Classic Legends challenges Royal Enfield with the New Jawa 42 FJ

Mahindra-backed Classic Legends has launched the Jawa 42 FJ, a neo-classic motorcycle designed to disrupt the market. Priced at Rs 1,99,142 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the Jawa 42 FJ aims to strengthen Classic Legends’ presence in the competitive neo-classic segment.

The Jawa 42 FJ, equipped with a 350 cc engine, stands out with a power output of 30 brake horsepower (bhp), surpassing its rivals—the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 at 20.2 bhp (priced at Rs 1,49,900) and the Honda H’ness CB350 (priced at Rs 2,09,838).

Anupam Thareja, co-founder of Classic Legends, stated, “Our goal is not just to participate in the market but to create and dominate it. We are investing heavily to ensure our products stand out and meet the evolving needs of our customers.” Classic Legends has already invested Rs 350 crore out of the Rs 1,000 crore raised, with plans to enhance production and expand its distribution network.

Classic Legends also plans to add 100 new service stations and dealers to improve customer service and accessibility before the festival season.

Ashish Singh Joshi, CEO of Classic Legends, emphasized the performance and pricing advantages of the Jawa 42 FJ. “The Jawa 42 FJ offers a substantial 40 percent increase in power compared to competitors in the same price range,” Joshi said. “This is a clear demonstration of price-performance disruption. We’re not just participating in the market; we’re reshaping it.”

The Jawa 42 FJ is the 10th model launched by Classic Legends, which continues to expand its portfolio to cater to a diverse customer base. The neo-classic segment, targeting younger riders, includes the Jawa 42, Jawa 42 FJ, and Yezdi Roadster.

Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group and co-founder of Classic Legends, commented on the launch: “At their essence, brands are nothing but an aggregation of their stories. New brands tell new stories, and resurrected brands tell new stories as well. Earlier, the company built rugged, affordable, reliable bikes that became a craze in Europe. Now we are running a marathon. We may fall or slip, but we’ll rise and keep on running. We hope that all of you will stay the distance with us and cheer us on.”

The Jawa 42 FJ features liquid cooling, a dual-channel anti-lock braking system, and spoke wheels—enhancements not found in its competitors. It is available in six variants, priced between Rs 1,99,142 and Rs 2,20,142.

Classic Legends is confident that the Jawa 42 FJ will play a crucial role in capturing a significant market share in the neo-classic segment. While the company did not disclose specific sales projections, it is also focusing on expanding its international presence. BSA motorcycles are now available in 33 countries, and Jawa is making headway into Eastern Europe and other markets.