STEP-UP GAME

With a name that commands love and loyalty over generations, an update was inevitable

- Keshav Teiva Poumai

The Jawa name awakens fond memories from bygone times, long ago, when simplicity went hand in hand with sheer reliability, often culminating in boundless fun. The forever bikes' of the Czech manufacturer used to rule the Indian rally scene at one point, granted the motorcycles were made by Ideal Jawa under license. In comparison to the other motorcycles that were available back then, very few offered the kind of charm and character these motorcycles possessed.

Having entered the Indian market in the early sixties, there still are immaculate examples of the motorcycles that we get to see on the roads even to this day, such is the loyalty it commands.

Ever since the Jawa brand was relaunched in India under the umbrella of Classic Legends, there has been a decent effort to stay faithful to its heritage. This was seen particularly with the Just Jawa' model launched in 2018, which, to most Jawa loyalists, was the closest it got to the original Jawa motorcycles, visually at least.

Now, the new Jawa 350, as claimed by the company, aims to bridge whatever gap existed, by just a little more, bringing with it significant changes and improvements. To understand exactly what the new Jawa 350 offered, we headed to Bhuj, in Gujarat, to test it to its limits (or rather, ours).