Choosing between the Bajaj Dominar 400 and the Jawa 42

Which of these bikes is a better long-distance cruiser for a tall biker, the Bajaj Dominar 400 or the Jawa 42?

Published on Jul 06, 2019 10:55:00 AM

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I’m 5ft 11in and love long-distance touring. I’m confused between the 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 and the Jawa 42 (dual-channel ABS). I know they come from different segments but my budget is such that I can stretch it to a maximum of Rs 2.2 lakh, on road. My priorities are very simple – a 350km range on a tank full and a cruising speed of 110-120kph. I do a little bit of soft-roading, so I need a bike that can handle that. The Jawa Forty Two fits the bill but it is a relatively new product and the waiting periods are too long. Also, the seat is tad small for a pillion to sit comfortably and I’m not sure it can cruise at 110–120kph with ease. The Dominar has a lot going for it, but I’m sceptical because of the low mileage, off-road ability and that it’s a Bajaj (vibrations and reliability issues). Please help me decide and also suggest a better one if anything is coming up.
Vhyvhitavya Vadlamani, Chennai

AAA - The Bajaj is certainly the one you want to go for here. The Jawa isn’t as relaxed at the highway cruising speeds you’ve mentioned, and taller riders like yourself won’t find the riding position as comfortable as on the Dominar either. The enormous waiting periods and the fact that it is an unproven product at this point are also things to consider. The new Dominar can now comfortably cruise between 100 and 120kph and it stays relatively vibe-free at this point. As far as soft-roading goes, this shouldn’t be a concern because the Dominar has decent ground clearance and the update has also brought added suspension compliance. The only thing you won’t find with the Bajaj is such a long range. At a cruising speed of 110-120kph, you’re more likely to get around 300km out of the 13-litre tank.

 

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