Jawa: The Forever Bike – Book Review

Introduction

The sturdy build, throaty exhaust note, charismatic looks and the do-it-all attitude – these were the virtues that made Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles unforgettable even after they bid us farewell in the late 90’s. The Forever Bike narrates the tale of how these virtues took shape, the people behind them and the saviours of the brand who still admire and live with these motorcycles.

After over 20 years since Ideal Jawa had to wrap it up in India, the trio – Anupam Thareja, Boman Irani and Anand Mahindra are on a mission to resurrect the brand and recreate the same mark in the Indian biking fraternity. However, as they say, the roots should never be forgotten which is why Adil Jal Darukhanawala took up the task of squeezing the phenomenal past of the iconic brand in a mere 285-page book. A renowned name in automotive journalism, Adil takes you through every phase of the brand and how! Starting from its entry into India to its renaming to Yezdi, the seamless narration grips you throughout. On top of that, the nostalgic pictures sway you straight back into the good old Jawa days.

Incepted in Czechoslovakia, Jawa and CZ motorcycles started being sold in India by Wazir Singh and Sons who became the first dealers of the brand. This was shortly followed by the Iranis taking a plunge into the business in 1949 by setting up Ideal Motors. And, the rest is history. The Forever Bike recounts the phenomenon of four Iranis – Rustom, Boman, Farrokh and Noshir acquainting Indians with Jawa (and CZ initially) and their Irani descendants taking over the authority after them.

Adil starts with explaining the potential which International bikemakers saw in the Indian market post-independence. It all started with the import of motorcycles with different make and models and, Jawa and CZ were among them. However, the importing of these Czechoslovakian machines was turned into full-fledged production in Mysore by early-1960s which the four founders of Ideal Jawa carried out with utmost zeal and passion. Moreover, Adil also takes into account the financial support lent by the Mysore king Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. This helped the quartet align with the changing government regulations and set up a factory in our country.

Owing to the government putting restrictions on using foreign brand names, the Jawa had to be turned into Yezdi in 1971. From there, how the motorcycles transformed in terms of design and engine, the book covers it all. As we know, an efficient brand or product is created by the efficient people behind it and Adil has given credits to every such person who was responsible in making Jawa and Yezdi what we remember them for today.

A comprehensive mention has also been done of the racing pedigree that Jawa and Yezdi hold. While the Irani family itself had some legendary racers in its clan, there were also privateers who would grab people’s attention in the races astride their self-tuned Jawas and Yezdis. In fact, of the very first batch of CZ motorcycles (initially sold with Jawa) which were imported here, four models were immediately allotted for racing. Adil recounts why and how these motorcycles were modern enough to have their presence in every type of motorcycle racing held in those days.

Undoubtedly, Adil had no intentions of making this a sheer history book. Which is why he has made special mention of the modern-day proud owners of CZ, Jawa and Yezdi bikes. He has also endorsed the existing mechanics and the riding clubs which carry out meet-ups and rides frequently to keep the heritage of this brand unhindered forever. While the fate of the recently launched Jawa motorcycles is still unknown, The Forever Bike deserves a place on the table or book shelf of every Jawa fan or a motorcycling enthusiast who admires the classic brands of India. Well, even if you won’t read the textual content over and over again, you’ll surely ogle at the marvelous pictures while sipping on a mug of coffee during one of those precious lazy weekends.