Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[quackquackquack]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hey guys, I posted previously once but didn't really get a response. Hoping someone would help me out.

I am looking to upgrade to either the RE Himalayan BS6 or Dominar 400 BS6 post lockdown. I know there are two different machines but my riding style suits both. Hence I'm so confused. My primary cases would be city riding along with touring.

I have just a few questions.

1) in the long term which is more reliable? If someone who owns then for a longer period of time can help me out. I plan to keep the bike around for a while.
2) I will almost always tour with a pillion and luggage, will the himalayan be able to handle the weight+luggage? Im 5'9" and around 80kg
3) what are the maintenance costs like? I am a student who does odd freelance projects so cost also matters to me.
4) are there any potential problems in the new models of both these bikes ?
5) if it's himalayan I'll most probably upgrade the headlamp situation and add panniers, backrest along with crash guards to both the bikes to make it more touring friendly.

Personally I thought Dominar would be a batter choice but the suspension setup on the himalayan is just beautiful specially for the roads of Delhi. Feedback would be helpful. Thank You.

[Donmathew]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

In my experience, they're basically cool. Apart from this.

No LOUD exhaust, same goes for blingy horns.
No too much fancy bling and lights. Remember, these in fact attract them like flies towards a candleflame.
Make sure you don't have all your auxiliaries lit up, make sure you ride calm, and composed.
If they ask you to stop, do so with courtesy, that makes an impression. Don't look panicked.
Keep your documents, esp, POLLUTION up do date and you're all set. You'll be left to go even before they ask you for your these.

Cheers!
VJ

Great! Sounds like I don't have to worry at all then! :-D

[Donmathew]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Modifications are an issue in KL but I doubt they'd bother to mess with an out of state vehicle.

Due to commuting long distances within state I have reverted to stock and shelved by boxes and racks cause the fines are eye watering.

As for Fog Lamps, keep them covered. If caught using them at day time you'd be fined anyhow.

Keep your papers with you at all times. The best means to avoid complications is to take out of state PUC every 6 months, during my stint at KA I'd ride once every month to TN to take a PUC, cause unlike the rest of India(11 Months), KA had a stupid 1 Month Rule.

Ride Safe,
A.P.

This helps a lot. Thank you!

[ashwinprakas]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This question is for folks in Kerala. If I bring my Dominar to Kerala (Kochi), will I get into trouble for all the modifications? How bad is it?

Modifications are an issue in KL but I doubt they'd bother to mess with an out of state vehicle.

Due to commuting long distances within state I have reverted to stock and shelved by boxes and racks cause the fines are eye watering.

As for Fog Lamps, keep them covered. If caught using them at day time you'd be fined anyhow.

Keep your papers with you at all times. The best means to avoid complications is to take out of state PUC every 6 months, during my stint at KA I'd ride once every month to TN to take a PUC, cause unlike the rest of India(11 Months), KA had a stupid 1 Month Rule.

Ride Safe,
A.P.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This question is for folks in Kerala. If I bring my Dominar to Kerala (Kochi), will I get into trouble for all the modifications? How bad is it? Any workarounds or loopholes (other than getting rid off everything :-D) ?

In my experience, they're basically cool. Apart from this.

No LOUD exhaust, same goes for blingy horns.
No too much fancy bling and lights. Remember, these in fact attract them like flies towards a candleflame.
Make sure you don't have all your auxiliaries lit up, make sure you ride calm, and composed.
If they ask you to stop, do so with courtesy, that makes an impression. Don't look panicked.
Keep your documents, esp, POLLUTION up do date and you're all set. You'll be left to go even before they ask you for your these.

Cheers!
VJ

[Donmathew]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

If you are not migrating but just travelling then no issues, just avoid using the fog lamps, you can even use black electric tape to mask the area of the knuckle gaurd lights.

I have travelled multiple times to kerala from Bangalore and haven't had any issues with cops for accessories.

However just ensure you don't carry liquor bottles. It's is prohibited in many zone of kerala and you can be randomly stopped for checking.

Thanks a lot for your inputs!

[prajnyan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This question is for folks in Kerala. If I bring my Dominar to Kerala (Kochi), will I get into trouble for all the modifications? How bad is it? Any workarounds or loopholes (other than getting rid off everything :-D) ?

If you are not migrating but just travelling then no issues, just avoid using the fog lamps, you can even use black electric tape to mask the area of the knuckle gaurd lights.

I have travelled multiple times to kerala from Bangalore and haven't had any issues with cops for accessories.

However just ensure you don't carry liquor bottles. It's is prohibited in many zone of kerala and you can be randomly stopped for checking.

[Donmathew]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This question is for folks in Kerala. If I bring my Dominar to Kerala (Kochi), will I get into trouble for all the modifications? How bad is it? Any workarounds or loopholes (other than getting rid off everything :-D) ?

[ashislakra1989]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Now a used bike dealer has quoted me 1.2 lakh (with all transfers) for 2018 june dominar Red colour with 9500 kms on odo. I find it to be fair deal. Please share your thoughts over it. I find dominar to be great machine. Should I get the deal or just let it go?

And if I am getting it what are the things i need to take care of. What are the major issues with dominar? What should I check while examining the bike?

Please help.

Looks like good deal. Major issues with dominar.
1) Engine oil and coolant mixing.
2) Rear suspension is too hard.
3) Engine gasket oil leak which comes early in Dominar.
4) Tank and fairing vibration which can be fixed by using foam pads.
5) Weight lol.. a bit heavy and front biased.
6) Brake pads wearing. Tyre wear and tear.
7) Suspension oil seal leak.
8) Check if bike was involved in any kind of accident even if it's minor.
9) Exhaust pipe rust and other rust.
10) Check service logs from svc center and if any parts were changed especially engine.

Maybe these and some more inputs from other owners.

[d_lonerider]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi Folks,

I have been in market for a while and was looking for bikes. I was majorly looking for used bikes. As they were only under my budget.

It started with used 2017 duke 250 but the owner ditched at last moment and sold it to someone else.

Then there was out of the showroom condition 2019 BS6 gixxer 250 sf with 30k discount with just 25kms on odo.
Was never fan of faired bikes so let it go.

Then during bs4-bs6 conversion was getting great discount on xpulse 200. Loved the dynamics and instance. But found it to be overheating and there was nothing exciting about engine. It felt like riding bit powerful unicorn. The front brake was getting jammed. And though it had long travel suspension I found it to be stiff.

Now a used bike dealer has quoted me 1.2 lakh (with all transfers) for 2018 june dominar Red colour with 9500 kms on odo. I find it to be fair deal. Please share your thoughts over it. I find dominar to be great machine. Should I get the deal or just let it go?

And if I am getting it what are the things i need to take care of. What are the major issues with dominar? What should I check while examining the bike?

Please help.

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi guys!
I ride Bajaj Dominar 400 2020.
Due to the quarantine, service center in my city is temporary closed, so I'm going to do the first maintenance (after 500 kms) by myself.
In owner's manual there is note about cleaning EVAP drain tube.
Can someone explain me what is that and how to clean it?

Thanks in advance!

One going from tank to charcoal box, one connecting charcoal box to air box, and the one coming out of charcoal box and exits under lhs panel kind of overflow/ drain tube.
Never seen any service center cleaning these. Search in this thread there is one post related to this and u need to clean that tube , pic is attached in that post.
Thick gel kind of smelly stuff comes out of it .
More important thing is u need to o remove plastic tank cover to access.
Charcoal box is under pillion seat.

Do oil change with new oil filter, clean the strainer filter inside the drain plug and also ope the center magnet/strainer filter under the exhaust pipe(this won't come out fully but around 50 to 100ml old oil would come out) , clean and lube the chain. Topup coolant if needed with premixed antifreeze coolant use same green one for topup.
Clean front sprokect too.
Don't start the engine while working on chain.

[yashasvi]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi guys!
I ride Bajaj Dominar 400 2020.
Due to the quarantine, service center in my city is temporary closed, so I'm going to do the first maintenance (after 500 kms) by myself.
In owner's manual there is note about cleaning EVAP drain tube.
Can someone explain me what is that and how to clean it?

Thanks in advance!

Just wait for the lock down to end and then get it serviced at the company only, till then you won't be able to ride so it doesn't matter. Just do the cleaning and polishing work till then

[ladler]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi guys!
I ride Bajaj Dominar 400 2020.
Due to the quarantine, service center in my city is temporary closed, so I'm going to do the first maintenance (after 500 kms) by myself.
In owner's manual there is note about cleaning EVAP drain tube.
Can someone explain me what is that and how to clean it?

Thanks in advance!

[yura777]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Please see how close to each other the bolts for the pillion handlebars are and how big the shoulder of the back baggage carrier is. Add the weight of the carrier itself, the topbox and the stuff in it. Consider also the state of the roads where you drive - in Ukraine the are lots of bumpy and potholed ones. Altogether it highers the chances to destroy the small brackets under the pillion handlebars made of the soft steel.

[senotrius]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I don't intend to use a topbox ,I want the rack to rest the pillion's backpack.So that strain is not into entirely on the shoulder.But you're saying a 3kg topbox can do this to the rear end?