Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350 – What To Buy?

In terms of tourer motorcycles, these two products are attractive options for the potential buyers looking for a bike at this price point.

In this post, we are comparing the newly launched Jawa 42 FJ and Royal Enfield Hunter 350 in terms of prices, specs, design and more. The aim is to determine the best option for you at this price point. Note that these touring motorbikes are great options for all those who often get involved in long highway runs. On the one hand, we have the new Jawa 42 FJ. It is a special edition model of the regular Jawa 42. In fact, the FJ in its name is an homage to its founder, František Janeček, Therefore, the two-wheeler manufacturer equips this trim with quite a few improvements over the regular model. On the other hand, Royal Enfield is the king when it comes to developing roasters and even off-roaders. For now, let us compare these across various parameters to help you decide which one makes better sense.

Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350 – Price Comparison

India is a price-sensitive market which makes this aspect the most crucial in this comparison. The Jawa 42 FJ retails between Rs 1.99 lakh and Rs 2.20 lakh, ex-showroom. These are attractive prices for the new model. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is available between Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs 1.75 lakh, ex-showroom. Therefore, the Hunter has a definitive edge over the Jawa in this category.

Specifications

Next up, we must analyse the specifications of both these compelling products. Let us start with the newer one of the lot. The Jawa 42 FJ comes with a 334-cc single-cylinder 4-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC engine which generates a healthy 29.17 PS and 29.62 Nm of peak power and torque. Performing the transmission duties is a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. To take the performance a notch higher, this bike runs an 11:1 compression ratio. That is the salient feature of this engine. Apart from that, it has a fuel tank of a decent 12 litres with a wheelbase of 1,440 mm. The bike weighs 194 kg and the seat height is 800 mm. Its ground clearance is a useful 178 mm.

The core of the Jawa 42 FJ is its Double Cradle frame. Apart from that, the bike gets an 18-inch wheel at the front with a 100/90-section tyre and a 17-inch wheel at the rear with a 140/70-section tyre. The broader rear tyre is a common practice in the industry to offer stability while riding. The Jawa 42 FJ gets alloy wheels in all trims apart from the base variant, which gets spoked wheels. Also, the front gets a 41 mm telescopic suspension, whereas the rear gets a 5-step pre-load adjustable twin shock absorber suspension. The bike gets dual-channel ABS with floating calipers. The front disc is 320 mm and the rear disc is 240 mm.

On the other hand, the RE Hunter 350 comes with a familiar 349.34-cc single-cylinder 4-stroke air-oil-cooled SOHC engine which produces a decent 20.4 PS and 27 Nm of peak power and torque. It gets a 5-speed transmission with a conventional wet clutch. This is almost the same engine as the Classic 350 and Bullet 350. This bike features a Twin Downtube Spine frame which makes it rugged. Just like the 42 FJ, even the Hunter 350 gets a dual-channel ABS at the front and rear.

It has a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres with a saddle height of 790 mm. A key difference lies in the 181 kg kerb weight. Also, it has a wheelbase of 1,370 mm and a ground clearance of 150 mm. At the front, the brake disc diameter is 300 mm and at the rear, it is 270 mm. The front suspension is 41 mm telescopic forks with 130 mm travel while the rear suspension is a twin tube emulsion shock absorber with 6-step pre-load adjustment and 90 mm travel. Both alloy wheels are 17 inches in diameter. At the front, you get a 110/70 section tyre and at the rear, you get a 140/70 tyre. Hence, the Jawa 42 FJ again has the upper hand in the power and torque department.

Jawa 42 FJ vs Royal Enfield Hunter 350 – Design Comparison

The Jawa 42 FJ strikes a perfect balance between retro and modern styling. While its overall demeanour has hints of the era gone by, the latest components confirm that it belongs to today. That is due to its history of being available in India until 1996. Thereafter, it was re-introduced under Mahindra and Mahindra Group only in 2018. At the front, it gets a round LED headlamp with a horizontal divider which reads Jawa. Apart from that, it gets broad handlebars at the end of which the rearview mirrors are mounted. I particularly like the brushed aluminium finish on the fuel tank along with the 42 graphics on the side body panel. It gets a single-seat layout with an abruptly ending tail section. The alloy wheels look elegant and the long exhaust pipe looks sporty. All in all, the bike will surely make the heads turn.

On the other hand, even the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 mixes the retro charm and modern excitement quite convincingly. At the front, it boasts a round headlamp with turn indicators flanking it. The pop-out rear view mirrors and the broad handlebar ensure a comfortable riding position. Additionally, the fuel tank is large with Royal Enfield graphics and the alloy wheel design looks rugged. On the sides, the body panels bear a tough appearance and the single-seat setup looks neat. At the rear, the profile is extended due to the tyre cover which houses the number plate. I like the stubby exhaust pipe of the Hunter 350. All in all, it has an imposing road presence. In this aspect, I feel that the buyers can opt for the one they like better as appearances are subjective.

Our View

Choosing between these two can be quite interesting because each of these has its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, the Jawa 42 FJ will be a perfect choice for all those who want to experience a new motorcycle. It even offers a much better performance with a much more powerful engine. For those long highway runs, this motorcycle makes a lot of sense. However, you will need to spend a slightly higher amount in comparison to the Hunter.

On the contrary, if you are stimulated by the Royal Enfield brand value in addition to the Hunter 350 with its retro-modern charm, opting for the RE Hunter 350 is not a bad idea either. In fact, you will end up saving a significant amount of money. Hence, if you are on a strict budget, the Hunter makes more sense for you. In any case, you can’t go wrong with either of these compelling alternatives.

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