Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350 – What to Buy?

This comparison is based on the fact that these motorcycles are the options the buyers get at a comparable price point if they are looking for a highway tourer.

We are comparing the Jawa 42 FJ and Royal Enfield Bullet 350 in this post in terms of prices, features, specs, and design. Both these are touring bikes but differ significantly in terms of brand value, specs and appeal. On one hand, Jawa just introduced this special FJ iteration of its 42 lineup a couple of days ago. The moniker FJ signifies the name of the founder of this bike, František Janeček. Hence, it is, essentially, a special edition model of the regular 42 series. However, there are some distinct additions to make this special. On the other hand, the Bullet is an iconic nameplate in India. It has been in constant production for decades. People still find immense charm and appeal in its retro demeanour. Let us take a look at the details of this comparison.

Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350 – Price Comparison

The newly launched Jawa 42 FJ has a selling price between Rs 1.99 lakh and Rs 2.20 lakh, ex-showroom. This is a sweet spot for a wide range of potential customers. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 retails between Rs 1.74 lakh and Rs 2.16 lakh, ex-showroom. In this regard, the Bullet certainly has an edge over the 42 FJ, especially in the base trim. But the difference evens out to a large extent towards the higher versions.

Specifications

Let us start this section with the Jawa 42 FJ. Note that it carries a slightly bigger engine than the standard 42. There is a 334-cc single-cylinder 4-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC engine which produces a decent 29.17 PS and 29.62 Nm of peak power and torque. This engine pairs with a 6-speed constant mesh transmission. Being a performance-focused and tech-laden bike, it runs a compression ratio of 11:1. That explains the higher power and torque outputs. The owners will be able to fill 12 litres of fuel in one go. It has a wheelbase of 1,440 mm, a seat height of 800 mm and a weight of 194 kg. This certainly informs us about the size of the motorcycle.

Apart from that, the bike is underpinned by a Double Cradle frame. At the front, it gets a 41 mm telescopic suspension, while the rear gets a twin shock absorber with a 5-step pre-load adjustment. Also, the front wheel measures 18 inches with a 100/90 section tyre and the rear wheel is 17 inches in diameter with a 140/70 section tyre. Clearly, the rear tyre is much broader which enhances the grip on the road, especially while cornering. The motorcycle also gets floating callipers and ABS at the front and rear. In fact, the front disc is 320 mm large, while the rear disc measures 240 mm. Apart from the base trim (which gets a spoked design), all variants boast alloy wheels.

In contrast, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is available with a 349-cc single-cylinder 4-stroke air-oil-cooled engine which generates a healthy 20.4 PS and 27 Nm of peak power and torque. Performing the transmission duties is a 5-speed transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch. It is based on the Twin Downtube Spine frame which lends immense strength and ruggedness to the bike. At the front, the Bullet gets a 41 mm telescopic suspension with 130 mm travel while the rear has a twin tube emulsion shock absorber with a 6-speed pre-load adjustment.

It boasts a wheelbase of 1,390 mm and a saddle height of 805 mm. The fuel tank capacity is a decent 13 litres with a ground clearance of 160 mm. In fact, the kerb weight of the motorcycle is 195 kg. It gets a dual-channel ABS with a 300 mm disc at the front and a 270 mm disc at the rear. The front wheel is 19 inches in diameter with a 100/90 section tyre, while the rear wheel is 18 inches with a 120/80 section tyre. Hence, the 42 FJ has a distinct advantage over the Bullet in terms of specifications.

Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Bullet 350 – Design Comparison

The Jawa 42 FJ bears the styling which is in line with the rest of the portfolio. Remember Jawa discontinued making motorcycles in India in 1996. However, under the umbrella of Mahindra and Mahindra Group, it was re-introduced in 2018. Hence, its latest models represent a mix of retro charm with modern elements. For instance, at the front, it gets a round headlamp cluster with LED lighting and a Jawa moniker which divides it into two sections. Then there are the handlebar-mounted rearview mirrors and an elegant fuel tank finished in brushed aluminium. In terms of the quirky components, both the instrument cluster and fuel tank lid are offset. The single-seat layout and 42 graphics on the side panels complete the short rear section. All in all, it blends in different eras quite remarkably.

On the contrary, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 flaunts its retro and iconic charm with no inhibitions. People still get irrevocably attracted towards the road presence and that throaty growl of the Bullet. In all sincerity, the Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer doesn’t want to disturb the original beauty of the bike. Hence, most elements are still as they were decades ago. Still, looking at the motorcycle, you don’t observe anything that is lacking in the design. We appreciate the originality and the lack of modern components. Still, looks are subjective.

Our View

Now, both these motorcycles have their concrete advantages and disadvantages. That makes this comparison really interesting indeed. On the one hand, we have the latest Jawa 42 FJ. It is a relatively modern bike which is reflected in its entire design and layout. Not only that, it is significantly more powerful than the Bullet 350. However, it also has a more expensive base and top trims. The difference in the base trim is rather beefy. Still, if you are in the market for a retro-modern motorcycle on which you wish to cover long distances on the highway, the Jawa 52 FJ should be your pick. The extra money should be worth it.

On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is for those who don’t like the modernity in their automobiles. Many people are of the opinion that too much electronics ruin the overall riding experience. This is not just true for motorcycles, but also for cars. For such customers, the RE Bullet makes perfect sense. It has somehow managed to retain its old-school charm while staying away from new-age technologies and components. In fact, RE has purposefully kept it this way. Those who want the latest tech can opt for other models. Hence, if you want to own a piece of history and are fascinated by the seemingly perennial charm of the Bullet, you can go for it. In any case, one can hardly go wrong with either of these compelling prepositions.

Also Read: Jawa 42 FJ vs RE Classic 350 – What to Buy?