1 Nov 2025
This final episode of the Motonews League directly compares the Kieve K249N and Dominar 250 motorcycles, highlighting their performance in a drag race given their closely matched technical specifications. While the lighter Kieve K249N shows initial quickness, the Dominar 250, despite its heavier weight, consistently excels in sustained acceleration, though its braking system has noted assembly issues.
This is the final and fourth episode of the Motonews League, a four-part series comparing motorcycles, with previous episodes available for viewing in a playlist.
The Kieve K249N and Dominar 250 are selected for comparison due to their attractive and closely matched technical specifications, prompting a detailed performance analysis.
The Kieve K249N is a 249cc, 4-stroke, four-valve engine producing 24 horsepower at 9750 rpm and 22 Nm of torque at 7500 rpm, with an approximate weight of 151 kg.
The Dominar 250 delivers 27 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 23 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm, achieving maximum horsepower and torque at lower engine speeds, and has a dry weight of 180 kg.
In initial drag races, the lighter Kieve K249N was initially ahead, but the Dominar 250 consistently managed to catch up and overtake, especially as speeds increased, demonstrating superior sustained acceleration.
The Dominar's ability to achieve peak horsepower and torque at lower RPMs, combined with its long-geared gearbox, allowed it to roll and gain significant ground, making a noticeable difference in sustained acceleration.
The Kieve K249N features a power-shift gearbox with short gear ratios that enable quick engine revs but ultimately sacrifice top speed.
The Dominar 250 may not have sharp initial acceleration but provides powerful and beautiful acceleration in higher gears, likened to a 'nitro' boost, effectively closing gaps and passing competitors.
The Kieve's front brake is very good, whereas the Dominar 250 appears to have an assembly problem with its brakes, performing less sharply than other models like the Apache 200 or Zontes, despite its higher weight.
The Kieve K249N's first series featured a 15-inch rear tire, which was subsequently reduced to 14 inches to improve handling and mitigate a 'muddy underfoot' sensation.
Across the 5-6 videos in the Motonews League collection, the Dominar 250 engine consistently finished first, highlighting its superior overall performance despite its weight.
Viewers are encouraged to visit the playlist for previous episodes, subscribe to the channel for more videos and insights, and leave comments, particularly for discussions about Duke motorcycles or gearboxes.
The presenter plans to acquire a new engine, possibly a Duke, for future challenges against the Dominar 250, and may consider selling their current motorcycle.
Bajaj engineering, spanning nine years, delivers a motorcycle that, despite its weight, gearbox, and tire size, performs exceptionally well, demonstrating an impressive overall package.
| Motorcycle | Engine_HP_RPM | Torque_Nm_RPM | Dry_Weight_kg | Gearbox_Characteristic | Performance_Summary | Key_Observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kieve K249N | 24 HP @ 9750 rpm | 22 Nm @ 7500 rpm | 151 kg | Power-shift, short ratios | Quick revs, initially faster, sacrifices top speed. | Good front brake, improved handling with 14-inch rear tire (from 15-inch). |
| Dominar 250 | 27 HP @ 7500 rpm | 23 Nm @ 6500 rpm | 180 kg | Long-geared | Max power/torque at lower RPMs, superior sustained acceleration, excels in higher gears, consistently wins races. | Apparent assembly problem with brakes, less sharp than competitors. |
