Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike Launched At ₹ 95,000

After several spy shots and quick successive teasers, Bajaj Auto has finally launched the world’s first CNG motorcycle called Freedom 125. Ushering in a new revolution, especially for the Indian two-wheeler industry, the Bajaj Freedom 125 will be available in three variants – LED disc brake variant, LED/ drum brake and drum brake variant. 

The base drum brake variant will set you back by ₹ 95,000, the mid-spec variant is priced at ₹1.05 lakh, while the top variant costs ₹ 1.10 lakh. While the CNG tank is the biggest highlight of the Freedom 125, Bajaj has gone ahead and made this bike quite desirable at the same time as well, especially for those looking for commuter bikes. Bookings have commenced from today, and the bike will be available in a phased manner, starting with Maharashtra and Gujarat, followed by Delhi-NCR, and then the rest of the country. Deliveries will start with the disc-LED variant, followed by the mid-spec drum-LED variant, and the base-spec model will be available from the next quarter onwards. 

Bajaj Freedom 125: Engine Specs

The 2 kg CNG tank sends the fuel to a 125 cc , single-cylinder motor which produces 9.5 bhp at 8000 rpm and 9.7 Nm at 6000 rpm. Not the most performance-oriented tune, but the output figures are credible in the sense that this will primarily be used for commuting within the urban jungle. The engine comes paired with a 5-speed gearbox. Apart from CNG, the Bajaj Freedom 125 can also run on conventional petrol and there’s a 2 litre tank for the same. The rider can switch between the modes by using a simple switch. Talking about range, the CNG mode has a claimed range of 102 km/kg whereas on petrol the Freedom 125 returns 65 kmpl.

Bajaj Freedom 125: Suspension And Brakes

The engine comes nestled inside a trellis frame, with a protective cage around the CNG tank. This was a conscious design that was mainly driven by safety concerns to protect the CNG tank and other critical stuff. The frame is suspended by conventional telescopic fork and a modern linked monoshock setup for its suspension. It rides on 17-/17-inch alloy wheels.  

Bajaj Freedom 125: Safety

Bajaj conducted 11 tests to ensure that the CNG tank in the Freedom 125 is not compromised and there was no leakage from the valves. 

Bajaj Freedom 125: Design

Design-wise, the world’s first CNG bike looks quite stylish for a commuter bike, and the LED headlamp design gives it quite a modern appeal. The tank section looks muscular, the upswept floating-tail design gives a very nice sporty finishing touch To accommodate the CNG tank, Bajaj has gone for a single-seat design, which is 25 per cent longer than the seat of conventional commuter bikes. 

Keeping matters attractive, the Bajaj Freedom 125 with a choice of seven dual-tone colour options. So, the top-spec LED/disc brake variant is available in Caribbean Blue, Pewter Grey-Black and Cyber White. The LED/ Drum brake variant will be available with Ebony Black-Grey and Racing Red colour options. The base drum brake variant is available with just two options Pewter Grey-Yellow and Ebony Black Red.  

Bajaj Freedom 125: Features

Keeping cost under check, Bajaj has equipped the Freedom 125 with all the essential features. These include a fully digital reverse LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Besides, the Bajaj Freedom 125 is available with an all-LED headlamp, except for the base variant which gets a halogen bulb. 

Bajaj Freedom 125: Competition

Technically, the world’s first CNG motorcycle is beyond any direct rival at the moment. However, being a 125 cc bike, it will have some heavy stalwarts vying for competition which include the likes of the Honda Shine 125, Hero Super Splendor XTEC, Hero Glamour, Bajaj Pulsar 125, and the TVS Raider 125.