Bajaj Dominar 250 Vs Suzuki Gixxer 250: Spec Comparison

Who gets the better of whom on paper?

Bajaj stepped foot into the quarter-litre segment with the Dominar 250 in a bid to make the cruiser more accessible to the masses. However, this puts it squarely against the Suzuki Gixxer 250, a fairly potent street naked. Will it put up a good fight against the new entrant on paper?

Engine & Performance:

Both bikes stand shoulder to shoulder in terms of displacement, but the Dominar 250 manages to edge past the Gixxer when it comes to sheer power. The motor is simply more sophisticated with a DOHC setup and liquid-cooling in place. Plus, it gets a slipper clutch as standard which prevents wheels hops during hard downshifts.

That said, there’s one major hiccup, and that’s the Dominar’s weight. At 180kg (kerb), the Dominar weighs 24kg more than the Gixxer. Thanks to the Gixxer superior power-to-weight ratio, it’s likely to be quicker off the line and livelier in city traffic. 

Underpinnings:

With more premium components at its disposal, the Dominar has the upper hand here. However, if you speak purely about its tyres, the Gixxer comes out on top. Radials are simply a better option if you like getting your knee down in corners. The fact that the Dominar 250 adorns slimmer profile bias-ply tyres instead of the chunkier radials on the Dominar 400 tells you a thing or two about its cost-cutting measures. Though both bikes use the same-size discs, the Dominar gets radial calipers which should offer better rigidity and less torsional flex (lateral movement), thus translating to better feel through the lever.

Dimensions:

Lower weight and a shorter wheelbase paired with better tyres should make the Gixxer a better handler overall. It’ll also be easier to zip through in city traffic and to move around in tight parking spots. Additionally, with 165mm of ground clearance to play with, the Gixxer should be better off gliding over tall speed breakers. However, the taller ground clearance also makes for a taller seat (800mm), which isn’t ideal for vertically challenged riders. 

The Dominar 250 may be on the heavier side, but it packs a 13-litre fuel tank which should give you more saddle time than the Gixxer. A longer wheelbase may also make it more stable at high speeds.

Verdict:

On paper, the Dominar 250 offers better kit and a more sophisticated powertrain, all for a price of 1.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). But the Gixxer 250 is equally good in terms of performance and features for just Rs 200 less. So it all boils down to your needs. The Dominar 250 has all the traits to be a good everyday bike and a weekend tourer. The Gixxer, on the other hand, is more on the sportier side and better off in the hands of a slightly experienced rider.