Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

You can try apache RTR's mirrors. Few of my friends use them on their Dukes and are pretty happy with the results. The rubber cover of the stock mirrors can also be reused so they look equally cool.

@oldfox great review Sir. Enjoyed reading it.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Hi, Great comprehensive review. Covered each and every bit possible. I am planning to buy one tourer bike and I am now super confused between Mahindra Mojo and Dominar. Please help me with which one should I go for. Other than ABS I think Mojo scores better than Dominar in every aspect except value for money

Thanks,
Rajen

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Hi All,

Though the review has been covered in more detail than I can put out at this point, I would still like to share my test ride review which was quite comprehensive by test ride standards.

Belonging to a Tier B city Vadodara, I did not imagine being able to lay my eyes on a Dominar any time soon. Imagine my excitement when the sales executive not only showed me one but also asked me to take a long test ride without even looking at my license. Add to that he asked my wife also to climb aboard so I could feel how it was like with 2 up riding. Dealerships here are generally very stingy in giving test rides with most even insisting about booking a vehicle before the test ride or they concoct a cock and bull story about the vehicle being damaged in an accident.

Anyway coming to the point I saw a dark blue Dominar in the showroom and got to test ride a white one. First impressions when i mounted the bike in the showroom were that this is a lot like my NS. The tank view was quite similar, distance between handlebars and seat was similar and the foot pegs too were about similarly placed. I was in my comfort zone. What was immediately different was the seat quality and height. At 6 ft tall I used to feel my NS was custom built for my height and was able to manage it. The Dominar feels shorter and did give me a bit more confidence. The seat felt larger and better padded too.

Getting on to the test ride. I fired up the bike and it sounded like a refined KTM. No offence to the KTM owners, they sound aggressive, but the Dominar sounded nice. Got my wife behind me on the saddle and set off. One point to note, our combined weight is well over 150 Kgs. I simply loved the pulling ability of this bike. Despite 2 up riding, it was extremely comfortable for both and also very very fast. I had to consciously make an effort to go slow. Vibes in my over 5 km ride were negligible and braking again gave me the same feel as my NS, not a bad thing at all. Couldnt test the slipper clutch action.

The downside was the combined weight, I attempted some aggressive traffic cutting (I dont encourage this, just wanted to see the bike behaviour) and realised I was having to heave the handle bars along with my body weight in order to make it flickable. Also the throttle seemed too sensitive, coming off the throttle make the bike decelerate quickly and coming on it the surge was jerky initially. Could be because of the new engine.

What made me happy were also the small things like the clear visibility in the rear view mirrors and the fact that my wife also liked the rear seat size and padding. Since I rode it in daylight I cannot comment on the LED headlamps, but overall at 1.7 lakhs on road this is a very good bike. Even after 3 days the one point that I fondly remember in the entire test ride was the amount of torque it was throwing out at the lower rpms. I have ridden the RE Continental GT too and till this test ride, that was my benchmark for torque and fun factor.

I think this bike opens up a good option to those who love KTMs but find it a bit too loud in terms of styling. At least thats my interpretation for it. As for beating RE, nah thats not happening. I can agree that Mahindra should be worried but the old gen CBR is still a cut above it in terms of refinement. Sure its long in the tooth but our market still loves faired bikes and maybe if Bajaj came with a faired version of the Dominar in the future it may hit the CBR hard.

Just my experience.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

I don't know which part of your superbly crafted review I like more - the pics or the write-up. Simply professional in style and substance, this report of the Dominar shows the deft hand and the eye of a seasoned rider. Bravo! Great reviews and utterly oggle-worthy photography.

Cheers and Safe riding!

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Had been to Wakdewadi KTM for 250 and 390 test ride. Was disappointed that 390s weren't yet available for TD. However I did get a 250 TD, but I just circled the periphery of the building from inside for a few times - Thats it !!! Thats what they call a test ride.

I was disappointed with 2017 KTM 250 - Thought they might've bought more smoothness (I come from a 10year Unicorn relationship). While I was there waiting to call Kawasaki for Versys650, I thought I might as well check how well D400 rides.

What follows is a direct comparison of KTM Duke 250 vs Dominar 400.

A few minutes later, I mounted a white one.

The Mount: The first leg over D400 and felt better than Duke 250. The handle bar reach / width - I thought Duke's bars were wider and I had to reach for them a little more than I had to do over here. I'm 5'7". The seat too felt much better than the KTM.

Engine Start: Here all the similarities (if any) end. This one felt much smoother. Duke the typical rowdy, notorious vagabond. This one felt like a muscular athlete who also has those gentleman-like abilities. Also Dominar's engine was quick to start; Somehow I had fumbled once or twice on Duke250 to get it running.

The Start: 10yrs of smooth Unicorn has its downsidesl; You forget that there are meatier machines available. But it has its virtues - refinement, you live with it day and night. Pressed the clutch, hmm... Smoother... Few minutes back it felt like I was pulling a cable that was about to snap (on KTM)!!! Shifted into the 1st gear, Gear felt more or less similar, but definitely not as smooth as Unicorn.

Clutch release: As I start to release it, I thought - whats wrong !!! Why ain't I moving ahead? The Duke 250 got engaged very early; probably more than half way of complete press of the lever, while Dominar was opposite... and I moved on. A very specific incident happened on Duke 250, I twice stalled the engine while releasing the clutch. I remember another person on Duke250 too had the same problem. May be it was that specific vehicle or we were just not used to the KTM

Ride: For Dominar, I was lucky to get a ride on the road. First thing I noticed in Dominar was that the power delivery was very smooth (or linear as I've read in TDs) as opposed to Duke 250. Somewhere in the thread replies I read, D400's setup has been tuned to keep new riders too happy. That was very much evident. It felt I was riding a heavier and a stronger commuter. With KTM, I felt I was riding a different beast altogether. I adjusted the mirrors, and they seemed adequate, definitely not what Puslar220F guys complain of. I purposefully raised the throttle to compare the KTM vs Dominar, again power delivery smoothness along with the better smoothened engine shone brighter than the growling KTM. The bike felt fairly light but planted. The gear shifts did happen with some 'clunk', but I guess it will smoothen out over a period of time. Since it was a daytime ride in hard sun, there was no chance of experimenting on the lights.

Braking: Whatever Dominar will do, so will KTM, but KTM is more exaggerated. Same is true for braking. Bite is stronger on Dukes, sudden. But then again I had done only 10-20 kmph Duke TD vs. 50-60kmph on Dominar.

Halt: As I killed the engine with the switch and put the side stand, I felt Dominar is definitely a better option for guys upgrading from 100 - 150cc bikes, especially those like me who dislike Thumps (RE) and growls (KTM).

Booking / Verdict: I went to KTM in a view that 2017 KTMs might've improved on engine and hard, spiky driving dynamics of the bike, giving a beautiful gait to it. But KTM retains its character (I'm happy that the company doesn't deviate from its core). So KTM is definitely out of my wishlist. Then: Dominar ? Definitely looks much interesting. At its price point seems like VFM. Its not in the Honda / Yamaha refinement class, but not bad either. I await Mojo and the Versys TDs.

Note: I am more inclined towards Versys 650 ( In a league of its own ), but the new KTMs brought me to the showroom in awe (specifically 390). I want a tourer after munching touring miles on the Unicorn. How I hoped a Versys 300 was launched !!! This was actually my first Test Ride of my life. Hope more will follow.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

A brilliant review with equally brilliant pictures!

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Better to calculate power to weight ratio PS/ton after adding rider weight of 60kg to the motorcycle weight. Because at least one rider will always be on the bike and that weight is significant addition when compared to cars power to weight ratio comparison. So the value of ratio after that addition would give better comparison of acceleration of various bikes.

Bajaj has done cost cutting in upside down fork, SOHC engine, simpler odo, handlebar switches reuse, etc to offer it at a low price. But retained gearbox, slipper clutch and lower engine of Duke 390. Oil cooling and fuel injection are there, but bajaj should do something to improve Dominar's mileage in cruising speed to compete with Royal Enfield bikes.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Usd is not cost cutting, even r3 and ninja300 doesn't have it how much they costs?

Sohc is is cheaper but doesn't mean cost cutting, r15 uses sohc, Maybach uses Sohc for their cars.
Ktms uses the switch gears from older pulsars, with white backlight like pulsar 150,80,220.

Where as ns, rs and dominar uses blue backlight.

This shows how much quality is shared between Dominar and KTM.

Ride safe

cheers.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Now as I try to punch it, Dominar thrusts forward commandingly with that sweet, mildly bassy exhaust note treating my ears after 3000 rpm, while reaching triple digits swiftly on an empty stretch.
Finishing the almost 1 kilometer test ride, I never felt like I had a pillion behind owing to the smooth power delivery and relaxed character of the bike.
As I reach the showroom in lajpatnagar dewan bajaj they don't have dominar for test ride then next day I visit Suman Autos Greater noida,I am overwhelmingly impressed with the machine and wanted to go for another longer ride but I had to end it!
What I like and dislike
I like :- Bajaj every one knows that bajaj ki jawani and Honda ka budhapa.
Bike is looking good what u want under 2 lack 373cc engine, twin channel abs
Good look in naked
As I always prefer naked in every department which comes between two legs.
》fit n finish exhaust quality feel like a bigger bike.
》As i sit on bike the weight of bike makes it slightly intimidating,telling you indirectly to handle it like a grown-up,
》I move forward easily with the low end torque giving enough pull to propel both of us (pillion)
》As I gain speed I find the throttle crisply tuned and gears slotting seamlessly adding linear acceleration without any spiky power delivery.
》Downshifting quickly from 6th gear for a turn I notice the light clutch and sharp bite of the front Brake.
》It again pulls nicely from 2nd gear without any hesitayion in spite of the rider and pillion combine weight of around 160kg.
Now comes on topic which I dislike
》Expected higher fuel tank and a gear indicator.
》Limited Colour Options.
Doubtful A.S.S need some contemplation.
》Not upside down
》Handle will not much better comfort for long ride.
#Wafa #Siddiqui

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Hi scarecrow,
I'm putting up a link below. It could be possible that you've already gone through it, but just in case you haven't, it will be useful.

http://**********.in/rc390-mrf-revz-...1-week-review/

I own a D390 myself and have been searching for the Revz C1/FC1 ever since this article appeared on web.

The new pair from MRF seems to do great on the Dukes. At least it's better than the predecessor Revz C/FC which is already known to do good on Duke 200 and okayish on Duke 390.
Hope this helps.

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

I face a weird issue in my dominar. The bike has done nearly 1300 kms so far and I have taken it to a long ride. I gradually opened the throttle and the speedo was touching 105 kmph in 6th gear of rpm range 5000, suddenly the rpm light started to blink and I reduced the bike speed to 80 kmph. Since the bike is running in, I was very gentle on the throttle inputs, but still I doubt regarding the rpm limit kicking in as early as 5000 rpm. Would that be an issue to check it in the service center?

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Hi, you will get useful answers in the Dominor ownership thread here:

https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcy...hread-105.html.

Please post your query/problem and there are owners to guide you. All the best!

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

can this bike be used as a commuter to villages with rough roads in small cities???

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

I’m 6 ft tall too and I’m desperately looking to buy a comfortable bike for the height. I currently ride a passion pro which is immensely uncomfortable & i’m dying to upgrade. I saw in a video in youtube about list of indian bikes for tall riders & NS was one of them. I also went to the showroom & sat on all the bikes & the most comfort I could feel was in NS & then Dominar & that too only NS200 not the 160. So which is good??

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Hi Chaitanya,

In terms of comfort the Dominar is definitely better suited. If you plan to tour or spend long hours in the saddle then you should go for the Dominar. The NS is a different bike totally and should not be compared. Lets forget the power difference. The NS is a street fighter and though the tall bike will complement your looks, it will not be as comfortable. Since we are of similar height, let me tell you that despite the Dominar seat height being less than the NS you will not be cramped on it. Sitting on the bikes though is not enough, I would suggest you do a comprehensive test ride of both the bikes to decide.