Bajaj CNG Freedom 125 CNG Bike - Top 5 Highlights

Bajaj has launched the world's first CNG motorcycle, the Freedom 125. This bike is expected to be a game-changer in the commuter motorcycle segment. Here are the top 5 highlights about it.

CNG Highlights

The Bajaj CNG Bike has a tank that can store up to 2 kg of CNG. The tank is placed under the seat, cradled within the trellis frame. While the CNG tank itself weighs 16kg, its central position directly above the shock absorber should minimise the weight felt by the rider. CNG is filled from the top, where there's also an inlet for filling petrol. On CNG, the Bajaj Freedom 125 has an ARAI-claimed mileage of 115 km/kg. Bajaj claims a running cost of just ₹ 1/km in the CNG mode.

Hybrid Dual Fuel Option

The Bajaj Freedom 125 also features a 2-litre petrol tank. While petrol is necessary for the CNG system to function, it offers a significant benefit: you won't be stranded if there's no CNG pump nearby. The petrol-to-CNG switch is conveniently located on the left handlebar controls, allowing for on-the-go operation. The bike automatically switches to petrol when the CNG level runs low. Additionally, it boasts an ARAI-claimed mileage of 65 kmpl in petrol mode, translating to a theoretical petrol-only range of 130 km. Powering the bike is a 125cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 9.5 bhp and 9.7 Nm. This engine utilises a sloper layout to maximise space under the tank.

11 CNG Tank Safety Test

The biggest concern with CNG is the tank's durability due to the highly flammable nature of the gas stored in it. To address this concern and provide assurance to customers, Bajaj has conducted 11 rigorous safety tests on the CNG Motorcycle.

Placing the CNG tank at the core of the trellis frame is a key safety feature. This is the most structurally secure part of the Bajaj Freedom 125, similar to the protective packaging used for eggs. It helps distribute any stress evenly, keeping the CNG tank safe.

Bajaj put the Freedom 125’s CNG tank through a battery of safety tests to ensure its robustness. The tank impressively withstood both a frontal impact test and a gruelling truck run-over test. In addition to these extreme scenarios, Bajaj conducted a series of targeted tests on the CNG components, including the CNG Valve Impact Test, Front Pendulum Test, 50 kg Filling Unit Strength Test, and 20 g Pullout Test. To assess the overall impact resistance of the motorcycle with the CNG tank, Bajaj also performed vehicle-based tests such as the Rear Impact Test, Side Impact Test, and Vertical Drop Test. These comprehensive tests provide strong evidence of the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG's commitment to safety.

Longest Seat & Suspension

Although the Bajaj CNG Bike - Freedom 125 is a commuter segment offering, it has not skimped out on creature comforts. The seat is the longest in the class and this has been achieved by extending it up to the lid of the tank. Also, the seat is flat and completely usable which means that 2 people can sit comfortably along with bags and other luggage kept with them.

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle uses a mono-link suspension which maximises suspension travel in less amount of space. This suspension has been seen first time on a commuter motorcycle and it was the only way the company could have accommodated a comfortable suspension while not compromising on ground clearance. It has a linkage at the bottom end which mounts to the swing arm as the upper part mounts to the trellis frame under the CNG tank. It is expected to be important as such suspensions are more robust than usual suspensions and they might take the load of the CNG tank better.

Pricing and Availability

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle comes in three variants, with prices starting from ₹95,000 (ex-showroom) and reaching ₹1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). The two base variants feature a drum brake in the front, while the top variant gets a disc brake for improved stopping power.

Bajaj offers the Freedom 125 CNG in seven colour options. The base variants have Pewter Grey-Yellow and Ebony Black-Red, while the top two variants have Cyber White in common. The mid-variant adds Ebony Black-Grey and Racing Red, and the top variant gets exclusive Caribbean Blue and Pewter Grey-Black options.

Connectivity features are available only on the top variant and the LED screens on the mid and top variant, but these features are limited to answering or rejecting calls while already connected.

Only the top variant of the freedom 125 CNG bike with the disc brake will go on sale in Maharashtra and Gujarat starting today. Rest of the variants will be available in other states across the nation by early next quarter. Bookings for the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG are now open on the Bajaj website and select dealerships.