Bajaj Dominar 250 Vs Rivals: Specifications Comparison

The Bajaj Dominar 250 has been launched at a price of Rs. 1.60 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). The smaller Dominar 250 borrows the same design and dimensions as its bigger sibling, the Bajaj Dominar 400. The Dominar 250 is based on the KTM 250 Duke, but with a slightly different state of tune on the engine, completely different frame and bodywork, and is substantially heavier than the KTM as well, apart from being Rs. 40,000 more affordable. In pure engine displacement, and specifications, the Dominar 250's closes rivals are the Suzuki Gixxer 250 and the Yamaha FZ-25. So, here's a look at how these three motorcycles stack up against each other, at least on paper.

The Bajaj Dominar 250 has the exact same dimensions as the Dominar 400, but thinner wheels, and a smaller diameter front fork

Design

All three bikes look a lot different. While the Suzuki and the Yamaha follow a more conventional naked street design, the Bajaj Dominar 250 has a unique design. It's butch, muscular and looks bulky compared to the sleek and sporty rivals. The Dominar 250 has what is described as the "power cruiser" design, with faint hints of inspiration from the Ducati Diavel, and it strikes a handsome and muscular pose. And unlike the sportier and 'ready-to-spring' type design of the Yamaha and the Suzuki, the Dominar 250 takes on a more relaxed posture, when standing still. But it does strike a muscular pose, with the sculpted and muscular fuel tank, and the beam type perimeter frame.

The 248.8 cc DOHC engine based on the KTM 250 Duke puts out 26.6 bhp at 8,500 rpm, 23.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm

Engine & Performance

The Bajaj Dominar 250 is powered by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve, 248.8 cc engine, sourced from the KTM 250 Duke, but in a slightly different state of tune. On the Dominar 250, the engine puts out 26.6 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 23.5 bhp at 6,500 rpm. Claimed top speed is 132 kmph, and acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph is claimed at 10.5 seconds. In comparison, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 seems well-matched in terms of performance, at least on specifications.

(The Gixxer 250 uses the same engine and frame as the Gixxer SF 250)

The Gixxer 250 is powered by a 249 cc, oil-cooled, SOHC, four-valve engine which puts out 26 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm. The Yamaha FZ-25 is also powered by a similar sized engine, but it makes the least power among the three. The 249 cc, air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve engine of the Yamaha puts out 20.6 bhp at 8,000 rpm, and 20 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. And unlike the four-valve engines of the Dominar 250 and the Gixxer 250, the FZ-25 gets a two-valve engine, and is air-cooled.

	Bajaj Dominar 250	Suzuki Gixxer 250	Yamaha FZ-25
Engine Type	DOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled	SOHC, 4-valve, oil-cooled	SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled
Displacement	248.8 cc	249 cc	249 cc
Max Power	26.6 bhp @ 8,500 rpm	26 bhp @ 9,000 rpm	20.6 bhp @ 8,000 rpm
Peak Torque	23.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm	22.6 Nm @ 7,500 rpm	20 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	5-speed

Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, it's the Bajaj Dominar 250, which is the longer, wider and taller bike among all three. The wheelbase of the Bajaj is also the longest, and side by side, there's no doubt that the Dominar 250 will look slightly bigger than both the Gixxer 250 and the FZ-25. But with the bigger size, the Bajaj Dominar 250 also gets some more weight. In fact, it's a whopping 24 kg heavier than the Suzuki Gixxer 250, and 28 kg heavier than the Yamaha FZ-25. How that translates to real world performance and feel will only be apparent after a full comparison. But the added weight of the Dominar 250 certainly will make it feel heavier, and possibly even slower in terms of pure acceleration. The Yamaha has the biggest fuel tank capacity of 14 litres, and the Suzuki has the smallest fuel tank, with 12 litres, while the Bajaj sits in the middle with 13 litres fuel capacity.

	Bajaj Dominar 250	Suzuki Gixxer 250	Yamaha FZ-25
Length (mm)	2156	2010	2015
Width (mm)	836	805	770
Height (mm)	1112	1035	1075
Wheelbase (mm)	1453	1340	1360
Kerb Weight (kg)	180	156	152
Fuel Tank Capacity	13 Litres	12 Litres	14 Litres

Chassis & Cycle Parts

The Bajaj Dominar 250 is the only bike in this comparison to have a beam-type perimeter frame. While the Suzuki gets a steel downtube frame, the Yamaha gets a diamond-type frame. All three bikes employ different frame architecture, but that's not to say that one type will provide better dynamics. In fact, the added weight of the Dominar 250 may actually make it slower around a set of corners than the Suzuki Gixxer 250. The Dominar 250 is also the only bike in this comparison to get an upside down front fork.

	Bajaj Dominar 250	Suzuki Gixxer 250	Yamaha FZ-25
Frame Type	Beam Perimeter Type	Steel Downtube	Diamond
Front Suspension	Telescopic 37 mm upside down	Telescopic Fork	Telescopic fork
Rear Suspension	Monoshock	Monoshock	Monoshock
Front Brake	300 mm Single Disc	Single Disc	Single Disc
Rear Brake	230 mm Single Disc	Single Disc	Single Disc
Tyre Size (Front)	100/80-17	110/70-17	100/80-17
Tyre Size (Rear)	130/70-17	150/60-17	140/70-17

Price & Value

The Yamaha FZ-25 has clearly a price advantage here, but the upcoming BS6 model is likely to get marginally more expensive, in our estimates, at around Rs. 1.45 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). But the fact that it's a two-valve engine, with a single overhead cam and comes with a five-speed gearbox, the other two, the Bajaj Dominar 250 and the Suzuki Gixxer 250 seems like they have better hardware. Both the Bajaj and the Suzuki come with four-valve engines, but the Bajaj Dominar 250 is the only bike to get a liquid-cooled engine. While it may be on the heavier side, but the Dominar 250 will appeal to a lot of buyers, primarily those who will be looking for slightly bigger appearances, as well as highway comfort. Both the Bajaj Dominar 250 and the Suzuki Gixxer 250 are evenly matched in pricing, but we'll wager the choice will come down to looks, riding style and purpose, to choose one over the other.

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