Bajaj has officially teased the updated Dominar 400 and Dominar 250 motorcycles, promising significant tech upgrades for India’s touring enthusiasts.
Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about another Dominar update, I rolled my eyes a bit. But after seeing what Bajaj’s actually done this time, I’m cautiously optimistic. The timing’s spot-on too, with both bikes already making appearances at dealerships nationwide. This isn’t your typical “we-changed-the-graphics-and-called-it-new” refresh. Bajaj seems to have actually listened to what riders have been complaining about for years.
Features That Actually Matter
Remember that weird secondary LCD display stuck on the fuel tank? Yeah, that eyesore is finally gone. Thank goodness. Instead, you get a proper USB charging port – something that should’ve been there from day one if Bajaj was serious about the whole “touring bike” thing.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The new digital instrument cluster is lifted straight from the Pulsar NS400Z, and honestly, it’s about time. This isn’t just a bigger screen for the sake of it – you’re getting smartphone connectivity with actual turn-by-turn navigation and call/SMS alerts. I mean, come on, it’s 2025. My rickshaw driver probably has better connectivity than the old Dominar.
Both bikes now pack traction control too. Now, before you get all excited thinking this turns the Dominar 250 into some sort of track weapon, let’s be realistic here. It’s more about making the bike friendlier for folks stepping up from smaller machines. The updated ABS gets three modes: Road, Rain, and Off-road. That “Off-road” bit sounds fancy, but don’t expect to go full enduro – it just dials back the ABS intervention a notch.
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Engine And Performance
Engine-wise, Bajaj hasn’t reinvented the wheel. The Dominar 400 sticks with its tried-and-tested 373.3cc liquid-cooled single, still pumping out roughly 39.42bhp and 35Nm. The baby Dominar keeps its 248.77cc heart beating at 27PS and 23.5Nm.
What’s changed? OBD-2B compliance, which sounds boring but means the engines might feel slightly different. Don’t expect earth-shattering changes, but the power delivery could be a tad more refined. Or it could feel exactly the same – we’ll know once we get our hands on them.
Design And Hardware
The good news? Bajaj hasn’t messed with the chassis. The perimeter frame was always one of the Dominar’s stronger points, especially for highway stability. Sometimes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
You still get:
- Those chunky 17-inch alloys with tubeless rubber
- Inverted forks up front on the 250 (the 400 makes do with conventional units – go figure)
- Dual-channel ABS with discs at both ends
What This Means For Buyers
Here’s the thing about the Dominar – it’s always been that kid in school who had potential but never quite lived up to it. Too porky for city riding, not quite polished enough for serious touring, and sitting in a price bracket where buyers know exactly what they want.
These updates feel like Bajaj finally had that “aha!” moment. The new display tackles the biggest gripe about outdated tech, while traction control makes these bikes less intimidating for newer riders. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s sensible.
Price-wise, you’re looking at around ₹1.86 lakh for the 250 and ₹2.33 lakh for the 400 (ex-showroom) currently. The 2025 models will definitely cost more – probably an extra ₹5,000-8,000 for all the new goodies. Not unreasonable, considering what you’re getting.
The Bottom Line
Will this finally be the Dominar’s moment? Hard to say. These are still heavy, highway-focused machines that prioritize comfort over corner-carving thrills. They’re not for everyone, and they never will be.
But if you’ve been sitting on the fence about a Dominar, these updates remove some genuine pain points. The tech is finally current, the safety features are welcome, and the overall package makes more sense than before.
Launch timeline? Based on what I’m hearing from dealer sources, expect an official announcement any day now. Bajaj’s clearly ready to pull the trigger – the real question is whether Indian buyers are ready to give the Dominar another shot. Third time’s the charm, right?