The Bajaj Dominar 400 offers the best value proposition at its price point, but improvements can always be made to a product. Keeping that in mind, Bajaj has gone ahead and done just the same. The 2019 edition of the Dominar 400 receives a host of upgrades that makes it a better product.
The motorcycle continues to keep with the same design but has received few subtle updates to give it a fresh appeal. The motorcycle is available with the choice of two colour schemes Aurora Green and Vine Black. In terms of equipment, it receives an updated instrument console providing more information to the rider, secondary display on the fuel tank, new side mirrors, forged side stand and a double-barrel exhaust. In order to maximise its touring abilities, the motorcycle comes with straps located beneath the pillion seat that can be used to mount luggage using bungee cords.
Coming to the mechanical upgrades, the motorcycle now features inverted front forks borrowed from the KTM range. And with that, it also gets a radial caliper for the braking system up front. The rear continues to sport a monoshock and a single disc for braking. Dual-channel ABS is standard.
Next is the motor. Its the same 373.2cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder mill that now comes with a DOHC configuration. This has allowed Bajaj to extract more power from the engine which more produces 39.4bhp of max power at 8650rpm and 35Nm of peak torque at 7000rpm.
The Mahindra Mojo is now available in two variants, and the XT300 is the higher-spec version of the two. It distinguishes itself over the UT300 by providing upside down front forks, a dual muffler exhaust system, fuel injection for the engine, and Pirelli tyres that provide great grip and handling. The XT300 is targeted at customers who want a touring machine but dont prefer the conventional formats like cruisers or adventure tourers to go on long rides. It competes with the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400 ABS and Royal Enfield Himalayan.
The Classic 350 is the product that keeps Royal Enfields sales thumping today. In fact, it boasts of sales numbers higher than many 150cc commuter bikes. The Classic 350s styling is retro. The round headlamp, mirrors and clocks and the abundant use of chrome give it an elegant look. There are a bunch of dual-tone paint options with pinstriped tanks. However, it is also available in Redditch edition, which gets single solid colour for the tank. The Redditch edition is offered in red, green, and blue. The Gunmetal Grey is an extension of these styles, adding a muted option for those who want their Classic without the pinstripes and without the bright, cheery colours as well. The Classic 350 is powered by a carburetted 346cc engine that churns out 19.8bhp of power and 28Nm of torque. It is mated to a five-speed gearbox. It rides on a 19-inch front and 19-inch rear spoke wheels. It gets telescopic front forks and dual spring rear suspension. The brake setup consists of discs both front and rear. ABS is an optional extra that will cost you Rs 5,000 more. The Classic 350 Gunmetal Grey competes head on against the UM Renegade Classic and the Bajaj Dominar 400.
Royal Enfield saw a need in the market for an urban cruiser, and this is the result: the Thunderbird 350X. It gets a similar driveline as the regular Thunderbird 350, but there are a few changes. One, it is available in bright, single-tone colours in the same vein as the Classic Redditch series. The 350X is available in red or white. The handlebar is a flatter, wider one, which should help with manoeuverability in the city. It gets all-black treatment, which extends to the alloy wheels. This is the first time a Royal Enfield has been shipped with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres from the factory. It gets the same 346cc carburetted single-cylinder air-cooled engine from the Thunderbird 350. It generates 19.8bhp and 28Nm and transmits it via a five-speed gearbox. The wheels are a 19-inch front and an 18-inch rear. There are disc brakes at both ends, with a 280mm front disc and a 240mm rear one. ABS is now an option that makes the 350X Rs 6000 dearer. The seat of the Thunderbird 350X has been changed it is a more modern-looking one. The riders seat is wider, and the pillion seat is smaller. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X competes with the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400 directly. Bikes like the Yamaha Fazer 25 also cater to a similar audience, although it is a different format of motorcycle.
Royal Enfield saw a need in the market for an urban cruiser, and this is the result: the Thunderbird 500X. It gets a driveline similar to the regular Thunderbird 500, but there are a few changes. One, it is available in bright, single-tone colours in the same vein as the Classic Redditch series. The 500X is available in light blue or bright orange. The handlebar is a flatter, wider one, which helps with manoeuverability in the city. It gets all-black treatment, which extends to the alloy wheels. This is the first time a Royal Enfield has been shipped with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres from the factory. It gets the same 499cc fuel-injected single-cylinder air-cooled engine from the Thunderbird 500. It generates 27.2bhp and 41Nm and transmits it via a five-speed gearbox. The wheels are a 19-inch front and an 18-inch rear. There are disc brakes at both ends, with a 280mm front disc and a 240mm rear one. The seat of the Thunderbird 500X has been changed it is a more modern-looking one. The riders seat is wider, and the pillion seat is smaller. The pillion backrest has also been left out. The pricing of the Tbird 500X makes it the most expensive single-cylinder Royal Enfield on sale today. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X competes with the likes of the Bajaj Dominar 400 ABS and UM Renegade Sports S directly. Bikes like the KTM 250 Duke and TVS Apache RR310 are priced similarly, although their target audience is a very different one.
