Preview: Bajaj Dominar 400 to introduce new segment of motorcycles in India
Bajaj Auto has unveiled the Dominar 400 concept bike at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Dominar 400 is a completely new take on what a sports cruiser should be and has quite a unique design too. Internationally, there are premium examples like the Yamaha V-Max and the Ducati Diavel which are slotted in this unique segment. The Bajaj Dominar 400 is based on the same platform that was seen on the now discontinued Pulsar NS200.
The Dominar 400 will sit as the flagship model in the Bajaj portfolio. Considering the increasing maturity of the customers today, the Dominar 400 could be the right highway tourer available at a reasonable budget. Something which Mahindra tried with the Mojo but is yet to achieve the success. Bajaj Auto will launch the Dominar 400 in the first week of August in India.
Design
The overall profile of the Dominar 400 looks reminiscent to the Pulsar NS200; however, it gets muscular additions. The Bajaj Dominar 400 combines the styling of different genres of motorcycles and sums up as a muscular bike, similar to the Ducati Diavel. It gets a new headlight design with LEDs, a first on an Indian motorcycle. In addition to the new alloy wheels design, it features a belly pan and a butch looking silencer. The rear, like the Ducati Diavel, gets twin LED strips which extend to a plastic mudguard with LED indicators that look similar to the one's on the KTM 200/390 Duke.
The Dominar 400 will be the first motorcycle in Bajaj's portfolio to come equipped with an all digital twin instrument cluster. The one mounted on the handle bar displays the engine speed (rpm), while the one mounted on the fuel tank shows digital speed and gear engaged. This arrangement too is inspired from the Ducati Diavel.
The concept that was shown at the 2014 Auto Expo featured upside-down (USD) front forks; however, the test mules spotted in India have a conventional, right side up and a gas charged Nitrox mono shock at the rear. Compared to the KTM, the suspension set-up on the Dominar 400 will be softer and more absorptive for a comfortable ride. The Dominar 400 will also get disc brakes at the front and rear with dual-channel ABS, as seen from the model displayed at the motor show.
Engine
The Bajaj Dominar 400 will share the 375cc liquid cooled motor with the KTM Duke 390 but will feature Bajaj's triple-spark technology as seen on the NS200. This motor will be mated to a 6-speed transmission. Considering the cruiser nature of the Dominar 400, we expect Bajaj to retune this motor to make it deliver more torque from a lower rev range. Also, the motor in the KTM Duke 390 has a frantic nature, but we believe the same won't be the case in the Pulsar CS400 where the power delivery is expected to be more linear. Also, we expect the engine have a relatively calmer nature and relaxed gearing to ensure better long distance rideability.
Price
We expect Bajaj Auto to price the Dominar 400 in between Rs 1.80-2.00 lakh. While there is no direct competition, for now, the price clash will make it an interesting option to the other bikes in the same price range.
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