Introduction
Ever since it was unveiled in 2016, Bajaj placed the Dominar 400 as a touring-focused motorcycle more than anything else. In the second iteration, in 2019, the Dominar received styling and mechanical tweaks to improve the overall package.
And now, two years later, Bajaj has added a new version to the mix in the form of the 2022 Dominar 400 Touring that aims to complete the whole purpose of the motorcycle. We recently got to ride the motorcycle for a short duration and here is what we came back with…
What’s new?
To begin with what’s new on the Dominar Touring let’s start with the front end first. There is a large windscreen upfront that feels sturdy and comes with a bit of a tint. You also get body-coloured knuckle guards that feel robust, look premium and offer decent protection too. What I also liked was the single mounting that does not intrude while riding.
In addition to that, the Dominar Touring also comes with an aluminum tail rack that can easily mount luggage or a top box as well as a small backrest. Plus, for added convenience, there is a USB charging port and mobile holder as well. Bajaj has also added a large engine sump guard and tank pads to the list of accessories on the 2022 Dominar 400.
The Ride
Yes, all the accessories have added weight to the Dominar. 6kgs to be precise. But it is not much to be instantly noticeable. Although, if I had to nitpick, the front end did feel a bit heavy with the windscreen, knuckle guards, and sump guard. But again, nothing that would affect the riding dynamics.
The windscreen has surely added some wind protection and deflects the air nicely over the helmet. The knuckle guards contribute to some protection and help in reducing overall fatigue. Apart from adding the accessories, Bajaj has kept the Dominar 400 unchanged. It continues to run on a 373cc, liquid-cooled mill that it derives from the KTM 390 Duke, although with a different state of tune. And from our experience with the motorcycle, we know this motor can munch miles. It can easily cruise at 100kmph and push past 130kmph without straining itself much.
While it redlines at 9500rpm, the Dominar does feel a tad out of its comfort zone after 8000rpm. That is where the vibes are truly felt on the pegs and seats. But thanks to the accessories, the vibes are felt on the handlebar from 4000rpm. Otherwise, the motorcycle is a treat to ride. It feels enthusiastic when you twist the throttle and aims to deliver more with crisp gearshifts. And with the beefy tank, upright riding position, and well-cushioned seating, the Dominar feels comfortable to be on even after hours of riding.
Verdict
So, should you opt for the Dominar Touring over the regular version? Priced at Rs 2.16 lakh, this version costs around Rs 4.5k more. But you do get quite a lot of accessories for the price. Something that would cost way more if you plan on fitting these aftermarkets. And these accessories do a reasonably good job, not only by making the Dominar more comfortable and user friendly but also a greater value-for-money package than before. Although Bajaj has not mentioned the pricing yet, we can expect these fitments to be available for existing Dominar owners from early 2022, which again is only a win-win situation for Bajaj.
Photos by Kaustubh Gandhi
Gallery
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Bajaj Dominar 400 Front Suspension
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