Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[Greymatter]

Hi Everyone,

For those who don't know, soon after completing first service of my 2019 D400 BS4 I ditched Bajaj Oil and start using Valvoline 15W50 SS Oil. Though I had no complaints with that oil as it performed pretty well but this time I decided to try a different brand. So, recently I bought these Petronas from Amazon and it cost me around Rs.789 for 2 bottles. I've just completed 100 KMS and will post my experience once I start clocking more KMS.

Regards.

[prajnyan]

Hi Everyone,

For those who don't know, soon after completing first service of my 2019 D400 BS4 I ditched Bajaj Oil and start using Valvoline 15W50 SS Oil. Though I had no complaints with that oil as it performed pretty well but this time I decided to try a different brand. So, recently I bought these Petronas from Amazon and it cost me around Rs.789 for 2 bottles. I've just completed 100 KMS and will post my experience once I start clocking more KMS.

Regards.

These are semi synthetic or in other words just mineral oil that has synthesized additives. The grades are same but the engine will feel resistance and the oil will not last more than 2500km.

The PETRONAS F900 series is fully synthetic.

Always use a fully synthetic oil.

Unless in emergency where you lost some oil and need to top up with anything available. The F700 you are using can cause more engine wear at higher rpm and cold starts for prolonged use. So use with caution, also don't rev higher than say 5000-6000rpm and preferably drain the oil after 1000km and go for a fully synthetic.

[Greymatter]

These are semi synthetic or in other words just mineral oil that has synthesized additives. The grades are same but the engine will feel resistance and the oil will not last more than 2500km.

The PETRONAS F900 series is fully synthetic.

Always use a fully synthetic oil.

Unless in emergency where you lost some oil and need to top up with anything available. The F700 you are using can cause more engine wear at higher rpm and cold starts for prolonged use. So use with caution, also don't rev higher than say 5000-6000rpm and preferably drain the oil after 1000km and go for a fully synthetic.

Yes I know these are Semi Synthetic and like you mentioned I use them only till 2500 KMS. And yes company recommends Fully Synthetic but my LIMITED USAGE PATTERN doesn't justify Fully Synthetic hence I switched to SS 🙂

[kiran2508]

Hey Kiran, so that can be done only at the SVC, am I right? Or can it be done by a trusted local mechanic? Pls advise..

If the local mechanic is capable of dealing with 400cc bike (373cc) and has earlier experience of opening up these big engines, then yes you can give a try.

Else best stick to SVC(but it might cost 30% more due to higher prices at SVC)

[B7ACKTHORN]

These are semi synthetic or in other words just mineral oil that has synthesized additives. The grades are same but the engine will feel resistance and the oil will not last more than 2500km.

The PETRONAS F900 series is fully synthetic.

Always use a fully synthetic oil.

Unless in emergency where you lost some oil and need to top up with anything available. The F700 you are using can cause more engine wear at higher rpm and cold starts for prolonged use. So use with caution, also don't rev higher than say 5000-6000rpm and preferably drain the oil after 1000km and go for a fully synthetic.

I beg to differ on these above points. Semi synthetic can very well be used vis a vis a fully synthetic counterpart. The reason being, semi synthetic offers the best of both worlds, mineral and synthetic blends give good overall protection. Synthetics are a breed apart, they are more finer, more slick and help lubricating finer tolerance machines better. The notion that synthetic can be extended upwards of 6k and 9k kms and semi synthetic is not correct. Different engines use engine oil differently, and mostly this is primarily related to the way the bike's ridden and maintained. A bike well maintained and ridden sanely with semi synthetic oil can last 4k to 5k kms easily, whereas a bike that is used with the best fully synthetic oil and is always ridden on the boil will see the engine oil either vaporize or requiring a change in less than 4k. And no, RPMs don't count on any engine oil, as long as oil the right viscosity oil is present, the engine will be happy, irrespective of the blend.

Hope it helps and clarifies.

Cheers!
VJ

[Barney.R]

Hi fellow bikers,

I need your help. I have been an avid reader of xbhp to understand the biking world, I have been following this thread as I have decided to buy dominar. But confused between 400 & 250. I went to amba bajaj, GB palya, Bengaluru to get a quote. D400 on road price is almost 2,80,000.

The sales person said for insurance only the first year would be comprehensive, remaining 4 years would be third party alone.

He didn't give me a break up of insurance and RTO, he said he will message later. There's no extended warranty, and any changes, extra fitting (like horn, fog lamps) etc will void the warranty. Please let me know if this is true.

My usage mostly will be within the city with occasional long rides. So is 400 better or 250, which one do you suggest, I equally like them both.

At the same time is there any major issues or complaints on both bikes on the longer run? I'll do basic maintenance without miss, at the same time I don't want to visit the ASC frequently for the same issue over and over. I know for a fact that no bike is 100% perfect, I understand that completely.

[sanjeet286]

Hi fellow bikers,

My usage mostly will be within the city with occasional long rides. So is 400 better or 250, which one do you suggest, I equally like them both.

If the requirements are primarily for city use, then I would recommend the 250 over the 400. I own the 400and it's an amazing bike, but I hardly use any of the power in the city. You'll be paying less for the bike, get slightly better mileage as well... I haven't heard from any major complaints from the owners in the Telegram group...

On the highways, if you generally cruise around 100-120,then I still think the 250 should do the job. Anything more, and you'd need the 400.

You should also check out the Gixxer, Rtr and FZ25 as they are really good bikes too in the segment.

[shrikant13!]

Guys , i need one help urgently , my dominar 400 was running fine until evening , then i parked it went to shop and when i came back and turned the key and try to ignite the display started flickering and bike didn't switch on , when i tried to call the service Centre they told that it might be starter issue and don't try anymore as it might damage something. As i was far from service Centre i parked it at friends place and will try tomorrow to start . Any advice guys what might have happened ?

[Barney.R]

Hi ppl, I need your help in deciding. I came across an used D400 2019 model ran for 21k kilometres. Owner is quoting 1.5 lakhs. I'm yet to inspect the vehicle personally. Do you think it's a good deal. Your valuable inputs are highly appreciated.

[Throttlefreak]

Guys , i need one help urgently , my dominar 400 was running fine until evening , then i parked it went to shop and when i came back and turned the key and try to ignite the display started flickering and bike didn't switch on , when i tried to call the service Centre they told that it might be starter issue and don't try anymore as it might damage something. As i was far from service Centre i parked it at friends place and will try tomorrow to start . Any advice guys what might have happened ?

That happened to me once but I just let the bike sit overnight and the problem was gone.

[manu1202]

Hi ppl, I need your help in deciding. I came across an used D400 2019 model ran for 21k kilometres. Owner is quoting 1.5 lakhs. I'm yet to inspect the vehicle personally. Do you think it's a good deal. Your valuable inputs are highly appreciated.

1.3-1.4 should be a good deal since the on road price of the new vehicle is around 2.6lakhs. But make sure that the vehicle is in good condition and servicing was done periodically.

[Akash Swami]

Hello Everyone,
I've been touring on my Karizma R 2012 model so far. She's been fairly good to me (barring throttle cable snapping issues) in all my long rides.

Now, I'm looking at the Dominar 400 BS6 2022 (The one with factory fitted touring accessories) or KTM ADV 390 as an addition to my humble garage. I'm bit concerned with regards to engine/gearbox reliability of Bajaj in the recent releases.


If I choose dominar, Is my experience going to be similar like Karizma? Should I go ahead and book this model (or should I go with KTM)?

P.s. Thanks for helping me out with this confusion.

[Greymatter]

Hey Guys, I've a small query! Last year I changed the stock coolant of my D400 with Yamaha Premix Coolant. Today I noticed that the reservoir tank level has reduced and is slightly above the Minimum mark. Now, I have a half a bottle of Castrol Coolant for cars which is in Concentrate form. So, can I mix it with distilled water and use it for Top Up? The label says that it is free from Phosphates, Silicates, Borates, Nitrates, Amines and it's 2018 MFD.

[sanjeet286]

Hey Guys, I've a small query! Last year I changed the stock coolant of my D400 with Yamaha Premix Coolant. Today I noticed that the reservoir tank level has reduced and is slightly above the Minimum mark. Now, I have a half a bottle of Castrol Coolant for cars which is in Concentrate form. So, can I mix it with distilled water and use it for Top Up? The label says that it is free from Phosphates, Silicates, Borates, Nitrates, Amines and it's 2018 MFD.

If it's above the minimum mark, then it should be fine for now. This is anyways the reservoir level and hence your radiator will have what's reqd. Take it your nearest SC or mechanic to check if a top up is reqd. I'm not a fan of mixing cars and bike products since they are meant for 2 different types of engines.

[senotrius]

Which is the best windshield currently available for dominar. Is it the carbon racing type one with additional stabilizer or the lluvia type one . Another one I saw was jb racing/autonity touring model in amazon. How is the real world performance of these wrt actual windblast protection and vibrations/durability?