Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[bindyesh]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi friends, I am having a 2017 Dominar with ABS. It has not been used much at all. I am finding a strange problem recently. Whenever I travel for about 10 kms or more at a stretch, I get a burning smell and the bike starts slowing down. If I come to neutral, it just stops completely and the engine and temperature indicators start glowing. After waiting for about 10 min, the bike restarts and I can drive again normally. The coolant level and the engine oil levels seem normal as far as I can see ( I am no expert to find out whether the functioning is ok or not). I had got it serviced in Aug 2019. Then I shifted to another city (Raipur, CG) and it is in this new city that I am facing this problem and here I showed to the Bajaj service. They just updated the ECU and gave it back. ( I don’t think they paid much attention to my bike as it was from another city). Today it happened again (3rd Episode) and what I noticed is that the rear brake pads become jammed to the disc and stopped the bike. The disc became extremely hot and even the burning smell started coming. I could not move the bike even with the engine stopped. Rather I tried to move the tyre just by tilting the bike, and I could not even do that. I poured some water from nearby and the disc got loose and I could ride again. What I also noticed is that the rear brake lever was not getting pressed much at that time. I some how came home and saw some videos to open the brake pads and did that. They seemed ok. I tried to rotate the wheel by tilting the bike, and I did feel that the wheel movement was hampered even when it was cold. I went for a small ride and felt that although now the rear brake pedal was pressing ok, the isolated braking effect of the rear brake was not good at all.

I am in complete confusion now, as what to do. Should I go to Bajaj service again and tell them what I observed today (which I am sure, they might not have observed in last two repair attempts), or should I show the bike to some other mechanic? I am new to Raipur and so I even don’t know any good mechanics here. Any help from seniors and friends will be of great help

Hi,

I had exact same issue with my 2018 Dominar & it started after first service in which service guy adjusted the rear break lever play ( without telling me ) . Immediately after 1st service , i went to ladakh ( Cold temperature so oil do not expand much ) & on my way back to Maharashtra it jammed in the exact manner you described on the Agra Expressway .
Changed complete rear break assembly along with the disc & caliper but again same issue .
A mechanic of bajaj service center ( Patni Bajaj Nagpur ) rectified the problem after it sis running problem free so i suggest you should check the nut which adjust the play of the break lever .

[Tushark]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Thank you for the advice , just looked at how the chain was adjusted and found the nut was not in the place and was freely moving.
Image one is left side and image two is right.

[TarunSundar]

Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Good evening fellow riders,
I have now completed 2500 Kms on dominar ug. I have mixed feelings about the bike. Quite frankly it's a superb bike vfm or otherwise,
What I really don't understand is how are service centers so blunt about issues.
Everytime I have visited a SVC standard response is "this is normal for dominar".
First it was coolant issue , it disappeared in few days and I was told it's normal as it's a new bike. I guess its normal, but most people have upgraded from small cc bike to dominar, company should atleast inform that this may happen.
Then I went for gear upshift thud sound. Again " this is normal for dominar" I have been thrice to two different SVC and same response. The issue still persists, now I make a cautious effort to listen as minimum sound as possible. It really takes away the fun of touring , up untill 3 rd gear sometimes 4th no matter at what rpm or speed I shift it's like someone is hammering the gearbox. It was fine initially but now after the runnin period is done it's really irritating.
Then I went for rear break , again same response.
The bike favouring towards right, the response was it's normal as disk is moved to opposite direction.
Then the engine noise, engine has become so loud I can hardly listen the so called sweet exhaust.
Now new issue , the bike stalls in traffic it just switches off. And it's not heating issue.

I would be more then happy with what I have bought only if the svc guys make an effort to fix issues then same response of " this is normal in dominar".
Bajaj really needs to up there game in servicing as this is the flag ship bike at the moment.

Well for now I think I will stop riding this one and go back to my 14 year old pulsar 150 which is 3.5 lks km old and still happy on road.

That Hammering sound while shifting gears can be reason for chain slackness. Usually, when chain becomes misaligned these kinda sound and hardness while shifting can occur.


Check your rear wheel alignment for bike favour towards right side. They have concluded this “Disc moved to a direction” THis means the rear wheel was not aligned from both the sides.

This could be an extra reason for hammering sound while shifting gears. Sometimes lazy mechanics used to tight the chain from the sprocket side and they won’t touch the other side. This leads the rear wheel to be positioned towards a side and not straight. This can make hard gear shifts and pull towards a side, premature brake wear and loud sound while braking.

https://youtu.be/vV8BAKwWDXs

Explain lil’more about the engine sound/ noise.

Refill the coolant and monitor the amount of fluid drop for every 50 kms. If it’s droping a lot then approach Bajaj and ask them to check.

As you said, Engine gets off when stalling.... can you start it again ?? Like the very next moment.

If yes, then something is wrong with your fueling or in your electricals. Ask Bajaj to check Spark plugs and distributors mapping then ECU update.

If not, then it could be heating issue. Dominar cuts off engine when it reaches the 10°c before the critical engine temperature.

[Tushark]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Thank you for the suggestion, I will give it one more try at the svc , hope it helps.

Bajaj is very famous for this issue. It was present in the 200NS and is still there in the dominar. I had the exact same problem as you did with my 200NS. What I did which rectified the issue was got a complete new brake assembly (caliper, brake pad and all), no brake oil change. The bike never gave me any issue after that. Bear in mind that was my 200NS, and my problem started because I neglected a screeching sound from my rear break at slow speeds for quite some time. I've heard of dominar owners complain about exactly the same screeching sound and what service center people will do is, scrub your brake pads with sand paper and give it back. This goes for everyone facing this issue, do not accept this as a solution from any service centre... If you rear brake is screeching at low speeds, and there is uneven wear of the brake pads, insist on a complete change of the brake assembly under warranty. The problem is due to a misalignment of the pads and disk, which causes the pads to constantly brush against the disk, creating heat and in extreme cases causing the pads to expand to such a state that it grabs on to the disk and starts to smoke (I've had this happen to me). I got my brake pad changed for something around 1200rs. Shouldn't be too costly for the dominar as well.
Hope this helps.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----


Sorry to hear that you are having so many issues, seems like a stroke of bad luck... I've added my two cents on some of your issues if the are still unresolved

[Tushark]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Quite frankly I am happy f I get solutions to the issue , but the attitude of guys at SVC is what irritates. I have done so many trips to SVC that I really don't even feel like visiting them anymore. No more energy to explain stuff to them over and over without any solution. I don't want to reach a point where I regret buying this motorcycle because I really know it holds such a potential to be one of the best bikes ever made.
If I get a good mechanic outside I am okay with going ahead. I couldn't care less about free service for this kind of job anymore.
I am sure there is solution to every issue I mentioned as they sound really small issues but the svc should be willing to work on them.
I will surely try your method I am positive that it will help. Thank you for suggesting.

Bajaj is very famous for this issue. It was present in the 200NS and is still there in the dominar. I had the exact same problem as you did with my 200NS. What I did which rectified the issue was got a complete new brake assembly (caliper, brake pad and all), no brake oil change. The bike never gave me any issue after that. Bear in mind that was my 200NS, and my problem started because I neglected a screeching sound from my rear break at slow speeds for quite some time. I've heard of dominar owners complain about exactly the same screeching sound and what service center people will do is, scrub your brake pads with sand paper and give it back. This goes for everyone facing this issue, do not accept this as a solution from any service centre... If you rear brake is screeching at low speeds, and there is uneven wear of the brake pads, insist on a complete change of the brake assembly under warranty. The problem is due to a misalignment of the pads and disk, which causes the pads to constantly brush against the disk, creating heat and in extreme cases causing the pads to expand to such a state that it grabs on to the disk and starts to smoke (I've had this happen to me). I got my brake pad changed for something around 1200rs. Shouldn't be too costly for the dominar as well.
Hope this helps.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----


Sorry to hear that you are having so many issues, seems like a stroke of bad luck... I've added my two cents on some of your issues if the are still unresolved

[Horror]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi friends, I am having a 2017 Dominar with ABS. It has not been used much at all. I am finding a strange problem recently. Whenever I travel for about 10 kms or more at a stretch, I get a burning smell and the bike start...I am in complete confusion now, as what to do. Should I go to Bajaj service again and tell them what I observed today (which I am sure, they might not have observed in last two repair attempts), or should I show the bike to some other mechanic? I am new to Raipur and so I even don’t know any good mechanics here. Any help from seniors and friends will be of great help

Bajaj is very famous for this issue. It was present in the 200NS and is still there in the dominar. I had the exact same problem as you did with my 200NS. What I did which rectified the issue was got a complete new brake assembly (caliper, brake pad and all), no brake oil change. The bike never gave me any issue after that. Bear in mind that was my 200NS, and my problem started because I neglected a screeching sound from my rear break at slow speeds for quite some time. I've heard of dominar owners complain about exactly the same screeching sound and what service center people will do is, scrub your brake pads with sand paper and give it back. This goes for everyone facing this issue, do not accept this as a solution from any service centre... If you rear brake is screeching at low speeds, and there is uneven wear of the brake pads, insist on a complete change of the brake assembly under warranty. The problem is due to a misalignment of the pads and disk, which causes the pads to constantly brush against the disk, creating heat and in extreme cases causing the pads to expand to such a state that it grabs on to the disk and starts to smoke (I've had this happen to me). I got my brake pad changed for something around 1200rs. Shouldn't be too costly for the dominar as well.
Hope this helps.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Good evening fellow riders,
I have now completed 2500 Kms on dominar ug. I have mixed feelings about the bike. Quite frankly it's a superb bike vfm or otherwise,
What I really don't understand is how are service centers so blunt about issues.
Everytime I have visited a SVC standard response is "this is normal for dominar".
First it was coolant issue , it disappeared in few days and I was told it's normal as it's a new bike (There are 2 coolant chambers, one which is the window and one is the main chamber, sometimes when the bike is delivered brand new, the display chamber is full but not the main chamber, and the coolant slowly trickles down as the radiator sucks in more coolant to the main chamber). I guess its normal, but most people have upgraded from small cc bike to dominar, company should atleast inform that this may happen.
Then I went for gear upshift thud sound. Again " this is normal for dominar" I have been thrice to two different SVC and same response. The issue still persists, now I make a cautious effort to listen as minimum sound as possible. It really takes away the fun of touring , up untill 3 rd gear sometimes 4th no matter at what rpm or speed I shift it's like someone is hammering the gearbox. It was fine initially but now after the runnin period is done it's really irritating.
Then I went for rear break , again same response. (The rear brake not functioning honestly is a bajaj problem, not a lot that can be done even by the SVC guys)
The bike favouring towards right, the response was it's normal as disk is moved to opposite direction. (A few responses on this thread, some have solved it by changing tyres, some by getting the T-cone replaced, some by adjusting the large center bolt underneath the handlebar...)
Then the engine noise, engine has become so loud I can hardly listen the so called sweet exhaust.
Now new issue , the bike stalls in traffic it just switches off. And it's not heating issue.(Check the clutch cable, your previous issue of thud sound and this issue might be connected, the clutch might not be completely engaged causing the bike to stall and also shifts to be hard causing the thud sound)

I would be more then happy with what I have bought only if the svc guys make an effort to fix issues then same response of " this is normal in dominar".
Bajaj really needs to up there game in servicing as this is the flag ship bike at the moment.

Well for now I think I will stop riding this one and go back to my 14 year old pulsar 150 which is 3.5 lks km old and still happy on road.

Sorry to hear that you are having so many issues, seems like a stroke of bad luck... I've added my two cents on some of your issues if the are still unresolved

[Tushark]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Good evening fellow riders,
I have now completed 2500 Kms on dominar ug. I have mixed feelings about the bike. Quite frankly it's a superb bike vfm or otherwise,
What I really don't understand is how are service centers so blunt about issues.
Everytime I have visited a SVC standard response is "this is normal for dominar".
First it was coolant issue , it disappeared in few days and I was told it's normal as it's a new bike. I guess its normal, but most people have upgraded from small cc bike to dominar, company should atleast inform that this may happen.
Then I went for gear upshift thud sound. Again " this is normal for dominar" I have been thrice to two different SVC and same response. The issue still persists, now I make a cautious effort to listen as minimum sound as possible. It really takes away the fun of touring , up untill 3 rd gear sometimes 4th no matter at what rpm or speed I shift it's like someone is hammering the gearbox. It was fine initially but now after the runnin period is done it's really irritating.
Then I went for rear break , again same response.
The bike favouring towards right, the response was it's normal as disk is moved to opposite direction.
Then the engine noise, engine has become so loud I can hardly listen the so called sweet exhaust.
Now new issue , the bike stalls in traffic it just switches off. And it's not heating issue.

I would be more then happy with what I have bought only if the svc guys make an effort to fix issues then same response of " this is normal in dominar".
Bajaj really needs to up there game in servicing as this is the flag ship bike at the moment.

Well for now I think I will stop riding this one and go back to my 14 year old pulsar 150 which is 3.5 lks km old and still happy on road.

[TarunSundar]

Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi friends, I am having a 2017 Dominar with ABS. It has not been used much at all. I am finding a strange problem recently. Whenever I travel for about 10 kms or more at a stretch, I get a burning smell and the bike starts slowing down. If I come to neutral, it just stops completely and the engine and temperature indicators start glowing. After waiting for about 10 min, the bike restarts and I can drive again normally. The coolant level and the engine oil levels seem normal as far as I can see ( I am no expert to find out whether the functioning is ok or not). I had got it serviced in Aug 2019. Then I shifted to another city (Raipur, CG) and it is in this new city that I am facing this problem and here I showed to the Bajaj service. They just updated the ECU and gave it back. ( I don’t think they paid much attention to my bike as it was from another city). Today it happened again (3rd Episode) and what I noticed is that the rear brake pads become jammed to the disc and stopped the bike. The disc became extremely hot and even the burning smell started coming. I could not move the bike even with the engine stopped. Rather I tried to move the tyre just by tilting the bike, and I could not even do that. I poured some water from nearby and the disc got loose and I could ride again. What I also noticed is that the rear brake lever was not getting pressed much at that time. I some how came home and saw some videos to open the brake pads and did that. They seemed ok. I tried to rotate the wheel by tilting the bike, and I did feel that the wheel movement was hampered even when it was cold. I went for a small ride and felt that although now the rear brake pedal was pressing ok, the isolated braking effect of the rear brake was not good at all.

I am in complete confusion now, as what to do. Should I go to Bajaj service again and tell them what I observed today (which I am sure, they might not have observed in last two repair attempts), or should I show the bike to some other mechanic? I am new to Raipur and so I even don’t know any good mechanics here. Any help from seniors and friends will be of great help

Looks like your brake fluid needs to be replaced and brake system needs a rebuild. A good mechanic can do it. Else you can approach Bajaj. Ask them to clean your entire rear brake system (caliper, Master piston) and change brake fluid. All they do is, remove the assembly and clean it with brake clear or with water.

Basically brake fluid will perform good upto an year or two years , because it’s hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture a lot. After an year it’s safe to change. I used to change twice in a year.

Did you felt any engine cut off or turn off in city riding ?
My friend had a similar problem. when he rides in city, his bike engine will turn off. We approached Bajaj and they said it’s injector fault and they update the ECU. But the issue remains the same. Then finally we found out that the radiator fan wasn’t kicking in.

Dominar have a safety sensor which cuts off engine 10°C before to the critical point.

Then it got fixed. Now it becomes a common issue in Bajaj and KTM bikes. I have seen many people replacing their Radiator fans.

[kishanm77]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi friends, I am having a 2017 Dominar with ABS. It has not been used much at all. I am finding a strange problem recently. Whenever I travel for about 10 kms or more at a stretch, I get a burning smell and the bike starts slowing down. If I come to neutral, it just stops completely and the engine and temperature indicators start glowing. After waiting for about 10 min, the bike restarts and I can drive again normally. The coolant level and the engine oil levels seem normal as far as I can see ( I am no expert to find out whether the functioning is ok or not). I had got it serviced in Aug 2019. Then I shifted to another city (Raipur, CG) and it is in this new city that I am facing this problem and here I showed to the Bajaj service. They just updated the ECU and gave it back. ( I don’t think they paid much attention to my bike as it was from another city). Today it happened again (3rd Episode) and what I noticed is that the rear brake pads become jammed to the disc and stopped the bike. The disc became extremely hot and even the burning smell started coming. I could not move the bike even with the engine stopped. Rather I tried to move the tyre just by tilting the bike, and I could not even do that. I poured some water from nearby and the disc got loose and I could ride again. What I also noticed is that the rear brake lever was not getting pressed much at that time. I some how came home and saw some videos to open the brake pads and did that. They seemed ok. I tried to rotate the wheel by tilting the bike, and I did feel that the wheel movement was hampered even when it was cold. I went for a small ride and felt that although now the rear brake pedal was pressing ok, the isolated braking effect of the rear brake was not good at all.

I am in complete confusion now, as what to do. Should I go to Bajaj service again and tell them what I observed today (which I am sure, they might not have observed in last two repair attempts), or should I show the bike to some other mechanic? I am new to Raipur and so I even don’t know any good mechanics here. Any help from seniors and friends will be of great help

[kp4144]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I've been having some plastic vibration sound from the headlight assembly. It's only prevalent in the first 3 gears between 2k and 4-5K rpm. I tried finding the source but couldn't. Anyone else have the issue?

Had the issue. Still do not know what the cause was. My local SC called me up before that asking for my feedback on the bike, and if I was having any vibration issues. They said they'd fix it for free if I had any. I dropped the bike off, and they fixed it for free. Mine particularly, only occured at 4.5k RPM, usually under hard acceleration.

[Horror]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I've been having some plastic vibration sound from the headlight assembly. It's only prevalent in the first 3 gears between 2k and 4-5K rpm. I tried finding the source but couldn't. Anyone else have the issue?

[Throttlefreak]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I don't think that's the case. Try and mount the number plate below the headlight if you want.

Same here...... What i think is it may be due to no. plate location on head of bike. As these days its high security no plates installed on all bikes and usually i have seen all of them bent on both sides. The bent sides works as spoilers which builts force to create wobbles.

[arya809]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Same here...... What i think is it may be due to no. plate location on head of bike. As these days its high security no plates installed on all bikes and usually i have seen all of them bent on both sides. The bent sides works as spoilers which builts force to create wobbles.

I always used to wonder that front number plates cause aerodynamic disruption on naked bikes. But why do you only blame the BENT number plates, wouldn't all number plates cause aerodynamic drag?

Many people prefer to install front number plate on the front mud guard, won't it cause even higher drag? Even I wish to install it there but doubtful about the drag.

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Any idea what tyres are on the adventure 390, can we fit the same on the dominar ?

Those are metzelers tourance front is 100/90 19, rear is 130/80 17 both are not suitable sizes for Dominar and over that all the reviewers gave it thumbs down on off road.
And why do u need off road tyres on Dominar how often u take it to such road or no roads.
You can try timsun off road style tyres it has somewhat mixed reviews. Otherwise stick to road biased tyres.

[Ark2719]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Any idea what tyres are on the adventure 390, can we fit the same on the dominar ?