The Bajaj Dominar Family Explained

Bajaj recently launched the Dominar 250. The new motorcycle undercuts the larger Dominar 400 making Bajaj's powercruiser more accessible both in terms of price and performance. Here’s what you need to know about the Dominars, their intended audience and the differences between them. Let’s start with the smaller one first. 

Dominar 250:

The new Dominar 250 gets the same bodywork and features as the Dominar 400. It gets a new red colour option to differentiate itself from the larger Dominar 400.  The Dominar 250 gets all-LED lighting and digital instrument console from the larger Dominar. It misses out on the tank mounted LCD screen though and gets a telltale light console from the previous-gen Dominar 400. The perimeter frame has been carried over from the Dominar 400. However, to save costs, the Dominar 250 gets a slimmer 37mm upside-down fork and a box-section swingarm. Even the machined alloy wheels have been replaced by a matte black version while the tyres sport slimmer 100-section front and 130-section rear bias-ply tyres. While the bike gets dual-channel ABS, the front disc is a smaller 300mm unit. 

Also read: Bajaj Dominar 250: 5 Things To Know

 The biggest change is in the engine department. It gets a BS6-compliant 248.8cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine borrowed from the KTM 250 Duke. However, the motor has been detuned and delivers 27PS and 23.5Nm. Like the KTM, the Dominar 250 gets a 6-speed gearbox. Bajaj claims the Dominar 250 will accelerate from 0-100kmph in 10.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 132kmph. So while the motor’s linear nature should make it more accessible to newer riders, it has enough grunt to tour at higher speeds. The Dominar 250 has been priced at Rs 1.6 lakh. 

Dominar 400:

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The Dominar 400 may cost Rs 30,000 more but it packs a lot more, too. While the bodywork is similar, the Dominar 400 is available in an exclusive green colour option. The larger motorcycle also gets better underpinnings in the form of fatter upside-down forks, a cast metal swingarm, fatter 110/70-17 front and a 150/60-17 rear radial tyres and a larger 320mm disc brake. These upgrades add 4kg over the smaller Dominar. The Dominar 400 weighs 184kg.  

Similar to the Dominar 250, the Dominar 400’s liquid-cooled motor has its roots in the KTM family, specifically the 390 Duke. The BS6 compliant 373cc motor delivers 40PS and 35Nm. It gets a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The KTM derived motor has enough performance to satisfy experienced riders and moto travellers. The Dominar 400 is priced at Rs 1.9 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom Delhi).