Bajaj Dominar 400 vs Harley-Davidson X440: Detailed Comparison

The sub-400cc motorcycle segment in India has evolved into a space where buyers expect a mix of performance, touring ability, features and road presence. The Harley-Davidson X440 has a strong brand recall in this segment with a focus on torque-rich performance. On the other hand, the Bajaj Dominar 400 has built a reputation as a power cruiser with proven touring capability. Here’s how these two motorcycles compare against each other on paper:

Price & Variants

• The 350cc Dominar 400 is 51,686 more affordable than the Harley-Davidson X440, and this positions the Dominar 400 as the more accessible option in this comparison.

Dimensions & Design

• The Bajaj Dominar 400 has a longer wheelbase, which should translate to better straight-line stability, especially at highway speeds. This is in line with its positioning as a touring-focused motorcycle.

• The Harley-Davidson X440 S, with its slightly shorter wheelbase, should feel a bit more manageable in tighter conditions like city riding.

• In terms of ground clearance, the X440 S has a noticeable advantage. This makes it better suited for Indian road conditions, especially when dealing with speed breakers and rough patches.

• The difference in kerb weight is minimal, so both bikes should feel similarly heavy in real-world usage.

• Talking about design, the Harley-Davidson X440 S leans heavily into a classic roadster aesthetic with a muscular stance and strong brand identity. The Dominar 400, on the other hand, has a more aggressive and bulky design that reflects its touring and performance intent.

• The Harley-Davidson X440’s colour options highlight the bike’s classic roadster looks and you can check them out in our detailed explainer here.

• The Aurora Green colour gives the 350cc Dominar 400 a bold and standout look. The bright green finish highlights the bike’s muscular design and adds a strong road presence.

• The Charcoal Black colour scheme offers a more understated and mature appearance. Its darker tone gives the Dominar 400 a clean and stealthy look

Underpinnings

• Both bikes come with inverted fork, which is expected in this segment and should offer good front-end stability and feedback.

• The key difference lies in the rear suspension setup. The Harley-Davidson X440 S uses twin shock absorbers, while the Dominar 400 gets a monoshock. A monoshock setup generally provides better handling and stability, especially during aggressive riding and high-speed touring. A twin shock absorber setup, like the one on the X440, usually provides better ride comfort.

• In terms of braking, both bikes get disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS which means braking performance should be quite similar in both motorcycles.

• The Dominar 400 also runs on wider tyres, which should offer better grip, especially during cornering and high-speed riding.

• The Dominar 400 has the advantage in terms of handling and high-speed stability thanks to its monoshock and wider tyres, while the X440 S is more conventional in its setup.

Features

• Both bikes offer full-LED lighting and Bluetooth connectivity, but the X440 gets turn-by-turn navigation which the Dominar 400 misses out on.

• The Harley-Davidson X440 S gets a 3.5-inch TFT display, which offers better readability and a more premium feel compared to the Dominar’s LCD console.

• The Dominar 400 offers four riding modes: Rain, Road, Sport and Off-Road and traction control, which significantly enhance the safety quotient of the bike and adaptability across different conditions.

• The Dominar 400 is better equipped in terms of rider aids and electronic features, while the X440 S focuses on that improves the convenience of the rider.

Performance

• The Bajaj Dominar 400 produces more power, making it the stronger performer in terms of outright speed and highway cruising ability. It is better suited for riders who want quick acceleration and strong top-end performance.

• The Harley-Davidson X440 S, on the other hand, produces less power but more torque at lower RPMs. This means it will be easier to ride at lower speeds in the city and for cruising on the highway.

• For highway touring, the Dominar’s higher power output will make overtakes easier and cruising more effortless. The X440 S will feel more comfortable in slower, urban environments.

Verdict

The Bajaj Dominar 400 and the Harley-Davidson X440 S cater to slightly different types of riders despite being in a similar price bracket.

The Dominar 400 is the better touring motorcycle in this comparison. It offers significantly higher power, better touring capability, advanced electronic features like riding modes and traction control and sportier handling capabilities. So, if you want an affordable power cruiser that can satisfy your highway touring and long-distance riding needs, then the Bajaj Dominar 400 is a good option to consider.

The Harley-Davidson X440 S, on the other hand, focuses on strong low-end torque, a relaxed riding experience, better ground clearance for Indian roads and premium brand appeal. It is better suited for riders who prefer to ride at their own pace, value brand identity and primarily ride in the city with occasional highway usage.

Other Rivals:

The Bajaj Dominar 400 offers a comparatively more relaxed riding experience with stronger low-end torque, while the Guerrilla 450 delivers significantly higher performance and a more aggressive character.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a power cruiser meant for touring, while the Triumph Speed 400 is more of a streetfighter-like roadster with more agile handling capabilities.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 can take you on relaxed rides across highways, while the Triumph Scrambler 400X is meant to be a do-it-all motorcycle across tarmac and off-road trails.

The TVS Apache RTR 310 offers crazy streetfighter fun with an extensive features list while the Bajaj Dominar 400 will let you tour at your own pace.