Jawa 250 Californian vs James Commodore 250 (1973)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Jawa 250 Californianstacks up against the James Commodore 250. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecJawa 250 CalifornianJames Commodore 250
Model year19731962
Price
Engine249 cc249 cc
Horsepower17 hp
Fuel capacity4.0 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission4-speed
Front brakesExpanding brake (drum brake)
Rear brakesExpanding brakeExpanding brake (drum brake)
Tires3.00-19 / 3.25-19 3.25-18 / 3.25-18

Jawa 250 Californian vs James Commodore 250 — which should you buy?

Picking between the Jawa 250 Californian and the James Commodore 250 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Jawa 250 Californian brings 17 hp, while the James Commodore 250 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: