Jawa 42 Bobber: From the emerging class of retro motorcycles, the Jawa 42 Bobber stands as a uniquely designed bobber that comes ready for the factory floor.
Eschewing the common tendencies of most commuter bikes or new-age naked streets, the 42 Bobber is designed around an experience—punctuated by its identifiably stripped-back appeal, a left-side solo-seat setup, a low-slung silhouette, and a fearless attitude that makes its presence known in every turn of the head.
It thus joins the manufacturer’s Perak and looks all set to take the game a few notches higher in ergonomics, design aesthetics and rider-quotient detailing.
It’s more than a motorcycle; it’s an expression of personal identity for those who ride in solitude, take time to enjoy a relaxed pace of life and never miss an opportunity to look back with a deep sense of nostalgia at innovative technology and designs from the past.
Retro-Inspired Bobber Design
The Jawa 42 Bobber has a raw, old-school character at first sight. Its floating seat, stripped-down cone fairing, chopped rear fender, bar-end mirrors, minimal lateral grips on the fuel tank and low height make /5 seem nothing else you have seen.
The overall shape is a nod to classic bobbers of yore but, Jawa has added its own contemporary flourishes to make it more usable and desirable.
The massive 13.2-litre muscular fuel tank, smart side panels and fat tyres further aid in the bike’s visual proportions.
Available colorways, such as Mystic Copper, Jasper Red and Moonstone White, provide contrast toward blacked-out engine parts and exhausts, enhancing the vintage-modern feel.
Visually combative, it’s all packaged up nicely, is the 42 Bobber. Factory finish, paint quality and detailing all represent Jawa’s attempt to a present a product that is just more than a mass-market design.
Engine and Performance
The 42 Bobber draws power from a 334cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor producing 29.5 PS of power and 32.7 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
This engine, taken from the Perak, is tuned for low-rev torque which makes for a laid-back, torquey ride perfect for city cruising and short bursts on the highway.
The engine response is smooth and throttle modulation is even. It’s at its best on mid-range roads, easy overtake never too much power on tap.
It’s not designed to be a racer, but it cruises at 80-100 km/h admirably.
The slipper clutch is not only lighter in operation meaning that the lever operation is some 20% lighter than on previous ST1100, along with a much better feel, but also helps smooth out downshifts, eliminating any harshness or snatch in the changing and eases strain in stop-go riding.
Ride and Handling
It’s a different story when you ride the Jawa 42 Bobber. The low frame, wide handle bars and forward foot pegs result in a relaxed riding triangle, perfect for solo cruising.
It has a kerb weight of about 185 kg that is reassuring for the highways and manageable in city traffic too.
Suspension is taken care of by a telescopic front fork and monoshock rear with the aim of providing comfort over potholes and inadequate road surfaces.
With its setup leaning nearer to comfort than high-G handling, it still remains composed on undulating curves.
Grip levels from both the massively wide front and rear tyres is decent, and with 165 mm of ground clearance the bike can handle most Indian roads.
The Dual disc brakes with dual channel ABS bring a relaxed and confident riding experience at all times.
The solo seat is adjustable, with the rider opting to set it forward or backward based on one’s individual preference. Even though the seat looks slim, it still has adequate cushioning for a medium-distance ride.
This single-seater motorcycle means the rider can’t take a pillion or fit regular luggage, making it less practical. However, it’s one of the bike’s features, considering the bobber is designed for the rider taking that journey solo.
Anyone between 5’4” and 6 feet will find the posture relaxed, with a slight forward-leaning stance and firm hand placement on the wide bars.
There’s a comfortable bar height, so one doesn’t have to struggle when weaving through tight bends or the ever-narrow busy city streets.
The bike isn’t entirely retro, and it’s equipped with modern features, including a digital instrument cluster, which is tailor-made compact and placed on one side, showing the speed, gear position, fuel level, trip-meter, and odometer.
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A USB charging port is right below it, allowing the rider to charge the smartphone or GPS on the go, while both the headlight and tail lamp are bright LEDs, offering an excellent view of the road while keeping the bike looking contemporary.
The bar-end mirrors add to the bobber’s theme while being functional. However, the 42 bobber lacks smartphone connectivity or navigation apps, something the young buyers may miss on their bikes. Build quality and road presence The biggest pro of the Jawa 42 Bobber is the build quality.
The bike is sturdy and appears as though it can last a lifetime. Everything, from the fuel tank to the side panels and the switchgear, is correctly build. The exhaust finish, paint quality, and the welds are on point.
Its also an undeniable head-turner on the road. Whether cruising at city speeds or chill’in at a roadside café, the 42 Bobber gets looks of curiosity and admiration, we all want our motorcycle to look like a custom-Bobber-from-the-factory and with the 42NONON it does.
Pros of Jawa 42 Bobber
One of a kind factory built bobber with the exception, upgrade, modifications.
Torquey, you have the right balance and needs to be relaxed.
Solo seat is adjustable for the kind of comfort that makes the “long way” home the most comfortable way.
High-quality finish and details
Good braking has been the USP for Pulsars, and the New Pulsar 200NS does not disappoint.
With a 280 mm front and a rear 230 mm disc, the bike stops with confidence and without fear.
High road presence, gets noticed everywhere
Cons of Jawa 42 Bobber
Single-seater, no pillion or luggage grantResults
Not ideal for touring/long distance rides
Lacks any smart features or connectivity provisions
Limited practicality for everyday commuting
Slight vibrations especially at higher r p m are perceptible.
Jawa 42 Bobber: Final Verdict
The Jawa 42 Bobber is a motorcycle for people that ride for the joy of riding. And it’s not for daily runners to the office or trips to visit the grandparents.
It’s for the rider that enjoys being alone on the road, and taking it at their own place, and enjoying the journey rather than reaching a destination.
If you desire a machine which is character rich, as machine which is built to stand out and a machine which feels different, the 42 Bobber is one of the most authentic options around Rs 2.5 lakh.
It is bold, beautifully made, and unapologetically personal. A real bobber in spirt—with just the right amount of modern engineering so it’s comfy and rides like new.