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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 20 Dec 2012
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There was a discussion on the merits or otherwise of Jawa 350's here about six months ago. With a bit of luck this link should get you to it - http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-opinion-64154

In essence it says any bike is better than no bike but .... !

Having said that I suppose if you want it for some sort of Top Gear style challenge there are worse Soviet era smokers you could have decided to use.
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  #2  
Old 20 Dec 2012
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Jawa 350

thanks both
any info is good - especially seeing as the Euro has forced cost to £3400 but on the plus side they seem simple enough and as said seem to run on poor fuel better than higher stressed machines
i see Jawa do a "military" version which "looks the part"
talking of parts i would imagine they should be relatively easy to source - anyone with info on what goes wrong typically would be great
quote of "cruising speed of 50mph" sounds good but "heavy on fuel" sounds bad - experience (West Africa two up camped every day for 2 months on 600 transalp (ps this bike "Victoria" got nicked the DAY we got back to blighty!!!) and north/central america solo on a KLR 650 riden from north Vancouver to Guatemala and back - tells me to travel light and take only essentials so a simple stroker 350 may be it
keep posts coming - i need to make decision fairly soon to start planning (alternative is XT 600 or superdream 400 or Vstrom 650 (my current bikes) but it would be nice to take a Jawa bought in uk back home for a visit!
thanks all
tony
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Old 20 Dec 2012
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Hi Tony

I don't want to hog the conversation here, particularly as its been quite a while now since I had my lifetime experience of Jawa 350s, but if you're seriously considering spending that sort of money on one I'd strongly suggest you arrange some sort of extended test ride first. If you like it and think it's value for money then fine but sign the contract with your eyes open. Compared to the other bikes you have available I'd think it represents the road less traveled.
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Old 22 Jan 2013
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I'd agree totally with the test ride. They aren't bad bikes to ride, handling is reasonable within limits and will cruise at 60/70 no problems. My memory is of the abysmal materials/build quality and a level of reliability that was unacceptable even for a budget hack. On the plus side, you could service it with a nail file and a lump hammer, and it was very easy to work on. You say you have an XT600? Stick with that - proven touring ability, tough as a rock, reliable.

I ought to say that my bike was bought new in 1974 and properly looked after. Things may have improved for Jawa since then, but if all I had was one of those to go touring on, I'd take a bicycle.
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