Bajaj Dominar 250 Road Test
- Jul 12, 2020
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Nearly 12 months after updating the flagship Dominar 400, Bajaj has launched its quarter-litre version, the Dominar 250. Just like the Dominar 400, the Dominar 250 too makes use of a KTM-derived engine, this one from the KTM 250 Duke. So, how does the Dominar 250 fare against the Duke it is based on, at least on paper?
Powertrain:
Bajaj Dominar 250 |
KTM 250 Duke |
|
Specs |
248.77cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC |
248.8cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC |
Max. Power Output |
27PS @ 8500rpm |
30PS @ 9000rpm |
Max. Torque |
23.5Nm @ 6500rpm |
24Nm @ 7250rpm |
Transmission |
6-speed |
6-speed |
The unit on the Dominar 250 is tuned differently to the 250 Duke. The outputs are lower on the Bajaj bike. However, the Dominar 250 produces its peak outputs at lower revs, making it better in daily runabouts. The 250 Duke’s motor is the smoothest one that we have experienced on a KTM. The Bajaj motor isn’t as high strung as the KTM’s and hence is likely to be smoother.
Underpinnings:
Bajaj Dominar 250 |
KTM 250 Duke |
|
Chassis |
Perimeter frame |
Tubular steel trellis |
Front Suspension |
37mm USD fork |
43mm USD fork |
Rear Suspension |
Monoshock |
Monoshock |
Front Brake |
300mm disc, 4-piston radial caliper |
320mm disc, 4-piston radial caliper |
Rear Brake |
230mm disc, 1-piston caliper |
230mm disc, 1-piston caliper |
Front Tyre |
100/80-17 |
110/70 - R17 |
Rear Tyre |
130/70-17 |
150/60 - R17 |
The Dominar 250 skimps a little in this department. The perimeter frame is the same as the larger Dominar 400 but the USD fork is a slimmer 37mm unit, not the 43mm one. The swingarm is a conventional box-type unit and it uses skinnier cross-ply rubber. The front brake rotor is a small 300mm unit. Thankfully, dual-channel ABS comes as standard. With the transition to BS6 emission norms, KTM gave the 250 Duke a larger 320mm disc and Supermoto mode. This is bound to improve braking performance.
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Dimensions:
Bajaj Dominar 250 |
KTM 250 Duke |
|
Wheelbase |
1453mm |
1357mm |
Seat Height |
NA |
823mm |
Ground Clearance |
157mm |
151mm |
Kerb Weight |
180kg |
169kg |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
13-litre |
13.5-litre |
The Dominar 250 is a big and muscular motorcycle with a long wheelbase that should make it stable on the highway. The 13-litre fuel tank is the same as the Dominar 400 but the smaller motor should be more fuel efficient, helping you extend your duration between fuel stops. The exhaust has been routed below the engine. As a result, the ground clearance of the Dominar 250 is 157mm, which isn’t reassuring.
Price and Verdict (ex-showroom Delhi):
Bajaj Dominar 250 |
KTM 250 Duke |
Rs 1.60 lakh |
Rs 2.00 lakh |
There is no doubt that the Dominar 250 offers more value for money than the KTM 250 Duke. The kit on offer is a notch below what the KTM offers but it is certainly on par or better than what you would find on other 250cc bikes in India. It will be a lot easier to ride and manage the Dominar 250 than the Duke, something which we experienced with the larger Dominar 400 and the KTM 390 Duke.
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