Bajaj Dominar 400 : Bajaj Auto has strengthened its position in India’s performance motorcycle segment with the updated Dominar 400, a muscular cruiser that blends highway dominance with surprising fuel efficiency. Positioned as an affordable alternative to premium imports, this 373cc powerhouse delivers 40 PS while maintaining a respectable 32 kmpl mileage, making it equally capable of daily commutes and cross-country adventures.
Commanding Road Presence with Purposeful Design
Design language of the Dominar 400 talks volume for muscle mixed with a dose of touring practicality. Highlighting the bike’s imposing stance is the signature LED headlight cluster with daytime running lamps along with a sculpted 13-litre fuel tank that gets premium dual-tone finishes. The bike’s rather chunky 193kg kerb weight is well disguised by the matte grey paint with racy graphics while functional bits like the floating disc brakes or the alloy wheels underline the bike’s performance focus. The seat is a stepped design with plush padding for rider and passenger and the seat height of 800mm is a perfect fit for most Indian ride.
Refined Performance Meets Touring Capability
Powering this cruiser is a liquid-cooled, DOHC motor with a displacement of 373cc, generating 39.42 bhp of power at 8,800 rpm and 35 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The 6-speed gearbox gets a slipper clutch for easier downshifts, with the power delivery designed for both city crawling and triple digit highway cruising. There’s also less of the murmur from the engine than we remember from older models, a welcome benefit of work done by Bajaj’s engineering department to reduce vibration at cruising speeds. The motorcycle can accelerate from 0-100 kmph under 8 seconds and adequate mid-range makes for easy overtakes, with the bike returning 28-32 kmpl on mixed riding conditions.
Bajaj Dominar 400: Touring-Oriented Ergonomics and Suspension Settings
One feature of the Dominar 400’s riding stance is the upright seating posture which is a good mix of sporty control and long-haul comfort. It’s got tall bars for leverage at low speeds and footpegs are just rearward enough to prevent the rider’s knees from aching during long days. Suspension is courtesy of 43mm telescopic forks at the front, and a preload adjustable monoshock at the rear, set up to offer pliancy on Indian roads whilst ensuring higway stability. The 17-inch alloys shod with tubeless tyres provide decent enough grip that can be expected from a motorcycle of this nature and due to the long wheelbase (1453mm), you do get some rock solid stability at speed.
Technology That Elevates the Riding Experience
The Dominar 400 also features best-in-segment electronics not seen elsewhere at its price range according to Bajaj. Gear position, fuel efficiency, and other riding information is displayed on the clear, full-color TFT screen with data available in all riding modes. For safety, it gets dual-channel ABS and switchable traction control – a feature that’s quite uncommon in the sub-500cc motorcycle segment. An all-LED lighting bundle provides plenty of illumination after the sun sets, and a USB charging port keeps satellite navigation systems online during long trips. There’s no quick-shifter, but the gear box is slick and the clutch action is light, which makes for good fun when you’re in the mood.
Bajaj Dominar 400 – Safety at Its Core With Confidence on the Road
Braking is by 320mm front and 230mm rear discs, which have a progressive feel with bite that is not too bite-y. The dual-channel ABS intervention is well-tuned, it gets in the way during panic braking keeping the wheels from locking up, but gives advanced riders just a tiny bit of slide that they could control. The tubular steel perimeter frame is has been engineered for stability and is quite rigid in the turn, while the 165mm of ground clearance is good enough for most roads in the country. Bajaj claims they have also enhanced heat management compared to its older models and it indeed feels less warm around the leg, at idle and slow-moving traffic.
Competitive Pricing and Ownership Proposition
Priced between ₹2.55-2. 80 lakh (ex-showroom) the Dominar 400 is cheaper by around ₹50,000-70,000 over competitors like the KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Himalayan and performance matches well. Maintenance is hassle-free thanks to Bajaj’s wide service network (1,500-plus touchpoints) and low-priced spare parts (30% cheaper than its European rivals). The company keeps giving the market attractive discounts from time to time for the festive period and provides good exchange bonus at the time of purchase that is driving effective prices closer to ₹2.3 lakh for base models.
The Ideal Rider Profile
This bike appeals to the 25 to 40 year old touring fan who wants top notch features without the top notch cost. Adventure riders appreciate its motor and ability to effortlessly cruise the highway; commuters love the compact size and gas mileage. Add in that 400km+ fuel range and you won’t see any petrol stations for a long time, and the robust luggage rack (optional) means you can load up on touring stuff without a struggle.
Final Verdict: Performance Meets Practicality
With the revelation of the Bajaj Dominar 400, it’s game on in India’s booming mid-range motorcycle space. It’s a good compromise between full-on performance bike and comfort-oriented tourer, delivering 80 per cent of the performance bike’s capability for 60 per cent of the cost. It must be said, while traditionalists will be lamenting for additional high-quality hardware: adjustable suspension, cornering ABS and the like, if you’re looking for a reliable, feature rich product, which doesn’t cost a bomb, the Dominar 400 isn’t a very impractical option. Its balance of power, economy, and touring comfort makes it well-suited for Indian riding environments and price points.
