The Dominar 400 could also share some features with the Pulsar NS400Z.

Bajaj Auto recently launched the most powerful Pulsar yet, the NS400Z. Going forward, the company plans to expand its 400cc line-up, starting with the updated Dominar 400.

According to Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director of Bajaj Auto, the company is working on plans to update its Dominar range of bikes. The facelift version is expected to get a slew of features, including a new TFT instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation.

The Dominar 400 could also share some features with the NS400Z. These might include ride-by-wire throttle, switchable traction control and multiple riding modes.

Reports also state that the next Dominar 400 will be much lighter than the outgoing version. Weighing in at 193 kg, the current iteration of the bike is on the heavier side.

The engine, however, will remain the same. The bike will continue to use a 373cc liquid-cooled unit producing 39.5 BHP and 35 Nm. The upside-down front fork and mono-shock rear suspension are likely to be carried over unchanged, along with the brakes.

The Pulsar N250 gets a price hike of Rs 1,299, while the price of the Dominar 400 has been increased by Rs 1,152.

Bajaj Auto has announced a price hike across select models. The Dominar 250 has received the largest price hike of Rs 6,400.

The price of the Dominar 400 has been increased by Rs 1,152. The bike now costs Rs. 2.23 lakh.

Prices of the Pulsar range of bikes have also been increased. The Pulsar N250 gets a price hike of Rs 1,299, while the prices of the Pulsar NS200 and RS200 have gone up by Rs 999 and Rs 1,088, respectively. Prices of the Pulsar 125, 150, NS125 and NS160 have also been increased.

Prices of the Avenger 220 and Avenger 160 have gone up by Rs 563 and Rs 365, respectively. Prices of the Platina 100, Platina 110 and CT100X have gone up by up to Rs 1,978.

I paid the biker's hospital bills & he also apologised for his mistake. However, 2 weeks later, he filed a police case against me for causing an accident!

BHPian kiranton recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Was cruising at around 85-90km/hr on NH 47 near Thrissur when a biker merged onto the highway and crashed into my car (BMW 320d). He was a young guy, 19-20 years old on his new Dominar, hardly a month old. I took him to a nearby hospital and was soon joined by his friends and locals at the hospital. Those who saw the incident admitted it was the biker's fault. I paid for all the hospital bills/procedures/consultations. The biker apologised for his mistake and his mother also thanked me for paying the hospital bills.

2 weeks later, I got a call from the local police station (2 hours away from my house) that there is a guy who filed a complaint against me for causing an accident. I told them that I have the dashcam footage and can share it with them. He asked me to meet the SI the next day with my footage and also called the biker. The biker didn't turn up. Police told me not to worry as my dashcam footage clearly showed the incident and I left.

2 weeks later, I got a call from the same police station saying the biker now has some new evidence against me. I went again and the biker was there this time around. He showed a 2-second clip of the accident (from the CCTV footage from a nearby bakery) from a side profile where you can't make out who's at fault. I showed my clip and the SI immediately asked the other guy why he wants to file a case against me as my footage clearly shows who's at fault and dismissed the case.

I should have made a GD entry in the police station that same day itself. Someone must have instigated the young guy to file a case against me to get some more money.

Here's what BHPian tharian had to say about the matter:

This section of Airport road is so badly designed, it is a place for an accident waiting to happen. There were plenty of bad accidents that had happened at this section.

Riders/drivers on the service road think it is their right of way to cut across and join the main road, since the service road continues to join the ring road at the Hebbal intersection. Most of the traffic merges onto the main Airport road at this point to go over the Hebbal flyover. On the other hand, vehicles coming down from the Airport road, come at good speed until this point and have to brake hard to avoid accidents because of vehicles merging onto the main road without bothering to check for traffic (which is a trait of Indian roads anyway).

Like many others said, honk honk honk when in midst of two/three-wheelers. It may annoy people inside the car as well as outside, but you can avoid situations like these.

Heck, I even honk a couple of times when approaching a two-wheeler on a straight/un-divided road.

Here's what BHPian SR-71 had to say about the matter:

Don't be surprised if that someone were the cops themselves. A few years ago, when my friends and I were returning from a trip to Masinagudi, a drunk biker hit my friend's stationary car head-on. This was in Malavalli police limits. While the biker apologized and my friend left the spot, he was surprised to be chased down by a patrol vehicle 10 minutes later on the town outskirts. They were threatened and dragged to the police station for hit and run! His was a TN registered vehicle and the dashcam footage was seized.

Unfortunately for the cops and fortunately for my friend, the trip had 3 lawyers who were in my car. We were behind them by 30 minutes and the belligerent cops changed their tone once they realized they have bitten more than they can chew. The SI left the station apparently for a cup of tea and a couple of minutes later a constable requested my friends to leave.

Here's what BHPian NiInJa had to say about the matter:

Good that nothing serious happened and the case got closed.

But in my opinion, looking at the dashcam footage, cruising at 85-90kmph at that crowded junction having a signal doesn't sound right. At least in Maharashtra, the speed limit on NH around the town area is 50 kmph. If I was in such a situation I would have reduced my speed, especially if I was on the left lane, and would have used my car's horn. Not saying you were wrong, but just some desi things that we have to do on roads.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The motorcycle will be used for 500 km per day trips once a month & weekly city commutes of 25 km in Bangalore.

BHPian rohing recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently sold my Himalayan after 20k kms on it. Himalayan was good but really lacked some key things I wanted:

• Refinement (the vibration after 80)
• Reliability (clutch wire, cone set, rusting)
• Power (best below 100)
• Good service network (RE is good, no complaints)

Need some guidance on comparisons from experts here. I need a comfortable middleweight cruiser for 500 km/day trips (once a month) and city commutes in Bangalore (25kms) once a week. I am 6.1 ft and 40+yrs so comfort is key.

The 3 bikes I am considering are:

Bajaj Dominar

Lots of enhancements now and flaws fixed. Value for money! The only negative is the ride quality on bad roads. Many rural roads are quite bad and I ride a lot on them. Is it better now? Also riding position in an adv motorcycle is better.

KTM 390 Adventure

No brainer. Meets most criteria. Higher on the cost side compared to Dominar but within budget. Would love it more if it was a twin. Riding position for someone like me is nice.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

The love for the twin! But horrors of RE and rinding position due to straight seat. Value for money! But again the attraction for the twin.

Any other models the experts here recommend? Do I go for a single or a twin? I don't mind indulging a little bit. The Honda's 'look' does not appeal. Versys 650 is nice but is KTM x 2, can afford but middle-class value mindset kicks in.

Appreciate any thoughts on the above

Here's what BHPian ku69rd had to say about the matter:

You left out the Honda CB 500X. Would be a good bet that will balance the city and highway.

The other option would be to consider the KTM 250 Adventure, a well-tuned motor to balance the city plus sufficient power to cruise the highway all day at 100.

390 ADV might be a pain in the city with its high revving nature.

Dominar is a heavy machine for what it offers.

Here's what BHPian AutoIndian had to say about the matter:

You mentioned that "The Honda's 'look' does not appeal". Is it so for the 500X as well? Mind you this has a parallel twin & you said you don't mind indulging a bit. Moreover, the new CB500X is on the cards and the existing version is retailing at discounts of over a lakh rupees. In Bengaluru, the outgoing model would cost you around 6.86 lacs on-road (as per Bikewale), refer to the pic below. You can squeeze further discounts if you have good negotiation skills.

Here's what BHPian neil.jericho had to say about the matter:

If you had mentioned that your usage was only on weekends, then I would have said go for a Kawasaki Versys 650. But since you mentioned you are looking at city commuting in Bangalore, then you should strongly consider something more usable and all-rounded. These mixed conditions are where the Honda CB500X truly shines. It gives up some brownie points on highway rides when compared to its more powerful competition but it makes it all back up, in the city where it slides into a super commuter avatar.

Here's what BHPian RiderZone had to say about the matter:

Really lovely that everyone has completely ignored the Interceptor. Don't buy it if 500 kms day trips are your thing, the stock bike absolutely sucks for that requirement. Stock bike also sucks for two-up commutes, bad pillion ergos and lava for exhausts.

If I had the budget, I'd get the Honda 500. If not, KTM 390.

Here's what BHPian Parishrut had to say about the matter:

I have had a Dominar for the last 4 years. I use it for a similar routine as you have described. I had been doing 1000+ km trips every month until the pandemic struck, and 25 km commutes ever since, which are partly city traffic and partly good roads like Electronic city flyover.

While the big bikes are definitely more comfortable, Dominar has never failed me and I know I can go even longer on my trips. I usually don't do more than 500km/12 hours of riding on a single day, but I have spent 18+ hours on broken roads and it was fine if you can live with the extra weight. The weight won't trouble you much in the city since you would commute only once a week, and the same weight will keep you rock-solid on the highway. It has superb low end and mid range, and I barely even use the accelerator in the city traffic for the first 2 gears. The sound and feel is good enough to keep you happy at below 4k RPM in the city and then redline gloriously as you merge onto the highway. I just wouldn't want to use it for more than 2-3 days in peak traffic (which is how I ended up buying a cycle). I've taken it on off roads as I love taking the road not taken. Unless you are doing some crazy off-roading, you can easily swap tires and the bike will take you 95% of the places.

It has very good service support, especially because of its popularity with touring groups which means you can find specialized mechanics if you are not happy with Bajaj. Bajaj service is decent enough and very cheap (I love it) but I always had a backup checkup done at Highlander to keep long-distance reliability in check. Only issue is that good service support is limited to cities when you are on a trip. Not all Bajaj service centers in rural areas can work on a Dominar. But otherwise, relative to other premium bikes in the same segment, parts availability is good and mechanics are not difficult to find if you have a breakdown. The only other brand that I think outperforms this is RE.

Good customization support is cherry on top. There are lots of additional accessories well suited for it at a decent price, and the engine has enough grunt to carry their weight around. It even looks good when it is properly kitted out!

To be honest, I keep reading all the reviews on Team-BHP and lusting after the Honda CB500X which in my opinion is a very genuine upgrade for my needs, especially given how I use the Dominar, but every time I see a new update that Bajaj makes, I just keep considering buying a new Dominar again :P For the price that it comes at, it is astounding value. There are flaws, yes, but for the price, I am not complaining.

P.S. Thumb rule for long-distance reliability: Avoid everything that is less than 2 years old or fresh in the market, especially from new brands.

Sinec you are 6.1 ft tall, you will definitely need handlebar raisers on the Dominar and it will definitely not be as comfortable for you as it is for me. I am 5.9 ft.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I lost my Bajaj Dominar's RC during one of my rides near Dehradun, but the bike itself is registered in Bangalore.

BHPian Grimlock recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I moved to Dehradun, my hometown, last year in July due to the pandemic. I was originally working in Bangalore. As the pandemic hit, I was uncertain of the future and since WFH became the norm, the decision to come home seemed to be a wise one. As a result, we came home. Me, my sister and my brother in law. At first, it seemed that this would be over soon but how wrong were we! Work from home became the new normal and I had to reconsider the fact that I had my car and my bike laying in the basement of my rented apartment in Bangalore. It pained me when I realised that both the vehicles were getting wasted each day eating dirt and doing nothing. Come November and I made the decision to get both my babies home. The car, a Ford Ecosport Trend 2015 which I drove from Bangalore to Dehradun on December 2-4. The bike, my Bajaj Dominar 400 2019, was transported through GATI logistics on December 5th.

All was fine and I was very excited to ride the bike on the streets of my hometown. Four months went by and we had settled completely with no signs from our companies for a recall. By now I, being a free spirit decided that there won't be another Bangalore chapter anymore and resigned from my job. I have never been happier with the motorcycle as it looks like it belongs to the North. Have taken it on various rides including the Garhwal region, Dharamshala, Bir Billing. The 40 BHP have served me well.

Things went downhill for me was when I lost my wallet on one of my rides. The wallet had my license, RC originals and other IDs. I was able to renew almost all but the RC of my Dominar which is registered in Bangalore. My question would be, how can I get a duplicate RC copy for my bike. I am located in Dehradun and have the bike with me here but what would my options be to obtain a new RC. From what I gathered so far is that I would need to visit the Bangalore RTO to obtain another copy of the RC. Is there any other way out of this? Looking forward to suggestions. Thank you!

Here's what BHPian libranof1987 had to say on the matter:

At least in MH, everything is now online. Check if that is the case for KA as well. The real problem is, RC is only dispatched to the registered address, no handing-over-the-counter at RTO. You'll have to check who stays in that address now, authorise them to collect the RC and then have them ship it to you.

Here's what BHPian hserus had to say on the matter:

You can download an RC extract from the Parivahan website and send the details to some Bangalore agents.

The lost RC will need an FIR (actually NCR entry) and you can file that online.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Apart from the addition of the touring accessories, Bajaj Auto has made no other changes to the motorcycle.

Bajaj Auto has launched the Dominar 400 with touring accessories. The updated model of the motorcycle has been priced at Rs. 2,16,648 (ex-showroom). The standard model continues to retail at Rs. 2,12,155.

The list of touring accessories includes a tall visor, USB charging port, handguards, metal bash plate, sturdier crash guard, rear luggage carrier, saddle stay, pillion backrest, and navigation stay.

No other changes have been made. The Bajaj Dominar 400 continues to draw power from a 373.3cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled, triple-spark engine that makes 39.4 BHP @ 8,800 rpm and 35 Nm @ 6,500 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is available in 2 colour options - Aurora Green and Charcoal Black.

Minor rusting I can understand, but rusting to this degree - cannot be simply ignored.

BHPian ashwinprakas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A buddy of mine recently bought a Dominar 400 BS6 and within a week his first service was due.

While servicing the motorcycle he noticed rusting on the exhaust and sent me pictures:

My buddy asked them about it and they told him it was normal and he messaged me the same reasoning. To me, it was pretty obvious that he was being taken for a ride due to his lack of common knowledge of machinery.

After about half an hour's worth of texting to and forth, I finally convinced him to raise a dispute under warranty, since the guy was adamant about servicing his motorcycle at the ASC for the intention of maintaining warranty. So, to me it didn't make any sense whatsoever to let this slip as he's anyways paying inflated consumable charges, for the sake of warranty.

When he approached the ASC folks, they once again said that it was a common issue and pointed out a few other motorcycles that were there for service as well as PDI, of which my buddy sent me pictures:

The above pictures proved one and only one thing and that was that this was a QC miss of a larger scale, than just a one-off case. Maybe one requiring a recall, if found in greater numbers.

So I with the help of some expletives, convinced my buddy to take a strong stand on the matter and that's when he got the shocking reply, that the company i.e., Bajaj has a fix rolled out for this issue - a coating from 3M that costs Rs 400/- per application and comes with a 6-month warranty.

My buddy being gullible fell for it, but I simply couldn't comprehend the audacity of the ASC folks, in saying the above.

A person has to shell around Rs 3 lakh for a brand new motorcycle and then spend more for a quality miss from the company's end?

HELL NO!

My buddy reached out to Bajaj via email, but they redirected the query to the same local ASC, who've made the above claim, which they've once again confirmed over the phone. This implicitly translates to the fix being, as a matter of fact, officially recommended by Bajaj.

Minor rusting I can understand, but rusting to this degree simple cannot be ignored IMHO; especially on a brand new motorcycle that's just a week old.

So I'd request recent Bajaj owners to have a good look at their exhausts and report similar concerns. The more it is highlighted, the better the chances are for the company to take notice and proactively recall defective pieces than to make the customer pay for no fault of their own.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

It just took me minutes to take my decision. It was final. The D 400 was my new set of wheels for next few years. I told the showroom people to prepare the documents asap.

BHPian arunabh2424 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A long way to the Dominar

How about owning a machine that never runs out of power? What if you don’t have to worry much about its diet? What if you have made an expensive purchase and don’t have to regret about it later? I don’t know what others feel but for all these questions mentioned above, I have the answers lying in my gut. After more than one and a half years of owning the mighty Dominar 400, I don’t think I have made a mistake. Instead I see the D 400 becoming more matured and adaptable, as a child does in its lifetime. With a respectable and worry free 10,500+ kilometres I personally feel the D 400 is the best example of superior engineering which is “Made in India’ .

I will happily confess that the D 400 was one of the impulse purchases of my life. It was just a decision which was made out of sheer frustration. No, you all are guessing it wrong, I wasn’t frustrated with my life or job or family. The reason was not getting something that I needed badly at that time. That too was due to the careless attitude of employees of a reputed brand who are known very well in our country for their presence for more than a hundred years. By now you might be guessing something. Yes, it is none other than the legendary brand, Royal Enfield. Why I was frustrated? That too has a solid reason. I didn’t get my bike delivered for 9 long months. You read it right. It was an Interceptor 650 that I had booked the bike in February 2019. The showroom manager verbally promised me to deliver the bike to me in 60 days. In their booking receipt it was clearly written 120 days. Even after hundreds of follow ups, phone calls and visits, nobody even cared to give me an assurance about something positive. Then came the disaster month May 2019. Super cyclone “Fani” destroyed it all. People, houses, trees, roads, buildings, dreams and nearly everything were in pieces. We had power cut for more than a week. Mobile networks went down. People were struggling for basic things. The State govt was busy cleaning roads, repairing damages and restoring power. I wasn’t worried much about the Interceptor anymore. Now all I needed was a huge machine. I waited few days more for the showrooms to open and lives to normalize. I didn’t want a machine as costly as a Hayabusa but something affordable which would satisfy my thirst for raw power. So, after 15 days electricity was restored in all cyclone affected urban areas. Showrooms began to open. I was too impatient to book something and wait for it anymore.

Going back to March 2019 , I had shortlisted few bikes and visited some dealers. My primary choices were higher CC, power, good engine cooling technology, low height of pillion seat and comfortable riding position. I had shortlisted few bikes, made a note of likes and dislikes mentioned below.

1) TVS Apache RR 310

Likes :

• Looks wise Ten out of Ten.
• Equipped with superior tech like Electronic Throttle grip, Electronic Throttle Body, Slipper clutch, Reverse inclined DOHC engine, Liquid cooling and oil cooling both in same mill
• 33 BHP of power.
• Michelin pilot sport tyres.
• Bi-led headlight.

Dislikes :

• High Price.
• Zero pillion comfort.
• Low fuel tank capacity of 11-litres.
• Expensive spares and maintenance.
• Don’t know about others but I hated the idling exhaust sound.

2) Yamaha R3

Likes :

• Double cylinder and 42 BHP power.
• Sporty exhaust sound.
• Excellent built quality , fit and finish top notch.
• Smart riding posture and low rider seat height.
• Smooth suspension.

Dislikes :

• Pillion seat too high.
• Limited colour option.
• MRF Zapper tyres in a 4 lakh vehicle.
• High cost of maintenance.
• No ABS in BS4 Model.

3) Honda CBR 250

Likes :

• Best in class refined engine I have ever revved.
• Dual Channel ABS.
• LED Headlamps.
• Superb ride quality and handling.
• No vibration.

Dislikes :

• Didn’t like the plastic quality.
• Tail lamp design looks ages old.
• Dealership takes patience of customers for granted. When I visited then they were ascertain about ordering a bike within stipulated time frame.
• Unavailability of spare parts.
• Technical staff will frustrate you with their half baked knowledge.

4) Jawa 42

Likes :

• Classic looks, superb design, brilliant colour options.
• Liquid cooled engine with ample power and torque in hand.
• Best suitable for family rides.
• Comfortable sitting position for all riding conditions.
• ABS in single and dual channel options.

Dislikes :

• Longest waiting period of 6 months. Seemed like I wanted a Rolls Royce instead of a 2 lakh rupee bike. The dealership guys were themselves confused about the exact delivery date.
• Limited dealership range in a tier 2 city like Bhubaneswar.
• Complaints about bolts rusting from a few owners.
• A bit of issue for taller riders due to short seat height.
• I did a test ride and felt the engine to be stressed in high revs. May be Jawa has solved the issue till now.

5) Interceptor 650

Likes :

• Engine refinement level at its best. Absolutely no vibration anywhere during idling.
• Upright riding position a boon for both city and long rides.
• Dual Channel ABS.
• Mileage.
• Value for money.

Dislikes :

• Just an oil cooler in a three lakh vehicle. That too with a dual cylinder. During my test ride I was unsure about the performance of engine in stop and go traffic as I am living in a city where the outside temperature rises to 45 degree Celsius in summer.
• Seats are too clumsy.
• Rider footpegs are in awkward position. They hit your ankle now and then.
• No alloy wheel option then.
• Regular Halogen lamps instead of LED’s.

6) Kawasaki Ninja 300

Likes :

• Dual cylinder liquid cooled, butter smooth engine.
• Slipper Clutch.
• Design, graphics top notch. Aerodynamically superb.
• ABS
• Affordable if you are a real bike enthusiast.

Dislikes :

• Pillion comfort is a big no no. Also grab rails are absent. The Indian version has the most ugly grab rail .
• Dealership issues.
• Uninteresting Console.
• Mileage is a concern.
• High cost of Service.

By this time I was tired of visiting too many dealerships and my dilemma was increasing every single day. I had to land at a conclusion fast. I googled for one last time. All of a sudden I saw the Indian beast. A real black beast ! The Dominar D 400. It looked too good in photos. I face palmed. How could I ignore the beast for so long? Hurriedly I had my lunch and rushed to the dealership. It was around 2 pm and most of the staffs had gone for lunch by then. I looked everywhere in the showroom. The place was full with Platina’s , Pulsars, Avengers, NS and RS 200s. But couldn’t find the D 400. I waited patiently for someone to attend to me. In about 15 mins, a guy dressed in blue came to me. I asked him about the D 400. He told that they had only one piece in stock which is in their stockroom. As the dealership was newly opened they hadn’t ordered more, he clarified. I wasn’t too interested in their stories so I told him to show me the bike. He telephoned someone to bring the bike to the showroom immediately. Asking me to sit and wait, he got busy in some paper works of his own. Half an hour passed. Now I was getting more and more impatient. Got up from chair and approached the sales guy again. He again called up somebody and scolded him in local language for taking so much time. He requested me politely for wait for another 10 mins. So I took my chair again and got busy in my phone. Just after 3-4 mins I heard a distant roar approaching nearer to me. I suddenly looked outside the showroom glass. My god!! There she was. A real roaring beast. I was too eager to wait anymore. I nearly tumbled upon something while rushing through the door. I didn’t care who watched me rushing outside. I just wanted to see her. The other guy probably a technician was inspecting the D 400. Another man was cleaning her with a cloth. But I liked the dust settled on her. It was like icing sugar on a freshly baked cake. I was speechless for sometime. All I wanted was to take her with me immediately. The sales guy explained me in detail about the bike. 373 cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled, 40 PS power, light adaptive LCD display, dual channel abs, LED headlights, turn lights and rear lights and much more. I hardly found any flaws in the first sighting of the D 400. Mileage ? Well who cares when you are crazy for power.

It just took me minutes to take my decision. It was final. The D 400 was my new set of wheels for next few years. I told the showroom people to prepare the documents asap. I planned to take the delivery on my son’s birthday on 24th May i.e 2 days later.

The Delivery Day

I called up the showroom exactly at 10 am. I got to know they were yet to receive the number plate from the RTO. But they also assured that it will be done by 4pm on same day itself. Hence I had to wait for 6 hours more to get my hands on the beast. So I got busy in the preparations for my son’s birthday.

It was nearly 5 pm when I got call from showroom. “ Sir, the bike is ready”. One of the most awaited words of my life. I rushed to the showroom which was only 3 kms away from home. I was handed over the bike’s documents. But the beast was nowhere to be seen. I asked the showroom manager about the bike and the reply was ‘ Sir its downstairs. You can take it.” My goodness, was that a weird way of delivering a premium bike. Professionalism is what Bajaj Dealers should learn. Anyways my happiness was way above to care about such attitude. I went downstairs and saw the service person fixing the number plate. I was already late for my son’s birthday party celebration.

I was handed over the keys and manual book. No cake cutting, no ribbons, and no photographs. Perhaps the worst delivery of a 2 lakh rupee bike anyone can expect.

The First Ride

I grabbed the sleek but strong handlebar of the D 400 and sat on it. It felt huge. The weight of the bike was just crazy. I carefully lifted it up from its side stand. Turned on the ignition. The white LCD display was crystal clear in the bright daylight. I pressed the starter switch & ...just wow!. The single cylinder engine gave the feeling of a twin cylinder. Bidding a good bye to the sales guy I proceeded towards my home. I found the bike too powerful to handle as a first timer. But as the speedometer clocked 40 kmph it felt too light just as a 150 cc. Anyways I had to wait 999 kilometres more in order to test its full capacity. I arrived home and got busy in celebrating my sons birthday.

Day 2

After a sleepless night and dreaming about the beast in open eyes I just couldn’t resist the temptation of staring at it for a longer duration in the first sunlight of the morning. I hurriedly finished my morning to do list and at exactly 8 am started for a ride. I ventured towards Bhubaneswar-Cuttack highway which was a long 20 km stretch. I felt raw power in my wrist while cruising in 50-60 kmph. Not to mention the Engine being a single cylinder did make a considerable noise but after 70 kmph it is refined as butter. One can easily feel the vibration in tank and footpegs while idling. Once the engine is revved to 3000 rpm the vibration disappears.

Usage

I mostly use the bike for City rides. As I am onto b2b business hence I often need to stop in each and every shop in my frequent market visit. I never felt the bike exhausted in any type of ride environment. She never skids in sand and mud. My daily usage pattern is around 20-30 km a day except weekends. I took her for a long ride to Gopalpur situated 165 kms from Bhubaneswar. I had never tested her top speed till then. I think it was all she wanted. Once I found a empty road she had already finished her warm up till then. One twist of throttle and 5 gears up. I reached 134 kmph within few seconds. Apparently I felt high level of mind blast on my chest because of the tiny visor. Still then she managed to go rock steady. I admit , cornering was not so thrilling because of the tires I suppose. May be I was a bit over cautious.

Engine Heat

Even if the D400 is equipped with a large radiator , engine heat is negligibly felt. In the scorching 45 degree celsius heat of Bhubaneswar the radiator fan kicks in often. Also I never felt discomfort in my legs because of the hot air from radiator. It simply vanishes onto other directions.

Fit, Finish and Build Quality

The paint job on the D 400 is praiseworty. No cheap plastics anywhere except the one on the sides of main instrument cluster. Tank plastic feels heavily built and crafted with perfection. So as the logos. No sharp edges anywhere except the rear brake lever.

Handlebar & Switch Gear

The handlebar is placed appropriately for a straight riding position. I didn't feel any pressure on my ankles or shoulders even if I rode her for 110 kms straight without pause. The switch gears seem like that of my old Pulsar 180 but are a bit better. No self cancelling indicators though. Put the switch in parking mode for day ride where only the high beam and tail light will glow along with meter console lights. You cannot use the high, low beam function in this mode.

Instrument Cluster

The primary an secondary console displays all the necessary data as and when needed. No fancy and unnecessary things here. The ABS warning light will glow constantly whenever the ignition is turned on. It goes of after the bike achieves 05 kmph. Fuel gauge is very accurate and when it reaches 2 bars the console will display " Low fuel warning". In one bar "Refuel" option will be displayed. You can also program the console to display Gear position which is a good thing. By default the secondary display has a gear indicator too. But to look onto it you have to shift your eyes from the road which is often a scary thing to do. Not to mention but the display is crystal clear in bright sunlight. It has a adaptive display which adjusts the light according to the outside condition.

Height & Ground Clearance

The saddle height of the bike is ok for people who are more than 5.6 feet. I am 5.11 feet and still I can't rest my foot completely on the ground. The pillion also doesn't struggle much to climb on. But the rear seat is a bit uncomfortable for long rides. In big humps also the bike doesn't scratch its underbelly even when 2 people weighing 90 kgs are on board.

Mirrors

Rearview mirrors on the D400 provide adequate visibility. Mirrors don't vibrate even the engine is revved hard. They are hard to adjust but once done they don't bulge from their places.They also give a premium look to the bike.

Headlamp

The all LED headlights are beautifully crafted. They provide very bright illumination both during day and night in full beam. The spread of the light are both long and wide. They look stunning in the night time.

Engine Performance, Gearshift & Clutch

The torquey engine is an all rounder. Being a single cylinder it doesn't give the refinement of a twin but the performance is something that you won't be unhappy of. No matter in which gear you accelarate , the D400 will never stall. Achieving a 100 kmph is no big deal in normal riding condition. The slipper clutch makes de-accelarating a lot easier and a jerk free gear shift also accompanies. A slight vibration is felt in tank in 2500-3500 RPM which vanishes once the speed reaches 45-50 kmph. However the clutch cable will seek replacement in around 1.5 years. Also while engaging the 1st gear a loud thud is felt and the bike jolts an inch forward. But ultimately one will get used to it.

Fuel Efficiency

Frankly speaking I haven't calculated the mileage till date. But in a tankful of gas the D400 manages 300 kms. I assume the figure is around 22-24 kmph in city.

Suspension

The strong mono suspension handles potholes and humps promptly. Me at around 88 kg didnt find the suspension discomforting me anytime. Also with two people on board the D400 doesn't feel burdened. No bumpy rides in any speeds.

Handling

Being a heavy bike its very easy for a D400 rider to maneuever it through any condtion of traffic. I don't need to step my foot on the ground as most of the time as the bike balances herself. Also in high speeds the bike is very easy to steer thorugh the traffix ahead. Well you need to be careful while starting from standstill with a pillion on board. Most of the time I end up frightening the pillion whenever I put the bike in low gear and try to revv it up again.

Few things which I noticed during my first 1000 kms ride:

1. Engine is not as refined while idling and there is a continuous fluctuation in RPM.
2. Burning smell fresh paint will irritate you till first 500 km.
3. Knocking sound of rocker arm in engine head is common in all Bajaj bikes. Don’t forget to adjust it in the 1st servicing itself.
4. The bike is heavy. Be careful while parking it in congested places. Also avoid parking it in inclined surfaces. You will end up burning good amount of calories while pulling it backwards.
5. If you care about mileage then my sincere advice to you all, don’t buy the D 400.
6. While getting off the bike , be cautious about the rear brake lever. It may injure your leg.
7. The dual channel ABS combined with 320 mm disc in the front and 230 mm rear will be a great confidence factor for rider. I am addicted to using only front brake most of the time which is not so good thing to do.
8. Fuel gauge is very accurate. You can have a worry free refuelling.
9. Pillion seat is too hard and unfit for long distance travel.
10. Upgrade the handle bars rubber to a better one. I have noticed my palms getting black after riding for sometime when without gloves.

Likes :

• Big Bike Feel. Gives the rider unmatched confidence about its power & handling.
• Really a superb design by Team Bajaj. Heads do turn towards the bike while you are stopping in a traffic.
• Large front forks provide stability in all riding conditions.
• Slipper clutch and dual channel ABS ensures a smooth ride in any gear.
• All LED lights bright both during day and night.
• Value for money.

Dislikes :

• Weight. Requires lot of leg power while dragging it. Guys ! If you want to own one then go to the gym & focus on Squats.
• Only two color options i.e Matt black & green for the 2019 model.
• Low capacity fuel tank of only 13 litres.
• MRF Tubeless tyres don't suit the overall athestics of bike.
• Uncomfortable pillion seat.
• Shortage of technicians having expert knowledge in the D 400.

The maintenance cost(s):

Well, the D 400 isn’t a big elephant to feed. Subtracting the fuel costs it won’t really make a hole in your pocket in the case of Service and Spares. But there are a few things that future D 400 owners may keep in mind in the 10 K kilometre run.

• The rear disc started making sound during 4500- 5500 kms. I had to replace it in ASS.
• The clutch cable was replaced at 7500 kms.
• Not to mention the Rocker arm was adjusted in every servicing. Still the tik tik sound persist till now.
• The MRF zapper tyres don’t make me feel confident in cornering. But they do their job well in most of the conditions.
• Please avoid heavy water servicing of wheels. Possibly the discs will start making noise earlier.

Few mod jobs that I have done are :

• Replaced the traditional leg guards with frame sliders ordered online.
• Also replaced the factory fitted radiator guard with a custom aluminium one.
• Fitted a hazard warning indicator relay and a extra switch for occasional highway riding.

Now the time for some pics with captions.

Note : These are recent photographs after completing 10 K kilometres.

The "Roar" comes from the double barrel exhaust, one of its kind.

The single cylinder 373 cc engine is reliable and powerful. Even after continuous revving and achieving 135 kmph top speed in many occasions there is no sign of oil leakage from any part of engine.

The 320 mm disc in the front is the god of braking. I have never lost my confidence in emergency stopping.

The rear brake started giving me problems as early as 5500 kms. Be careful of water accumulation while washing.

The full LED headlight is bright in daylight and super bright at night. The throw is sufficient in both city and highway driving.

The oxygen sensor

Vibration free RVM's. Some force is needed to adjust them though.

The secondary display is different from that of old model Dominar. One will rarely use it.

This portion will accumulate some water and obviously rust. Regular cleaning is required.

The large radiator performs its job well. That's the aftermarket aluminium mesh that I had ordered online.

The fat front USD forks are a winner in handling potholes and humps. They look macho too.

Fuse assembly inside pillion seat.

Different display modes of the digital cluster when the ignition is switched on.

Chain needs regular cleaning, adjustment in every 1000 km and oiling in every 500 kms.

LED indicators and tail lights.

Tyres are good to go for another 10k kilometres. Only one puncture till date.

Compact saree guard without footrest.

Now time for some night shots:

The LED headlights in full power

In low beam

In parking mode

While turning on the ignition, a full system check is performed. Quite satisfying to look onto

Road view in full beam

Road view in low beam

The backlit switchgear

Thank to arunabh2424 again. Check out BHPian comments more insights and information

Overall, the registration process was very smooth. Don't employ agents, and pay the extra tax if it's your second vehicle (it's to offset your carbon footprint).

BHPian octavius recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I bought a Dominar D400 in Hyderabad, and wanted to share some tips

Background

I've been eyeing the D400 for a few years, and finally made a decision to buy it in April 2021. Initially, the showrooms were trying to sell off their 2020 stock, but I got a call from Varun Bajaj that they received a batch of 2021 model, and I decided to make the purchase.

On-road price

I visited a few Bajaj showrooms, and below is a sample of the break up:

• Ex-Showroom price - Rs. 202755
• RTO Tax (Road tax, smart card, service charge, etc.) - Rs-. 20250
• 1 year insurance - Rs. 20320
• Handling charges - Rs. 830
• (Optional) Accessories Leg/Saree guard - Rs. 1000
• (Optional) Agent service - Rs. 1000

Tips

• When I finally calculated the total RTO tax, it was lesser than what they charged. However, I did not raise this with them, but maybe you can.

• Don't go for their insurance package. You will get a much better deal on policy bazaar for a new bike including Zero Dep. I got it around Rs. 18,000.

• Handling charges is bogus. I dropped a mail to Bajaj customer care that Varun Bajaj is charging handling charges, and within 24 hours Varun Bajaj sales head called me to say that handling charges is waived off.

• Accessories like leg saree guard should not be charged extra. I told them to remove it from the bike, but when I took delivery they were installed and they told me they come factory fitted.

• Agent is not required. The process is quite straightforward in Hyderabad, read below for details.

• Some other showrooms will give you an extra charge for Temporary registration. TR is just Rs. 150 for a bike. Keep this in mind when you look closely at the breakup and it should be included in the RTO charges.

So, finally, I paid the ex-showroom + RTO charges to the showroom.

Registration process

• Within a few days, the showroom will give you all the documents required for registration like Form 20, 21, 22, TR, Pollution certificate, invoice, insurance printout. Kudos to Varun Bajaj in being prompt about this.

• All you need to add to the above documents is an address proof copy. Aadhar, etc. will do.

• You need to book a slot online for Rangareddy RTO and show up with all the docs.

• The first time I visited, the officer told me I need to pay 5% extra tax since it was my second vehicle (I already have a car). This is Rs. 10,200 for the Dominar, and it needs to be paid by Bank DD.

• There are ways to avoid this by registering in someone else's name, but I did not want to do that, since this bike was really a luxury and I agree with the rule of extra tax for more than 1 vehicle per person. I re-booked a future slot and got my DD ready.

• Next appointment, I showed up at the Kondapur RTO with all the docs and DD. Went to counter 2 to get the payment slip.

• Went to Counter 3 with the slip to get the photo taken.

• Finally, I went to the inspector in the field to submit the documents. Took a pencil to stencil the chassis number on the Form 20 (don't worry if its not proper, no one cares). Read out the chassis number loud in front of the inspector.

• Carry your PAN and Aadhar original. The inspector asked to check those.

• You are done. You get a receipt of the payment. Over the next few days, you should get the new registration number from the application status in the Telangana transport dept website. The plates will be delivered to the showroom, and the RC smartcard will be delivered to your residence.

Overall, the registration process was very smooth. Don't employ agents, and pay the extra tax if it's your second vehicle (it's to offset your carbon footprint).

Hope this is helpful for new buyers.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The BS6-compliant Bajaj Dominar 400 has been launched at Rs. 1.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Dominar 400 is now available with a 373.3cc, single-cylinder engine that has been updated to meet the new emission regulations. It produces 39.4 BHP and 35 Nm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch.

The Dominar 400 comes with 43 mm upside down fork suspension at the front and has a monoshock at the rear. The braking setup includes 320 mm and 230 mm disc brakes at the front and rear respectively. It is fitted with a dual-channel ABS.

The Dominar 400 is equipped with an LED headlight, digital instrument cluster, diamond-cut alloy wheels and a twin-barrel exhaust.