Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Decoding the best entry-level tourer

Both Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan might be entirely different motorcycles in the way they are styled, but both have the same intent to impress the tourer in you.

• While the Bajaj Dominar 400 is a roadster-themed touring motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a proper off-road motorcycle which can tour effortlessly.
• Compared to the old-school, air-cooled, 411cc engine of the Himalayan, the Dominar 400 gets a more-advanced liquid-cooled 373.3cc engine.
• The Dominar 400 is a more new-age motorcycle with LED illumination, a fully-digital instrument console, backlit switchgear, upside-down forks and more.

For many of us, road trips on a motorcycle are an escape from our mundane lives. Thankfully, comfortable, road-trip-oriented motorcycles are no more an expensive affair as several sub-500cc motorcycles now offer pure touring experiences on two wheels. Among the options on offer these days, the Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan are two motorcycles, which seem to be the top picks among riders. 

While these two motorcycles look and feel very different from each other, both are designed and engineered as effortless mile munchers. Here, we compare Dominar 400 and Himalayan to find the better touring motorcycle matching your preference. 

Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Design & Features

The comparison between Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan is that of an apple and an orange, as far as only design and equipment levels are considered. Both these motorcycles belong to different worlds – while the Dominar 400 feels every bit a new-age motorcycle with several contemporary features, the Himalayan is a true-blue old-school motorcycle with a functional design.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a tourer inspired by the modern-day naked roadster and is the one here which looks more stylish with a beefy fuel tank, nicely-styled side panels and a wide and low-set handlebar. The Dominar 400 also gets some cool new-age features like an LED headlamp, LED turn indicators, backlit switchgear and a fully-digital instrument console, none available in the Himalayan. 

In the most recent avatar, the Dominar also received a taller windscreen, a bigger engine cowl, pannier mounts on the sides and a functional grab rail for mounting a top box, thus making it a more touring-friendly motorcycle than before.

On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a functional-looking adventure tourer, evident with its comparatively bare-bones look and taller and slimmer profile. It has a much taller stance with larger wheels and a higher-set handlebar. The LED tail lamp and digital displays for the compass and gear indicator are the only modern-looking bits in the Himalayan.

While both motorcycles have very distinctive personalities, both enjoy striking road presences. It depends on your styling preferences, as both look premium and have a slight big-bike appeal.

Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Engine & Gearbox

Not only their visual appeal, but the hearts of the Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan also have their distinctive beating patterns. Here also, the Dominar 400 excels with its technically-advanced powertrain, featuring more modern liquid cooling and three spark plugs for its more powerful 373.3cc engine. 

With these advancements, the Dominar 400’s engine feels more refined and offers better combustion compared to the old-school, air-cooled 411cc engine of the Himalayan.

Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

Starting with the suspension, the upside-down telescopic forks and mono-shock of the Bajaj Dominar 400 are comparatively stiffer than the conventional forks and mono-shock of the Himalayan. While this stiffer suspension setup gives much better cornering stability to the Dominar 400, the higher suspension travels allow the Himalayan to offer better prowess in off-road terrains.

The Himalayan’s excellence in conquering off-road terrains is further enhanced by the larger tube-type tyres over spoke wheels, a taller stance and a switchable ABS. However, with bigger discs for the braking setup, the Dominar 400 offers better and more responsive braking, especially while riding at higher speeds.

Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Dimensions

Visually, while the Bajaj Dominar 400 might look like the beefier motorcycle among the two here, it is the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which is the bigger motorcycle here, with it being longer and taller among the two motorcycles. It's longer wheelbase and higher ground clearance allow it to have better rideability over rougher surfaces. Both motorcycles weigh the same and have the same seat height.

Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Price

The Royal Enfield Himalayan, which starts at Rs 2.18 lakh and stretches to Rs 2.24 lakh, is available in various color options like Gravel Grey, Granite Black, Sleet Black, Glacier Blue, Dune Brown and Pine Green. On the other hand, with a price tag of Rs 2.25 lakh, the Bajaj Dominar matches the top-spec Himalayan while being available in two color options – Aurora Green and Charcoal Black.

Conclusion

Finding the better motorcycle between the Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan might be unjustifiable, as both motorcycles cater to completely different audiences. It is evident from their hardware and the way they have been styled.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a slightly lower-slung roadster-inspired tourer, which looks beefier, gets more modern features and has technically-advanced engine and suspension. All these elements come together to make the Dominar an effortless motorcycle to ride on long highways and corners.

On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a supple motorcycle to ride on long highways with its tall stance, long wheelbase and torquey engine. And where the Himalayan shines is on off-road terrains, with longer-travel suspension, switchable ABS, taller spoke wheels and tube-type tyres. It is not an efficient motorcycle around corners, though.

So, based on the type of motorcycle rider in you, you can pick either of them, and you will not go wrong with either. Pick the Dominar 400 for the mile muncher in you, but if you are someone who loves off-roading and wants a taller motorcycle, the Himalayan should be your pick.