2022 Bajaj Dominar 400: 1500km Touring Review

Out on the highway

After having a cup of tea in the somewhat chilly morning in Pune, I headed out, aiming to reach Kolhapur, 200km away for breakfast. That would help me cut out the strenuous traffic. However, as luck would have it, traffic I did find. But, the Dominar 400 was unfazed. Even though the Dominar has gained some weight with all the accessories, it is still agile. Couple that with the impressive engine, of which I will be talking about a lot here, and the motorcycle sieves through traffic like nobody’s business.

After leaving the majority of traffic behind and treating myself to some misal pav, it was time to push ahead. I won’t lie, the sight of the open highway delighted me- I would finally be able to crack the throttle open. With close to 40bhp and 35Nm on offer, the Dominar 400 can set fast paces. And it does so in a responsive and refined manner. No jerkiness, no abrupt throttle response, almost like it's letting you fulfill your whim. Slot it in sixth gear and the motorcycle can cruise at a 120kmph easily with more than enough oomph left to overtake and no need to downshift. Although, as compared to the previous model, the 2022 Dominar has vibrations on the handlebar from 4000-6000rpm courtesy of the new accessories. While the vibes are minimal, over a long period, they do tend to feel intrusive to the experience.

As for the accessories themselves, they do a brilliant job. For starters, the build quality is splendid and the components feel sturdy. I particularly liked the single-sided mountings of the knuckle guards that ensure there’s enough freedom to move your hands on the bars. While it seems to lack the ability to fully protect the knuckles or the levers in a crash, it does offer decent protection, from the wind. Now, out on the highway, good wind buffeting is all that’s keeping you from fatiguing quickly. And the 2022 Dominar 400 offered just that. Even the tall windscreen helped buffet the wind from hitting the chest directly; reducing fatigue levels drastically.

The Chorla Ghats

So, even after six hours of riding to Belgaum, energy levels were up and I was looking forward to the next bit- riding on the Chorla Ghat. Having learned that the ghat was recently re-paved, I knew the Dominar would be a hoot to ride there. And it did not disappoint in the slightest. There is no fighting the motorcycle into a corner. It happens smoothly, instilling confidence while switching sides. And with enough power in the mid-range, the Dominar surges ahead enthusiastically to the next corner.

What I also liked were the brakes. The setup has strong bite and progression and did not show any signs of fade even after 50kms of spirited riding through the ghats. Although, through the initial sections of the ghat, which remain unpaved, the Dominar’s stiff suspension setup made for a bumpy ride. That said, even on undulation in tarmac and the speedbumps the setup felt jarring unless it was above 60kmph- then the Dominar simply glided over these obstacles.

Goaaaaa!

After having completed the ‘Chorla GP’ we finally entered Goa and checked in to our hostel. And to my amazement, there was only a little fatigue and a bit of a bum sore after having ridden for nearly 10 hours with only a couple of stops. So, with enough energy left, I headed into the city to grab something to eat. And the streets of Goa are not the widest, or the most empty. They are quite the opposite with single-lane roads all through, filled with what seems like 40 per cent of the Indian population.

Sifting through this slow-moving traffic, the Dominar felt heavy, especially at the front end with the added weight of the crash guard, knuckle guard, engine sump guard, and windscreen. Moreover, the protruding footpegs didn’t help either, digging into my shin when at standstill.

Although, all of that faded away with the view of the beaches at sunset and the silence of the night that followed. The backdrop of the churches made for a perfect photography session with the Dominar stealing the limelight in this sparkly green shade.

Fuel Efficiency

To my surprise, even after riding hard through the twisties and staying at a healthy 120kmph on the highway, the Dominar 400 returned an impressive fuel efficiency of 30kmpl. In the traffic-laden streets of Goa, the motorcycle managed to return 28kmpl. Not bad indeed.

Verdict

The 2022 Dominar has received some well-deserved changes all for an additional Rs 4,500 over the previous model. And that’s a deal considering that the same fitments would be much more expensive if fitted aftermarket. Moreover, the added fitments now make a definitive statement about the Dominar’s intentions. What I also liked was the fact that the accessories are well built and completely serve their purpose while touring rather than being offered merely as feel-good elements. However, the two complaints I had during the 1500km road trip were the vibrations and added weight that seemed to hinder an otherwise, almost fatigue-free touring experience.