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Commute+Touring, Confused between Himalayan and Dominar
Hey guys so an introduction, I’m from Delhi NCR and I currently own an Aprilia SR150 which I got around the time it came out (About to be 4 years) and clocked over 35000km. I have toured extensively on it covering over 9 states on it. So as its getting old I thought ill retire it to tasks like fetching groceries and so on. So for the upgrade I have been confused between Dominar and Himalayan. Didn't really consider any other bike because of VFM and features etc..
Budget: 2.5-2.6L which is the Bike plus Accessories
Age: 25
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 85Kg
Intended usage: College+Touring
Fuel Efficiency requirement: Not Really
City & Highway percentage usage: 30% City, 70% Highway
Approximate Daily / Monthly running: Monthly Running is around 800-1000km
City / Town /Village of residence: Noida, Delhi NCR
Brand / Bike type preference: None
Now I know that both these bikes are of different categories but my preferences lie between both that’s why I have been confused. I did take a test ride of both and loved both. If I had money I would have definitely taken both. Personally my riding style is a bit laid back and don’t really rush prefer to cruise between 80-90 on my Aprilia SR150 but have sustained it to 100 over an hour. I generally stay between 100-120 when I have a better bike
So my primary preferences in order of priority were touring performance(power becomes essential here)+ luggage capabilities, maintenance costs, service cost, reliability comfort(due to a ligament tear in knee due to an accident), Highway Performance, and pillion comfort (as I almost always travel with someone), and features weren't my main concern.
Initially I went towards Himalayan due to the comfort and high ground clearance and off road capabilities. But eventually considering everything went towards the Dominar. As I don’t ride off-road and gravel that often. My primary mile munching activity will be city commute with 60km-70km covered each day
Himalayan:
Although it's made as an adventure tourer, from what I have heard and searched there are still some on and off reliability issues with high maintenance costs and each service estimate going above 1.5k-â‚ą2k.
If I was travelling alone then Himalayan would have been fine, but as I would almost always travel with a pillion and the corresponding luggage, I feel I would need more power as it has 26hp and 32nm torque. (Primary Reason why I am switching from Aprilia along with comfort)
The benefit is luggage carrying capacity with inbuilt top case rack along with the great ground clearance and suspension travel which will definitely benefit in the broken down slushy roads in parts of uttrakhand.
Dominar:
Dominar has much more power 40hp and 35nm torque and comparatively cheaper to maintain and service according to my research. Plus it's much more feature rich. It’s a little less comfortable for the pillion but can be modded to fix that. I test drove 2017 model and felt the handlebar was a bit low but on looking online I heard some people say Bajaj raised the handlebar. Is that true? How reliable are handlebar risers?
Mods:
As Himalayan already had a windshield and top rack mount I would have added saddlestays, backrest. And would have definitely changed the headlamps and added auxiliary lights. I changed my Aprilia to have Twin LED Headlamps with 2 Auxiliary Lights. Similarly I wouldn’t have changed the headlamp in Dominar as its one of the better ones and I don’t do much night riding.
Would have added windshield, saddle stay+backrest+ rear rack (combo). Apart from that engine guard, frame sliders and a mobile charger+Holder was a common upgrade to both. I don’t plan to do any exhaust, performance Modifications. I have a Good Quality hazard light flasher fixed to my Aprilia and was planning to fit that if I get the dominar as Himalayan already has Hazard Lights.
So after considering all that I thought Dominar is a better choice.
As I am still a student and get by through off freelance projects, one of the biggest concerns was maintenance and reliability. Although I do work on my machines so I have some knowledge on Mechanics.
I suppose the mileage is similar in both.
This is my analysis and would love feedback from you guys if I am wrong somewhere.
Budget: 2.5-2.6L which is the Bike plus Accessories
Age: 25
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 85Kg
Intended usage: College+Touring
Fuel Efficiency requirement: Not Really
City & Highway percentage usage: 30% City, 70% Highway
Approximate Daily / Monthly running: Monthly Running is around 800-1000km
City / Town /Village of residence: Noida, Delhi NCR
Brand / Bike type preference: None
Now I know that both these bikes are of different categories but my preferences lie between both that’s why I have been confused. I did take a test ride of both and loved both. If I had money I would have definitely taken both. Personally my riding style is a bit laid back and don’t really rush prefer to cruise between 80-90 on my Aprilia SR150 but have sustained it to 100 over an hour. I generally stay between 100-120 when I have a better bike
So my primary preferences in order of priority were touring performance(power becomes essential here)+ luggage capabilities, maintenance costs, service cost, reliability comfort(due to a ligament tear in knee due to an accident), Highway Performance, and pillion comfort (as I almost always travel with someone), and features weren't my main concern.
Initially I went towards Himalayan due to the comfort and high ground clearance and off road capabilities. But eventually considering everything went towards the Dominar. As I don’t ride off-road and gravel that often. My primary mile munching activity will be city commute with 60km-70km covered each day
Himalayan:
Although it's made as an adventure tourer, from what I have heard and searched there are still some on and off reliability issues with high maintenance costs and each service estimate going above 1.5k-â‚ą2k.
If I was travelling alone then Himalayan would have been fine, but as I would almost always travel with a pillion and the corresponding luggage, I feel I would need more power as it has 26hp and 32nm torque. (Primary Reason why I am switching from Aprilia along with comfort)
The benefit is luggage carrying capacity with inbuilt top case rack along with the great ground clearance and suspension travel which will definitely benefit in the broken down slushy roads in parts of uttrakhand.
Dominar:
Dominar has much more power 40hp and 35nm torque and comparatively cheaper to maintain and service according to my research. Plus it's much more feature rich. It’s a little less comfortable for the pillion but can be modded to fix that. I test drove 2017 model and felt the handlebar was a bit low but on looking online I heard some people say Bajaj raised the handlebar. Is that true? How reliable are handlebar risers?
Mods:
As Himalayan already had a windshield and top rack mount I would have added saddlestays, backrest. And would have definitely changed the headlamps and added auxiliary lights. I changed my Aprilia to have Twin LED Headlamps with 2 Auxiliary Lights. Similarly I wouldn’t have changed the headlamp in Dominar as its one of the better ones and I don’t do much night riding.
Would have added windshield, saddle stay+backrest+ rear rack (combo). Apart from that engine guard, frame sliders and a mobile charger+Holder was a common upgrade to both. I don’t plan to do any exhaust, performance Modifications. I have a Good Quality hazard light flasher fixed to my Aprilia and was planning to fit that if I get the dominar as Himalayan already has Hazard Lights.
So after considering all that I thought Dominar is a better choice.
As I am still a student and get by through off freelance projects, one of the biggest concerns was maintenance and reliability. Although I do work on my machines so I have some knowledge on Mechanics.
I suppose the mileage is similar in both.
This is my analysis and would love feedback from you guys if I am wrong somewhere.
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