Dominar 400 competition is quite established and on paper, the Dominar has everything to take on its rivals including that impressive pricing
Bajaj Auto sent intense tremors throughout the motorcycling spectrum with the launch of the all new Dominar 400 on December 15th, 2016. With the level of features, styling, and the incredible price tag to join them, the Dominar 400 is poised to rewrite the Indian motorcycling rulebook for the better. Clearly, with its launch a lot of concentration is shifted on its rival’s capabilities at hand to deal with the blow the all new Bajaj Auto sub-brand has brought with it. Let’s have a look at the major parameters of comparison on which the new Bajaj Dominar 400 fights with its shocked rivals.
It is to be noted that the major rivals the Bajaj Dominar 400 will face in the segment are, Mahindra Mojo, Honda CBR250R, Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 and the upcoming BMW G310R. We will not be comparing the Dominar 400 with the Duke 390 since the Duke 390 is still in a segment of its own and is clearly a much different proposition than the rest of the models we just discussed.
Dominar vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Design and Features
As with any new model launch generally, the Bajaj Dominar 400 comes with a new and fresh design. Interestingly, the way Bajaj Auto has conceived it to be a sporty take of the touring kind; it has turned out to be vastly different and catchy in terms of appearance as compared to its rivals. The Dominar 400 looks the most contemporary and premium among its rivals. Thinking of it, only the upcoming BMW G310R seems to match the Dominar 400 in size and premium appeal.
On the feature front as well, the new beast on the block, the Bajaj Dominar 400 has outclassed and outsmarted its rivals by miles. The Bajaj Dominar 400 has arrived with a number of segment first features such as the full-LED headlamp with Auto Headlamp On (AHO) function. Along with the new headlight system you will also get a surprise inclusion of a slipper clutch. Bajaj smart looking illuminated switchgear makes a return and we are glad.
Then there is an all digital instrument console that is splitted into two sections where the smaller unit is placed on the fuel tank. You also get split seats that are definitely the best Bajaj have done in a long long time and should aid long rides for both rider and pillion comfort. Finally you also get a twin disc brake dual-channel ABS setup on the up-spec variant as well.
Among the rivals of the Dominar 400, only the Mojo comes close to on the features front. It has also got a digital instrument console, illuminated switchgear, dual discs, large intimidating twin pod headlamps fitted with neat DRLs. The Mojo’s suspension is clearly much more premium with USD up front. Interestingly, one of the Mojo variant also features Pirelli tyres as well. The BMW G310R also does not lag behind on features listing and matches the two almost at every level.
The BMW also features the UP-Spec USD’s up front with a build quality that is getting rave reviews across the globe. The bikes all digital console is neat and gives ample amount of data to the rider too. Next comes the Honda CBR250R, which also arrives with a decent instrument cluster, and an optional combi-ABS. It also gets FI, split seats, and a reputation of being a very capable tourer. The last one on the list, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 falls behind but just on the features count. The bike gets twin discs and an analog-digital instrument cluster designed in a much retro-modern style.
Read this too: Specification, pricing and all other numbers are HERE!
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Dominar 400 vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Engine and transmission
It is known fact that the Dominar 400 shares more than a few engine components with the Duke 390 engine (essentially the crankcase design only). However, Bajaj Auto with its brilliant engineering department has managed to bring in a more sedate and long legged approach to the numbers that the engine makes. Whereas the Duke 390 is always ready to jump the insanity cliff with its ferocious reactions to slightest of the inputs.
The Dominar 400 with its comparatively less 35bhp of power shows a saner and mature ride. Then there is a fact of the Dominar 400 making a staggering 35Nm of torque. These figures mean that the Bajaj Dominar 400 not only has the biggest engine among all its rivals, but also is the most powerful of the lot. The next most powerful bike is the BMW G310R with its 33.6bhp and 28Nm from its 313cc engine.
The very capable Mahindra Mojo comes in next with its 295cc single-cylinder unit producing a decent 27bhp and 30Nm. The old horse Honda CBR250R manages to make 26.15bhp and 22.9Nm from its 250cc single-cylinder unit. The least powerful of the lot is the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 with its 19.8bhp of maximum power from its 346cc single-cylinder UC engine. Though the traditional old school long stroke engines of Royal Enfield are known to be torqueir, the Bajaj Dominar 400 still trounces it with an almost 7Nm torque difference.
The only place where the Dominar 400 lacks some steam is in the weight department where its 182kg weight means it is much heavier than the Honda while being equal to the Mahindra. The Thunderbird is the heaviest on the list with 194kg weight while the top honours go to the BMW G310R with its feather light in comparison 158kg. All the bikes except for the Thunderbird 350 get liquid-cooling and 6 speed transmissions. The RE continues to thump around with its air-cooled 5-speed engine.
Dominar vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Safety
With the segment that promises to take rider, pillion and their luggage through the length and breadth of the country, safety features take paramount importance. The Bajaj Dominar 400, Honda CBR250R and the BMW G310R offer ABS as options, while sadly the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 or any other RE product as a matter of fact does not offer ABS even as an option. On the other hand, the Mojo is expected to receive the ABS early next year.
Dominar 400 vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Pricing
This is where the new Bajaj Dominar 400 has just decimated the competition. With the best feature list, a stunning design and the most powerful and torqueir engine, the Dominar has also arrived with a shocking price point. Interestingly enough, the Dominar 400 not just kills the competition by a fair margin, it also firmly ventures into the Pulsar RS 200’s segment partially which is priced at Rs. 1.33 lakh. The RE here costs around Rs. 1.41 Lakhs and is among the cheapest here in the list.
However, The Dominar 400 with its Rs. 1.36 lakh price tag for the non-ABS model just demolishes the value for money proposition of the segment. As for the other bikes in the list, such as the CBR250R and the Mojo cost Rs. 1.60 Lakhs and Rs. 1.69 lakhs respectively. The BMW G310R is yet to launch in the country and is expected to arrive as the most expensive offering in the segment.
Dominar 400 vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Verdict
Going on paper spec compare, it is clear that the Bajaj Dominar 400 is coming out to be the clear winner in the segment. However, it is still early times and every bike in the segment posses some definitive characteristics that make them brilliant on their own. A clearer picture will only arrive when we get to ride the Dominar 400 against its rivals. Saying that, we reckon, it is almost time we prepare ourselves to see a paradigm shift in how we see motorcycling in India.
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Dominar vs Mojo Vs BMW G310R Vs ThunderBird 350 Vs CBR250R Review
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