Jawa celebrates Czech roots and its legacy among Indian riders

New Delhi: Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles marked Czech Day 2026 at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi, celebrating its Czech origins and longstanding connection with Indian riders.

Founded in Prague in 1929, Jawa began with the JAWA 500 OHV motorcycle, followed by the lightweight JAWA 175 in 1932. The brand later gained recognition for engineering innovations, including the Jawa Pérák, developed during the Second World War, and its automatic clutch system.

Jawa’s Indian journey began in 1960 with Ideal Jawa. Its motorcycles became part of the country’s motorcycling culture, building a following through motorsports, rider communities and popular culture, including Indian cinema.

The brand returned to India in 2018, led by the Jawa 42, which helped establish the modern classic motorcycle segment. Jawa subsequently expanded its portfolio, with the Jawa 42, Jawa 42 FJ and Jawa 42 Bobber forming its All Stars range.

Anupam Thareja, co-founder of Classic Legends, said Czech Day offered an opportunity to celebrate Jawa’s origins and reflect on its journey in India.

“The Jawa 42 helped establish the modern classic category in India, but its significance goes beyond creating a category. It brought the Jawa spirit to a new generation of riders and gave us the foundation to take that spirit forward,” he said.

Thareja added that Jawa was not just about nostalgia, but about carrying its distinctive character forward for contemporary riders.

The company’s participation in Czech Day 2026 highlighted the connection between its nearly century-long history and India’s evolving motorcycling culture.