Bajaj Dominar aka Kratos vs400 price and specifications

Bajaj Dominar aka Kratos VS400 again spied testing around Pune city


Bajaj Kartos VS400 spied testing in final stage
Pricing & Features:
The Bajaj Dominor aka  Kratos VS400 has been launched at a price tag of 1.5- 1.7 lakhs on road Delhi, Bajaj VS400 price looks quite lucrative. On the other hand Bajaj has done many possible things to keep the cost low by compromising on the weight of the bike. Bajaj VS400 comes fitted with telescopic forks. VS400 also shares same frame from the smaller sibling of the NS200. The Kratos is fitted with MRF tires similar the Duke 200. The bike comes fitted with dual channel ABS, which Bajaj has given as an option but will be standard after mid of 2017. The Bajaj VS400 looks like far descendants of the Ducati Diavel in a miniature form.

Pros:
Bajaj Kratos VS400: ABS, comfortable seat, large fuel tank, better mileage

Cons:
Bajaj Kratos VS400: MRF tires, telescopic forks, high kerb weight, low reliability

Price, On Road, Delhi:

Bajaj VS400:  1.5 to 1.7 Lakhs Rs

Performance & Tractability:
The Bajaj Kratos VS400 is suppose to be a sports-tourer . The VS400 will not pose the ability to accelerate from 0-100 compared to the Duke due to the taller final drive ratio and massive kerb weight. The Kratos BS400 IS expected to get a slipper clutch, which will further reduced the clutch effort to a greater extent, we believe that on the VS400 their might be a basic version as well of the bike which may not get a slipper clutch.


Power to Weight Ratio (PS/ton): Bajaj VS400- 192
Torque to Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): Bajaj VS400- 192

Power (PS@rpm): Bajaj VS400- 35@8000
Torque (Nm@rpm): Bajaj VS400- 35@6500
Kerb Weight (kg): Bajaj VS400- 182

Displacement (cc): Bajaj VS400- 373.2

Handling & Ride Quality:
The VS400 when showcased at 2014 Auto-expo has features USD forks, but as Bajaj wants to keep the price as low as possible has eliminated the USD and brought in the telescopic suspensions. The rear suspension on the VS400 seems to be multi link mounted in place of direct mounting of the Duke's and the NS200. With multi link setup the rear suspension will feel more planted and should be able to take the shocks with minimum transfer to the rider. Due to the extra long wheel base stability at high speeds will be very good, but in case of quick maneuver the bike may become difficult, thanks to its weight as well. The rear swing arm on the VS400 is made from cast aluminum, which becomes a benefit as torsional rigidity increases compared to a tubular section. Handling at highs speeds in long sweeping bends will not transfer the rider a wacky lateral shake.


Tyre Size:
Front: Bajaj VS400– 110/700 17 MRF
Rear: Bajaj VS400– 150/60 17 MRF

Wheelbase (mm): Bajaj VS400– 1453 (longest)

Comfort & Ergonomics:
When the Kratos VS400 was showcased in 2014 expo, it had a single piece saddle, but in the production version Bajaj seems to go with a split seat, we expect Bajaj too maintain better cushion than the NS200 and of-course Duke's.
But the cushion the the VS400 doesn't look confining though, it can easily accommodate the rider and the pillion without any issues.
The handle bars are also well positioned, Bajaj has provided in-built handle bar risers on the triple clamp plate. The rider doesn't have to lean forward a bit while riding the VS400. Foot pegs fire both the rider and the pillion are quite nearly placed of compared to KTM Duke. As on DUKE a first time pillion will always put his feet's on the riders foot pegs, which you might have also experienced.

Seat Height (mm): Bajaj Kratos VS400 - 780 approx

Fuel Efficiency:
Bajaj Kratos VS400, is powered buy a similar power plant the Duke 390 which is 373.2cc. But as usual the engine doesn't look the same from periphery. The Kratos may get two different fuel supply sources, a carb and fuel injection as well. From the carb version you can expect a mileage of 32-35 kmpl and 25-30kmpl from the fuel injected version. The fuel injected version will have similar levels of horses as the Duke 390.

Reliability & After Sales Service: 
Bajaj low cost strategy has many times put the vehicle's quality on stakes, but with technology sharing from the Austrian bike maker Bajaj needs to learn a lot. We can expect niggling issues on the NS200 will be resolved on the Bajaj VS400. Bajaj has a vast network of more than 1500 touch points. Talking about the reliability part, Bajaj needs to improve longevity of the motor and suspension when compared to the competition. Bajaj also needs to stop discontinuing their products abruptly from the market, like the NS200, AS200. This creates an insecured feeling amongst the new as well as return buyers.

Verdict:
The Bajaj Kratos VS400 derived partially from the NS200 and the Duke 390s power-plant, what can we expect out of that, the VS400 is meant for hitting long roads with pleasure. But the character of the VS400 seems to carry heavy metal like the NS200. If you love conquering long journeys VS400 is the bike with better fuel efficiency and higher capacity fuel tank.


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