Bajaj Dominar 400: nearly 40 horsepower for under 100,000 pesos

The Bajaj Dominar 400 delivers almost 40 horsepower for less than 100,000 pesos, combining a familiar design with practical strengths that became clear during a test in Mexico City.

The Indian motorcycle maker has invested heavily in Mexico and built a strong position in the low- and mid-displacement segments. The Dominar 400 uses a 373.27cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 39.9 horsepower at 8,650 rpm and 25.8 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed transmission sends that power to the road.

In city traffic, the power proved sufficient to find openings and move away easily. The exhaust note sometimes sounded like it came from a larger motorcycle. Despite weighing 184.5 kilograms, the bike did not feel especially difficult to move once it gathered speed. Its agility and the confidence it inspired stood out during the ride.

The riding position also proved comfortable for a rider measuring 1.75 meters. At traffic lights, the motorcycle remained easy to control, without creating a sense of wrestling with its weight. A large Mexico City pothole provided a harsher test. The impact was strong enough to suggest that a lighter motorcycle or less capable suspension might have lost balance. The Dominar did not pass over it unnoticed, but it remained stable and never felt close to losing control. Its inverted front fork, Nitrox rear monoshock and disc brakes with ABS on both wheels helped in that moment.

The current generation still follows a formula Bajaj has used for years. The styling does not change enough to make the motorcycle look entirely new. The 2026 version includes a digital Bluetooth dashboard and four riding modes, but the new screen alone does not fundamentally alter the experience.