This Bajaj Dominar 400 Is All Set To Take On The Dunes Of Rajasthan

Different suspension setup, new tyres and a whole lot lighter. Meet the rally-ready Dominar 400

• The rally-spec bike weighs 160kg, around 22kg lighter than the standard model.
• Gets 18-inch front and 16-inch rear spoke wheels instead of 17-inch alloys. 
• Front and rear suspension tuned to handle rough terrain.
• Gets a larger rear sprocket to give it better acceleration. 

What is the first word that comes to your mind when someone says ‘Dominar’? Well, we’re pretty sure rallying isn’t one of them. However, what you are looking at here is exactly that - a rally-spec Dominar 400 which is all set to compete in this year’s Desert Storm Rally. Sarath Shenoy, the man that’s set to pilot this rally-spec Dominar 400, has made some serious alterations to the standard motorcycle.  

For starters, where the standard Dominar 400 features 17-inch wheels at both ends, the rally-spec bike gets 18-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels that can handle shocks and impacts better. Even the suspension setup has been changed. While the rear suspension is an aftermarket unit, the internal parts of the front suspension setup have been tweaked a bit. 

This rally-spec Dominar 400 has lost some weight as well. Where the standard Dominar weights 182kg, this one tips the scale at around 160kg. Most of the weight shedding has been done by fitting a custom exhaust system. The stock exhaust on a standard Dominar 400 weighs around 12-13kg, whereas this rally-spec Dominar 400 features a custom, upswept exhaust system that weighs just 2-3kg! 

Also read: 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400: First Ride Review

Other changes include repositioned footpegs, a custom handlebar, an aluminium bash plate, a new front fender and a larger 50-teeth rear sprocket instead of the standard 45-teeth sprocket. 

This rally-spec Dominar 400 is powered by the same 373.3cc, liquid-cooled engine as seen on the standard Dominar 400. However, the modifications have dropped the overall fuel efficiency of the bike to just 20kmpl! 

The 2019 Desert Storm Rally is scheduled to be held from May 6 to 11 and there will be four categories this year - Xtreme, Xplore, Endure and Moto. 

Image credit: MotoSlug