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This Super-Approachable Retro Street Bike Offers Something Others Don’t

Right out of the gate, the forbidden fruit moto boasts more variety than pretty much any other bike out there.

Close-up of a matte black motorcycle fuel tank with a white stripe and a silver fuel cap.Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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If you spend much time reading GP’s moto coverage, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that many modern bikes balance heritage from one nation and manufacturing from another.

Beyond the many legacy Italian brands — such as Benelli, Morbidelli and Moto Morini — now made in China are the reclamation projects of the Classic Legends division of India auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra.

Man in black shirt and gloves sitting on a matte brown Jawa motorcycle against a rusty metal shutter.
Thanks to its relatively low weight and seat height, the Jawa 42 scores high in the approachability department.
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles

The most high-profile moniker is BSA, but another notable one they’ve resurrected is Jawa, which was born in what is now the Czech Republic nearly a century ago.

These days, you’ll find the name emblazoned on a quintet of retro-styled small-bore bikes, the most compelling of which, the Jawa 42, stands out not only for its approachability and affordability but also its unprecedented variety.

Painted love

Granted, Jawa took perhaps the easiest route to having a wide range of choices — paint schemes — but the number of colorways absolutely dwarfs pretty much anything else out there.

The brand just added one called Ivory to the mix, bringing the grand total up to an almost unheard-of 15.

Cream and black Jawa 42 motorcycle parked on a concrete surface with a metallic geometric background.
The new Ivory paint scheme carries the hue from the fenders to the headlight housing, tank and side covers.
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles

That vastness is fitting for a bike whose very name is reportedly inspired by the “answer” to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything in the classic Douglas Adams sci-fi tome, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

With several variations of black, white, blue, red and green in the mix, each with its own unique flourishes, the Jawa 42s roll off the line feeling like they’re one of a kind.

Cream-colored motorcycle side panel with black "42" logo surrounded by laurel wreath design.
Each bike also has its own unique graphic touches, such as the laureled 42 on the side covers of the Ivory edition.
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles

It sure doesn’t hurt that these bikes look great, are fun and easy to ride and won’t break the bank. 

Winning throwback touches appear everywhere, from the delightfully round headlight, gauge and (bar-end) mirrors to the teardrop tank, bench seat and often color-matched fenders and side covers.

Meanwhile, a six-speed gearbox controls the 295cc engine, which makes roughly 27 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 19.8 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, with a top speed of about 80 miles an hour. 

Close-up of a black Jawa motorcycle engine with visible cooling fins and logo on the engine cover.
The 295cc single-cylinder engine tracks with the Indian motorcycle market, which has a much better appreciation of small-displacement bikes than we do here in the US.
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles

Nothing that’s gonna blow you away, but plenty that will bring a smile to your face, especially when you are zipping through traffic or leaning into the two-lane twisties far beyond the city limits.

Adding to the entry-level appeal is a seat height of 31 inches and a weight of 406 pounds, which together keep things manageable and maneuverable at lower speeds, even for newer and shorter riders.

Close-up of the rear section of a brown and black Jawa 42 motorcycle showing the seat, rear suspension, exhaust, and rear tire.
One aspect common to all 15 varieties is blacked-out bodywork and pipes. I ain’t mad about it.
Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles

Telescopic forks up front, twin shocks at the rear, plus dual disc brakes with dual channel ABS, keep the ride comfortable and safe. 

All of which makes the choice of whether to buy one relatively easy compared to the overwhelming decision of … which color.

Availability and pricing

The Jawa 42 is available now in India, Nepal and parts of for ₹1.84 Lacs. While that figure roughly converts to $2,023 USD, I imagine if it ever did make its way to North America, the price would be closer to twice that amount.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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