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Motorcycle News, News

Royal Enfield builds electric prototypes

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Old-school motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield is getting closer to releasing an electric model after building a couple of electric prototypes.

Last year, company president Rudratej Singh said they had “several projects in the pipeline and the electric platform is one of them”.

“We are in an investment phase in the project where we have a team that is working on different ideas and concepts with a long-term focus. We will disclose our plans at an appropriate time.”

Electric prototypes

Now CEO Vinod Dasari has confirmed that they have developed a couple of electric prototypes.

As suspected, Royal Enfield worked on its electric platform at their new English research and development centre in Leicestershire.

There are no further details on the project, but a prototype means they have something that works and is being tested.

It could have been shown at the world’s biggest motorcycle show in Milan in November, EICMA, but it has now been postponed a year.

So we are not sure when it will be unveiled.

However, we suspect it won’t look too different from the current old-school range.

Electric Royal Enfield Charging Bullet documentary trailer
Fred on his electric Bullet

Perhaps it will look like this electric-powered Royal Enfield Bullet built by British engineer Fred Spaven to travel the length of Britain for a documentary film called Charging Bullet promoting sustainable transport.

Royal Enfield is not the only Indian-owned motorcycle company going electric.

Former Czech motorcycle company Jawa, now owned by Indian company Mahindra, is also developing an electric motorcycle in India.

They say it will have the longest range yet of any electric motorcycle.

There is hardly a motorcycle company in the world that is not developing an electric motorcycle.

However, there is more incentive in India for these two companies and others to produce electric bikes.

India has strict air pollution policies in their major cities that make an electric option very desirable.

The Indian Government has also proposed a deadline for complete electric mobility in the country by 2030 and plans $1.4 billion in incentives for the manufacture and sale of electric motorbikes and scooters while penalising petrol-powered bikes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Is Jawa developing long-range electric?

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Former Czech motorcycle company Jawa is now developing an electric motorcycle in India that could have the longest range yet.

There is hardly a motorcycle company in the world that is not developing an electric motorcycle, so it comes as no surprise that rumours have surfaced that the now Indian manufacturer is also working on an electric bike.

But what is surprising is the look and performance of the bike.

Rather than developing something that looks like a sci-fi movie prop, the traditional manufacturer is developing an electric bike with similar design to the modern retro models.

It will also have similar range!

Since the current Jawa 42 model has a 14-litre tank and sips fuel at 37.5km/l, that’s range of 525km.

Jawa Classic Legends
Jawa 42

That would make it the longest range of any electric motorcycle on the market.

Interestingly, Indian startup Mankame Motors is working on an affordable electric motorcycle capable of 250km/h and 480km range to hit the market in 2022.

Mankame Motors EP-1 electric motorcycle with a claimed 480km range vector
Mankame Motors EP-1 electric motorcycle

The current (pun intended) longest range record is 360km which belongs to Zero Motorcycles with the extended battery fitted.

Jawa developing bike independently

Indian auto manufacturer Mahindra bought the rights to make Jawa for the Indian market and in November 2018 they released their Classic Legends models.

Jawa Classic Legends
Mahindra relaunches Jawa in 2018

Mahindra has an electric department that is making various electric vehicles, but Jawa is developing the electric Jawa project totally independently.

It is believed Jawa is outsourcing some of its development which would allow them to cherry-pick the latest developments in battery and motor technology.

But most interestingly, the companies working on the project have been told to make the motorcycle close to their petrol models, including design, mileage and power.

That’s interesting, because a traditional look and long range would certainly appeal to motorcycle riders.

However, there would be little appeal in the low power of the modern Jawa which has output of just 20kW (27bhp) and 28Nm of torque.

Jawa Classic Legends
Jawa Classic

In fact, the main attractions of electric motorcycles are their speed, acceleration, instant maximum torque and linear power delivery.

Furthermore, the brief to developers is to make power delivery less linear and more like a conventional bike!

Rumours say the bike will be available in 2023, but probably only in the local market.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Jawa success to delay BSA revival?

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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.

Currently, owners Mahindra Motorcycles are only licensed by the original Czech Jawa company to make and sell the bikes in India.

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.

The bikes are currently sold out until November 2019 and caused such excitement that competitor Royal Enfield registered their first sales decline in several years in December.

Jawa Classic Legends revival
Jawa Forty Two

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.Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited BSA - cagiva revival

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 

Jawa Classic Legends
Perak bobber, Jawa and Jawa Forty Two

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.Jawa Classic Legends revival

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

Jawa Classic Legends revival
Jawa
  • ENGINE: 293cc Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Liquid Cooled, DOHC 
  • BORE STROKE: 76 x 65
  • COMPRESSION: 11:1
  • POWER: 20kW (27bhp)
  • TORQUE: 28Nm 
    Jawa Classic Legends revival

    Jawa Forty Two

  • TRANSMISSION:  Constant Mesh 6 Speed
  • FRAME: Double cradle
  • TYRES: 90/90 – 18;  120/80 – 17
  • SUSPENSION: Telescopic Hydraulic Fork; gas canister dual hydraulic shocks
  • BRAKES: 280mm disc with floating caliper and ABS; rear 153mm drum
  • SEAT: 765mm
  • WHEELBASE: 1369mm
  • WET WEIGHT: 170kg
  • TANK: 14 litres

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Jawa Classic Legends unveiled in India

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Jawa Motorcycles are back with a retro vengeance with the unveiling of three new Classic Legends models in India.

Unfortunately, owners Mahindra Motorcycles are only licensed by the original Czech Jawa company to make and sell the bikes in India.

However, we believe that could change in the next few years if these are successful.

Jawa Classic Legends
Jawa

Mahindra is releasing the bike under a new brand called Classic Legends Private Ltd which will also produce Yezdi (made Jawa-Yedi bikes in the ‘60s-‘70s) and BSA motorcycles.

Yes, that’s right, the company also has the outright ownership of the British brand and expects to make retro-styled BSA models soon for sale around the world.

New Classic Legends Jawa Classic Legends

The new Indian-made Jawa motorcycles are currently only available for domestic sale.

They are the Jawa, Jawa Forty Two and Perak bobber which 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).

Jawa Classic Legends
Perak bobber

The bikes will be available in India early next year with the bobber following later in 2019.

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

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.

Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra says it is “rare to get an opportunity to resurrect a legend”.

“Jawa is an authentic and iconic brand that represents the desire and yearning in all of us for freedom and adventure,” he says. 

Jawa Classic Legends tech specs

Jawa Classic Legends
Jawa
  • ENGINE: 293cc Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Liquid Cooled, DOHC 
  • BORE STROKE: 76 x 65
  • COMPRESSION: 11:1
  • POWER: 20kW (27bhp)
  • TORQUE: 28Nm 

    Jawa Classic Legends
    Jawa Forty Two

  • TRANSMISSION:  Constant Mesh 6 Speed
  • FRAME: Double cradle
  • TYRES: 90/90 – 18;  120/80 – 17
  • SUSPENSION: Telescopic Hydraulic Fork; gas canister dual hydraulic shocks
  • BRAKES: 280mm disc with floating caliper and ABS; rear 153mm drum
  • SEAT: 765mm
  • WHEELBASE: 1369mm
  • WET WEIGHT: 170kg
  • TANK: 14 litres

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com