JAWA 650 Dakar (2009-2010) Specs, Performance & Photos

Jawa was a Czech motorcycle and moped manufacturer founded in 1929 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, by Frantisek Janecek, who bought the motorcycle division from Wanderer. The Jawa name came from the first letters of Janecek and Wanderer.

In earlier times, especially in the 1950s, Jawa was one of the top manufacturers. They exported the 350 models to over 120 countries. Their best-known models were the 350 Perak and the 350 Californian in the 1970s.

In 2009, the Czech motorcycle maker introduced the Jawa 650 Dakar, a motorcycle fitted with an Italian 652cc engine, which was also found on the Yamaha XT660. In addition to the Italian engine, the bike featured other Italian parts from Paioli, Grimeca, Verlicchi, and Bitubo. It was also available in regular and touring versions.

Visually, the bike was characterized by features such as a fork-mounted fairing, a one-piece dual seat with a pillion grab rail, an up-swept two-into-one exhaust system, a side stand, and wire-spoke wheels.

It was made around a steel frame. The frame housed the suspension system, which comprised a 43 mm Paioli telescopic fork on the front and a monoshock on the rear, offering excellent suspension performance.

Two 320 mm discs on the front with dual-piston calipers and a 220 mm brake disc on the rear achieved the braking power, providing great braking performance.

Performance-wise, the 2009 Jawa 650 Dakar had installed a 659cc four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine at its core, boasting 48 hp at 6,000 rpm and 58 Nm (43 lb-ft) torque at 5,250 rpm.