Royal Enfield’s latest offering in the Indian market is the Goan Classic 350, a bobber based on the popular Classic 350. The fifth addition to the company’s 350 cc lineup, the Goan Classic is also the most expensive motorcycle in the J-series lineup. The motorcycle’s closest rival in the Indian market is the Jawa 42 Bobber, which has been on sale in India since 2022. Here’s a closer look at all the differences between the Goan Classic 350 and 42 Bobber.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 First Ride Review: Goa Trippin'!
| Model | Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 | Jawa 42 Bobber |
| Displacement | 349 cc | 334 cc |
| Max Power | 20.2 bhp | 30 bhp |
| Peak Torque | 27 Nm | 32.74 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
While the Jawa 42 Bobber has the smaller engine of the two (334 cc), it is a dual-overhead cam (DOHC) unit and has a significantly higher peak power output than the Royal Enfield. The Goan Classic 350 on the other hand, has a 349 cc single-overhead cam motor with a peak power output of 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque, over 9 bhp and 5 Nm lower than the Jawa. It should however be noted that both engines have a different character. The Royal Enfield’s J-Series engine has a longer stroke and is more comfortable to ride at lower speeds, while the Jawa’s engine is the higher-revving of the two, and has better acceleration. While the Goan Classic 350 gets a 5-speed gearbox, the 42 Bobber comes with a six-speed gearbox.
| Model | Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 | Jawa 42 Bobber |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic front fork | Telescopic front fork |
| Rear Suspension | Twin shock setup | Monoshock setup |
| Front Brakes | 300 mm disc brake | 280 mm disc brake |
| Rear Brakes | 270 mm disc brake | 240 mm disc brake |
In terms of cycle parts, both the Royal Enfield and the Jawa come with a telescopic front fork setup. However, the rear suspension on both these models is quite different as the Goan Classic 350 comes with a twin shock setup, while the Jawa 42 Bobber gets a rear monoshock. While both motorcycles come with disc brakes on both ends, the Goan Classic 350 benefits from having the larger discs on both ends.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 vs Classic 350: Differences Explained
| Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 | Jawa 42 Bobber | |
| Seat Height | 750 mm | 740 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm | 145 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm | 1485 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 13 litres | 12.5 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 197 kg | 185 kg |
The seat height of both motorcycles is similar, varying only by 1 cm, with the Royal Enfield’s being the one with the slightly higher figure. The Goan Classic, however, has a higher ground clearance figure of 170 mm, 25 mm higher than the Jawa’s. The Royal Enfield will also benefit from the larger 13-litre fuel tank, and a shorter wheelbase, which should give it better handling around the corners. However, it should be noted that the Royal Enfield is 12 kg heavier than the Jawa.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350: In Pictures
| Model | Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 | Jawa 42 Bobber |
| Ex-showroom prices | Rs 2.35 lakh to Rs 2.38 lakh | Rs 2.12 lakh to Rs 2.32 lakh |
While the 42 Bobber, offered in five variants, can be had for a far lower starting price than the Royal Enfield, the prices of the top-of-the-line variants only differ by Rs 6,000. It should however be noted that the more affordable variants of the Jawa don’t come with alloy wheels with tubeless tyres.
