2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z Vs Dominar 400: Which Is The Right One For You?

Bajaj Auto has kicked off this month with two major launches in the 400cc segment: the updated Pulsar NS400Z and Dominar 400. While both bikes share the same engine and offer a strong price-to-performance ratio, they cater to two very different kinds of riders. Priced competitively and packed with meaningful upgrades, the key difference between the two lies in how and where you plan to ride them.

NS400Z: Who’s It For?

The 2025 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z priced at Rs 1,92,328 (ex-showroom), is Rs 46,354 cheaper than the Dominar, while still having more power and being better equipped. The ‘most powerful Bajaj Pulsar’ has gotten ever more power for 2025, going from 40PS to 43PS.

The new bike also gets revised engine internals claimed for better heat management and durability. Bajaj has also added a bidirectional quickshifter, sintered front brake pads, and wider Apollo Alpha H1 radial tyres - all at a price bump of Rs 11,010 over the previous model.

We rode the first-gen Pulsar NS400Z, and it was quick on its feet, exciting to ride, and the lightweight, slightly sporty riding stance made it  suitable for daily city commutes and short, fast-paced weekend rides. With the updates, we reckon the 2025 model would be even better on these aspects.

Moreover, the addition of the quickshifter should also make life a lot easier in situations where there’s heavy traffic. The shorter wheelbase (than the Dominar) also means it will be easier to change directions rapidly when riding in the city.

So if you're looking for a powerful, sporty, and affordable performance bike that shines in city traffic and occasional highway rides, the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z fits the bill well. Whether it really is something special you’ll find out on July 13, which is when our review will go live. 

Dominar 400: Who’s It For?

The 2025 Bajaj Dominar 400 is priced at Rs 2,38,682 (ex-showroom). While the engine remains unchanged at 40PS and 35Nm, Bajaj has given the bike some much needed feature upgrades that justify the Rs 6,026 price hike.

The Dominar now comes with ride-by-wire throttle, traction control, and 4 riding modes: Rain, Road, Sport, and Off-Road. The new LCD console with Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and call/SMS alerts - all add to convenience. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that all of these were available with the NS400Z right from its launch back in 2024.

The redesigned handlebar is claimed to improve riding comfort over longer distances. The Bajaj Dominar 400 weighs 19kg more than the NS400Z (193kg vs 174kg), has a heavier steering feel, and is more relaxed in terms of ergonomics.

All of this makes it less suited for quick city rides but perfect for cruising on highways and on long distance tours. The riding posture is spot-on for fatigue-free long distance riding (provided the road is smooth). The stock windshield also reduces the wind-blasts to a certain extent at high speeds. 

If your riding focus is more on covering long distances, weekend road trips, or even cross-country rides, the Dominar 400 remains the only sporty tourer in the sub-500cc space.

BikeDekho Says

Both Bajaj bikes bring a lot to the table in their 2025 versions, but choosing between them comes down to purpose and more importantly pricing. While the Dominar is great at highway touring, the Pulsar isn’t too far behind. It makes a lot more sense as an all-rounder for budget-conscious buyers, especially if you consider the 46,000-rupee premium, which is not a small amount by any means.