2019 Dominar 400 UG vs KTM 390 Duke vs Royal Enfield Interceptor 650: Spec Comparison

Can the Dominar 400 UG edge past its competition on paper?

The Dominar 400 started life as the CS400 concept back at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo and garnered a huge crowd thanks to its aggressive styling and some segment-first features. And while the production version stayed pretty much in line with the concept, it did miss out on some crucial components like premium USD forks and a feature-rich instrument console. Thankfully, Bajaj is back with an updated 2019 Dominar 400 badged the “UG,” which brings back all the equipment that was promised with the CS400, and boy are we stoked! 

So, we pit it against its competition on paper to find out which one of them comes out on top.

Design and Features:

Though the overall silhouette of the Dominar 400 remains unchanged, the bike does get a couple of cosmetic and mechanical updates which adds to its overall sporty appeal. To begin with, the Dominar 400 UG features redesigned mirror stalks and mirrors, a set of bungee straps under the pillion seat and a matte black double-barrel exhaust. Also, the exhaust has been tuned to produce a throatier exhaust note. 

On the features front, the bike gets a revised dual-instrument console, where the tank-mounted unit displays a couple of readouts rather than tell-tale lights. It now gets a gear position indicator, tripmeter, odometer and a clock. Additionally, its LED headlight gets a blacked-out treatment and dual-tone alloy wheels.

Also Read: Bajaj Dominar 400: Differences Between Old And New Model

The KTM 390 Duke, on the other hand, looks like a scaled-down version of its manic elder sibling, the KTM 1290 SuperDuke R. Standout features include a full-colour TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity that reads out everything under the sun. It also gives the rider control over his music player and the ability to answer or reject incoming calls via the left-hand side switchgear. Aside from this, the 390 adorns the quintessential orange colour scheme which helps it stand apart from its competition. 

The Interceptor 650 continues with Royal Enfield’s retro design approach with a tinge of modern elements. Thanks to its simplistic nature, features take a backseat. It gets a conventional twin-pod analogue instrument console with digital readouts for the trip and odometer. There’s no LED lighting available either. That said, the Interceptor 650 does look the part, with a diamond quilted seat and a brightly coloured teardrop tank under which sits one of the smoothest 650cc engines ever produced by an Indian manufacturer. 

It goes without saying that the KTM 390 Duke takes the crown in terms of looks and features, with the Bajaj Dominar 400 coming in a close second. While the Interceptor 650 could have done with some more kit, its traditional setup works its charm in the classic motorcycle segment. 

Powertrain:

The bump in power figures brings the Dominar 400 UG scarily close to the KTM 390 Duke. In fact, thanks to the reworked engine, the former produces its power only slightly lower down the rev range compared to the latter. However, a lower torque output of 35Nm and a kerb weight of 184kg could mean the engine on the Dominar 400 UG might have to be pushed a little harder compared to its Austrian rival.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke: Real-world Performance Comparison

The Interceptor 650 may be the most powerful bike on paper here but it’s nowhere as frantic as the KTM 390 Duke. Moreover, its 648cc parallel-twin engine has to haul 202kg (dry) compared to the almost-featherweight 390 Duke which weighs in at just 163kg (kerb). However, thanks to its twin-cylinder layout and a low compression ratio, the motor on the Interceptor 650 is bound to run smoother and cooler compared to the high-compression engines in the Duke and the Dominar. Furthermore, the bike’s motor has been tuned to produce most of its power lower down the rev range, unlike the peaky 390 Duke.

With a power-to-weight ratio of 217.4PS per ton, the Dominar 400 sits in last place, behind the Interceptor 650, which makes 232.5PS per ton. The 390 Duke is the most powerful bike here with a power-to-weight ratio of 266.9PS per ton. 

Underpinnings:

All three bikes in the comparison use different frames to suit their purpose. Both, the perimeter frame and trellis frame are inclined towards delivering performance while saving weight. However, the latter proves to be lighter and more rigid compared to the former since it employs a number of short tubes to form its structure rather than two thick beams. 

The Interceptor takes the old-school approach with a conventional double cradle frame which works well for its touring capabilities. Furthermore, the bike makes do with conventional telescopic forks and a twin shock setup at the rear in contrast to premium upside forks and a monoshock at the rear on the 2019 Dominar 400 and 390 Duke.

Though all three bikes use the same diameter disc brakes at the front and rear, the ones on the 390 Duke and Interceptor 650 use sintered brake pads. Interestingly, despite a dry weight of 202kg, the Interceptor 650 brakes faster than the 390 Duke. Essentially, the pads provide better bite and braking performance compared to the Dominar 400 UG, which gets standard brake pads.

Ex-showroom Price & Verdict:

Considering all the updates on the Dominar 400 UG we could expect a price hike of around Rs 20,000 over the outgoing model. Despite the price hike, the bike still manages to undercut its competition by a margin and makes for the best value for money proposition in the trio. 

However, if outright performance is what you’re looking for, there’s no better option than the KTM 390 Duke. It offers premium equipment, segment-first features and a power-packed motor that will always keep you on your toes. 

The butter-smooth 650cc parallel-twin mill on the Interceptor isn’t anything like we’ve ever seen on a Royal Enfield. And despite its weight, the Interceptor 650 has enough grunt to comfortably cruise at triple-digits speeds. So if you’re a highway hauler who likes to ride in style, the Interceptor 650 is the perfect choice for you.