Jawa brand motorcycles - still roll off the assembly line

Jawa is a cult brand for any Soviet motorcyclist. Although relations with the Czech manufacturer were severed after the collapse of the USSR, Java continued to be highly quoted in Russia until about the mid-90s.


And now there are fans who are interested in messing with old motorcycles. Although it is not easy to restore Jawa - these bikes are far from being as common in Russia as IZH, for example.

It is believed that the Java plant gradually collapsed after the loss of its main customer. Say, the lazy Czechs did not begin to work on the modernization of their equipment back in the 1960s, rightly judging that the USSR would buy everything that they produce anyway.


By receiving the first batch of Jawa in 1962, the Soviet Union gave its citizens quality and European design. After that, motorcycles were always sold out in flight, for them people came from the farthest corners of the USSR.

That's pretty much how it was. Of course, from 1962 to 1991, the Czechs repeatedly modernized their models, but they did not change anything global in them. And why, if they buy and so everything that was produced?

The company entered 1992 with an outdated model range, the loss of a major customer and an eye on European sales.

What happened to Jawa after the collapse of the USSR

The life of the famous Czech brand has become sluggish, about the same as that of the Russian IL. Motorcycles were produced in small batches, but buying them is weak. And why does Europe need obsolete two-stroke engines when there are other brands, plus the Japanese filled up salons with their models for every taste and budget?

Production volumes, after what happened under the USSR, became minimal. If it was possible to sell 1 motorcycles a year, the Czechs were happy.

Part of the situation was able to improve the reorganization. Realizing that it makes no sense to “dress” structurally outdated models in plastic and make light choppers, it was decided to return to the roots.


After analyzing sales in the past, the Czechs revived Java 634. In 2014, the Jawa 350 Replica model appeared. The motorcycle, in principle, was interesting, at least for those who remembered it from their youth. But the desire to modernize without any special constructive alterations only spoiled the model.

Retro design received a number of atypical innovations:

✅ Front disc brake
✅ LED direction indicators from China
✅ Modern dashboard

The most important thing that needed to be modernized was the engine, but it remained unchanged. It was still the same outdated two-stroke unit. It was possible to put a new motor, but this would increase the cost of new items.

Motorcycle Jawa 350 Replica sold relatively well in the first year, but gradually lost interest in it. The plant even considered the possibility of cooperation with the Izhevsk enterprise, but the conversation did not go further. Most likely, the leadership of the Kalashnikov concern considered it unprofitable to revive the motorcycle assembly shop.

Indian investors

Jawa's sales have been declining by 20-30% annually. The specter of bankruptcy loomed before the enterprise, but then an unexpected savior appeared - the Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.


This large concern decided to go into motorcycles, for which the BSA Motorcycle and Jawa brands were bought. As it turned out, in India they remember Czech-made bikes - in the 1960s they were supplied here, apparently under the patronage of the Soviet Union.

The Indians decided to launch the production of Java motorcycles in their country. At the same time, the plant in the Czech Republic was preserved, giving it even the opportunity to exist partially autonomously. Most likely, businessmen simply did not need production in Europe - labor is cheaper in India.

This significant event took place in 2016. Most likely, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited helps the Czech company financially, because motorcycles are still produced there.

Let us briefly describe the modern model range. There are no prices on the official website of the company, it is proposed to call and be interested in these parameters on an individual basis.

JAWA 350 2T

This is the legend for experienced Russian motorcyclists. Surprisingly, Java retained its production of two-stroke engines. Their model JAWA 350 2T not only rumbles and smokes like in his youth, but also looks almost the same.


Especially for different age groups, the manufacturer produces a Style modification similar to the 638 Java and 350/634 Retro - everything is clear from the index here. There is also a Military version - in protective green colors.

In the base, the motorcycle comes with a kickstarter and at first glance it differs only in a large disc brake disc on the front wheel. For an additional fee, the bike can be equipped with an electric starter, a separate lubrication system with a reservoir and a number of options and accessories.

Most likely, this model is produced in the Czech Republic, while the rest, more technically modern, are only assembled there, arriving in shipping boxes from India.

JAWA 350 CL

Now this is an interesting motorcycle in terms of design. Copies early post-war bikes, at the same time it has a lot in common with classic choppers from the USA. When compared with Soviet models, it is most similar to IZH-49.

The motorcycle is beautiful and technically modern. Equipped with a four-stroke engine with a displacement of 334 cm3. The power unit complies with Euro-5 standards. The motor is tuned for traction from the lowest revs.


Despite the antique appearance, the motorcycle has liquid cooling and disc brakes front and rear, from the Brembo, by the way, albeit a budget line.

JAWA 300CL

This is a replica of Java "" Old Lady ", even made in the very characteristic cherry color. It has a tidy built into the headlight. The motorcycle is distinguished by an abundance of chrome elements.


The engine is a four-stroke DOHC with a displacement of 295 cm3. Liquid cooling, disc brakes.

JAWA 350OHC

A modern version of the classic Java motorcycles. Outwardly, it looks more like a 634 model. Equipped with a four-stroke liquid-cooled engine with a displacement of 334 cm3.


It is offered in two versions - basic and Sport. The latter is made in the style of sports models of the 70s.

RVM 500 by JAWA Adventure

One of the most powerful motorcycles in the manufacturer's database. Created in collaboration with the Argentinean company RVM. Externally, the bike does not look like any of the old JAWA models. One glance is enough to understand that the creation of Czech designers was inspired by the German motorcycle BMW F650GS, better known as the "Little Goose".


The bike is designed for travel, which has been repeatedly confirmed by runs on the pampas of Argentina. Differs in reliability and endurance of a design.

The engine of the RVM 500 by JAWA Adventure is a four-stroke liquid-cooled engine with a displacement of 500 cm3. For an additional fee, it can be equipped with a system of three panniers.

RVM 500 by JAWA Scrambler

Another 500cc motorcycle. Created on the same platform as Adventure, but the designers changed the look to suit the scrambler class.


Differs in high passability for the category. The bike is designed for short trips around the city and the same trips to nature.

The JAWA brand continues to exist and produce motorcycles. Of course, such volumes of production, as in the days of Czechoslovakia, have not been for a long time and are unlikely to be. But the company is working, which pleases fans of old two-stroke bikes.