In India’s ever-growing performance motorcycle segment, the Bajaj Dominar 400 stands out as a unique offering that balances raw power with everyday usability. Unlike many track-focused hyperbikes that struggle to offer real-world practicality, the Dominar 400 is a machine that seamlessly blends performance, comfort, and reliability—designed to conquer Indian roads with ease.
This is not just another high-performance bike trying to masquerade as a street-legal machine. Instead, it is a true performance motorcycle engineered to cater to the needs of Indian riders. With a robust design, excellent ride quality, and long-term durability, the Dominar 400 presents itself as an all-rounder that riders can depend on for years.
First Impressions: Aggressive Yet Functional Design
The first thing you notice about the Bajaj Dominar 400 is its bold and aggressive stance. Its front-end design, coupled with its muscular fuel tank and twin-pod exhaust, exudes a powerful presence on the road. Despite its sporty appeal, the design is not just for aesthetics—it serves a functional purpose too.
One of the highlights is its LED headlamp with Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), which not only enhances visibility but also gives the bike a premium and futuristic look. The flushed fuel tank contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency, and the overall design ensures a comfortable upright riding posture.
The seat height of 800mm makes it accessible for most Indian riders, offering firm support for long rides. Additionally, the intelligently positioned footpegs provide a natural knee bend, ensuring comfort during extended commutes.
Engine Performance: The Powertrain That Understands Indian Roads
Under the hood, the Bajaj Dominar 400 is powered by a 373.3cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that produces 39.5 PS of power and 35 Nm of torque. What makes this engine special is its linear power delivery. Unlike some high-performance bikes that demand constant gear shifts, the Dominar’s broad torque spread ensures a smooth and consistent ride, even in heavy traffic.
The powerband kicks in at around 3,500 RPM and remains usable across the rev range. This means that whether you’re riding through congested city roads or cruising on the highway, the Dominar 400 responds effortlessly.
Bajaj has fine-tuned the throttle response to ensure that the bike remains manageable in stop-and-go traffic. With three riding modes—Road, Sport, and Rain—the Dominar 400 offers flexibility for different riding conditions while keeping the interface simple and user-friendly.
Ride and Handling: Stability Meets Agility
The Dominar 400 is built around a twin-spar perimeter frame, ensuring excellent stability, even at high speeds. The 43mm USD forks in the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear provide a well-balanced ride. These suspension components not only absorb bumps efficiently but also maintain agility, making the bike easy to maneuver through traffic.
Weighing in at 193 kg (dry weight), the Dominar might seem heavy on paper, but thanks to its well-engineered chassis and low center of gravity, the weight disappears once you start moving. Whether you’re tackling sharp turns or cruising on long stretches, the bike maintains composure without compromising comfort.
The ground clearance of 157mm is adequate for most Indian roads, though riders need to be mindful of particularly high speed breakers. That said, the suspension tuning ensures that most obstacles can be handled with ease.
Braking and Safety Features
Bajaj has equipped the Dominar 400 with a dual-channel ABS setup, ensuring confident braking in all conditions. The front gets a 320mm disc, while the rear has a 230mm disc, providing ample stopping power. The ABS system also features a rear-wheel ABS selector switch, which allows experienced riders to have more control over their braking style.
Additionally, the bike features a slip-and-assist clutch, reducing the effort required to operate the clutch lever. This feature is particularly useful in city traffic, where constant clutch use can become tiring.
Fuel Efficiency and Ownership Costs
One of the biggest advantages of the Bajaj Dominar 400 over its competitors is its impressive fuel efficiency. Despite being a high-performance motorcycle, it manages to deliver a mileage of around 30–35 km/l under real-world riding conditions. This makes it a surprisingly economical choice for riders who want performance without breaking the bank.
For daily commuters, the Dominar requires refueling approximately every 3–4 days, which is better than most bikes in this segment. Bajaj’s extensive service network ensures easy access to spare parts, and the company offers a 3-year/36,000 km unlimited warranty, with an additional year of extended coverage.
In terms of running costs, the Dominar 400 averages around ₹2.50–3.00/km for a 1,000 km rider. Compared to other bikes in the same performance category, this cost is significantly lower, making it a great value-for-money proposition.
Features That Add Real-World Value
Bajaj has loaded the Dominar 400 with features that actually enhance the riding experience. Unlike some motorcycles that add unnecessary tech for the sake of marketing, every feature on the Dominar serves a practical purpose:
- Fully LED lighting system: Ensures better visibility in all conditions.
- Dual-channel ABS with rear ABS switch: Enhances safety without being intrusive.
- Slip-and-assist clutch: Reduces clutch effort for smooth gear shifts.
- Digital-analog instrument cluster: Provides clear and concise information, including a gear position indicator.
- Integrated USB charging port: Located in the faux tank covering for easy access.
These thoughtful additions make the Dominar 400 more convenient to live with, whether for daily commutes or long highway rides.
The Verdict: A Textbook Example of Practical Performance
The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a motorcycle that stays true to its purpose. While many bikes in this segment chase outright power figures, the Dominar focuses on delivering performance in a way that makes sense for Indian conditions.
For riders who want:
- A fast and powerful motorcycle with everyday usability.
- All-day comfort without compromising sportiness.
- A reliable service network for long-term ownership.
- A feature-rich bike that doesn’t add unnecessary complexity.
The Dominar 400, priced between ₹2-2.5 lakhs, stands out as one of the smartest buys in its segment. It may not be the absolute fastest, but it is undoubtedly one of the most well-rounded motorcycles available today. If you’re looking for a bike that offers real-world performance, long-term reliability, and excellent value, the Bajaj Dominar 400 is a top contender.
In an era where specialization has taken over motorcycles, the Dominar 400 remains a versatile machine that can do it all—be it city commuting, highway cruising, or occasional spirited riding. It is the undisputed class king for riders who value both performance and practicality.
