Bajaj Dominar 250 Review In Pictures

Is the new Bajaj Dominar 250 a more sensible package than its larger cousin, the Dominar 400?

The Bajaj Dominar 250 is a more affordable alternative to the Dominar 400. It shares the same bodywork as the larger Dominar but shares its powertrain with the KTM 250 Duke. It is also a whopping Rs 34,000 less than the Dominar 400. But then you have to contend with a lower output in a heavier package. Is the Bajaj Dominar 250 a more sensible package and even better than the Dominar 400? Read on to know more. 

Read the complete road test review here.

The Dominar 250 differentiates itself from the Dominar 400 with its red paintjob, slimmer tyres and a thinner 37mm upside-down forks.

The somewhat skinnier tyres look a bit disproportionate to the chubby rear end but it isn’t a deal breaker by any means. The rear quarter panels neatly integrate into the trademark split LED tail lamp.

The switchgear quality and overall finish levels are on par with industry standards, but not something one could brag about. 

The full-LED headlight on the Dominar 400 was one of the best in the business and has thankfully been unchanged. The throw and spread of the sleek LED unit has enough illumination to light up the darkest of roads but it lacks depth, which is an expected trade-off with LED headlamps.

The 250 features the first-gen split instrument console with the digital unit working all the primary functions and the secondary console housing the tell-tale lights. It works well and is pretty legible even in broad daylight but misses out on distance to empty, average and real-time fuel consumption and a gear position indicator.

It also retains the Dominar 400’s wider mirrors with cast aluminium stalks which offer ample rear view vision. But, the stiffness of these mirrors means they’re a bit difficult to adjust. 

The use of USD forks and a radial caliper adds a touch of premiumness. However, cost-cutting measures are pretty evident. The 400’s premium looking dual two-tone diamond-cut wheels and radial tyres make way for a monotone wheel design and slimmer rubber.

The 248.77cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine delivers 27PS @ 8500rpm and 23.5Nm @ 6500rpm. It offers Japanese motorcycle levels of refinement and impresses with its tractability. The motor has enough bottom-end performance to pull cleanly from as low as 45kmph in 6th gear, 35kmph in 5th gear and 25kmph in 4th gear, thus underlining its flexibility. 

It feels a bit sluggish below 5,500rpm but comes into its own post that, pulling hard until about 8000rpm, where the meat of the power lies. The Dominar 250 will accelerate from 0-60kmph in 4.18 seconds and from 0-100kmph in 10.92 seconds. 

The tweaked 250cc motor also makes perfect sense for touring. Get on an open stretch of road and you’ll find yourself cruising at 100kmph at 6000rpm without breaking a sweat. It is quite happy at 120kmph but does take some time to get there. It also runs less efficiently at this juncture. The DOminar 250 returned a fuel efficiency of 35.03kmpl in the city and 33.99kmpl on the highway. 

The inclusion of a slipper clutch makes riding hard on twisty roads a calm and collected affair. The gearbox is silky smooth and delivers quick, positive shifts with every tap on the gear lever.  

Since the Dominar 250 is essentially a toned-down 400, it carries a lot of weight, 180kg to be precise. And that’s quite evident when you swing your leg over and try moving around the bike in the parking lot. But these perceptions soon disappear when the bike is in motion. In fact, the slimmer 37mm fork paired with skinnier tyres makes the bike feel livelier and a lot lighter than the 400. It’s quick to turn into corners and feels quite nimble while zipping through city traffic. The MRF tyres work well and offer a good amount of grip in both wet and dry conditions but aren’t as confidence inspiring as the radial tyres on the Dominar 400. 

The riding position is similar to the Dominar 400. You sit upright with your hands reaching out to the tall and wide handlebars which makes for a very slightly leaned forward riding posture. The footpegs are rear set but aren’t uncomfortable in any way.

The rider’s seat is spacious, well-padded and offers ample support. The seat cushion, despite being on the firmer side, is comfortable. Its 800mm seat height could mean riders shorter than 5’5” may find themselves tiptoeing while moving the bike around in the parking lot or in stop-and-go traffic. 

Bajaj had reworked the spring rates for the Dominar 400, but the monoshock was still set on the stiffer side and had the tendency of transferring jolts on sharp bumps. That isn’t the case with the 250. The revised spring rate has improved the suspension setup considerably which manages to flatten most bad road surfaces and potholes. The monoshock, though still on the firmer side, manages to gobble up sharp edges and ridges without any trouble. The suspension settles down and works even better when you have a pillion on board. 

The Dominar 250's retuned 250cc powerplant is easier to live with and makes perfect sense in the city where it would spend most of its time, but don’t mistake that for lack of performance. The Dominar 250 is perfectly happy doing triple-digit speeds all day long on the highway with a well-balanced suspension setup that enhances the overall ride experience. It’s a lot easier on the pocket too, at Rs 1.6 lakh (ex-showroom). To put it simply, the Dominar 400 had certain imperfections that have been rectified in the Dominar 250. It’s found its purpose in being a comfortable, competent and importantly, a flexible motorcycle -- something the Dominar was always meant to be and that’s high praise!