The Indian two-wheeler sector has seen a shift in recent years. Luxury bikes are gradually becoming the center of attention. The long-established two-wheeler manufacturers are concentrating their efforts on the high-end market. Many other two-wheeler manufacturers are making investments in India to take advantage of the burgeoning performance and sports bike markets.
As soon as the possibility presented itself, BMW Motorrad pounced and seized the opportunity to join the local market for luxury and sporty motorcycles. It wasn’t going to be simple to form a partnership with a well-established local manufacturer like TVS Motors, but when it did, the iconic German brand jumped at the opportunity. As a result of the collaboration, the cost of producing BMW-branded bikes in India will be much lower than if they were manufactured elsewhere.
Affordability is what makes BMW stand out from the rest of the domestic brands. With decades of engineering and production experience from the German brand, TVS may benefit from its own development in terms of components and technological preferences, which can be shared with the German company.
When it comes to India’s two-wheeler business, Bajaj has long been one of the most well-known brands, but BMW Motorrad is looking to take premium share with a powerful model. BMW Motorrad is preparing to debut the G310R naked motorbike in March or April of next year, while Bajaj has unveiled its Dominar 400 brand.
Both of these sportbikes are within the category of high-end motorbikes. At the 2014 New Delhi Auto Expo, the Bajaj Dominar 400 was unveiled as the CS400 concept. BMW’s G310R, on the other hand, was on exhibit at the 2016 New Delhi Auto Expo back in March. Here is a comparison of the naked motorcycles:
Design
Despite its intimidating appearance, the Bajaj Dominar 400 is really rather stylish. It has a great design and a manly feel about it. The concept model’s design elements have been carried over to the production-spec model. The Pulsar 200 NS shares many of its design cues with its bigger brother. The big LED headlight upfront features a sleek style. The flat handlebar of the Dominar 400 provides the rider with improved control and a more comfortable posture when traveling.
At the top of the headlight, the cowl is a completely digital instrument cluster. The top of the gasoline tank has a sleek LCD display, as well. Surely, the model’s luxury appeal is boosted by the inclusion of two digital screens. The gasoline tank has a strong, chiseled look to it. Additionally, the motorbike has stepped up saddle seats and sleek body cowls. The Dominar 400’s tail finishes abruptly, as seen by the taillight, which seems to be two parallel strips going vertically.
There is also a street-fighting vibe to the BMW G310R. The V-shaped headlight looks to be smaller than the Dominar 400, but the cowl gives it an extended appearance. At the top of the headlight cowl, you’ll find a digital instrument panel. The motorcycle’s athletic and macho image is enhanced by its high-rising and contoured fuel tank. There is R branding on the headlight cowl and the sharp side cowls.
The model’s golden USD forks give it a fashionable appearance. The exhaust also seems to have a lot of power. The motorbike has a low riding posture with stepped-up saddle seats. As a result, the G310R is easier to maneuver for the rider. Apart from that, a flat handlebar should improve the motorbike rider’s sense of control.
Performance
Single-cylinder DTS-i four-valve, four-stroke liquid-cooled closed fuel injection engine with slipper clutch powers the Bajaj Dominar 400 motorcycle. At 8,000 RPM, the engine generates 35 PS of peak power and 35 Nm of peak torque, respectively. The KTM Duke 390 gets 25 kilometers per gallon from the same engine, while the Dominar gets 30 kilometers per gallon. The motorbike has a peak speed of 148 kmph and can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.23 seconds.
Water-cooled and fuel-injected, the BMW G310R’s power comes from a 313 cc single-cylinder engine. The engine’s maximum output is 34 PS at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm when it’s connected to a 6-speed gearbox. BMW Motorrad predicts that the G310R would achieve a fuel efficiency of 30.3 kmpl on the highway. While the motorbike is predicted to reach a peak speed of roughly 145 kmph.
Tyres & Brakes
There are drilled disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels of the Bajaj Dominar 400. The rear and front wheels have disc brakes of different diameters. Rear mono-shock suspension and 43 mm telescopic front fork suspension are included. Aside from the dual-channel ABS, the Bajaj Dominar 400 has alloy wheels covered with tubeless tyres and works on dual-channel traction control.
The front wheel of the BMW G310R has a 300 mm disc, while the rear has a 240 mm disc. The G310R’s international version is equipped with anti-lock brakes. Expect an ABS option for the India-spec vehicle. G310R has USD forks upfront and an aluminum swingarm at the back for its suspension. 17-inch alloy wheels power the motorbike.
Verdict
Design-wise, both of these motorcycles are aggressive and attractive. It’s another attempt by Bajaj to differentiate itself from the competition, following up on the success of the RS200. The BMW G310R, on the other hand, seems to be a pure-performance motorbike.
The Dominar 400 has a substantially bigger engine than the BMW G310R, at least on paper. Consequently, compared to the BMW Motorrad model, the power output is greater. The Bajaj Dominar 400’s price is another perk. The Dominar 400 is priced aggressively at Rs. 1.36 lakh, while its German counterpart is projected to cost roughly Rs. 1.80 lakh (ex-showroom).
As the well-known BMW takes against a powerful Indian brand in the fiercely fought performance bike market, its brand value will emphasize sales figures. For the first time ever, Bajaj and TVS are engaged in a war of epic proportions. Customers would be hard-pressed to choose between these two items if their brand values and images were the deciding factors.
