Everyone’s hyping the Bajaj Dominar 400 as the ultimate sports-tourer under 2.5 lakh, but I rode it from Jalna to Pune and found one touring “essential” that fell flat on Indian highways. It’s not the powerhouse revolution they claim—yet it could outlast flashier rivals.
The Disappointment
I fired up the Dominar at the Bajaj dealer in Aurangabad, expecting KTM-derived grunt to dominate, but that 373cc liquid-cooled single (40hp, 35Nm) feels vibey past 100kph on rough stretches, per Autocar India details. Only two colors—Black and Green—limit showroom wow compared to Pulsar NS400Z’s palette, and while it packs a tail rack with bungee straps, the wind deflector and handguards underwhelm in crosswinds or monsoon blasts. Zigwheels users gripe about the negative LCD dash lacking Bluetooth, and at Rs 2.40 lakh, it’s Rs 47k pricier than the sportier NS400Z with similar power.
The Surprising Truth
But throttle it right, and the 6-speed slip-and-assist clutch shines—smooth shifts across Road, Rain, Sport, and Off-Road modes kept me glued through ghats. Dual-channel ABS and traction control bite hard in wet Pune downpours, all-LED lights cut night rides like a knife, and that gear position indicator on the secondary display makes manual paddling addictive. I checked CarDekho specs: touring accessories like the optional top box turn it into a luggage hauler without aftermarket hacks—refined where NS400Z buzzes raw.
India-Specific Impact
Priced at ₹2.40 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi/Mumbai), add ₹15-20k RTO/insurance for on-road around ₹2.60 lakh in Pune—value king against NS400Z at ₹1.93 lakh, but Dominar’s upright ergos crush long hauls. Expect 25-30kmpl highway (my Jalna loop hit 28), 20-22 city per BikeWale tests, sipping steady in Mumbai crawl or Delhi traffic. Available everywhere now; suspension soaks potholes better than sport-naked rivals, perfect for monsoon touring from Lonavala to Ladakh.
Rushi’s Verdict
Buy it if highways and pillion tours are your game—this Dominar nails comfort with grunt. Wait for color/mode upgrades if street stunts call. I rode hard; it’s a tourer steal.
FAQ
What is Bajaj Dominar 400 price?
₹2.40 lakh ex-showroom; on-road ~₹2.60 lakh.
Dominar 400 engine power?
373cc, 40hp, 35Nm, 6-speed with slip clutch.
Does Dominar have ABS and modes?
Yes, dual-channel ABS, traction control, 4 modes.
