DOM INARSETTODOM INATE
CARS, Bikes and Trucks had a little taste of the Modenas Dominar D400 during a visit to Bajaj’s assembly plant in Pune, India, recently. After waiting with bated breath, the Dominar has finally been officially launched with a surprising retail selling price.
The last “big” Modenas was the Jaguh 175, but the Dominar will be a different kettle of fish altogether.
Based on the early KTM 390, the Dominar was, however, completely revamped by Bajaj’s research and development team.
The basic architecture of the Dominar is that of a Sports Naked, and with the tagline “Born to Sprint, Built to Tour”, the Dominar is offered with accessories that allow it to be converted to suit owners’ needs.
A mock-up of a Dominar equipped with top-box and panniers was shown at the launch.
The Dominar D400 is powered by a single-cylinder four valve, liquid cooled 373cc engine with EFI and the trademark Bajaj triple-spark cylinder head, designed primarily to enhance complete combustion and, therefore, boost power and fuel efficiency.
The DTS-i mill produces 35hp @ 8,000rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6,500rpm, more than adequate to power the Dominar to an indicated 156kph on the Pune test track.
Interestingly, 28Nm is available at just 3,000rpm, which will make the Dominar smooth and easy to ride.
We expect more from the Dominar when powered by the better quality fuel in Malaysia.
The Pune test track ride also revealed that the Dominar possessed an extremely smooth engine, even at the higher reaches of the rev band. Acceleration was adequate with the potential to gear the Dominar lower still to enhance its acceleration without affecting top speed.
As it is, the Dominar’s 0-100kph performance is 8.23 seconds, which is sure to be improved once on Malaysian soil.
Chassis-wise, the Dominar D400 is handily equipped with a six-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. A stamped-steel beam-type perimeter frame houses the engine and a similar stamped-steel swingarm brings up the rear.
Styling is right up to date, with a look similar to the smaller Pulsars, keeping it all in the family, as it were.
Standard equipment on the Dominar is a two-channel anti-lock braking system controlling a single 320mm diameter disc with dual-piston Bybre caliper on the front wheel and a smaller 230mm diameter disc on the back wheel with a single-piston Bybre caliper.
Also standard is a 43mm telescopic front up front (non-adjustable) and a 10way pre-load adjustable Nitrox monoshock in the rear.
Recalling the handling of the Dominar on the test track, we can assure readers that the chassis is easily capable of handling more power. Its handling is neither sportbike-quick nor touring-lazy but an easy compromise between the two, secure and safe.
Even with the standard MRF tyres, it was easy to find the limits of the footrests.
A nifty backlit LCD panel is the control centre of the Dominar, which Modenas calls the Split Reverse Speedo. It reduces visual clutter and ensures better visibility.
The LED Mosaic headlamp is equipped with an auto-on function, dependent on ambient lighting.
Since the Dominar is built to tour, the fuel capacity is an ample 13 litres. Kerb weight comes in at 182kg. To augment the touring capabilities of the Dominar, a Trans-Siberian Odyssey - a 15,000km journey through six countries, from Usbekistan to Russia - was successfully completed in 53 days.
Notably, the Dominar completed the journey without a single breakdown!
Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, chief operating officer of Automotive Distribution for DRB-HICOM, was proud to inform us that Modenas had sold more than 41,800 motorcycles for the 2017/2018 financial year.
“The success of the Pulsar and the V15 in our local market has reinforced our belief that this is the right time to provide this new offering, which will undoubtedly enrich the riding experience of the average Malaysian motorcycle enthusiast,” he added.
The Dominar D400 is the fourth model introduced in this collaboration between Modenas and Bajaj.
Bajaj is determined to conquer the Southeast Asian market and it already has a presence in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Bajaj Motorcycles are also in Latin America and Southern Asia and Europe.
Bajaj Auto Limited vice-president Dinesh Kulkami said Bajaj had a proven track record of being either first or second in every market it entered thus far.
The special launch price of RM14,615, including Goods and Services Tax but excluding road tax, insurance and registration, will be a limited time offer but the exact time period of the ofthe fer has not been revealed.
The warranty offered with Dominar is two years or 24,000km, with five free servicing included.