Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[Ark2719]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Might be the case, maintain 28 front 32 back. Sad I got a quote of 10k for the fork replacement. Crashed the bike at 60ish km head on into a scooter on the wrong side of the road [emoji58]

Fork bend? Both the forks or just one fork? Bent forks even after straightened can sometimes can handling issues even though they appear true to sight. Uneven fork oil and or a tight T stem too can cause speed wobbles.please recommend any third party mechanic that can check it out in Bangalore

What's the pressure you maintain on the wheels?

Cheers!
VJ

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Might be the case, maintain 28 front 32 back. Sad I got a quote of 10k for the fork replacement. Crashed the bike at 60ish km head on into a scooter on the wrong side of the road [emoji58]

You're holding the right PSI so that shouldn't be a problem. Remember, what I am is taking a speculative approach. It can be even a bent T stem and or out of balance forks.

If you're preparing for the upcoming ride and if this issue is present only at high speeds and the handling is okay at low to mid speeds, I'd suggest not to worry about for now.

Complete the trip, maintain moderate speeds, and then probably you can start investigating further.

But, it's strongly advised to get this issue rectified.

Cheers!
VJ

[kiran2508]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I don't know if any Dominar owner noticed it, the grunty sound from the engine while accelerating (not from exhaust) is exactly same as that of Dukes, at least I feel so.

Does anybody even follow the RUNNING-IN speed limits given in the manual? The speeds displayed are absurdly low, it suggests to keep speeds below 10 in 1st gear, 20 in 2nd, 30 in 3rd and so on. But the engine is around 2500 rpm only at those speeds respectively, isn't it bad for such a powerful engine to run at such low rpms? BTW I change gears at around 3500 rpm in all gears with smooth & gradual acceleration, anything below this doesn't feel right.

Congrats on new bike.
The similarity to Duke 390 on new D400 is due to DOHC setup which produces a familiar sound.

Maintaining appropriate engine rpm and at exact right speed comes with experience, the more you ride you'll learn how to not stress the engine either with too low or too high speed for a particular gear. There is not fixed rule about looking at the RPM and speed while you shift the gear, you just need to feel the engine rpm and current ODO speed and pick the next right gear to rev match and not stress the engine.

Just remember the main idea is to not Lugging(load, jerk) the engine at very low speeds(20,30,40 kmph) in high gears(4,5,6th gear) and not stress the engine at high RPM and high speeds in low gears(1,2,3rd)

[Domigreen]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Almost all the dominar ug owners have complained about the bike leaning to the right issue.
Actually it does not affcet during normal riding stance
Bike starts leaning towards right (very badly not in a small amount)when we took both hands from the handle bar .

One may think that the problem will be solved if we hold it with two hands[emoji23]

But the hidden problem behind it is most of the dominar ug owners complaints about there RIGHT HAND GETTING NUMB /pain during long rides even thouh there is no vibration from the handle bar side.
I think this problem is due to the misalignment of the vechicle and somehow presure comes on the right hand automatically.

Hope all have understood the problem.if you also face the same issue .please share your thoughts.

[kiran2508]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I think this problem is due to the misalignment of the vechicle and somehow presure comes on the right hand automatically.

Hope all have understood the problem.if you also face the same issue .please share your thoughts.

It's not about misalignment, but how your front USD forks are setup, but your observations are correct.
In a USD setup on the new Dominar Left fork legs is used for Compression functionality and Right fork legs is used for Rebound functionality.

All the undulations and vibrations are felt more the right side of the handle due to this Rebound, when compared to left side which absorbs most vibrations due to Compression functionality so you feel very less on the left side of the handle bar.

[arya809]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Congrats on new bike.
The similarity to Duke 390 on new D400 is due to DOHC setup which produces a familiar sound.

You reciprocated my thoughts exactly. I am loving the engine sound more and more and I am not talking about the exhaust note while revving, it's the overall sound from the engine while accelerating and engine braking while riding. All this while the engine is in running-in, I am sure I will love it even more at higher revs once I complete the running-in period.

I am quite experienced and hardly look at the odometer while riding, hence I initially GUESSED that I shift gears at around 3500, but when I actually looked I found that I shift at around 4000 to 4200 rpm. I also use my hearing and overall understanding to judge when to shift the gears so as to not lug or over-rev the engine. I just wanted to confirm from my fellow riders about the same, thanks again for your views.


OKAY, I just need to go ahead say it out loud - DOMINAR is closer to a SUPERBIKE than a COMMUTER in terms of weight and handling! I have ridden 250 kms in just 4 days (mix of city and highway) and I am having too much fun with its handling, I can't even feel the weight except while parking, I can zigzag it like a Duke in traffic, the handling is effortless.

I need to say it, those who don't utilize TANK-HUGGING and COUNTER-STEERING will hate all bikes weighing over 120 kgs. Its because they keep their thighs free and dangling, complete weight is shifted to their wrists and they are using the handlebar as a hand-rest instead of a steering.

The proper posture for riding a sports motorcycle is by hugging the tank with your thighs. Then your hands are free to do whatever you wish, try resting your 4 fingers on the handlebar and simply push left to go left, it's that simple! This way you are actually STEERING the motorcycle as if you steer a car. I guess I should write a tutorial in some other forum, I have seen too many xbhp members complaining about weight issues when in reality they don't have the proper riding technique themselves.

My views are also reciprocated by youtube reviewers. Newbie/inexperienced riders say that dominar is too heavy in their reviews. Whereas professional reviewers (like autocar etc) have confirmed that Dominar's handling is good and agile, that is because they have proper riding technique.


On a side note, I have been riding motorcycles for more than 18 years now. I have developed the habit of throttle blipping while downshifting for smoother gear shifts. Now even though it's not needed in case of Dominar's slipper clutch, I can't seem to forget the habit, it's hard coded now. Dominar's gear shifting is very smooth on its own, and with additional throttle blip, it becomes buttery smooth as if I am just pressing on an electrical switch instead of a gear!

[Vipergts07]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Could you impart some more info on this tech please.

In a USD setup on the new Dominar Left fork legs is used for Compression functionality and Right fork legs is used for Rebound functionality.

.

[sanjeet286]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Khivraj Kasturba Road is among the better ones. Else, Highlander HSR layout or Xtorque Kalyan nagar are teo options. But you'll need to call before going.

I have just moved with my bike to Bangalore. Where is the best SC to get the service done from?

Also, slightly offtopic: Where can I get a decent wrapjob from? It's not for my bike, I'm planning to wrap my helmet.

[sanjeet286]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I have heard of this issue multiple times in this thread, and one person from the Blore group has shared this solution. See if this works for you'll as well.

Almost all the dominar ug owners have complained about the bike leaning to the right issue.
Actually it does not affcet during normal riding stance
Bike starts leaning towards right (very badly not in a small amount)when we took both hands from the handle bar .

One may think that the problem will be solved if we hold it with two hands[emoji23]

But the hidden problem behind it is most of the dominar ug owners complaints about there RIGHT HAND GETTING NUMB /pain during long rides even thouh there is no vibration from the handle bar side.
I think this problem is due to the misalignment of the vechicle and somehow presure comes on the right hand automatically.

Hope all have understood the problem.if you also face the same issue .please share your thoughts.

[Horror]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Had the exact same issue and experience. Had experienced occasional noise and reported it during first service. No change after that. The noise increased from 800Km mark and was very audible during cold starts after 1k. It would some times go away after the engine warmed up or stay on all the time in other cases. Finally made a recording of the sound and got it fixed at 1200. Was told the issue was with the tensioner and adjustment was all that was required. Now no noise far the past 300 or so KMS.

Could you please specify what you mean by "tensioner"? Maybe a photo would help.

[ginzon]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hello guys..

I am having high emission levels on my DOM 2018 edition (1yr 3months old)...
HO: 1269PPM
CO: 1.004
CO2: 1.006

I do understand that those are ithin the BSIV norms, however one of my pals having the same 2018 edition and 6 months+ older bike than mine has readings as below..
HO: 41PPM
CO: 0.41
Wayyyyy below my readings...

Any idea what could be wrong? The SVC says it is withing the range so all is fine, but don't think that's the case (they are being lazy to check)... 3months earlier HO was 300PPM for me (Again high), when I bought it to the SVC's notice..

I used Shell V-Power until last tank refuel, wanted to check if it's the fuel so switched to BPCL Speed now...

Any insights would be helpful...
Thx in advance

[Ijs]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hello guys..

I am having high emission levels on my DOM 2018 edition (1yr 3months old)...
HO: 1269PPM
CO: 1.004
CO2: 1.006

I do understand that those are ithin the BSIV norms, however one of my pals having the same 2018 edition and 6 months+ older bike than mine has readings as below..
HO: 41PPM
CO: 0.41
Wayyyyy below my readings...

Any idea what could be wrong? The SVC says it is withing the range so all is fine, but don't think that's the case (they are being lazy to check)... 3months earlier HO was 300PPM for me (Again high), when I bought it to the SVC's notice..

I used Shell V-Power until last tank refuel, wanted to check if it's the fuel so switched to BPCL Speed now...

Any insights would be helpful...
Thx in advance

Clean the spark plugs and the lambda/o2 sensor and if the airfilter is dirty or choked the replace it. Best to replace the airfilter at 5000kms if u live is dusty city like DELHI.
Also throttle body cleaning is recommended if still haven't done once, post 10000kms it is good to get it cleaned.

[ginzon]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Clean the spark plugs and the lambda/o2 sensor and if the airfilter is dirty or choked the replace it. Best to replace the airfilter at 5000kms if u live is dusty city like DELHI.
Also throttle body cleaning is recommended if still haven't done once, post 10000kms it is good to get it cleaned.

I got the filter changed at 12k kms, now the ODO is 16k kms... Yes, Pune where I stay is equally dusty but the SVC guys don't change the air filter on 5k kms even on insisting...

Check list for the service.. Let know if this is right..
1. Throttle body clean up
2. Change of spark plugs (Ordered NGK Iridium 3 in quantity from lrlmotors, considering the combustion ratio is better on Iridium) - SVC's just did the cleaning of right one last time and laughed off when I told them to do the rest..
3. O2 sensor (As mentioned by you) - Where is this located on the bike?
-Update: Found this picture.. Is it right?-

4. Air filter change

Thanks for your help buddy...

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

I g ratio is better on Iridium) - SVC's just did the cleaning of right one last time and laughed off when I told them to do the rest..
3. O2 sensor (As mentioned by you) - Where is this located on the bike?
-Update: Found this picture.. Is it right?-

4. Air filter change

Thanks for your help buddy...

That's right. That's the O2 sensor. Your readings are within pollution spec, but when compared with other bikes it is high. Do you use the same pollution center or you've had high numbers with different pollution centers too?

One more suggestion would be to try and use different fuel pump station and see if it helps. If you still have high numbers then your O2/catcon "might" be faulty. Mind you, this is just a speculation, it can also be as simple as fuel.

Hope it helps!

Cheers!
VJ

[ginzon]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

That's right. That's the O2 sensor. Your readings are within pollution spec, but when compared with other bikes it is high. Do you use the same pollution center or you've had high numbers with different pollution centers too?

One more suggestion would be to try and use different fuel pump station and see if it helps. If you still have high numbers then your O2/catcon "might" be faulty. Mind you, this is just a speculation, it can also be as simple as fuel.

Hope it helps!

Cheers!
VJ

Hello.. The pollution test centers were different.. And 3months back it was 300PPM and now it's 1269PPM... Also I get a very peculiar smell from the exhaust, so had this concern since 3 months.. Now I know that something is wrong..

Yes, I have now changed from Shell to BPCL to check the possibility with fuel.. I think, it will need atleast a tank or two to start reflecting..

I spoke with the SVC last week related to CATCON, he said not likely but then yes I am considering that too...

Also knowing that bike is under warranty this should be replaced for free if faulty.. I think, not necessary...

Thanks buddy