm. Gearbox duties are handled by a 6-speed unit which comes with a slip and assist clutch. The chassis is also new to accommodate the bigger engine. The Jawa 350 sits on a double cradle frame with an extended swingarm and a new subframe. This results in a longer wheelbase, which is up by 80mm, measuring in at 1,449mm. This has also helped raise the ground clearance, which now stands at 178mm. The weight, too, is up by 9kg and the Jawa 350 gets wider tyres, as well.

How does it all come together in the real world? Well, one thing is for sure. There has been a significant improvement in certain areas. The mid-range punch is a hefty one and since this bike has relatively compact dimensions, in comparison to the competition, it feels fairly nimble through traffic. The rejigged 334cc engine feels sprightly, and there’s a sweet exhaust note to the Jawa 350 which feels distinct. That throaty beat from the engine really comes alive when you’re revving up to the mid-range, which is a boon since that is where this bike feels most at peace. I feel the Jawa 350’s natural cruising speed is between 60kmph and 80kmph. However, this eager motor is let down by some