2022 Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review

The Yezdi Roadster is the modern-classic roadster in the new Yezdi motorcycle range and has design somewhat reminiscent of the original Yezdi bikes from the 1970s. It’s designed for everyday use, for the daily commute and short dashes in and around the city. In a way, the Roadster is the true modern “classic” of the new Yezdi family, yet with all the modern trappings and features, such as an LCD instrument console, LED lighting, liquid-cooled, double overhead cam (DOHC) engine and anti-lock braking system (ABS). But is it any good? We spent a couple of hours with the Yezdi Roadster to get to know it better.

The Yezdi Roadster has a stance reminiscent of the old Yezdi bikes of the ’70s. It still is a modern motorcycle, a mixture of a modern classic roadster and a cruiser.

Design & Features

The silhouette and stance of the Yezdi Roadster is definitely closest to the original Yezdis, but closer to the modern Jawas than any of the other Yezdi bikes. It comes with a single, round, LCD display, along with round LED headlight, taillight and LED indicators. ABS is standard and not switchable, and unlike the more purpose-built Yezdi Scrambler and Yezdi Adventure models, it gets just one level ABS.

There are conemporary and modern elements and features, like LED lighting, ABS, and a LCD screen with all the necessary read-outs.

With a long wheelbase (1,440 mm) and raked out steering, the Roadster looks somewhat of a mix between a retro roadster and a cruiser. To me, it works from some angles, and from other angles, it just looks a little out of place.

The design of the Yezdi Roadster looks attractive from some angles, and from others, it looks a little out of proportion.

But the subject of aesthetics is subjective, and while its styling may not work for some, it may prove to be attractive to others. But the more practical problem with the Roadster’s design is in the company it keeps to its prospective customers. With a design that is closer to the Jawa Forty-Two, than the older Yezdis of the ’70s, the Roadster’s biggest weakness is that it will share showroom space with not just the more attractive Yezdi Scrambler and the rather purposeful-looking Yezdi Adventure siblings, but also with its good-looking Jawa cousins. But where it makes up over the Jawa models is in the spec sheet, at least over the Jawa Classic and the Jawa Forty-Two.

The 334 cc on the Roadster is tuned to make 29.3 bhp at 7,300 rpm with 29 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm.

Engine & Performance

The Yezdi Roadster’s engine has been tuned with everyday use in mind and has the narrowest powerband amongst the three new Yezdi bikes. The 334 cc engine has been tuned to make 29.3 bhp at 7,300 rpm with 29 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine sounds a lot like the Jawa Perak it’s derived from, and performance is also somewhat similar.

The Yezdi Roadster will effortlessly cruise at over 100 kmph, and top speed will be around 125 kmph.

It will happily rev all the way to the redline and is up for a handful of throttle as you accelerate through the gears. The gears slick into position with precision and triple digit speeds are achieved quite effortlessly. In a straight line, the Roadster does remind you somewhat of the old Yezdis; with a somewhat similar riding position, and with dynamics you would expect from a long wheelbase roadster.

The Yezdi Roadster gets telescopic front suspension and gas-charged twin shocks at the rear. Ground clearance is the least amongst the three Yezdi models. The suspension is firm, but not too harsh to complain. But it still isn’t the plushest in its segment, and with a firm set-up, expectations of its dynamics are high.

Ride & Handling

The suspension is on the firm side; isn’t too harsh, but not the plushest as well. Ride quality isn’t the cushiest, and over broken patches, the Roadster does make you feel road imperfections. It’s not torturous, but it isn’t exactly the most comfortable in this segment either. The seat however is well-padded and offers a comfortable perch, at least during our brief test ride. The firm suspension however invariably leads one to make comparisons with its cousins, the Jawas. And that’s where expectations of the Roadster’s dynamics come in.

The Yezdi Roadster is up for some high speed action, but if it’s intuitive handling one is looking for, the dynamics fall short of expectations. I made a mental note to try out a different test unit, but due to lack of time, was not able to test out another unit for its handling and dynamics.

With a rev-happy engine that will reach 90 kmph very effortlessly and even sit at over 100 kmph comfortably, the Roadster’s dynamics fall short of expectations. Around a twisty road with an alluring set of corners, the Roadster never gave me the confidence to push harder. In fact, the chassis felt a little vague on the right-handed corners, and I made a mental note of trying out a different test unit along the same set of corners later in the day. Even on the left-handed turns, it was nowhere near the intuitive sharpness that the Jawa Forty-Two had presented itself with when I had ridden it first, just over a year ago.

The Yezdi Roadster will compete with the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350, but will also face competition from within the family, from the Jawa Classic and Jawa Forty-Two.

Prices & Competition

Prices for the Yezdi Roadster begin at ₹ 1.98 lakh (Ex-showroom), going up to ₹ 2.06 lakh (Ex-showroom), and at those prices the Roadster has competition not just from the Jawa cousins, but also from the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, and the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

The Yezdi Roadster is the closest in design and silhouette to the original Yezdi bikes of the 1970s. But its problem is that it will share showroom space not with the more purpose-built siblings, the Yezdi Scrambler and the Yezdi Adventure, but also with its good-looking cousins in the Jawa motorcycle range.

Verdict

As an everyday motorcycle, the Yezdi Roadster’s engine has been tuned for precisely that kind of use; short dashes around town, and for the occasional long-ish jaunt if required. It also has the least suspension travel and ground clearance amongst the three new Yezdi models. But it’s also the only model which sports alloy wheels with tubeless tyres.

The Yezdi Roadster is also similar in looks and appeal to the Jawa Forty-Two and will cater to a similar set of customers.

For me, the stance and overall design of the Yezdi Roadster is somewhat of a hit and miss, and even in the dynamics front, I would say the Jawa Forty-Two feels more agile and planted, in comparison. But if it’s a true-blue nostalgia-filled Yezdi you’re looking for, the Yezdi Roadster still looks the closest to the old 250 cc two-stroke Yezdi bikes from the ’70s.

(Photography: Pawan Dagia)

Highlights

1. Yezdi Roadster is the most-affordable model in new Yezdi range
2. The 334 cc engine makes 29.3 bhp @ 7,300 rpm, 29 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
3. Prices range from Rs. 1.98 – Rs. 2.06 lakh (Ex-showroom)

Keyword: 2022 Yezdi Roadster First Ride Review