2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan vs Bajaj Dominar 400 BS6
Royal Enfield and Bajaj Auto have been in touring segment for quite some time. RE was quick to acquire the market with early launch and Bajaj seems to be catching up from behind. Let’s find out exactly what these two bikes offer to its customers and which one’s better.
- 1.87 lakh - 1.91 lakh
- 15 litres Petrol
- 24.98 kmpl
- 199 kg
- 1.94 lakh
- 13 litres Petrol
- 32.9 kmpl
- 184 kg
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Himalayan BS6 | Dominar 400 BS6 |
| Length | 2190 mm | 2156 mm |
| Width | 840 mm | 836 mm |
| Height | 1360 mm | 1112 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1465 mm | 1453 mm |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground clearance | 220 mm | 157 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 litres | 13 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 199 kg | 184 kg |
In terms of Dimensions, the Himalayan is definitely a bigger and wider compared to Dominar 400. The massive 220 mm of ground clearance of Himalayan makes it more off road oriented and allows you to tackle big potholes and obstacles with ease. Himalayan also gets a 15 lires of fuel tank which is more compared to 13 litres on Dominar 400 thus providing a good range. Both bikes weigh more than 180 kg with Himalayan slightly heavier than Dominar 400. Both bikes get 800 mm seat height, which is comfortable for short as well as tall riders. Himalayan clearly scores high compared to Dominar however, for the city and the daily commute, Dominar 400 seems to be a better choice.
Performance
| Engine Specifications | Himalayan BS6 | Dominar 400 BS6 |
| Engine type | Single Cylinder, 4 stroke | Single cylinder, 4 stroke, DOHC, 4 Valve |
| Displacement | 411 cc | 373.3 cc |
| Power | 24.3 PS @ 6500 rpm | 40 PS @ 8650 rpm |
| Torque | 32 Nm @ 4000-4500 rpm | 39 Nm @ 7000 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Cooling System | Air Cooled | Liquid Cooled |
| Fuel Supply | Electronic Fuel Injection | Fuel Injection System |
| Mileage | 24.98 kmpl | 32.9 kmpl |
Both Bikes are quite powerful, however Dominar 400 really shines in this segment. Dominar 400 has more Power and Torque compared to Himalayan. It also gets a liquid cooled engine which is an added advantage for any touring bike. Himalayan on the other side is less powerful, however it delivers 32 Nm torque at just 4000 rpm which plays a very important role during off road adventures. Dominar 400 can easily maintain 100+ speed at highway whereas with Himalayan some vibrations can be felt at higher speed.
Riding Comfort & Handling
| Brake & Suspension | Himalayan BS6 | Dominar 400 BS6 |
| Front Brake | Disc 300 mm | Disc 320 mm |
| Rear Brake | Disc 240 mm | Disc 230 mm |
| Braking System | Dual Channel Switchable ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Suspension | Front- Telescopic Fork (200 mm travel), Rear- Monoshock (180 mm travel) | Front- USD Fork (135 mm travel), Rear- Monoshock (110 mm travel) |
Both Bikes are great for handling given that both come with state of the art technology. Dominar 400 BS6 weighs less than Himalayan however, one might find it difficult to handle given that most of the weight is distributed in front. On the highway, Dominar can cruise 100+ kmph all day long without much stress and is more agile in city traffic as well. The upfront USD forks & ABS provide good handling experience and keeps the bike under control.
On the other hand, Himalayan is a purpose build bike. It has a good riding posture with tall handle bar which allows you to ride all day long without much pain to your butt. Despite being heavier than Dominar 400, Himalayan feels lightweight thanks to its ergonomics and good riding posture. The big 200 mm suspension travel at front and 180 mm at the rear provide excellent ride quality on rough surface. It also gets spoke wheels which tells you that bike has been designed to go places where Dominar 400 might struggle. The switchable ABS on Himalayan further allows the rider to take control on off riding conditions.
Touring
Both bikes are built for the purpose of Touring so it makes sense to talk about their touring abilities as well. Dominar 400 is a more modern bike with plenty of features like Digital instrument cluster, Liquid cooled engine and LED headlamps. It gets all modern elements along with powerful engine which allows you to cruise all day long. Dominar 400 is suitable for both city & highway touring and can also handle a bit of off roading. Bajaj also offers joints for luggage mounting in 2020 Dominar 400 BS6 however Himalayan still scores high given the range of accessories RE offers to its customers.
The Himalayan is a purpose build motorcycle. The whole design is off road oriented, and it attracts buyers who are clearly looking for a touring bike with off roading capability. The design of a Himalayan is minimal and seems robust which makes it more appealing and gives confidence to the rider. Royal Enfield also offers lots of accessories for touring which further increases its practicality. The Jerry can holder near the handlebar allows you to carry extra fuel, which further increases its overall range. The Electronic Fuel Injection gives a linear power delivery without any lag.
Final Verdict
Dominar 400 BS6 is a modern motorcycle which is also good for highway touring. It is fun to drive on weekends and has a good punchy engine. It also has less vibrations and overall Bike is more refined as compared to Himalayan. However, if you want a bike which is build only for off road purpose, then Himalayan is way better than Dominar 400. It has got all the capabilities you would expect from a budget friendly off road motorcycle. It is robust and raw which looks very appealing and offers a better riding position than Dominar 400.
Let us know in the comment section, What do you like about these bikes. Share your experience about it.
Image Source- Bajaj Auto, Royal Enfield
