We love the Bajaj Dominar 400 at our office. The Dominar (400) was a great motorcycle with amazing touring prospects that proved to be value for money. Now, there is a smaller quarter-liter variant and this one has split opinions at our headquarters. It comes in with a smaller package, but not as small of a price tag; but, then again despite the cut in displacement the styling and components are mostly identical.

While it may not seem like too big of an issue for most people, the 250cc displacement cut has created a significant commotion at our office. Well, there’s only one way to settle this.

What’s changed in terms of the design?

The good news is, there are very few changes with the design of the Bajaj Dominar 250. That means the masculine appeal and presence of the smaller Dominar remains pretty much the same. That being said, there are changes that keen observers will be able to pick up on.

The first noticeable change is the smaller tyres. The Bajaj Dominar 400 is equipped with a 110(F)-150 (R) section setup while the 250 makes do with a 100(F) and 130(R). The USD forks have also shrunken in diameter from 43mm to 37mm, the beefy swingarm is also replaced with a regular box-type swingarm. While the dimensions remain the same, these changes have reduced the kerb weight of the Dominar 250 by 7kgs. But it still weighs in at a hefty 180kgs.

And finally, the Dominar 250 will not be coming in the recognizable green colour that you could find in the D400. You will, however, get a choice of black and red hue for the Dominar 250.

What’s changed in terms of performance and ergonomics?

When we rode the Dominar 400 it felt like we could ride it for hours on end. The rider’s triangle was relaxed and there was a sense of spaciousness when you’re riding, regardless of your physical attributes. The seats were also plush and wide enough to accommodate longer rides. That, of course, doesn’t mean the Dominar 400 felt like a slouch. The ergonomics also allowed for spirited riding when the time and situation called for it. The good news is, the Dominar 250 retains the basics set by its larger sibling, and in doing so it succeeds in giving the quarter liter Dominar the same big-bike feel as the D400.

However, the performance figures are significantly reduced (no prizes for guessing). As you might have expected, the smaller displacement also warrants reduced power and torque. But, don’t be too quick to put the Dominar 250 down, because the engine comes right out of the KTM Duke 250 (although, slightly detuned).

The Dominar 250’s BS4 engine puts out 26.6BHP of peak power at 8500RPMs, compared to the D400’s 39.5BHP which comes in at 8000 RPMs. The torque peaks at 23.5NM at 6500RPM, 11.5NM less than the D400’s 35NM which peaks at the same RPM.

These numbers translate to a pretty decent time on the road. Twist open the throttle and you’re off to a lively but smooth start. You’re most likely to have the most fun up to 3rd and 4th gear; 5th and 6th are best suited for cruising duties. On the straights, the Dominar 250 remains stable, even when you’re really asking a lot from the engine. The stability remains consistent when you’re taking on corners, and the softer compound tyres provide confidence-inspiring grip.

Vibrations are pretty well mitigated and with a lighter weight and a smaller tyre to decrease the drag, the engine feels powerful throughout the rev ranges. The 6-speed gearbox does a good job of keeping the ride slick and easy, especially since the D250 comes equipped with a slipper clutch.

Road undulations are well managed and tackling tough terrain was not a struggle. While the front suspension has a smaller diameter, the reduced weight means that they work well enough. In fact, it maintains a good front end feel that stays stable on straights and exhibits a sense of agility when carving corners.

Where the Bajaj Dominar 250 strikes concern is with its weight. The D400 was no lightweight by any measure, but it had the displacement and power figures to back its heft. However, the D250 manages to shed no more than 7kgs compared to the D400. That means the 250 Bajaj Dominar remains a heavyweight and you can really feel it when you’re lugging the bike around at a standstill. Even when you’re on the move, you always get the feeling that you’re riding a heavy motorcycle. This doesn’t pose much of a problem when you’re riding down straight roads, but it does become evident when you’re slaloming through heavy traffic and navigating slower/tighter turns.

So, where does that leave us with the Bajaj Dominar 250?

The Bajaj Dominar 250 retains the essence of its respected elder sibling. To the untrained eyes, the Bajaj Dominar 250 is identical to the Bajaj Dominar 400 and that counts as a point for the Bajaj Dominar 250. The features and components are top-notch for the segment.

In terms of performance and handling the D250 exhibits traits of the D400; sometimes to a fault. It is a massive machine and it rides like one. On straights and long looping curves, the Bajaj Dominar 250 performs well. However, the weight of the Bajaj Dominar 250 can be an issue at some times.

Overall, the Bajaj Dominar 250 is a fun motorcycle to ride. However, there is more to the Bajaj Dominar 250 than just being a “fun motorcycle”. Bajaj has built the Bajaj Dominar 250 with a purpose, and that is to provide new riders with the “Dominar” experience that isn’t as intimidating as the Bajaj Dominar 400. And, to some extent, the D250 does manage to bring a lot of the Bajaj Dominar 400’s veneer in a smaller package.

The cherry on the top would have been a larger price gap between the two motorcycles. Right now the Bajaj Dominar 250 comes in at a price of Rs. 4,99,900 which undercuts the Bajaj Dominar 400 by Rs. 75,000 only.