Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

Query Approved

Your post reads something like this - "I really want to buy the TB 500, someone please give me a reason not to"

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

As RE fanboys so proudly declare - Men ride RE and boys like plastic toys. I would advise that go for RE only and only if you have the RE bug. You yourself have described the problems and issues, read the ownership thread if you want more.

Out of the shortlisted bikes, Dominar wins hands down at every test. Choose wisely.

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?


Hello there,

Going from your requirements, I understand that you like the 500cc version Res but don’t want the hassles of the EFI system. Are willing to change to Carb system. And are concerned about ABS Retrofit. Also you have no inclination towards the 350 variant RE models.

So here goes.

Have you test rode the bikes you are choosing from? Take a long test ride WITH Pillion (as seating comfort and seating room can only be deduced by taking a test with pillion).

I would suggest you to go for Dominar. Its New Technology, and comes with the bells and whistles as compared to an RE. You shall get features such as both disc brakes, monoshocks, etc. and with a good service network.

You want a bike for 75% highway usage and you mentioned you have a different scooter for city rides, ergo whichever bike you buy may not be used daily and when in use may be riding to far-off places. Hence you need a bike with a more forgiving engine which you can leave stagnant for a couple days and yet it will fire up when you want and also gives you peace of mind to go long rides without worrying about niggles.

Don’t think about ABS Retrofit on RE, anything new tech, is simply not RE ASC’s cup of tea. Also I don’t think one should have to worry about changing EFI to Carb and stuff like that before even buying the bike. If you are spending the money you might as well take what the market has to offer as the latest.

It has the necessary power band that you are interested in and all in all checks many of the boxes in your list.

RE’s are like legacy bikes and are more suitable to prospective users who only want to buy an RE. Because then they are more prepared as to What To Expect with this bike.

Which would bring me back to my original point, Test Drive all the bikes you list out. Then consider the Pros and Cons and make an informed decision!

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P:S -

At this point, I would like to mention that from the RE family, I would prefer only the TB, none other.
>For a heftier rider, TB would be the most uncomfortable bike FOR the pillion rider due to its much shorter rear seat.
...

The Dominar scored very well on most points except that it's not a cruiser and well, it's missing the RE thump. Bajaj really put in almost everything in the bike for that price range. Right now, it does looks very sexy but with competition so tough, there is always a new sexy right around the corner.

There is also the option to buy the TB 500 and then convert it to carb engine. Well, neither do I want to do such major modifications nor would I break the warranty by doing so.
>Forget about the warranty, such a mod would leave you at the mercy of local mechanic's expertise. Besides you would be paying for the EFI when you buy the bike and would want to replace it with carb system for additional expense and downtime. Or you can rather think of STD500, comes with a carb and reflects in the Price Tag too...Or you can get the Dominar and have a better ROI that way.

So here are a few questions that could probably decide whether or not I should go for TB 500:
1. Any idea about the number of EFI complaints? What type of complaints? How to avoid common problems with EFI?
>This would a slightly long list of things to look after, to avoid general issues with RE. Cant consolidate here, can check respective model's ownership thread.

2. RE will have to start producing it's bikes with ABS from next year onwards, will I be able to retrofit the ABS to my bike from the RE service centre itself?
>RE ASCs work on luck factor, you would be lucky to find an ASC who doesn't mess up your RE bike during general service, retrofitting ABS and all would be way out of their league.

3. I really fear flat tyres, and on an RE, that would be massive. I intend to switch to alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. Would that impact the bike in any way and whether it's a good idea?
>Its a 200kg machine, so unless you have pothole free roads, alloys wont be a very logical idea and would only improve cosmetic appeal (This is my personal opinion and other may think differently)

4. Are the RE service centres in Bangalore really that bad as I have read in a lot of reviews?
> Sadly RE ASCs are not very good anywhere in the country.

5. What are the things I should look for while taking the delivery of the bike?
> Once again, difficult to consolidate here, detailed info available in PDI section.

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

there you go.

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

Dominar or nothing.
Cheers.

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

+1 [MENTION=69523]Ankey[/MENTION]

OP, I got the Dominar since my 2 year Thunderbird was giving me a lot of problems more over it was the TB 350.

Got a good deal on it and purchased a Dominar 400 two weeks back it's been a blast. Haven't driven it above 70kmph but the bike is an absolute hoot to drive. ABS works really well, headlight illumination during night is top notch and the bike is an absolute attention grabber with everyone staring since it looks like a imported or foreign made with the only Baja Logos on the split console and engine[emoji23]

Have driven it through bumper to bumper traffic with our any overheating issues and have went over bad patches of road. Although there are some thud sounds due to the stiff suspension it can be adjusted. And the bike is simply the best for highways. Went for a short drive in ECR to buy myself new riding gear and the bike felt in its elements and handled like a dream.



Comparing features, value for money and overall performance the Dominar wins hands down. Some of my office colleagues who own RE are now thinking of exchange like I did. The Dominar is that good.

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

Juz check out mahindra mojo

Re: Help in choosing between RE TB 500, TB 350 and Bajaj Dominar 400?

Are you really sure about this statement, It was portrayed as Power-Cruiser by Bajaj and your statement is totally contradicting (Or am I missing something). Even a Dominar with a Aftermarket Exhaust can get you that thump. Thump was and is good as it is. And fiddling with the exhaust, where people plonk in all sort of Dabbas and bottles, make me to smack the living sh*t out of them as they ride by (No offense, but the sound is hateful).

You have so much advantages over TB500. If you are not interested in the brand, Try Mojo.