JAWA

The Czech manufacturer announced an all-new bike on its 80th birthday

All of you, who think that the Jawa brand went extinct after its short run in the country, get this. The Czech brand, though well past its glory days, has managed to survive thanks to its ardent fans. In fact, Jawa is actually celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. 

Set up by František Janeček in Czechoslovakia in the year 1929, the brand has been in existence for eight entire decades. According to the information available on the company’s website, Jawa still makes motorcycles, dune buggies and even a small car. Though their current range may not be exactly modern, the company plans to launch better, more contemporary products. The latest bike to be announced by the Czech manufacturer is the 650 Dakar which will be fitted with a single cylinder liquid-cooled 652cc four-stroke engine from the Yamaha XT660. This rather basic engine produces 47bhp at 6500rpm with a healthy 57Nm of torque at 5000rpm.

The bike will be available in regular as well as touring versions. The latter gets a bigger windshield and a set of three luggage cases. The 650 Dakar will be available from 2010 onwards.