Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[Raman Swaminathan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Couple of things about the Engine Oil.

1) Yes, using some other engine oil will void the warranty, but its almost never perceivable by the service center mechanics. I have been using Motul 7100 on my TVS Apache from my 2nd oil change. Always say at the service center that I had changed it manually.
2) Give Motul 200 odd kms and then you will notice the change. Even on a vibrator like my RTR, I felt the difference afforded by Motul is extremely noticeable. Always look to buy on Amazon, you keep having these sales every week or 2. I once got it at 500

[sumith.jagadisan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Will it make sense to go for Dominar since most of the riding will be in the city limits and upto 1000kms/month?
70:30, city to highway running ratio.

@ luckyashraj, If you are gonna be restricted only to city riding that is bumper to bumper traffic, will not recommend Dominar for only reason being, weight of the bike.

But once moving, bike is quick and nimble and you wouldn’t feel the weight. Bike clutch is also on lighter side. It’s only during stop and go traffic, you can feel the weight. Heavier weight of the bikes do tend to cause fatigue in city conditions. Dominar simply loves more of highway riding and is truly a beginners sports tourer.

For city conditions, will recommend smaller capacity engine with lesser weight.

All said and done, will recommend you to reach out to local Bajaj dealers in your city and test ride one.

PS - Bajaj is launching two more variant of Dominar with same 400cc engine in next 5-6 months.

[luckyashraj]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

@ luckyashraj, If you are gonna be restricted only to city riding that is bumper to bumper traffic, will not recommend Dominar for only reason being, weight of the bike.

But once moving, bike is quick and nimble and you wouldn’t feel the weight. Bike clutch is also on lighter side. It’s only during stop and go traffic, you can feel the weight. Heavier weight of the bikes do tend to cause fatigue in city conditions. Dominar simply loves more of highway riding and is truly a beginners sports tourer.

For city conditions, will recommend smaller capacity engine with lesser weight.

All said and done, will recommend you to reach out to local Bajaj dealers in your city and test ride one.

PS - Bajaj is launching two more variant of Dominar with same 400cc engine in next 5-6 months.

Yeah, you're right.
It would be an overkill for city use majorly.

About two new models, I have read about it.

Okay, tell me one thing, how does the weight of RE differ from Dominar in B2B traffic.
More or less, both weigh about the same, alebit RE is heavier, still it sells like hot cake.

[moorthy]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Yeah, you're right.
It would be an overkill for city use majorly.

About two new models, I have read about it.

Okay, tell me one thing, how does the weight of RE differ from Dominar in B2B traffic.
More or less, both weigh about the same, alebit RE is heavier, still it sells like hot cake.

As am coming for RE, in city ride B2B traffic its nightmare, Because of heavier clutch and major draw back is gear system (when you brake in gear like third you can't shift to first easily )

But Domi i love it, Morning 9:30 chennai traffic will be sky high but never felt the pain.

RE selling like hot cake because of hype nothing less,
No tubeless tyre
Tappet noise OMG we have to live with that
Just now rear disc brake introduced, When ABS hope in 2020 they might
Quality,With in period of month rust start to eat.

Simple word Domi can be changed as per our taste but we have to change accordingly as per RE

[sumith.jagadisan]

Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Yeah, you're right.
It would be an overkill for city use majorly.

About two new models, I have read about it.

Okay, tell me one thing, how does the weight of RE differ from Dominar in B2B traffic.
More or less, both weigh about the same, alebit RE is heavier, still it sells like hot cake.

REs are not built for traffic either for two factors-

1. Weight and
2. Long wheelbase.

For city traffic, bikes with shorter wheelbase are best with less power but decent torque. With RE you can’t zip though traffic but because RE produces less power with decent torque, bike is manageable in traffic but weight and vibration does cause fatigue.

Both RE and Dominar are fantastic tourer and if you don’t use them for touring (at least occasionally), it’s like owing race horse and making them do donkey’s work.

When it come to equipments, RE is still selling old stuff in new cover, hope that changes soon. Lately 7/10 bikes from RE are faulty.

REs have become like fashion and not many use it for touring. As far as “selling as hot cakes”, frankly I don’t care. I love RE but the ones that were produced before 1990s, those were truly classic and real work horses.

My Amun-Ra (black 2017 Dominar ABS) wasn’t my first choice when I was looking to buy new bike in 2017. Had initially booked stealth black RE classic 500 but thanks to rotten services during sales @ showroom, went and test drove Dominar and loved it.

Opinion defer from person to person along with requirements. See what fits your requirements, just don’t go with sales figures. Sale figures don’t matter, it’s what brings smiles during and after ride matters.

[elangoas]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Have also left the bike with service center today to fix the leak, with a promised delivery today eve / tomorrow afternoon..

2nd Update : Service center delivered the bike duly attended.. They said that oil sensor that is connected to the engine was faulty (defective washer/similar ones) and hence caused oil leak.. When i asked for a defective part that they changed (to take picture), they said the head office service center had taken it .. They also topped up the engine oil.. After topping up, bike felt smoother than before..

Anyways, it didn't leak today after they fixed.. Will ride for some more kms and observe for any leak & then get the 1st servicing done..

Bajaj Service center was quick to follow-up the issue with me and swiftly resolved it.. Happy they fixed it sooner..

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

2nd Update : Service center delivered the bike duly attended.. They said that oil sensor that is connected to the engine was faulty (defective washer/similar ones) and hence caused oil leak.. When i asked for a defective part that they changed (to take picture), they said the head office service center had taken it .. They also topped up the engine oil.. After topping up, bike felt smoother than before..

Anyways, it didn't leak today after they fixed.. Will ride for some more kms and observe for any leak & then get the 1st servicing done..

Bajaj Service center was quick to follow-up the issue with me and swiftly resolved it.. Happy they fixed it sooner..

Good to know that, and it means that white cap one is the oil sensor.
Happy riding.

[luckyashraj]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

As am coming for RE, in city ride B2B traffic its nightmare, Because of heavier clutch and major draw back is gear system (when you brake in gear like third you can't shift to first easily )

But Domi i love it, Morning 9:30 chennai traffic will be sky high but never felt the pain.

RE selling like hot cake because of hype nothing less,
No tubeless tyre
Tappet noise OMG we have to live with that
Just now rear disc brake introduced, When ABS hope in 2020 they might
Quality,With in period of month rust start to eat.

Simple word Domi can be changed as per our taste but we have to change accordingly as per RE

I can understand your frustration, dealing with something which RE's are notorious for would have been truly nightmarish for you.
To be honest, I am not a RE fan by any means. I'd rather end up with a bicycle than own a RE.

No offence to any RE fans here, just my personal opinion. I asked you about RE to get a different perspective as both come under same weight category and purpose.

BTW, RE's are getting single channel ABS, read a while ago. Something to cheer about.

Last line sums it up pretty well though.

REs are not built for traffic either for two factors-

1. Weight and
2. Long wheelbase.

For city traffic, bikes with shorter wheelbase are best with less power but decent torque. With RE you can’t zip though traffic but because RE produces less power with decent torque, bike is manageable in traffic but weight and vibration does cause fatigue.

Both RE and Dominar are fantastic tourer and if you don’t use them for touring (at least occasionally), it’s like owing race horse and making them do donkey’s work.

When it come to equipments, RE is still selling old stuff in new cover, hope that changes soon. Lately 7/10 bikes from RE are faulty.

REs have become like fashion and not many use it for touring. As far as “selling as hot cakes”, frankly I don’t care. I love RE but the ones that were produced before 1990s, those were truly classic and real work horses.

My Amun-Ra (black 2017 Dominar ABS) wasn’t my first choice when I was looking to buy new bike in 2017. Had initially booked stealth black RE classic 500 but thanks to rotten services during sales @ showroom, went and test drove Dominar and loved it.

Opinion defer from person to person along with requirements. See what fits your requirements, just don’t go with sales figures. Sale figures don’t matter, it’s what brings smiles during and after ride matters.

I will be doing short tour or weekend rides, that's for sure. As I'll be in a nascent stage, heavy touring is not certain. 100-500 kms trip once or twice a month is definitely on the cards. Touring on a bike is something I have longed for, since I started riding motorcycles. It is kind of a liberation. Attaining peace amidst all the chaos.

I'll get the bike with which I find a connect, has sales or not is not a question. One thing is for sure, I still don't seem to make up my mind. RTR or Dominar? Only time will tell.

BTW, what does Amun-Ra mean, the name that you have given to your bike.

[moorthy]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I can understand your frustration, dealing with something which RE's are notorious for would have been truly nightmarish for you.
To be honest, I am not a RE fan by any means. I'd rather end up with a bicycle than own a RE.

No offence to any RE fans here, just my personal opinion. I asked you about RE to get a different perspective as both come under same weight category and purpose.

BTW, RE's are getting single channel ABS, read a while ago. Something to cheer about.

Last line sums it up pretty well though.



I will be doing short tour or weekend rides, that's for sure. As I'll be in a nascent stage, heavy touring is not certain. 100-500 kms trip once or twice a month is definitely on the cards. Touring on a bike is something I have longed for, since I started riding motorcycles. It is kind of a liberation. Attaining peace amidst all the chaos.

I'll get the bike with which I find a connect, has sales or not is not a question. One thing is for sure, I still don't seem to make up my mind. RTR or Dominar? Only time will tell.

BTW, what does Amun-Ra mean, the name that you have given to your bike.

AMUN-RA Egyptian god, I like ANUBIS (Dog Face) watcher of dead or one who takes the soul to hell.

[sumith.jagadisan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I can understand your frustration, dealing with something which RE's are notorious for would have been truly nightmarish for you.
To be honest, I am not a RE fan by any means. I'd rather end up with a bicycle than own a RE.

No offence to any RE fans here, just my personal opinion. I asked you about RE to get a different perspective as both come under same weight category and purpose.

BTW, RE's are getting single channel ABS, read a while ago. Something to cheer about.

Last line sums it up pretty well though.



I will be doing short tour or weekend rides, that's for sure. As I'll be in a nascent stage, heavy touring is not certain. 100-500 kms trip once or twice a month is definitely on the cards. Touring on a bike is something I have longed for, since I started riding motorcycles. It is kind of a liberation. Attaining peace amidst all the chaos.

I'll get the bike with which I find a connect, has sales or not is not a question. One thing is for sure, I still don't seem to make up my mind. RTR or Dominar? Only time will tell.

BTW, what does Amun-Ra mean, the name that you have given to your bike.

Touring or weekend rides, you should definitely look at Dominar. This bike inspires confidence and creates hunger to ride further n longer. Bike seems to get better n better as you clock more kms.

Things like slipper clutch, Dual channel ABS, heat dissipation, lighter clutch make a huge difference when riding. And all this under Rs. 2lac, Bajaj has struck gold. Dominar isn’t perfect, gear box especially. Believe Bajaj could have done better. Instead of borrowing NS’s gear box and making minor changes, they should have developed a totally new one. Dominar’s gear box sometimes feels hard during up shifts. Initially bike had vibrations (mild), have almost disappeared after 2nd service.

Now, having ridden RR310 (friend’s bike) for 150+ km (city n highway) will not recommend (at least not 1st gen). Good amount of vibration can be felt on foot rest, handle bar and seat at 5000rpm n above. Vibrations is so much that you wanna pull over when traveling long. Between 4000 n 5000 rpm, RR310 feels awesome almost well refined.

Amun Ra, Egyptians considered him as the God of Kings and King of Gods something similar to Greek mythology of Zeus. It also means hidden light. [emoji12]

[luckyashraj]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Touring or weekend rides, you should definitely look at Dominar. This bike inspires confidence and creates hunger to ride further n longer. Bike seems to get better n better as you clock more kms.

Things like slipper clutch, Dual channel ABS, heat dissipation, lighter clutch make a huge difference when riding. And all this under Rs. 2lac, Bajaj has struck gold. Dominar isn’t perfect, gear box especially. Believe Bajaj could have done better. Instead of borrowing NS’s gear box and making minor changes, they should have developed a totally new one. Dominar’s gear box sometimes feels hard during up shifts. Initially bike had vibrations (mild), have almost disappeared after 2nd service.

Now, having ridden RR310 (friend’s bike) for 150+ km (city n highway) will not recommend (at least not 1st gen). Good amount of vibration can be felt on foot rest, handle bar and seat at 5000rpm n above. Vibrations is so much that you wanna pull over when traveling long. Between 4000 n 5000 rpm, RR310 feels awesome almost well refined.

Amun Ra, Egyptians considered him as the God of Kings and King of Gods something similar to Greek mythology of Zeus. It also means hidden light. [emoji12]

That's some encouraging words! [emoji41]

It is obvious that nothing is perfect and it is just so unrealistic to ask for it. Hence, some imperfections has to be there. What matters is the experience, the joy, the pride and a sense of contentment that, yes, I invested in a machine that gives me all that I had asked for.
Which is why I am leaned towards Dominar.
An I-can-do-it-all motorcycle. More like, Jack of all trades, master of one(touring).
Though only thing that's a bit off for me are the gold alloys, previous one looked kick-ass. And if they could provide more colour options. White looked more pronounced and made its presence felt better. Then again, these are my thoughts.

Nice to know about the name. Gives a sense of bond between you and your mean machine. [emoji41]

[jani-boy]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I'm wondering if I should buy 18W*2 led lamps for the dominar. I'm having issues with the stock lamp when riding during the night, oncoming traffic makes it very difficult for me to see the road. I'm planning to position the lamps such that they point downward on the road than straight onto the oncoming traffic.


AllExtreme 12 LED Fog Spot Beam Light Cube Bar with Mounting Bracket for Car Motorcycle Off Road Vehicle (36W, Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.in/dp/B076B2Y5N7/..._IxgWAbYKMQ8H0

[getkishore92]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hey Guys,

I'm planning to buy the Dominar by this year-end. Coming from a FZS V2, I think I deserve an upgrade for the long tours and comfort in cruising.

I have had an extensive look at the available options for comfort, power and touring capabilities and right now only Dominar and CBR fits the bill. CBR was my first choice before they announced the pricing for the 2018 model (I know, LED change doesn't warrant a new model). Pricing for CBR is quite ridiculous considering they havent updated it since it has been launched, while international markets are getting CBR 250RR , 300R etc.

Anyways, coming to my point. I zeroed in on dominar as I don't see any other options at the moment. (RE, nope, nada. I'm not a fan of expensive vibrators)

I'm from Chennai, so would like to know what your take on the after sales part of Dominar in Chennai? How is the service quality? Are there any issues with the bike? Anything that I should know of?

Would highly appreciate your views on this - thanks, guys!

[sumith.jagadisan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hey Guys,

I'm planning to buy the Dominar by this year-end. Coming from a FZS V2, I think I deserve an upgrade for the long tours and comfort in cruising.

I have had an extensive look at the available options for comfort, power and touring capabilities and right now only Dominar and CBR fits the bill. CBR was my first choice before they announced the pricing for the 2018 model (I know, LED change doesn't warrant a new model). Pricing for CBR is quite ridiculous considering they havent updated it since it has been launched, while international markets are getting CBR 250RR , 300R etc.

Anyways, coming to my point. I zeroed in on dominar as I don't see any other options at the moment. (RE, nope, nada. I'm not a fan of expensive vibrators)

I'm from Chennai, so would like to know what your take on the after sales part of Dominar in Chennai? How is the service quality? Are there any issues with the bike? Anything that I should know of?

Would highly appreciate your views on this - thanks, guys!

In Chennai following showrooms are best for sales and after sales service.

1. Jai Bajaj -Adyar,
2. Khivraj Bajaj -Mount Rd and
3. Vishaka Bajaj - Arcot Rd Saligramam.

PS - above is not in any order. This based on personal experience and feedback from other Dominar owners met during Hypermeet.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

2nd Update : Service center delivered the bike duly attended.. They said that oil sensor that is connected to the engine was faulty (defective washer/similar ones) and hence caused oil leak.. When i asked for a defective part that they changed (to take picture), they said the head office service center had taken it .. They also topped up the engine oil.. After topping up, bike felt smoother than before..

Anyways, it didn't leak today after they fixed.. Will ride for some more kms and observe for any leak & then get the 1st servicing done..

Bajaj Service center was quick to follow-up the issue with me and swiftly resolved it.. Happy they fixed it sooner..

So, I guess they've replaced the oil pressure sensor on the head? And surprising to see it didn't leave a stain mark all the way up from the head to the bottom of the magneto cover. Well, let's say let some things stay mysterious Keep a tab on the issue for a few more days.

Good to know that, and it means that white cap one is the oil sensor.
Happy riding.

Nopes, Ijis, it's the O-ring. The outer whitish cover is just a sensor protector and they won't cause any leak. Failure of O-ring will.

Cheers!
VJ