Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z vs Bajaj Dominar 400 - What's Different?

Bajaj has recently launched the Pulsar NS400Z at a staggering price of 1.85 lakh. This is the flagship 400cc offering in the Pulsar lineup. Now the question arises how different it is from the older heavyweight of the Bajaj lineup, the Dominar 400. We go through each aspect of the both 400cc offerings and point out the difference in the article below. 

Design

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z and Dominar 400 offer distinct design philosophies. The NS400Z takes a bold leap forward with a radical redesign. This new styling doesn't completely abandon its heritage though. Hints of the familiar Pulsar NS200 and N250 can still be found in the projector headlight and overall cowl shape. However, the Pulsar NS400Z sheds its previous skin with a more aggressive look. This is achieved through prominent, lightning-bolt styled LED DRLs and a body sculpted with sharper lines. While the front screams new design, the midsection and tail transition smoothly, bearing a resemblance to the Pulsar NS200. Even the tail section, though sporting a slightly different LED taillight, retains a similar design element, but with a touch of added sophistication.

In contrast, the Dominar 400 carves its own path as a sports cruiser motorcycle. Its design blends elements of both cruisers and naked bikes. This fusion results in a low-slung, sleek, and aggressive stance. This perfectly reflects the Dominar's purpose: a powerful machine built for conquering long distances in comfort.  Key design features on the Dominar 400 include the seamless merging of cruiser and naked motorcycle aesthetics. Functional touches like a tall visor, stylish handguards, and a twin-barrel exhaust further add to the Dominar's sports-touring character. Additionally, the chiselled fuel tank integrates part of the instrument cluster, keeping ride information readily accessible.

In essence, the flagship Pulsar opts for a redesign with a touch of familiarity, leaning towards a more aggressive street fighter stance. The Dominar 400 carves a unique niche with a design that prioritises both sporty looks and long-distance comfort.

Engine

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z and Dominar 400 share the same engine: a KTM-sourced 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit. Bajaj uses the same tuning for both bikes, resulting in 40 bhp and 35 Nm of torque. Both motorcycles also come with a 6-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch assist.

However, despite identical power figures, the Dominar 400 has a higher claimed top speed of 165 kmph compared to the Pulsar NS400Z's 154 kmph. This difference could be due to the Dominar's triple spark technology and different final gear ratios

Features

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z has a technological leap forward compared to the Dominar 400. Its all-new LCD-dot matrix instrument cluster goes beyond the typical display, offering smartphone connectivity for features like turn-by-turn navigation, call/SMS alerts, and even music playback control. The NS400Z also features ride-by-wire throttle control, allowing for selectable ride modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Off-road) that optimise performance for various conditions. Switchable traction control with an off-road mode and dual-channel ABS come standard, making the NS400Z a feature-packed machine.  The clutch lever and brake lever also get a 5-step adjustability function as standard.

In contrast, the Dominar 400's instrument cluster now feels dated compared to the NS400Z's. It lacks the modern conveniences of smartphone connectivity, ride modes, traction control, and ride-by-wire throttle. These omissions position the NS400Z as the more technologically advanced option for riders seeking a feature-rich experience.

Underpinnings

The exposed frame panel above the engine hints at the shared foundation with the Dominar 400, both utilising a perimeter frame for rigidity. Thankfully, the NS400Z also inherits the Dominar's well-regarded suspension setup, featuring a 43mm USD fork and monoshock. The flagship Pulsar is lighter than the Dominar 400 by 19 kilos and this should ensure that it offers sprightlier acceleration than its cruiser sibling. It also has more there is also 11 mm of difference in the ground clearances with the Pulsar NS400Z being the one with the more clearance. 

Wheels and Tyres

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z utilises 17-inch wheels wrapped in 110/70-17 and 140/70-17 tyres for the front and rear, respectively. Compared to the Dominar 400, the NS400Z opts for a slightly wider rear tyre (140/70 vs. 150/60) that might prioritise grip and agility.  However, the Dominar 400 utilises radial tyres on both ends (110/70-17 and 150/60-17) which can offer better stability and handling at higher speeds.

Brakes 

The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z employs a 320mm single disc with a double-piston calliper upfront for braking. The rear uses a 230mm disc with a single-piston calliper. Disc sizes of both the bikes are the same, but the mounting of the new Pulsar is different and this will result in a potential difference in braking performance between the two bikes.

Price

The all-new Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z has an aggressive starting price of ₹ 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), making a strong case for itself in the 350-400 cc segment. This price undercuts not only its natural competitor, the Bajaj Dominar 400 (priced at ₹ 2.30 lakh), but also extends to options like the Triumph Speed 400. With its performance capabilities, the Pulsar NS400Z can also compete with bikes like the KTM 250 Duke and the TVS Apache RTR 310, offering potential buyers an attractive feature set at a competitive price point. In terms of pricing, it is throwing a punch at KTM 250 Duke (₹ 1.97 lakh), Yamaha R15 V4 (₹ 1.87 lakh), Suzuki Gixxer 250 (₹ 1.84 lakh) and the electric Ather 450 Apex (₹ 1.90 lakh). In terms of sheer features, specs and performance the Bajaj Pulsar NS400 seems to be a superior product when compared to the Dominar 400.