Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

So i noticed this weird sound coming from my bike only in the 4th gear, can anyone help identify what it could be? ignore the video quality, just listen to the sound.

to better describe the sound, it sounds like how the honda eterno sounds, or when you drive a car a bit too fast while going in the reverse gear.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Edit - update - So i visited the showroom sitara motors in margao, Goa. They said its an issue with the 4th gear and some two parts need to be replaced. and looks like my 6 month old bike's engine will need to be opened. now im worried.

That's a shame indeed. What I did notice from the video was the sound almost was similar to that of a failing or a failed radiator fan in the KTM series. The high pitched shrill noise that we hear in your video when you open the throttle is a mirror link to what the KTM series are plagued with. Since the sound comes even more when you twist and at a particular gear, and clearing out the doubt it doesn't throw the same tantrum in any of the other 5 gears, you might have a faulty cog or the linkages between them. It's advisable to get it checked at the the SVC the earliest. Do keep your observations posted and the parts replaced.

Sometime i see foamy substance in oil window after long ride. When engine is real hot. The pictures are of normal level. I will click picture next time of foamy. It's just bubbles on top of oil. Have seen it in the same forum long ago. And some said it to be a normal back then. Is this colour of oil looks normal? They say if the oil is mixing with coolant tge colour changes to coffee. Though my coolamt level decreased only once agter first service. After i refilled it it never happened again. And coolant colour is bright green as well. I feel the refilling cap might have been loose after the first service.

Oil shouldn't excessively froth after the bike is warmed up or ridden for a an hour or so. A bubble or two isn't inferring any trouble. A clear layer of foaming coupled with the oil color turning coffee browinish to milkshake white, we have mild coolant ingestion which overtime would seize the engine by diluting the oil which voids the lubricating properties of oil and the bike is essentially running in oil and water mixture result, the engine goes boom when you least expect.

From what I can see with the photo angle, there isn't any problem per se. Though as a homework, I'd suggest you keep a tab on the coolant level for a few days for any coolant loss which will be apparent on the coolant sight window. If the coolant level remains the same after spirited riding and the bike cooled down there shouldn't be any issues.

Cheers!
VJ

[faysal_khan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

That's a shame indeed. What I did notice from the video was the sound almost was similar to that of a failing or a failed radiator fan in the KTM series. The high pitched shrill noise that we hear in your video when you open the throttle is a mirror link to what the KTM series are plagued with. Since the sound comes even more when you twist and at a particular gear, and clearing out the doubt it doesn't throw the same tantrum in any of the other 5 gears, you might have a faulty cog or the linkages between them. It's advisable to get it checked at the the SVC the earliest. Do keep your observations posted and the parts replaced.



Oil shouldn't excessively froth after the bike is warmed up or ridden for a an hour or so. A bubble or two isn't inferring any trouble. A clear layer of foaming coupled with the oil color turning coffee browinish to milkshake white, we have mild coolant ingestion which overtime would seize the engine by diluting the oil which voids the lubricating properties of oil and the bike is essentially running in oil and water mixture result, the engine goes boom when you least expect.

From what I can see with the photo angle, there isn't any problem per se. Though as a homework, I'd suggest you keep a tab on the coolant level for a few days for any coolant loss which will be apparent on the coolant sight window. If the coolant level remains the same after spirited riding and the bike cooled down there shouldn't be any issues.

Cheers!
VJ

Been checking coolant for 3500 kms now. It's same. What I want to know is if coolant n oil is mixing in bike. Well the coolant turn into blackish like oil or we'll just lose coolant???

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Been checking coolant for 3500 kms now. It's same. What I want to know is if coolant n oil is mixing in bike. Well the coolant turn into blackish like oil or we'll just lose coolant???

If you're leaking coolant, whichever ways. The first thing you'll notice is smoke during early morning startup, which would have a sweetish smell to it. Secondly, and the most probable thing is coolant level going down slowly yet steadily. No, the coolant itself won't turn blackish, but the oil will turn watery browinish and whitish with frothing like latte on the screen which is a clear indication coolant is mixing with the oil or vice versa.

If both your coolant level and oil color are the same, at least for now, nothing to worry.

Cheers!
VJ

[s1d]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Been checking coolant for 3500 kms now. It's same. What I want to know is if coolant n oil is mixing in bike. Well the coolant turn into blackish like oil or we'll just lose coolant???

from your earlier post, everything seems normal.. nothing to worry.
after riding for a while, it is normal to see a layer of bubbles in the oil(via the inspection window) especially with the motul 7100. I can replicate it and show it if you want on my D200. and the reason why the coolant went down, is because it is probably not filled/bled/circulated on a new bike and is common to see a slight dip on a new bike after a few km (it's just that the coolant is getting sucked into the water jackets and radiator during the use). Usually just one top up and it shouldn't drop thereafter (what you might notice is the level raise up a bit and drop.. and flip flop between, that the way the coolant system works).
you should be worried if you are constantly seeing only a drop.. and when coolant mixes with the oil, it will appear greyish with a milkshake like consistency.
so keep an eye on the coolant level and the oil level/color. and also if the coolant enters the oil sump, the qty of the 'oil' will increase.. but visually might be difficult to measure unless you drain it out.. but the color/consistency will be more easier to detect.

[shriomman]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

That's a shame indeed. What I did notice from the video was the sound almost was similar to that of a failing or a failed radiator fan in the KTM series. The high pitched shrill noise that we hear in your video when you open the throttle is a mirror link to what the KTM series are plagued with. Since the sound comes even more when you twist and at a particular gear, and clearing out the doubt it doesn't throw the same tantrum in any of the other 5 gears, you might have a faulty cog or the linkages between them. It's advisable to get it checked at the the SVC the earliest. Do keep your observations posted and the parts replaced.

Cheers!
VJ

My radiator fan is fine, it comes on very rarely in traffic and shuts off after about a minute or so, my bikes performance is unaffected as well,
this sound in 4th gear has been there since day 1 of the bike but it was very very faint. It is just recently that I noticed this sound getting louder and louder.
This will be covered under warranty for me but i do not know what will happen to the engine once they open it. Should i expect oil leaks n other possible issues after engine opening ? And i should stop riding my dominar right? Looks like my good old 9 year old 220 comes back to the rescue for me.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

My radiator fan is fine, it comes on very rarely in traffic and shuts off after about a minute or so, my bikes performance is unaffected as well,
this sound in 4th gear has been there since day 1 of the bike but it was very very faint. It is just recently that I noticed this sound getting louder and louder.
This will be covered under warranty for me but i do not know what will happen to the engine once they open it. Should i expect oil leaks n other possible issues after engine opening ? And i should stop riding my dominar right? Looks like my good old 9 year old 220 comes back to the rescue for me.

The 220 always will be one a cornerstone in the Indian motorcycle scene, such a lovely bike that one. Well, to your query as to what will happen after opening the engine? Nothing will happen, as long as the proper amount of sealants are used and all the parts should be where it should be, the bike should run fine without any oil leaks. This being a gearbox issue, the entire engine has to be stripped down, gearboxes split (assuming there is a problem in the cog) and then installed, so yes it's a tedious and time consuming operation.

Let them do their work, visit them daily if you can and observe what's happening. One thing with Bajaj mechanics is do not push them to do what they do, they terribly mess things up when did so. Give them their time, plan your visits daily and a little chai paani goes a long way.

Nonetheless keep your observations posted.

Cheers!
VJ

[TheSolution]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I also feel same. If they add and borrow all the features from duke 390. It will add to cost and dominar will be then real close to Duke 390 in pricing. Dominar sales would go even further down by that move. So i believe with little updates they will stick to pricing or may increase it by 10k max....

I think Bajaj are doing this to stay ahead of the competition.

They started with gorgeous colours in Cherry Plum, Midnight Blue, Red, Matte Black. Now, other bikes in FZ25, Thunderbird X have good colour schemes too.

They introduced ABS in this power and price segment and the competition has too. They had FI engines and now RE has the Himalayan with FI.

Their LED DRLs are also now a standard fitment for most competitors. How do you keep up?

DOHC - More power output than the current SOHC.

USD - Better handling when you are marketing yourself as a Tourer.

Better Digital Console - Gear shift indicator and a proper, accurate fuel and mileage indicator.

It is a decent move.

[faysal_khan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This is the bubbles n froth i was talking about. Is this normal? And it disappears in 2 to 3 minutes after turning off the engine....

[TheQuarterMile]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

My right side fork oil seal is leaking for the 2nd time... Had got it fixed at the SVC once before. Bike has done only 3k kms. I try and ride it carefully and avoid potholes but once in a while you just can't avoid a pothole. Any reason why this problem is repeating? Do fork oil seals go bad this often?

[faysal_khan]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

My right side fork oil seal is leaking for the 2nd time... Had got it fixed at the SVC once before. Bike has done only 3k kms. I try and ride it carefully and avoid potholes but once in a while you just can't avoid a pothole. Any reason why this problem is repeating? Do fork oil seals go bad this often?

Fork oil leakage was an issue with 2017 initial batch... I have 2018 and ridden 4k kms so far. All good. Do u have a 2017 dominar?

[TheQuarterMile]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Fork oil leakage was an issue with 2017 initial batch... I have 2018 and ridden 4k kms so far. All good. Do u have a 2017 dominar?

No 2018 one

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

This is the bubbles n froth i was talking about. Is this normal? And it disappears in 2 to 3 minutes after turning off the engine.... [ATTACH]244346[/ATTACH][ATTACH]244347[/ATTACH]

Perfectly normal do not worry, if coolant is mixing then there would be layer of froth in cold engine too and oil level would increase , and admin pointed out the sweetish smell with smoke in morning start also the color of oil would be like coffee.
Yours looks good.

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

My right side fork oil seal is leaking for the 2nd time... Had got it fixed at the SVC once before. Bike has done only 3k kms. I try and ride it carefully and avoid potholes but once in a while you just can't avoid a pothole. Any reason why this problem is repeating? Do fork oil seals go bad this often?

Make sure they replace the metal ring also along with the seal, as this is what keeps the seal in place. And do clean fork legs regularly. 2018 models have longer black plastic portion the bottom one to resolve this issue.

[Indivar]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

My right side fork oil seal is leaking for the 2nd time... Had got it fixed at the SVC once before. Bike has done only 3k kms. I try and ride it carefully and avoid potholes but once in a while you just can't avoid a pothole. Any reason why this problem is repeating? Do fork oil seals go bad this often?

Had the same issue at 3000 km, make sure they replace the fork pipe along with the oil seals. The first time they just replaced the oil seal, and within 50 odd kilometers, the oil seals gave way.

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https://www.rushlane.com/new-bajaj-d...-12284064.html

This looks like a 100% custom job, not an official upgrade. I have seen those poorly finished forks before. Iam sure Bajaj is working on upgrades, but this isnt it. These websites are so desparate man, really. They say "In the new variant, the main instrument cluster is very much like the KTM Duke 390’s", yet it looks like the same old instrument cluster. So what the effing hell are they rambling about?
Those black rims show this is from the original lot of motorbikes.

[TheQuarterMile]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Had the same issue at 3000 km, make sure they replace the fork pipe along with the oil seals. The first time they just replaced the oil seal, and within 50 odd kilometers, the oil seals gave way.

Wonder why they do a shoddy job in the first place.. You mean the chrome coloured metal pipe or the black fork casing at the bottom?

The oil from the fork leaks over the front disc and this affects braking performance. Can be dangerous...
But at least the SVC I go to are swift and seem customer oriented. Hopefully they should solve the problem for good this time.