I didn't take it for free: legendary motorcycles will return to the Russian market
The legendary motorcycle brand Jawa from the Czech Republic has serious plans for the Russian market. Moreover, they plan to supply our country not only with motorcycles assembled in India, but also with nostalgic two-stroke cars from the Czech Republic itself, Izvestia found out.
Made in India, refined in the Czech Republic
Russian OTTS have already been received for four running models: 300 CL, 350 CL, 42 and 42 FJ. The Jawa 300 CL is a launch model with a single—cylinder 4-stroke liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 295 cc. The 350 CL model has increased engine capacity to 334 cc. see, the ground clearance is higher, and a disc brake is installed at the rear instead of a drum brake. The design is made in the retro style of classic Jawa. The 42 series looks more modern, it has a tank of a different shape, a more powerful engine of the same volume and cast wheels instead of spoked ones.
Motorcycles are manufactured in India by Classic Legends Private Limited (CLPL), owned by Mahindra and Mahindra, which previously acquired the rights to use the design and brand from the Czechs. The production of motorcycles similar to the Java, but more modern in design, was launched in the city of Pitampur, Madhya Pradesh. Their popularity in the local market has exceeded all expectations, and since 2020, motorcycles for the European market have been tested and refined in the Czech Republic by Jawa Moto, located in Tynec nad Sazavoj. From there, Jawa is supplied to the Russian market.
— The Czech side absolutely does not interfere with the supply of Jawa to Russia, moreover, the Czechs have become direct founders of the Russian distributor Jawa Jihostroi Union. As part of this strategy, it was decided to obtain new OTTs for new generation Jawa motorcycles. In 2029, Jawa is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. As part of this event, the Jawa Jihostroi Union team is currently busy preparing for a large-scale entry into the Russian market and building a wide dealer network. Until now, our reliable partner has been our official Moscow dealer, who has maintained Jawa's presence in the Russian market since 2012. It's time to increase our presence and remind you that Jawa has not only not ceased to exist, but is ready to introduce a wide range of new affordable motorcycle models in Russia," Svetlana Kulakova, CEO of Java Yugostroy Union, distributor of Jawa Moto, told Izvestia.
Serious plans for Russia
Since 2007, the distributor of Java motorcycles in our country was the Java Russia company, which sold them through the Plamen motorcycle dealership network. She also owned the previously issued OTS for the above-mentioned motorcycles made in India, Ivan Vladimirov, editor-in-chief of Moto magazine, told Izvestia.
— The fact is that in the Czech Republic, Jawa Moto and Yugostroy, a company engaged in the development and production of construction hydraulics, have the same owner. And last year he decided to open his representative office in Russia. And one for both brands at once.
Thus, the Russian office of Java Yugostroy, opened at the end of last year, is now engaged in both motorcycles and hydraulics. Accordingly, the OTS for the most popular models of Java motorcycles were reissued for it," he explained.
Currently, Plamen sells at a significant discount the remains of motorcycles imported under the old OTTS. According to Autostat, 32 new Jawa motorcycles were registered in 2023, 52 motorcycles in 2024, and only 20 in 2025.
Two cycles and Russian refinement
The new distributor is also working to obtain an OTC for two-stroke Jawa in the Style and Retro versions, which are produced in the Czech Republic. These are the direct heirs of historic Jawa motorcycles.
— A batch of such motorcycles has already been assembled and is ready for shipment from the Czech factory. Czech—made and Indian-made Jawa motorcycles will be supplied and sold in Russia in parallel," Svetlana Kulakova said.
Motorcycles with sidecars are not planned yet, but the company has partners who are engaged in retrofitting, including sidecars.
Due to the complex logistics of deliveries to Russia, the Jawa turned out to be more expensive than similar Royal Enfield motorcycles, which are supplied to our country directly from India. Therefore, it would be quite logical to organize the refinement of motorcycles directly in Russia under the control of Jawa Moto.
"There is a request for this style"
— Our audience is primarily the generation that remembers and loves Jawa motorcycles. But we are also aimed at young motorcycle enthusiasts who are just starting their motorcycle racing career — our motorcycles are light and easy to drive. For girls, we are ready to offer wonderful stylish motorcycles of the Perak series, relatively light, urban-type, with a lower landing and in various colors. By the way, our fans will have the opportunity to see with their own eyes the latest motorcycle models, such as, for example, the Jawa 42 FJ, at the Motovesna exhibition in Moscow in early April," said Svetlana Kulakova.
Jawa 42 FJ
In 2025, the market for new motorcycles grew by 19%, with the share of vehicles with engines up to 400 cubic meters. The CM covered by Jawa was almost 70%, according to Autostat. In addition, the old Java is still popular in the secondary market. The Jawa brand has prospects in Russia, says motorcycle expert Nikolai Bogomolov.
— There is a demand for such a style in society. There are people who are willing to pay for nostalgia. Now the well-restored old "Java" are also not cheap. People bought Urals for a million and didn't worry about it,— said Nikolai Bogomolov.
The Indian assembly is also unlikely to confuse buyers, he believes.
— Many people won't know about it yet if they submit it correctly. In fact, many brands, such as KTM, have Indian assembly now," Nikolai Bogomolov said.
Replaced the Harleys
Ivan Vladimirov uses the Indian brand Royal Enfield as an example, which has occupied the niche of Harley Davidson.
— Almost all the small offices that sold Harley Davidson switched to Royal Enfield. It's a smaller difference than switching to some nameless Chinese. There is a name, similar sales standards, and a reference to history and traditions. Another thing is that technically they are still not up to Harley in terms of engine capacity. But they are also developing, trying to "copy" Harley's "chips". They create a HOG-type community. They dragged in a bunch of branded accessories. Everything is available for motorcycle tuning — handlebars, saddles, pads, flashlights. There are branded clothes and equipment," the expert noted.
The expert's opinion is based on facts: in 2024, Royal Enfield surpassed Harley-Davidson in the Russian market — 737 against 627 motorcycles. Last year, 1,116 Enfields and only 643 Harleys were registered.
The movie heroine
Officially, deliveries of Jawa motorcycles to the USSR began in 1962. In the period from 1963 to 1983 alone, 1.5 million motorcycles were delivered to the Soviet Union. In 1973, the 250 cc "old ladies", as they were popularly called, were replaced by the new Jawa 350 with the index 634 with a 344 cc engine with a capacity of 19 hp. In 1984, deliveries of the model 638 with an angular gas tank, a completely new engine (23 hp) and a 12-volt onboard network began.
Production of Java motorcycles in Czechoslovakia, 1974
Jawa motorcycles were very popular in the USSR, and "Meetings of friends of Java" were regularly held. They also starred in movies. In a cherry-colored Java with a Velorex stroller, Gesha Kozodoev took Semyon Semenych Gorbunkov fishing. Urri from Adventure Electronics drives the Jawa. The band "Gaza Strip" has a song of the same name dedicated to a motorcycle, "Java" is easily guessed on the monument to Viktor Tsoi in Okulovka.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
