Jawa 42 2.1 vs Honda H’Ness CB350 vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Spec Comparison

  • Feb 15, 2021
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Which of these three classic motorcycles fares better on paper?

New arrivals in the retro roadster space have certainly shaken things up for the champ: the Royal Enfield Classic 350. Sure, a new one is on its way, but until then, these three new motorcycles should surely be on your radar: Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Honda H’Ness CB 350, and the recently launched Jawa 42 2.1. While the competition is cut-throat, let’s find out which of the three takes the top spot? Well, here’s what their spec sheets suggest:

Engine & Performance

Specifications

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Honda H’Ness CB350

Jawa 42 

Engine 

349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, counterbalanced engine

348cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, counterbalanced engine

293cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled

Power

20.48PS @ 6100rpm

21PS @ 5500rpm

27.33PS

Torque

27Nm @ 4000rpm

30Nm @ 3000rpm

27.02Nm

Transmission

5-speed

5-speed + slipper clutch

6-speed

 

The Jawa 42 is the most powerful of all three bikes here with its focus on a more spirited riding experience. It isn’t laidback and easygoing like the Meteor 350. Its short-stroke free-revving motor’s tuning has been altered for better overall rideability, something that was lacking in its earlier guise.

Even though, both the Meteor and CB350 employ long-stroke thumpers, their riding experience is as different as, not chalk and cheese, but gouda and parmesan. To know how different they are, check out the Meteor’s road test here and the CB350’s here.

Underpinnings

Specifications

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Honda H’Ness CB350

Jawa 42 

Frame

Double cradle frame

Half-duplex cradle

Double cradle frame

Front suspension

Telescopic fork

Telescopic fork

Telescopic fork

Rear suspension

Twin shock

Twin shock

Gas-charged twin shocks

Front brake

300mm disc with 2-piston calliper

310mm disc with 2-piston calliper

280mm disc with 2-piston calliper

Rear brake

270mm disc with 1-piston calliper

240mm disc with 1-piston calliper

240mm disc with 1-piston calliper

Front tyre

100/90 - 19

100/90 - 19

90/90-18

Rear tyre

140/70 - 17

130/70 - 18

120/80-17

 
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When it comes to the underpinnings, all three bikes use a similar traditional frame, more or less. Furthermore, all three classics are sprung on a similar basic suspension setup but with different settings. The Jawa 42 runs on a firmer suspension, further cementing its sporty demeanour whereas the Meteor 350 and the H’Ness CB350 are more comfort-oriented motorcycles.

The 42’s agility is aided by its small wheel setup which offers nearly the same stability as the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the Honda H’Ness CB30, both of which are running slightly larger wheel sizes. 

Dimensions

Specifications

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Honda H’Ness CB350

Jawa 42 

Wheelbase

1,380mm

1,441mm

1,369mm

Ground clearance

160mm

166mm

165mm

Fuel tank capacity

15-litres

15-litres

14-litres

Seat height

765mm

800mm

765mm

Kerb weight

191kg

181kg

172kg

 

The Jawa 42 weighs 19kg less than the RE Meteor 350. Its lightness and low seat height make it quite easy to manoeuvre through tight spots during city commutes. The Meteor comes close to the Jawa in this regard. You sit equally low and the wheelbase isn’t that much longer. Yes, weight does play quite a big role in the manageability front but on the go, you rarely feel the Meteor’s heft.

Features

Specifications

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Honda H’Ness CB350

Jawa 42 

Traction Control

No

Yes

No

LED Lighting

DRL and taillight

All systems

No

USB Charger

Yes

Yes

No

Smartphone Connectivity

Yes

Only DLX Pro model

No

Navigation

Yes

Only DLX Pro model

No


On the features front, the Jawa is completely barebones whereas the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 ticks all the right boxes. The one thing you need to know here is Honda offers the H’Ness CB350 with navigation and smartphone connectivity, but it’s more of a gimmick and also the only add-on you pay for compared to the base variant.

Unless you have made up your mind about the CB350 DLX Pro variant, we think the base variant offers more value for money and can serve you rather well.

Price & Verdict

Price

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Honda H’Ness CB350

Jawa 42 

 

Fireball- Rs 1.75 lakh


Stellar- Rs 1.81 lakh


Supernova- Rs 1.90 lakh

DLX- Rs 1.86 lakh


DLX Pro- Rs 1.92 lakh

Single Disc- Rs 1.68 lakh


Double Disc- Rs 1.77 lakh


42 2.1- Rs 1.83 lakh

 

Now that we are done with the performance numbers, underpinnings and features, let’s talk about one of the most decisive factors: the pricing. For the asking price of the Meteor 350’s base variant, you get better refinement, comfort as well as more features than the other two.

All said and done, it’s only fair we put all three bikes against each other in the real world. So stay tuned to ZigWheels to find out how the Meteor 350, H’Ness CB350, and the Jawa 42 square up.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Video Review

Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Rs. 2.05 Lakh
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