Jawa 250 Californian vs Ariel LF (1973)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Jawa 250 Californianstacks up against the Ariel LF. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Jawa 250 Californian | Ariel LF |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1973 | 1929 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 249 cc | 249 cc |
| Horsepower | 17 hp | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 L | — |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | — |
| Front brakes | — | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.00-19 / 3.25-19 | — |
Jawa 250 Californian vs Ariel LF — which should you buy?
Picking between the Jawa 250 Californian and the Ariel LF usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Jawa 250 Californian brings 17 hp, while the Ariel LF counters with its own power figure.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike:

