Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

[The Monk]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hi,
Have been using RE Electra 350 TS for 5 years and now looking for replacement. I went to bajaj showroom and took a test ride of the Dominar and have one major question which sales person is not able to answer,

It does not have a centre stand, how do you park in tight spaces in parking lot with the side stand? Road levels all over Mumbai are not leveled parking on side stand leans the bike too low towards ground will it not fall? In situations like this centre stand is very useful, no issues in pulling a heavy bike on centre stand have been doing with royal enfield since years. Sales person gives wierd answer to this its a heavy bike so no centre stand because centre stand wont be able to take the load, does he have a clue what he is talking about?

It is a good bike and i liked it but this is the only issues which is holding me from purchasing I request all the owernship people to answer this query?

Besides the very informative discussion on the pros and cons of having a centre stand in this thread!!!

The biggest drawback the Dominar and most other modern bikes have is the lack of kick start lever. Completely dependent on the battery. High altitude, low temperatures and a weak battery can spell disaster. And this happens. Even a weak battery in general can leave you stuck in the middle of nowhere if your luck and battery juice run out! Key left in the ignition without switching it off also can land you in this rather unwanted position. I know many people who have got caught out because of this.

And that is why i fail to understand why manufacturers choose not to put a kicker on these small capacity motorcycles!

[ramdante]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Pls find my response in line bold

Yes, main stand is essential in some scenarios, especially when we are alone and trying to fix things. On the dominar, I believe its the cat con underneath the body makes it non-feasible to fix the stand. But it should be possible to custom make one, if really required.

[Riyas]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Congratulation on your new bike & please ensure to have a proper running in period to get a long trouble free run. Happy Riding 👍

[Invincible]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

And that is why i fail to understand why manufacturers choose not to put a kicker on these small capacity motorcycles!

It is to primarily to keep the costs low.

Please correct me if I am wrong. In fuel injected bikes, battery is needed for ECU to control the fuel flow /ignition?
So when there is no battery, won't the kick starter become redundant?

If it is carburetted, may be you can push start the bike during emergencies (not sure if that would work for FI bikes too).

These days the starter motor and other electricals etc are very reliable so it is extremely rare that they fail.
Batteries too come with life time maintenance free guarantee.
And I am not sure about Dominar, does it not have a low battery warning?

[Mandar_C500]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Try doing this on a centre stand
You need two bottles. And still stability not guaranteed.
he he he, I have both center and side stand, so I can do it with one bottle and stability guaranteed.
So you agree that side stand is more stable
Yes, in very few situations and I am not against side stand. I need both. I am greedy

what about the broken wheel bearing.
This could be one in a million incidence?
I personally have never read about wheel bearing breaking.
Seriously??
Do you know, you can make a makeshift jack using rock or bricks.
So you want riders to carry bricks with him

Peace out.
I think there are many more points to discuss than main stand. And I have already mentioned "Main stand is required but cannot be a deal breaker"

Regards
Mandar

[The Monk]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

It is to primarily to keep the costs low.

Please correct me if I am wrong. In fuel injected bikes, battery is needed for ECU to control the fuel flow /ignition?
So when there is no battery, won't the kick starter become redundant?

If it is carburetted, may be you can push start the bike during emergencies (not sure if that would work for FI bikes too).

These days the starter motor and other electricals etc are very reliable so it is extremely rare that they fail.
Batteries too come with life time maintenance free guarantee.
And I am not sure about Dominar, does it not have a low battery warning?

Cost increase would be minimal. This is not something high tech.

Fi bikes can also be push started. I have even push started superbikes

Batteries fail. For touring folks, a kick start is something you might never use, but having it gives you a whole lot of confidence. Like i mentioned, i know a lot of people who have gotten stuck with a discharged battery. Including on the Dominar!

[Invincible]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Like i mentioned, i know a lot of people who have gotten stuck with a discharged battery. Including on the Dominar!

Just curious, push start didn't work for them?

[The Monk]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Just curious, push start didn't work for them?

On ice, on a slope in sub-zero temperatures Try pushing!!!

[Invincible]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Peace out.
I think there are many more points to discuss than main stand. And I have already mentioned "Main stand is required but cannot be a deal breaker"

It may be good to have but not must to have, just my opinion.
After all the debates, it would be interesting to see what the OP has decided. To buy or not to buy

On ice, on a slope in sub-zero temperatures Try pushing!!!

Well, I guess if you really need a kick starter your options of a touring bike is becoming worryingly low

[The Monk]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Well, I guess if you really need a kick starter your options of a touring bike is becoming worryingly low

I have had a touring machine without a kickstart for the last 9 years now! That doesn't change the fact that it is a bad idea!

[rahul2880]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Peace out.
I think there are many more points to discuss than main stand. And I have already mentioned "Main stand is required but cannot be a deal breaker"

Regards
Mandar

Thank you all for your views but I will be using for Mumbai city ride only in B2B traffic no touring so I guess from all your views I wont be a lot of trouble.

[Mandar_C500]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Thank you all for your views but I will be using for Mumbai city ride only in B2B traffic no touring so I guess from all your views I wont be a lot of trouble.

For B2B traffic heat will be an issue. Also weight can be a issue (may not be for you as you have RE) existing owners can spread some light on it.

Regards
Mandar

[vengalabdj]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Hey guys

My dominar has recently developed a whining noise from the engine. This is accompanied by power loss.

Has anyone experienced the same ?

[Harrisoncool]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Thank you all for your views but I will be using for Mumbai city ride only in B2B traffic no touring so I guess from all your views I wont be a lot of trouble.

Just being curious.. if its just for city ride in b2b traffic, why 400 cc engine??

[Siddhanth Paul]

Re: Bajaj Dominar 400 Ownership Experience Thread

Just being curious.. if its just for city ride in b2b traffic, why 400 cc engine??

+1 on that.
The Dominar can be a bit difficult to ride in B2B Bombay Traffic. It's a headache on the CBR for me, and I can't imagine a Dominar getting through the traffic.
If ABS is a priority, you can look at Apache.