Smoke signals from the relaunch of popular motorbike brand Jawa have kicked off celebrations among fans of the iconic two-wheeler.
“We never expected in our wildest dreams the return of the Jawa. It is certainly a matter of joy for not only fans of Jawa and Yezdi, but to anyone who enjoys the pleasure and freedom of riding,” says Sreejith Karunakaran, moderator of Thiruvananthapuram’s exclusive Jawa-Yezdi club, Smoking Barrels.
Quite a few hearts were broken when Ideal Jawa, former manufacturers of the branded bikes in India, announced shutting down production of Yezdi motorbikes in 1996. While a majority thought that the iconic brand was done for good, the passion and perseverance of true Jawa and Yezdi fans across the country saw to it that the brand didn’t die out. They reclaimed Yezdi and Jawa bikes from scrap dealers, hunted down spares from across the country and abroad, rebuilt and rode the bikes with pride, all the while adding more followers to the cult. Now, over two decades later, Mahindra’s Classic Legends has relaunched the brand. The two models — Jawa and Jawa 42 — are already overbooked and delivery is expected to begin in April, with the waiting period extending till December.
Rajwent Ben, director of Malayalam Motors, the official dealer of Jawa in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, says: “We chose to go for Jawa because of personal affinity towards the brand. People are still aware of this brand, thanks to loyal fans.”
Karunakaran has been a rider and loyal fan since 1994. Now in his 40s, he has a Jawa and eight Yezdi bikes in his motorbike collection. He was one of the few from Kerala invited for the official launch of the new Jawa bikes in Mumbai. “After Yezdi wound up production, most of the owners sold off the bikes to scrap dealers. Those days, one could buy a Yezdi for ₹5,000 or less. All the bikes in my collection were bought from scrap dealers and were built back to its original glory through patience, perseverance and, of course, hard-earned money,” he says.
The same spirit is shared by his compatriots in Smoking Barrels, founded in 2007 on Orkut by a bunch of college students. Karunakaran, who joined the group in 2009, became its moderator after the founders left to pursue their careers. The club follows a strict code of conduct and one cannot join the group by just owning a Jawa or Yezdi bike. It strictly forbids bike sellers and “indisciplined” riders.
The group has inspired and mentored many young riders. Arathy Jayapal, one among them, is, incidentally, the first woman in Thiruvananthpuram to have test-ridden the new Jawa. “Sreejith uncle was the one who taught me how to ride a Yezdi. And once I did, I was hooked. I love motorbikes and I was waiting for a bike that suits me and I feel like the new Jawa was made for me,” says Arathy, who works at the Jawa showroom at in the city.
Though a true fan, Karunakaran says a bike’s true worth can only be judged after it has been used for a few months. “I rode the new bikes and they are good. The latest engine and low maintenance costs are pluses. But the real calibre can only be proved after it’s ridden for at least 20,000 km. We have to keep a watch on its mileage after third service, availability of spare parts, its prices, quality of service etc.,” he says.
That being said, the dealers are overwhelmed by the sheer number of walk-ins and enquiries. “We were expecting more reception from people in their 40s and 50s but the influx of youngsters came as a pleasant surprise. Mature buyers are choosing Jawa while youngsters are into the trendier Jawa 42,” points out Ben.