Bajaj Dominar 400 Road Review

They say making bold decisions is for the foolhardy and wisdom only comes with age. But it is the courage of brave hearts that has brought mankind to the frontier we are now at. Decisions which redefine standards may be considered reckless but infact usher in the era of a brave new world, where change may be an uphill climb but only for the betterment of us all. Bajaj in many ways has pronounced change and has ushered in an era of evolution which will redefine motorcycling for Indians.

The Dominar 400, which was launched earlier this month took the market by storm. Its incredibly affordable pricing and imposing looks captivated many a biker. But how good it is in the real world would be a question on many minds. We got our chance to take it for a spin on the winding roads of Panchgani in Maharashtra and boy, oh boy, was it a treat! Despite its intimidating looks, the Dominar 400 feels very inviting to ride and Bajaj has been subtle while tucking in some neat features to improve performance.

The Dominar is powered by a single cylinder 373.3cc, liquid cooled, fuel injected motor. While many believe it to be powered by same engine found on the KTM Duke, Bajaj has reworked the design and shares only the a few parts with KTM's power plant. The motor puts out 34.5hp at 8000rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6500rpm. The meat of the power is found in the mid range and the Dominar reaches its peak performance with ease. Setting a rather comfortable pace, the bike is able to deliver a very linear climb in the power band. While peak torque is achieved at 6500rpm, the engine belts out 28Nm of torque at 3000rpm and the climb up to 35Nm comes in another 3500rpm, thus catering to a thrilling ride and adequate power when required.

The engine has been mated to a 6-speed transmission which does feel a bit clunky and needs some getting used to. The bike is quick through the first three gears and gets going with ease. Bajaj has also added a slipper clutch to mitigate the effects of engine braking while decelerating. The overall ride feels quite premium and sporty with the bike making a deep and throaty exhaust note. While cruising on highways the 5th and 6th gears provide adequate room for the rider to accelerate upto 148kmph and the bike can also achieve a 100kmph from standstill in just 8.23 seconds.   

Post 8000 revs one does need to up shift and this is where a gear position or a shift indicator would have come in quite handy. The Dominar does not feel out of breath easily and is comfortable cruising between 110-120kmph. The ride feels solid and planted, putting this machine through some tight corners and twisties is truly a thrilling experience. The tyres grip the road well and the suspension setup facilitates a very balanced and controlled ride. The rigid perimeter frame also enables precision steering of the motorcycle, giving the rider a capability to change direction in the blink of an eye. The suspension setup is on the softer side, soaking in most of the undulations and bumps with ease.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Dominar 400 is its braking performance. The bike features a 320mm disc up front and a 230mm disc in the rear. The discs are linked to a two channel ABS setup which is incredibly efficient. In normal riding conditions this motorcycle can come to a halt from 100kmph in approximately 9 seconds, the tail does not waver and the bike does not break its line either even when in panic braking conditions. On gravel one needs to be a little careful.  Aiding the brakes are specially designed dual compound tyres which provide good traction and grip.      

The bike also has a very ergonomic design with a sync in the foot pegs, handle bar and rider seat. Touring comfort is also enhanced by a soft cushion seat. The D400 displays exceptional build quality and has good fit and finish. The back illuminated switch gear is easy to operate and enhances the feel on riding at night. Bajaj has made yet another bold move by adding an all LED headlamp cluster which provides good visibility of the road and looks sharp as well. The overall design language is muscular with a stubby front and arched tank section. Bajaj has truly redefined its self with the Dominar and set a new standard for the industry to follow. Be it the price, the design, the features or the performance, this product speaks of global standards and sets a benchmark in the brave new world Bajaj has opened up for Indian riders.