Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[deepDmnr]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Yes in many reviews, they said CBR250 has a different character compared to other Honda bikes ( most of them compared the refinement with Unicorn-refinement benchmark ) as CBR250 has some vibes at some particular RPM range, both my Honda Dazzler and RS200 has vibes between 4.5k RPM to 5.5k RPM, but RS has less vibes.

I am a noobie biker but am a bit technical. My research tells me that engine refinement started with twin cylinder engines. With a single cylinder engine, it seems there are greater vibrations which resonate with the frame and hence attached components hence the model specific high vibe rpm band. With the twin cylinder and then a four cylinder, they are timed to fire in succession so vibes are not as intense for particular rpm band. My 2 cents anyways.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I am a noobie biker but am a bit technical. My research tells me that engine refinement started with twin cylinder engines. With a single cylinder engine, it seems there are greater vibrations which resonate with the frame and hence attached components hence the model specific high vibe rpm band. With the twin cylinder and then a four cylinder, they are timed to fire in succession so vibes are not as intense for particular rpm band. My 2 cents anyways.

Great buy but not a great bike.
Before first service, the 4000 above rpm were so strong and annoying that i was content to riding below 4000 rpm. Bike could still touch 80 kmph while riding under 4000. For gears 4,3,2 bike would reach the knocking point forcing a down shift. I switched to power / speed grade which smoothed the performance. I reported vibes during first service and they apparently tightened bolts and all seemed nice for 1 week. Bike odo is @ 1000 kmsToday after 100 kms of hard highway riding below 100 kmph, the bike has changed character again. It seems great till 25 kmph but after that too vibey in 2nd and bit knocky in 3rd gear. Vibration are back @ 4000 rpm. The front wind shield and number plate seems to be making a lot of noise. Will remove tomorrow and go for a ride.
Hopefully i might have got bad petrol or bike having a bad day.

Its an awesome looking torqey bike with great stopping power, sadly, the refinement is sorely missing. What a bummer.

Hey, even the CBR 250 has an annoying 5k rpm rattle on brand new bikes in 2012 which many users hated including me until I stuck a piece of cardboard in the problem area to shut it.

If Honda can't make a perfect product, how can we expect Bajaj?

Yes in many reviews, they said CBR250 has a different character compared to other Honda bikes ( most of them compared the refinement with Unicorn-refinement benchmark ) as CBR250 has some vibes at some particular RPM range, both my Honda Dazzler and RS200 has vibes between 4.5k RPM to 5.5k RPM, but RS has less vibes.

Let me throw in some light as to the current topic. Singles are preferred for their torquey nature, and singles are vibey than twins vibey than triple vibey than four. The hierarchy is that the fours are smoothest when it comes to engine vibes and overall smooth nature. V twins are more or less similar to triple pot engines. Now, by no means single cylinder are the smoothest, all single cylinder be it Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki or Bajaj or any brand, singles usually have a resonance at a particular RPM which causes vibrations. Can vibrations be eliminated completely? Not really, but can they be "SMOOTHENED" out? The answer is yes. By using good quality engine oil, properly torqued up bolts, nuts and proper chain slack can transform the bike completely.

Bajaj has come a long way, especially after the technical collaboration with KTM. Now, KTM's forte has always been single, excellent torquey engines, and Bajaj has been the clunky partner. Now, that they've learned some know-how, they have come a long way. To say the least, I am impressed with the current breed of Bajaj engines, they are really smooth. Just a few more years and they will definitely set some new benchmarks.

Cheers!
VJ

[leech]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

What frustrates me is the labor required to do basic services of the Dom like changing engine oil and air filter. Is this a ploy by Bajaj to ensure the customer does his service at SVC instead of DIY?

[Freebiker19]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Did anyone here put body decals or did tapeing on their dominar.

[Manu Abraham]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

If I want to change the horn of the bike, will it affect my warranty?

[leech]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

If I want to change the horn of the bike, will it affect my warranty?

Warranty is void only if you cut the wires. Ask the horn fitting guy to take direct connection from battery, and don't cut any wires.

[IamAditya]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Can't text you back,it says you have reached your inbox limit.

[leech]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Can't text you back,it says you have reached your inbox limit.

Deleted some. Try now?

[deepDmnr]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Great buy but not a great bike.
Before first service, the 4000 above rpm were so strong and annoying that i was content to riding below 4000 rpm. Bike could still touch 80 kmph while riding under 4000. For gears 4,3,2 bike would reach the knocking point forcing a down shift. I switched to power / speed grade which smoothed the performance. I reported vibes during first service and they apparently tightened bolts and all seemed nice for 1 week. Bike odo is @ 1000 kmsToday after 100 kms of hard highway riding below 100 kmph, the bike has changed character again. It seems great till 25 kmph but after that too vibey in 2nd and bit knocky in 3rd gear. Vibration are back @ 4000 rpm. The front wind shield and number plate seems to be making a lot of noise. Will remove tomorrow and go for a ride.
Hopefully i might have got bad petrol or bike having a bad day.

Its an awesome looking torqey bike with great stopping power, sadly, the refinement is sorely missing. What a bummer.

Tightened the screws holding the front shield and number plate bracket. The vibe noise seems back to normal. What a relief! Have ordered Motul chain cleaner, lube and paddock stand. Hopefully the lube helps. Will also change oil to Motul 20W-50 next month. Rode about 60 kms on highway, no issues. Bike rides smoother when engine is hot. Please let me know if which grade of oil you recommend. Cheers

[IamAditya]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Motul chain lube is simply overrated, try the Rolon Chain lube also, they are also good, motul lubes are simply costlier.

[deepDmnr]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Motul chain lube is simply overrated, try the Rolon Chain lube also, they are also good, motul lubes are simply costlier.

Hmm... Ok will try that next. What do you suggest for cleaner. Use kerosene from ration store?

[IamAditya]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Yes. As cleaner, you can use kerosene from ration store or Diesel from a petrol pumb.


I don't use chain lube or chain cleaner, because they consume a lot of time and very costly.

I use a 90 grade gear oil on my RS200 chain .

Cheers.

[xionite]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Will also change oil to Motul 20W-50 next month.

Motul 300V Competition (15W50) is probably the best oil for any Pulsar over 180cc.

I know it sounds weird, but, try using foam earplugs the next time too.
they don't block out much of the noise, but it'll make your bike feel almost twice as smooth.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hmm... Ok will try that next. What do you suggest for cleaner. Use kerosene from ration store?

Kerosene can be used to clean the chain, there is absolutely no harm per se in using paraffin oil. They are cheap, easily available in ration stores and does a good job removing gunk from the chain.

If I want to change the horn of the bike, will it affect my warranty?

Replacing anything under the free service period unless spotted by the folks isn't a big deal. Hitherto, if there happens to be any electrical fault, then they would happily blame you, the owner by all means. Splicing wiring is not recommended. A plug and play horn, though shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers!
VJ

[Manu Abraham]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I keep hearing this noise from the rear shock absorber sometimes, like I'm putting some effort on it. My friend said it's because of the weight of the two of us and then we checked with just me riding, and still we could hear it.
I'm not entirely sure how to explain the noise, maybe imagine something with a heavy load on it.
He is assuming that the rear mud guard is hitting the tires, I'm not entirely sure about that because I think that noise would be significantly louder, but still unsure. Anyone else noticed this at low speed, especially below 20 and while parking in at a quiet place?