RE Thunderbird 500X vs Bajaj Dominar 400 – Shootout

Shootout: RE Thunderbird 500X vs Bajaj Dominar 400

Shootout No. 172

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1.87 lakhs (Bajaj Dominar 400), Rs. 2.30 lakhs (RE Thunderbird 500X)

The Thunderbird 500X looks like a custom-made motorcycle while the Dominar 400 looks impressive with better fit and finish levels

Cruiser bikes. What comes to your mind when you think of cruiser bikes? Lots of chrome, laid-back riding position and gruff motors. However, both the motorcycles we’re comparing today miss out on the chrome and the gruff motors aspect but have the laid-back riding position part spot-on. Assuming that you’re not an RE fanboy (because no matter what bike is being launched in the market, an RE fanboy will settle for an RE only), we tell you which among these two cruiser bikes you should be putting your money on.

Motor Quest: The Thunderbird has been on sale in India for a lot more than a decade and finally, in its X avatar, the motorcycle gets tubeless tyres and alloy wheels to make it look like a modern cruiser. The Dominar 400 started its journey as the Pulsar CS 400 Concept at the 2014 Auto Expo and is Bajaj’s take on building a modern performance motorcycle.

Styling – In terms of styling, both the Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X look appealing and handsome. For the year 2018, both the bikes here get only cosmetic changes. However, it is the Dominar 400 that looks more stylish thanks to the gold-coloured alloys and the attractive paint schemes. Besides that, the Dominar also gets a full-LED headlight which makes it stand out during the night. The Thunderbird 500X, meanwhile, gets a projector headlamp with a circular LED DRL which does look good. Both the bikes get an LED tail-light and split grab rails. Alloy wheels on the Dominar 400 look better than the ones on the Thunderbird because of the gold finish and the design as well. The Thunderbird 500X is available in two youthful colours – Drifter Blue and Getaway Orange while the Dominar 400 is available in three colour choices – Canyon Red, Rock Matte Black and Glacier Blue. Overall, the Thunderbird 500X is a modern cruiser but only on the outside while the Dominar is a proper modern cruiser inside out.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Both these motorcycles have completely different approaches when it comes to the instrument console. On one hand, we have the Thunderbird with its rather simplistic analogue dials with a compact digital display. The Dominar 400, on the other hand, has an all-digital console which looks completely different from that of the Thunderbird. The Thunderbird’s two-pod console features a tachometer on the right while the left pod houses a speedometer and a digital display. The digital display features an odometer, fuel-level indicator, clock, two trip meters and average speed.

The Dominar 400’s fully digital console looks more modern and offers pretty much the same information as that of the Thunderbird 500X. The tell-tale lights in the Dominar 400 have been placed on the fuel-tank which contains a side stand indicator, ABS light and the backlit Bajaj logo. Both the Dominar and the Thunderbird offer similar switchgear controls, however, the buttons on the Dominar have a sweet backlight and feel easy to operate after the sun has set.

Ergonomics – In terms of ergonomics, the Dominar 400 as well as the Thunderbird 500X are quite similar. Both the bikes are made to go the distance and offer utmost comfort to the rider as well as pillion. The Dominar is positioned as a hyper-riding motorcycle while the Thunderbird is a bike that’s made for effortless long-distance touring. Anyways, it is the Thunderbird that is more comfortable among the two, thanks to its old-school ergonomics, forward-set footpegs, relaxed riding posture and spacious seats. The Dominar 400, on the other hand, gets centre-set footpegs and a slightly more attacking riding position which makes it slightly more demanding to ride.

Performance – The Bajaj Dominar 400’s 373.3cc motor is lesser in cubic capacity and torque when compared to the Thunderbird’s 499cc single-cylinder mill. However, the Dominar’s engine develops 35 PS of power which makes it more powerful than the Thunderbird. The 373.3cc single-cylinder and liquid-cooled powertrain produces 35 Nm of torque while the RE’s 499cc air-cooled powerplant in the Thunderbird 500X makes 27.2 BHP of power and 41.3 Nm of torque. In terms of low end performance, the Thunderbird 500X is simply brilliant but wring open the throttle and past the mid-range, the vibrations kick in from everywhere. The Dominar 400’s motor is considerably more refined which makes it more engaging to ride.

RE Thunderbird 500’s immense pulling power makes it effortless to drive around in the city

Without a doubt, it is the Dominar that has a higher top speed, better acceleration times and capability of sustaining triple digit speeds for longer hours without breaking a sweat. Because of strong low-end in the Thunderbird, you actually do not have to push it in the top end to extract the juice out. The bike redlines at 6000 RPM and becomes very uncomfortable in that range while the Dominar redlines all the way at 9500 RPM without feeling stressed. However, you have to get into the mid-range to extract more out of the KTM-derived motor and it doesn’t seem to have the tractability of the RE at low revs. This also happens to be the reason why the Thunderbird is more fuel-efficient than the Dominar. The former returns around 30-35 km/l while the latter does around 28-32 km/l. What puts the Dominar at an advantage is the 6-speed gearbox with slipper clutch. The extra gear, of course, comes as a boon on highways and the slipper clutch helps in faster downshifts. Meanwhile, the Thunderbird 500X makes do with a 5-speed gearbox.

Riding Dynamics – The Thunderbird 500X is 15 kgs heavier than the Dominar 400 and that clearly shows in how these two motorcycles ride and handle. Both the bikes here get front telescopic forks but the rear suspension is a different story altogether. The Dominar 400 gets a monoshock while the Thunderbird 500X gets twin shock absorbers. The perimeter frame in the Dominar also makes it more agile and fun when tackling corners while the single down tube frame and the softer suspension setup in the Thunderbird 500X gives it better ride quality. Overall, the Thunderbird is a more comfortable bike while the Dominar is a better handler. Both the motorcycles offer disc brakes at either end but the Dominar 400 also gets dual-channel ABS as optional which gives it an advantage in the braking aspect.

Verdict – The Thunderbird 500X is still the same old-school motorcycle in new clothes which, of course, make it look good and youthful. If seat comfort, fuel-efficiency and low-end performance is what you’re looking for, then get yourselves the Thunderbird 500X. However, if you need an all-rounder, a bike that’s loaded with features and is superior in terms of hardware, refinement, braking, performance and fit and finish then, you know where to look at.

Testers’ Note:

Further Reading –

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X Review
Bajaj Dominar 400 Review
Bajaj Dominar 400 Video Review