Jawa success to delay BSA revival?

Jawa Motorcycles have returned with such a vengeance in India, there could be pressure to export to other markets and delay the revival of BSA.

However, that could change in the next few years judging by the success of their three new Classic Legends models unveiled in India last November.

BSA revival delayed?

Mahindra has released the bikes under the new brand called Classic Legends Private Ltd.

Classic Legends will also produce Yezdi, which made Jawa-Yedi bikes in the ‘60s-‘70s, and retro-styled BSA models for sale around the world.

However, the revival of the British BSA brand could be held up while the company tries to cope with demand for its Jawa bikes.

The company had set up a website for Jawa orders but had to take it down after crashing from demand.

Jawa say they wanted to sell 90,000 bikes a year, but it could be more.

That will place huge pressure on their manufacturing resources and could delay the release of the BSA revival.

New Classic Legends 

The new Indian-made Jawa motorcycles, currently only available for domestic sale, are the Jawa, Jawa Forty Two and Perak which will follow later this year.

The Jawa and Perak feature the traditional “egg-shaped” headlamp with integrated instruments. The Forty Two has a separate offset instrument pod.

Other iconic features include a tool box, dual shocks, twin peashooter exhausts and flat bars. 

Indian prices are Rs 1.64 lakh, Rs 1.55 lakh and Rs 1.89 lakh, respectively. That’s about $A3130-3600 ($US2280-2600, £1780-2050).

All are powered by a new 293cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which has been styled to resemble the original air-cooled motor.

It has a very modest output of 20kW (27bhp) of power and 28Nm of torque.

The bikes come with a disc brake on the front with single-channel ABS and a rear drum brake. To be considered for global exported, Mahindra will first have to update to all discs and two-channel ABS.

Jawa Classic Legends tech specs