Bajaj Dominar 400 came bearing the weight of great expectations for the manufacturer, and has been unable to keep up with company projected sales estimates. It’s been a while now. Expected to have been named Pulsar 400, the brand chose the Dominar moniker but it ain’t dominating anything.
Available with and without ABS as of now, it would appear Bajaj is working towards an all ABS deadline. There’s no hidden motive here as it’s a mere 4 months until all two-wheelers above 125cc are mandated to feature ABS as standard, and not as an option.
In aligning with the mandate, Bajaj Auto too would need to discontinue non-ABS variants. While the non ABS Bajaj Dominar 400 is cheaper, the ABS version isn’t too much more expensive, and makes perfect sense to buyers. Some dealers still have stock of non ABS variant. Price different is about 14k.
Bajaj Dominar gets power from a 373.2cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, liquid-cooled, fuel injected, 4-valve engine that’s mated to a 6-speed transmission. It returns max power of 34.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm, and 35 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. Those numbers are important if you’re considering a Royal Enfield 350.
However, it’s time to look forward to the new 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 that should be launched early on in 2019, which would but obviously be an ABS model with new colour schemes, and a slightly inflated price tag. Outgoing Dominar 400 is available at a price tag of Rs 1,48,043 for non-ABS variant, and Rs 1,62,074 for ABS variant, and that number could be closer to Rs 1.8 lakes next year. Tech specs in all likelihood will be tweaked, and its 17 inch alloy wheels fitted with tubeless tyres retained.
2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 upside down front forks replace telescopic forks that feature on the 2016 model. Higher ground clearance, twin canister exhaust, a repositioned catalytic converter from under the engine that extends alongside the rear wheel, improved ride position owing to taller handle bars and a longer pillion seat are expected. A larger radiator makes for better engine cooling in stop-start traffic. BS VI complaint 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 will take on Mahindra Mojo and Royal Enfield Classic 350. Launch is expected by March 2019.