Autocar India
•20w

Hi Autocar, I am looking to buy a motorcycle in the 300-400cc segment with a retro design and good performance. I am considering the Jawa 42 FJ. Is it a good choice in this segment? Also, are there any reliability or long-term ownership issues with Jawa motorcycles that I should be aware of?

Verified
•20w

The Jawa 42 FJ is a good option to consider in the neo-retro space. While the earlier Jawa bikes had some issues, the latest models have ironed them out to a large extent. The 42 FJ also comes with a 4-year / 50,000km warranty, which should give you added peace of mind. 

Do bear in mind that while the bikes have come a long way, Classic Legends (the parent company of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA) still has a fairly hit/miss reputation when it comes to service. So we'd recommend getting in touch with your nearest authorised dealership and finding out more for yourself. 

If you reconsider your decision to go with the Jawa, then the Triumph Speed T4 is a great alternative. It has a smooth and torquey engine, good build quality and similiar overall performance as the 42 FJ. 

It would also be wise to take a test ride of both before you make a decision. 

Jawa 42 FJ

Jawa 42 FJ

Explore bikes mentioned

Jawa 42 FJ

Jawa

42 FJ

from ₹2.34 Lakh

Triumph Speed T4

Triumph

Speed T4

from ₹2.51 Lakh

•20w

Yes.. triumph bikes are my 1st choice but they don't have any dealership in my city, Bathinda. Please ask Triumph to open a dealership here also. 😆

•20w

The problem with Triumph 400cc bikes is that they don't have much of a road presence. It is an underdog achiever kinda bike. If the bikes looked substantial, Even I would trade in my RR310 for it.

•20w

Very true, they appear as 200-250 cc bikes

•5w

@navneet_kumar.1 the Bathinda point is exactly the thing to check. If Triumph isnt there, Jawa service in your city is probably limited too. @prashanto's CB350 suggestion makes sense from that angle, Honda network is everywhere. Jawa 42 FJ looks great and 4 year warranty helps, but being away from a service centre is harder to manage in smaller cities. Worth calling the nearest Jawa dealer and asking how many bikes they actually service in a month.

•19w

If you’re looking for retro design then you can go with Jawa classic or RE classic 350.

•18w

If you are looking for classic retro bike go for honda cb350 just take a ride I guarantee u will be a fan of the bike

•20w

If you are looking for style and road presence, then go for Jawa 42 bobber. Its a damn good looking bike. But it chugs petrol like beer

•20w

Iam looking for a neo retro design? Options hunter 350 what about the heating issue etc.. alternatives t4 or cb350rs or 42 Fj

•20w

Iam looking for neo retro style motor cycle with 35+ milege .. is can i go with hunter 350 ? What about the heating issue and any other issues..alternatives t4 or cb350rs or 42Fj

•20w

I suggest u cbr 350rs instead of hunter

•20w

I am currently looking for a car that is best replacement of my Hatchback Tata Indica V2 DLS turbo, as engine is 1405cc, turbo-diesel, indirect injection cast iron engine, and gearbox is very good but spare parts availability is becoming less, also my budget is around 12lakhs on road, my car has been with me from 2008

Expert reviews worth reading

Jawa 42 FJ
Jawa42 FJ
Read expert review
Triumph Speed T4
TriumphSpeed T4
Read expert review

More questions on similar bikes

•6d

I would like to know if it is normal for a fully charged, unused Ather 450 X to lose 1-3 km of indicated range without being ridden.

Verified
•6h

Do not worry, it is completely normal to see a 1-3 km drop in the displayed range on your Ather 450 X after a full charge, even if the scooter has not been ridden. This is not a sign of battery degradation or a fault. What you are seeing is a combination of two things: battery self-discharge and the way the range estimator works. All lithium-ion batteries lose a tiny amount of charge when parked overnight or for a few days, even when the scooter has not been in use. More importantly, the range estimate is not a fixed number - it is a calculation based on the current state of charge and your recent riding patterns. Even a small change in battery percentage can cause the displayed range to drop by a few kilometres.

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•5d

I am planning to buy the Honda CB350 H'ness for my husband. Are there any other neo-retro bikes in this segment? My budget is Rs. 2.5 lakh.

Verified
•7h

Within Honda's own stable, you'll find siblings to the CB350 with different styling but similiar underpinnings, should your husband want a different design. Another option to look at is Royal Enfield's 350cc lineup, specifically the Hunter / Bullet / Classic models, because these will be more comfortable than their siblings, the Meteor and Goan Classic. The REs are noticeably heavier than the Hondas but have a more characterful engine, so pick between them depending on what experience your husband is looking for. If this bike is going to be solely used for casual weekend rides, then we'd strongly recommend considering the gorgeous Goan Classic 350, which will appeal with its flashy colours and bobber aesthetic.

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•5d

I want to buy the Honda Unicorn, as I travel 70 km daily. Earlier, I used an Activa, but it caused back pain. Can you guide me whether I should go for Honda Unicorn or something else?

Verified
•8h

The Honda Unicorn will make for a good upgrade over your Activa, given your daily 70km stint. Commuter motorcycles are some of the most comfortable and fuss-free machines you can buy today, especially so in the case of the Unicorn. If you want alternatives to the proven Honda, look at the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V for a sportier, more feature-rich experience without sacrificing comfort and usability. A test ride of all three will help determine which is the right one for you.

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•6d

Hi. Since last 11 years, I have been owning Honda unicorn. Now, I will to upgrade. My daily commute is 50 kms (mostly highway). Can you suggest best bike between Honda hornet 2.0, xtreme 160r 4v, Pulsar N160 and NS160. Suggest from Performance point of view.

•1d

I'm planning to buy a two-wheeler for my father, preferably a scooter. My budget is around Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. It will be used mainly for city commuting, with a maximum daily running of 20-25 km. Should I go for an ICE scooter or an EV? Also, which model would you recommend?

Verified
•13h

Within your budget, there are only two EVs from reputed brands available, like the Vida (Hero) VX2 Go 2.2 and TVS Orbiter V2 (3.1kWh battery). These have enough range for a 25km daily loop and will surely help reduce your running costs to a great extent. If you have a secure charging location, then opting for an EV definitely makes sense. They have gentle but surefooted performance, and to decide between these two, take a test ride before you make your decision.If, however, you are not keen on making the switch to an EV, then sticking with proven options like Honda Activa 110, TVS Jupiter 110 and Suzuki Access 125 makes sense. The Activa and Jupiter are slightly more frugal than the Access, which consequently has zippier performance. All three are proven products, and you should go for the one you gel with the most on your test ride.

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•1w

Hi Autocar Expert Team, I am 43 years old and commute around 60 km every day. Approximately 90% of my journey is on highways, with the remaining 10% on city roads. During my highway commute, I have to cross three bridges with expansion joints, which make the ride quite uncomfortable. I also suffer from sciatica-related back pain, so ride comfort and good suspension are my top priorities. I currently commute by car, but frequent traffic congestion significantly increases my travel time. As a result, I am planning to switch to a motorcycle for my daily commute. My budget is between Rs 2-4 lakh. Engine capacity is not a major concern, and I am open to motorcycles ranging from 150 cc to 450 cc. Based on my daily riding conditions, comfort requirements, and back condition, could you please recommend the most suitable motorcycle? I am particularly looking for a bike with the best suspension and ride comfort over bridge joints and uneven roads, a comfortable seat and relaxed riding ergonomics that are suitable for someone with sciatica, remains stable and composed at highway cruising speeds, and is reliable, easy to maintain, and offers a good long-term ownership experience.

Verified
•2d

Since your commute is quite long and comfort is your top priority, the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are both worth considering. The choice between the two depends largely on your typical highway cruising speeds.Both bikes offer an upright, neutral riding position that is well-suited to long hours in the saddle. They also have comfortable seats (the Himalayan 450 has the upper hand here).The Himalayan 450 offers stronger highway performance. However, it is noticeably heavier. If you want a lighter motorcycle that is easier to manage in daily use, the Xpulse 210 is the more approachable option.Take a test ride of both motorcycles before making a decision, as that will give the clearest indication of which one feels more comfortable for your riding needs.

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Posted on: 9 Mar 2026