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**xBhp** · 06-27-2018, 06:10 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Thread approved.

**nitinraina07** · 06-27-2018, 11:08 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Max you will be going is 80 Kmph.. And it has been your dream to ride a royal enfield..350x comes with tubeless tyres.. Get the 500x for better cruising capabilites... This suggestion is purely as per your writeup.. Otherwise dominar beats 350x hands down.. Only place where 350x shines is ride quality and comfort.

**rideon74** · 06-28-2018, 12:44 AM

Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Originally posted by nitinraina07 View Post

Max you will be going is 80 Kmph.. And it has been your dream to ride a royal enfield..350x comes with tubeless tyres.. Get the 500x for better cruising capabilites... This suggestion is purely as per your writeup.. Otherwise dominar beats 350x hands down.. Only place where 350x shines is ride quality and comfort.

I agree on the points stated above.

However, the points 1 to 5 in your query will inevitably point to the Dominar, except for the point #4. The Dominar is not a cruiser styled motorcycle. It's design is from the typical street/sport bike DNA. So point #4 is the only one for which the TB 350x or 500X will be more suitable.

As for riding through Bangalore's traffic, both your options can be manageable but from a practical point of view, wouldn't a simpler, lighter bike serve you better for your daily commutes? If you're very sure that you will only be doing long rides once or twice a year, wouldn't an option of renting out a touring bike from say Wicked Ride satisfy that need? Your investment will be nearly halved too (Not a very exciting option perhaps, though a more realistic one).

A final point here that might apply to anyone who's around 44+ (like me): I feel the riding position matters after a certain age. The Dominar has a feet setback + slight lean forward ride position (very common in most of bikes these days) and you may find this uncomfortable after a certain time in the saddle on longish rides - especially if you've not been riding regularly. In that aspect, the 350X or the 500X has a more comfortable ride position for laid back travel. I know this point may not applicable to all middle aged riders, since body structure & fitness levels vary - it is worth noting though.

These were just my personal perspectives to your purposes/needs stated in your post. Hope they help in better decision making for you.

**Alone** · 06-28-2018, 12:36 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Thanks nitinraina07 and rideon74 Sir.

After all your input I had a lot brainstorming last night. Based on that decided the following.

Even a person like me who is knowing absolutely NOTHING about bikes understander the following :

1: Dominar 400 is far far far ahead (technically) in all ways than any RE bikes.
2: Himalayan touring in my age and work scenario might never be possible. I will buy for some city tour ( 80%) and others (20%).
3: Dual-channel ABS is MUST for the bike I will buy.
4: I like simple up-right position to ride the bike (not the sport type).
5: Speed/bike race is NOT my interest. Just want to enjoy the ride. 6: Purcheshing the bike is not NEED for me but WANT.
7: I donot need huge power/torque in the bike.
8: I can wait for next 6-8 months also.
9: The looks of Dominar is NOT good for me but whenever I see any RE bike I try to watch as long as possible.
10: Investing more than INR 1.5 L in a bike I will now think many times. So Dominar with price tag of 2 L ..... I need to think.
11: Want to keep the bike till I live. No resale in mide.
12: As a brand I donot trust BAJAJ. I like the YAMAHA as brand.

Now depending on the all above points I am thinking following :

As the ABS will be mandatory from April, 2019, So:-

1: I want to wait and see if
a> FZ25 comes with dual channel ABS ?
b> RE classic 350 redditch / Bullet 350 ES comes with dual channel ABS, Tubeless tyre, all disk break?
c> Thunderbird 350x comes with dual channel ABS ?

2: If none of the options A /B/C not happening then will be forced to go for Dominar 400 at last.

What is your opinion as experts please?

Thanks,

**rideon74** · 06-28-2018, 02:14 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Originally posted by Alone View Post

Thanks nitinraina07 and rideon74 Sir.

After all your input I had a lot brainstorming last night. Based on that decided the following.

Even a person like me who is knowing absolutely NOTHING about bikes understander the following :

1: Dominar 400 is far far far ahead (technically) in all ways than any RE bikes.
2: Himalayan touring in my age and work scenario might never be possible. I will buy for some city tour ( 80%) and others (20%).
3: Dual-channel ABS is MUST for the bike I will buy.
4: I like simple up-right position to ride the bike (not the sport type).
5: Speed/bike race is NOT my interest. Just want to enjoy the ride. 6: Purcheshing the bike is not NEED for me but WANT.
7: I donot need huge power/torque in the bike.
8: I can wait for next 6-8 months also.
9: The looks of Dominar is NOT good for me but whenever I see any RE bike I try to watch as long as possible.
10: Investing more than INR 1.5 L in a bike I will now think many times. So Dominar with price tag of 2 L ..... I need to think.
11: Want to keep the bike till I live. No resale in mide.
12: As a brand I donot trust BAJAJ. I like the YAMAHA as brand.

Now depending on the all above points I am thinking following :

As the ABS will be mandatory from April, 2019, So:-

1: I want to wait and see if
a> FZ25 comes with dual channel ABS ?
b> RE classic 350 redditch / Bullet 350 ES comes with dual channel ABS, Tubeless tyre, all disk break?
c> Thunderbird 350x comes with dual channel ABS ?

2: If none of the options A /B/C not happening then will be forced to go for Dominar 400 at last.

What is your opinion as experts please?

Thanks,

I’ll put simply: You make perfect sense.

Especially since waiting up is okay with you, there will definitely be a lot more ABS included options after April 2019.

And lastly, a Yamaha over a Bajaj for refinement is a wise choice (actually over the RE too).

Cheers!

**nitinraina07** · 06-28-2018, 02:17 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Originally posted by Alone View Post

Thanks nitinraina07 and rideon74 Sir.

After all your input I had a lot brainstorming last night. Based on that decided the following.

Even a person like me who is knowing absolutely NOTHING about bikes understander the following :

1: Dominar 400 is far far far ahead (technically) in all ways than any RE bikes.
2: Himalayan touring in my age and work scenario might never be possible. I will buy for some city tour ( 80%) and others (20%).
3: Dual-channel ABS is MUST for the bike I will buy.
4: I like simple up-right position to ride the bike (not the sport type).
5: Speed/bike race is NOT my interest. Just want to enjoy the ride. 6: Purcheshing the bike is not NEED for me but WANT.
7: I donot need huge power/torque in the bike.
8: I can wait for next 6-8 months also.
9: The looks of Dominar is NOT good for me but whenever I see any RE bike I try to watch as long as possible.
10: Investing more than INR 1.5 L in a bike I will now think many times. So Dominar with price tag of 2 L ..... I need to think.
11: Want to keep the bike till I live. No resale in mide.
12: As a brand I donot trust BAJAJ. I like the YAMAHA as brand.

Now depending on the all above points I am thinking following :

As the ABS will be mandatory from April, 2019, So:-

1: I want to wait and see if
a> FZ25 comes with dual channel ABS ?
b> RE classic 350 redditch / Bullet 350 ES comes with dual channel ABS, Tubeless tyre, all disk break?
c> Thunderbird 350x comes with dual channel ABS ?

2: If none of the options A /B/C not happening then will be forced to go for Dominar 400 at last.

What is your opinion as experts please?

Thanks,

With the introduction of ABS prices are also going to go up..will have wait and see if dual channel ABS or Single channel ABS will be offered as standard.

Things change with time and its a long way to go till April 2019...but your priorities are set on comfort.. Major city commute and love for Royal enfield.. Wait for updates on RE stable and also check your other options at the time of purchase.

**Alone** · 06-28-2018, 03:09 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Thanks nitinraina07 and rideon74 Sir, again for supporting my thought.

With the introduction of ABS prices are also going to go up..will have wait and see if dual channel ABS or Single channel ABS will be offered as standard.

Things change with time and its a long way to go till April 2019...but your priorities are set on comfort.. Major city commute and love for Royal enfield.. Wait for updates on RE stable and also check your other options at the time of purchase.

To me safely and comfort is much more important than the cost (price of the bike) and speed.

I will wait for now.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Thanks!

I will wait for FZ25 with dual channel ABS for:

1: Yamaha Quality
2: less weight bike
3: OK pricing

will also wait for RE Bullet ES/Classic Redditch/Thunderbird 350x with dual channel ABS for :

1: Looks, Sound
2: Comfort

If these does not come true till Dec, 2018, will move towards Dominar 400 or something else.

One more question:

Can I take FZ25/RE Bullet/RE Classic/RE Thunderbird easily in Himalary touring (Like I see people are taking their Dominar 400 in those off -road in Himalaya?)

**rideon74** · 06-28-2018, 04:05 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Originally posted by Alone View Post

Can I take FZ25/RE Bullet/RE Classic/RE Thunderbird easily in Himalary touring (Like I see people are taking their Dominar 400 in those off -road in Himalaya?)

The Royal Enfields have been “up there” far more times than most other bikes - it was and still is the most opted for weapon of choice by many till date.

As for your query about the FZ25 being suitable for the task, this tour report in the forum, should be proof enough of the machine’s capabilities:

Prowl of two adventurous Spirits to SPITI

Prowl of two adventurous Spirits to SPITI - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/showthread.php?t=38166

Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.

Yes, it’s only Spiti they’ve ridden to & not the actual Himalayas you may note, but the point is: what some daring souls have proved to the riding community repeatedly is that the motorcycle doesn’t matter as much as the rider’s grit & determination.

For example, we have an amazing adventurer heading back from Khardung La on his Chetak scooter as I write this. We’ve also seen RX100s, Kinetic Hondas and all other commuter segment bikes being used to make it up there & back.

I’m sure you get the drift of what I’m trying convey by now. It does not what matter what you ride, it’s how you ride it that counts - as the old saying goes.

Hope this helps!

**Alone** · 06-28-2018, 08:03 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Thanks alot.

Now I will wait for the update from RE & Yamaha on ABS.

**nitinraina07** · 06-28-2018, 11:07 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or dominar 400?

Originally posted by rideon74 View Post

The Royal Enfields have been “up there” far more times than most other bikes - it was and still is the most opted for weapon of choice by many till date.

As for your query about the FZ25 being suitable for the task, this tour report in the forum, should be proof enough of the machine’s capabilities:

Prowl of two adventurous Spirits to SPITI

Prowl of two adventurous Spirits to SPITI - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/showthread.php?t=38166

Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.

Yes, it’s only Spiti they’ve ridden to & not the actual Himalayas you may note, but the point is: what some daring souls have proved to the riding community repeatedly is that the motorcycle doesn’t matter as much as the rider’s grit & determination.

For example, we have an amazing adventurer heading back from Khardung La on his Chetak scooter as I write this. We’ve also seen RX100s, Kinetic Hondas and all other commuter segment bikes being used to make it up there & back.

I’m sure you get the drift of what I’m trying convey by now. It does not what matter what you ride, it’s how you ride it that counts - as the old saying goes.

Hope this helps!

Thought well put together.. Its YOU who is going to take your bike.. Not the other way round...

**Alone** · 06-29-2018, 01:38 AM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or FZ25? Well dominar 400 out of competition.

Guys,

After a TON to research and thought process decided to keep the Dominar 400 out of competition.

Reason:

1: Cost is 2L onroad. Bit high.
2: The main cause: Brand : BAJAJ. As I want to buy bike for long term so I donot thing can trust on B AJAJ quality,
3: Heavy bike : 182 Kg

The new options:

1st Choice : FZ25 with duel channel ABS : Will wait for this.

Or RE Bullet 350 ES / Thunderbird 350x with duel channel ABS:Very faint chance as I understand RE will not provide duel channel ABS in these model.

So, need to wait for FZ25 with duel channel ABS only.

**vimprash** · 06-29-2018, 08:11 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or FZ25? Well dominar 400 out of competition.

So, need to wait for FZ25 with duel channel ABS only.[/QUOTE]

Have a look at Honda's--> Hornet 160R might suit which comes with ABS (Single channel) and Honda's are reliable.
Lots take it for long rides as well.

**MidnightEvil Parth** · 06-29-2018, 08:14 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or FZ25? Well dominar 400 out of competition.

Originally posted by Alone View Post

Guys,

After a TON to research and thought process decided to keep the Dominar 400 out of competition.

Reason:

1: Cost is 2L onroad. Bit high.
2: The main cause: Brand : BAJAJ. As I want to buy bike for long term so I donot thing can trust on B AJAJ quality,
3: Heavy bike : 182 Kg

The new options:

1st Choice : FZ25 with duel channel ABS : Will wait for this.

Or RE Bullet 350 ES / Thunderbird 350x with duel channel ABS:Very faint chance as I understand RE will not provide duel channel ABS in these model.

So, need to wait for FZ25 with duel channel ABS only.

Fz25 has it's own share of quality niggles. I would rate dominar above it in terms of engine and components quality.

My 2 cents.

**Alone** · 06-29-2018, 10:00 PM

Re: Thunderbird 350x or FZ25? Well dominar 400 out of competition.

Originally posted by MidnightEvil Parth View Post

Fz25 has it's own share of quality niggles. I would rate dominar above it in terms of engine and components quality.

My 2 cents.

Can you please enlighten me in detail.

It may help me to decide the first (& last) bike.

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