In the history of motorcycle production, there have been more than 2500 brands from all over the world. Only some of them came to the attention of the world public and became famous. One of the most famous companies involved in the production of motorcycles was founded in 1929 in Prague by Mr. František Janeček. Its products have been branded JAWA ever since.

Before the Second World War, Mr. Ing. František Janeček the development of these increasingly popular means of transport to the highest world level through a number of new patents and inventions. The company’s glory did not end in 1945, when, on the basis of nationalization decrees, it became the property of the state. On the contrary. The most modern motorcycle of its time was born, constructed secretly during the Second World War – the first folk motorcycle with both suspension wheels produced in larger series – the so-called “Pérák”. An equally revolutionary model produced in the 1950s, called “Kývačka”, further increased its utility value and the company exported it to more than 120 countries around the world. No one was so far away, the world was copying from us.

JAWA Moto spol. s r. o. was founded in 1997 as a successor company that uses the JAWA trademark. The company’s main business is research, development and production of motorcycles, their spare parts and accessories. The basic elements of production are pressing, welding, machining, painting and assembly. The company is also engaged in the production of tools and instruments. JAWA Moto spol. s r. o. has its registered office in Týnec nad Sázavou, Brodce No. 46, zip code 257 41.

 

HISTORICAL MILESTONES:

1929 Ing. František Janeček resolves the sales crisis of his arms factory’s weapon production by acquiring a license to produce the Wanderer 500 OHV motorcycle from the Wanderer company.

1929 Zbrojovka Ing. F. Janeček registers the trademark JAWA (JAneček + WAnderer).

1929 Zbrojovka Ing. F. Janeček introduces the first motorcycles of the JAWA brand at the 21st International Motor Show in Prague – the birth of the JAWA 500 OHV.

1931 English racer and designer G.W. Patchett joins JAWA, focusing on sports machines and bringing experience in the production of lightweight two-stroke motorcycles. He actively participates in preparing the production of the JAWA 175 motorcycle with a Villiers engine.

1931 First JAWA at the Six Days. In 1931, the first JAWA participated in the Six Days. E. Stokuč rode the JAWA 500 OHV. Despite numerous breakdowns, he finished the competition with a bronze medal.

1932 Serial production of the JAWA 175 Villiers motorcycle is initiated. The revolutionary model is sold under the slogan “A People’s Motorcycle at a People’s Price.”

1932 The Six Days take place in Merano, Italy. Czechoslovakia enters the International Trophy competition for the first time, and the entire Trophy team consists of JAWA motorcycles ridden by A. Vitvar and F. Brand, with Jaroslav Kaiser and co-pilot Kromberger on the sidecar.

1932 F. Brand competes in the legendary Tourist Trophy and brings home a silver TT plaque.

1933 JAWA introduces its first car, the licensed DKW Meisterklasse 701, named JAWA 700. The body is manufactured in the Kvasiny plant, with assembly taking place in the new Týnec nad Sázavou plant.

1934 The JAWA 350 SV motorcycle becomes the first motorcycle with an in-house designed engine.

1935 In the same frame, a new JAWA 350 OHV engine is introduced in 1935.

1935 The JAWA 250 motorcycle engine is based on the Villiers engine, later replaced by in-house production.

1935 Young aircraft designer Zdeněk Pilát constructs the JAWA 1000 aircraft engine. The lightweight, air-cooled twin-cylinder engine with opposed pistons was a top performer among European engines of its time but never took flight.

1937 The smallest addition to the JAWA motorcycle family, the JAWA 100 Robot moped, is designed by the most talented designer from the Patchett team – Josef Josíf.

1937 The second and last JAWA car is the JAWA 600. The last units of this car leave the factory only after World War II.

1929 – 1939 Pre-war sports successes JAWA riders bring home numerous gold medals from the Six Days, with Trophy Team securing second place on JAWAs in 1935 and 1938. JAWA triumphs in flat track races, and in the Golden Helmet races in Pardubice, H. Gunzenhauser wins in 1935 and 1936, while F. Juhan wins in 1938. F. Brand and V. Vitvar also bring laurel wreaths from road speed races.

1939 World War II begins. With typical German efficiency, JAWA was compelled to manufacture military orders from September 1939. This included gasoline pumps, bomb racks, locks for them, power generators, and other products.

1939 The new semi-block engine JAWA 250 Duplex Block, prepared for production as the last pre-war engine, hinted at what JAWA would bring in the future.

1941 On June 4, 1941, the founder of the JAWA legend passes away. Ing. František Janeček lived to the age of 63. During his life, he earned many titles, with one of them, the Motorcycle King, best reflecting his contribution and position in the motorcycle industry before World War II. JUDr. Jaroslav Frei becomes the new CEO of the arms factory.

1939 – 1945 Preparing for peace. Throughout World War II, materials and parts for the production of 9,000 motorcycles and 700 cars were stored by JAWA in barns and sheds around Týnec nad Sázavou and in the Prague area. Immediately after the war, the first post-war machines were assembled from these stored components. Surprisingly, in early 1940, secret work began on two post-war projects – a motorcycle (led by J. Jozíf and V. Grečenko) and a car (led by R. Vykoukal). A third team (led by V. Sklenář) worked on the development of four-stroke and racing motorcycles.

The result of their work was the famous “Pérák.”

1945 Nationalization of the company and subordination of JAWA to Zbrojovka Brno n.p.

Subsequently, in 1950, JAWA became independent again, but at the same time, the Kvasiny plant (incorporated into Škoda MB) and the foundry in Týnec nad Sázavou (Metaz n.p. was established) were lost. MOTO-JAWA n.p. retained only the factories in Prague and Týnec nad Sázavou.

1946 The production of the famous JAWA 250 began. Due to its advanced design, the motorcycle was nicknamed “Pérák.” The 350 cc version was sold under the Ogar brand from 1947 to 1949.

1947 Thanks to excellent riders and equally good JAWA and ČZ machines, Czechoslovakia wins both main trophies – the World Trophy and the Silver Vase – for the first time in the International Six Days. The trophy team consists of F. Šťastný, V. Faltýnek, and J. Uhlik, with H. Vavřička, M. Lutovský, and J. Lípa winning the Vase. The JAWA 250 Typ 11 Bérard replica is produced in limited numbers to commemorate this victory.

1947 Development of a prototype JAWA 350 cc two-stroke engine begins.

1948 The JAWA 350 Pérák motorcycle is introduced. It becomes the first Czechoslovak mass-produced motorcycle to feature a rear swingarm with a rear shock absorber.

1948 The communists seize power in Czechoslovakia. The Prague armaments industry is nationalized, and JAWA becomes part of Českomoravská-Kolben-Daněk n.p.

1950 The company is officially named MOTO-JAWA n.p.

1950 – 1952 JAWA 350 Pérák production and development.

1952 V. Grečenko, chief designer of JAWA motorcycles, and his team present a prototype of a new four-stroke engine for a 500 cc sports motorcycle.

1952 The JAWA 500 OHC motorcycle is introduced. It features a four-stroke OHC engine, becoming one of the first production motorcycles in the world with this type of engine.

1952 MOTO-JAWA n.p. is incorporated into the Považské Strojírny n.p. group. L. Horáček becomes the company’s new director.

1953 JAWA introduces the Model 350 OHC, featuring a four-stroke OHC engine with a unique desmodromic valve system.

1953 JAWA achieves great success in international competitions, winning the European Championship in the 500 cc class.

1953 The production of the JAWA 350 Pérák motorcycle is discontinued.

1954 JAWA begins the production of mopeds with the JAWA 20 Pionýr model, which later evolves into the popular JAWA 50 Pionýr.

1954 The first JAWA 250 Perak with a new frame and a telescopic front fork is introduced.

1955 The JAWA 175 scooter is introduced. It becomes one of the most popular scooters in Czechoslovakia.

1955 JAWA wins the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1955 The JAWA 350 Pérák motorcycle is re-introduced with a new frame and suspension.

1956 JAWA 350 OHC motorcycle sets a new world record at the Montlhéry track in France.

1957 JAWA introduces the JAWA 500 OHC Type 15 motorcycle, featuring a 500 cc four-stroke OHC engine.

1958 The JAWA 250 Perak is further improved with a new frame and suspension.

1959 The JAWA 250 Perak undergoes further improvements, including the introduction of an electric starter.

1959 The JAWA 353/04 model is introduced with a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1960 The JAWA 350 Californian model is introduced, featuring a unique design with a distinctive fuel tank.

1961 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1962 JAWA introduces the JAWA 50 Pioneer, a popular moped model.

1962 The JAWA 350 OHC motorcycle undergoes further improvements, including a redesigned frame.

1963 JAWA introduces the JAWA 250/592 motorcycle with a new frame and suspension.

1964 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1964 The JAWA 350 OHC motorcycle undergoes further improvements.

1965 JAWA introduces the JAWA 250/360 Panelka model with a new frame and body design.

1966 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1966 The JAWA 250/559 model is introduced with a new frame and body design.

1967 JAWA introduces the JAWA 250/590 model with a new frame and body design.

1968 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1968 JAWA introduces the JAWA 250/559 Sport model with a new frame and body design.

1969 The JAWA 350/360 model is introduced, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1970 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1970 The JAWA 250/592 model undergoes further improvements.

1972 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/634 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1973 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1974 The JAWA 250/559 Sport model undergoes further improvements.

1975 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/638 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1976 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1978 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/639 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1979 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1982 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/640 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1984 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1986 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/641 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

1989 The Velvet Revolution brings an end to communist rule in Czechoslovakia.

1990 JAWA undergoes a transformation into a joint-stock company, JAWA Moto, a.s.

1992 JAWA riders win the International Six Days Trial, securing the Gold Vase, the Trophy, and the Silver Vase.

1992 The JAWA 350/634 model undergoes further improvements.

1997 JAWA introduces the JAWA 350/639-5 model, featuring a 350 cc two-stroke engine.

2000 JAWA celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2002 JAWA introduces the JAWA 650 Classic model, featuring a 650 cc four-stroke engine.

2011 JAWA celebrates its 82nd anniversary.

2018 JAWA introduces the JAWA Perak, a bobber-style motorcycle.

2021 JAWA unveils the JAWA 42 2.1 and JAWA 42 Forty Two models, featuring updates and improvements.

2023 The JAWA brand continues to produce motorcycles, maintaining its legacy and presence in the