Bajaj Dominar 400 Review: A Bollywood Star Aiming for European Success

Shah Rukh Khan, Pawan Kalyan, and Hrithik Roshan are names of Indian actors who are virtually unknown in Europe, yet in their homeland, they are genuine Bollywood superstars, idolised by hundreds of millions. Similarly, the subject of this report, Bajaj, an Indian motorcycle manufacturer, boasts impressive figures in its home country (4 million units produced annually, exports to over 100 countries, €122 billion in revenue in 2023, over 36,000 employees, 21 million bikes sold worldwide) but remains relatively unknown in Europe.

However, its entry into our continent—beginning operations in Spain in October 2024 through its exclusive distributor, Grupo Uma—is gaining momentum. It now offers a catalogue with three models, all aimed at the A1 or A2 licence segment: the Pulsar range, a naked bike available in 125cc and 400cc; and the Dominar 400, the focus of this article, a robust and comfortable naked bike equipped with numerous features for touring.

With a commanding presence, resembling larger bikes, the Dominar 400 is very accessible for all users, thanks to an 800 mm seat height and a narrow "waist" that allows easy foot placement on the ground. Weighing 187 kg, it is easy to manoeuvre when stationary. The initial impression when riding is the excellent ergonomic triangulation it offers: the position is very comfortable, the tank shape perfectly accommodates the legs (even for tall riders), and the upright back, well-placed arms, and slightly bent knees make the Dominar a bike where time flies by. The seat, with its quality texture, provides good cushioning. The passenger also enjoys spaciousness, with ample grab handles and a small lumbar support as standard.

It is a naked bike, ideal for daily city commutes, as it is light, agile, and manoeuvrable. A conventionally designed bike, easy to use without extensive technological features (no riding modes, traction control, or TFT colour instrumentation), it is appealing precisely for this reason: it looks robust and reliable, focused on comfort and adaptability in any situation, both in the city and beyond.

It features numerous elements that make up a standard equipment package also suited for long journeys: a smoked windscreen that, along with handguards, offers adequate aerodynamic protection, enhancing comfort at high speeds; and engine guards with bars, exhaust, and keel protectors, providing extra safety against potential road impacts or damage.

It includes other notable details, such as a small bar above the instrumentation, ideal for mounting mobile device holders, and nearby is a USB charging port to connect the battery while travelling. The switches are backlit, a feature not often seen even in high-end bikes, and the instrumentation consists of two simple LCD screens: the main one above the handlebars, with essential information (speed, rpm, odometer, or fuel level), and an auxiliary one on the tank that adds information like the engaged gear or time. A small anti-scratch sticker, located at the bottom of the tank, adds to the list of small but practical standard features. It also has LED lighting in the headlight, indicators, and rear light, and comes with a luggage rack as standard, ready for a top case.

The Dominar is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder engine (electronic injection, DOHC double camshaft, liquid cooling) delivering 40 hp at 8,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 35 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Due to Bajaj's alliances with brands like KTM to manufacture their single-cylinder engines, this model shares the same mechanics as the Duke 390, albeit with a different, less aggressive setup for a more relaxed and enjoyable ride. It features three spark plugs that help improve combustion and reduce consumption.

It is very full up to the middle of the rev counter, with a linear delivery. It offers good recovery in almost any gear, without low-end rattles, making it an ideal engine for urban or interurban routes, as you can move between cars or receive progressive accelerations almost without using the gearbox. In the high zone, it offers less thrust and transmits some vibrations to the feet and handlebars, but it easily reaches 120 km/h and even stretches to 150 km/h. It is a compact engine, somewhat warm when riding in the city for a while, but versatile and capable.

In the cycle part, it features a rigid steel perimeter frame, connected to a robust 43 mm inverted fork and rear monoshock, while the braking system offers a 320 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc, reinforced on both ends by a dual-channel ABS. Both wheels are 17 inches, with 110/70 front and 150/60 rear tyres. It offers very neutral handling, with precise cornering and agile direction changes, prioritising stability and comfort on board. With a generous 1,453 mm wheelbase, it also provides great stability at high speeds.

Riding the Dominar 400 feels very natural; in the city, it is very manageable and handles smoothly, and on secondary roads or ring roads, everything flows harmoniously, without sporting pretensions, but with virtually no complaints because it is very well designed. The six-speed gearbox is very smooth and precise, and the feel of the levers on the handlebars is pleasant. The rear-view mirrors, well-positioned, offer ideal visibility. The fuel tank is large, holding 13 litres.

In short, a bike for everything, blending naked and tourer concepts, adaptable to multiple situations. Its most natural habitat will be the city and outskirts, but if the rider chooses, they can venture further and undertake medium or long-distance journeys with comfort and stability.

The Dominar 400 Euro 5+ is now available at over 28 official dealerships. Its price remains at €4,699, excluding free registration, a condition that changes from previous editions. Additionally, the bike comes with a 5-year warranty. It is available in three colours: red, green, and black.