Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike - Top 5 Pros and 5 Cons To Know

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle is definitely a game-changer product. It became the world's first-ever hybrid CNG-petrol bike upon its launch. Priced from a starting range of Rs 95,000, the Freedom 125 is expected to become a segment leader in the 125cc market. If you are also planning on buying the Freedom 125, make sure to read its top 5 positives and top 5 negatives below. Also, do become a member of our esteemed 91Wheels WhatsApp channel, to get the latest auto updates regularly.

Also Read: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike: First Look Detailed Review

Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG - 5 Pros

Revolutionary Technology

Without any doubt, the Freedom 125 is a revolutionary product. It is not only India's but the world's first-ever CNG motorcycle. Bajaj has developed it from scratch and the use of cycle parts from other bikes is much less. Its 125cc horizontal air-cooled bi-fuel engine is a testament to refinement and efficiency. This engine generates a peak power output of 9.4bhp and 9.7Nm of peak torque. With the 5-speed transmission, its ARAI-claimed efficiency for CNG is 101 km/kg, and for petrol is 65 kmpl. Bajaj offers a 2-litre CNG tank and a 2-litre petrol tank on it, which cumulatively provides more than 330 km of range.

Unique and Attractive Design

Breaking the notion of boring commuter segment design language, Bajaj has made the Freedom 125 a distinctive bike. Its styling is different, appealing, and attractive. With its unusually long seat and small fuel tank, the futuristic elements like LED light, front suspension covers, and a unique rear design, make it look different on the road. Bajaj has neatly hidden the CNG fuel tank under the seat, as there are no visible pipes or hardware that makes it look weird or out of shape. For now, it surely is a head-turner inside the city. Also, its design doesn't feel that it'll age soon.

Solid Build Quality and Comfort

Bajaj has improved its products and quality over time. Freedom 125 is a solid example of this. The overall build quality, plastic used, and hardware quality, are all solid and feel durable. There are no uneven panels, visible joint welds or dangling wires that make it look sub-standard. It is a nicely put-up product that is made to last long. Additionally, it has the longest seat on any production bike in the world, and that transforms the riding experience into a pleasurable and comfortable one. A family of three, which we do not recommend to do so, can easily sit on it and potter around the city. Lastly, the riding position is very comfortable and the rider can easily ride it for a long duration, without getting tired.

Refined Performance and Superb Fuel Economy

The new 125cc bi-fuel CNG-petrol hybrid engine of the Freedom is a very refined unit. The bike can start on CNG mode as well as petrol mode. Also, a switch on the handlebar can be used anytime to switch between the two fuel modes. In both modes, the engine remains very silent and refined. Even at the higher RPMs, the engine doesn't feel screaming unnecessarily. Also, this engine gives the rider a feeling that it will last long without causing any major trouble. While we are yet to find the durability of it, the fuel economy it delivers is superb. In pure CNG mode, it can easily cover more than 200 km on the highway and 160-180 km inside the city. The petrol mode is also very economical and one can expect it to deliver around 60-65 kmpl on regular use. Also, its unique linked mono-shock at the rear provides a very subtle ride quality on broken roads.

Feature-Equipped

Bajaj has equipped the Freedom 125 with the latest technology. It gets a negative LCD console with Bluetooth connectivity as standard. This console has a multi-info display like fuel economy, tripmeters, turn-by-turn navigation, SMS/call alert, etc. These features are usually missing on its petrol rivals like the Honda Shine. Also, the LED headlight and front disc brake variant is an appealing one as it gives the safety as well as butch looks of a segment-above motorcycle.

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Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG - 5 Cons

CNG Availability

The major fight that the Freedom 125 owners will find themselves into, is the lack of CNG infrastructure. While the big cities have ample of CNG stations, the tier-2 and tier-3 customers will find it difficult to source CNG and that too with an apt pressure. Moreover, the megacity customers will have to wait in long queues filled with other CNG vehicles like autorickshaws, and hence the filling time will be longer. Also, during inter-city commutes, it will be difficult to find working CNG stations under proper pressure.

Steeply Priced

Bajaj is offering the Freedom 125 in three different variants. The starting price of the Freedom 125 is from Rs 95,000 and goes up to Rs 1.10 lakh, ex-showroom. Now, this price would be even higher when the on-road cost is calculated. For a 125cc motorcycle, this pricing is severely close to the 150cc bikes, a segment that offers everything in a bigger form. Also, the 125cc petrol rivals have a stronghold in the aftersales market, and customers need not wait in the CNG queues with those options.

Not a Highway Cruiser

A relatively understandable con of the Freedom 125 is its lack of highway performance. It is meant to be an affordable and stylish city commuter, and using its 125cc engine on the highway might not be everyone's cup of tea. The bike feels underpowered in CNG mode with two adults at times, and considering that the highway roads require an initial punch, it is not the best option around this price tag. The Freedom 125 sits happily around 60-65 kmph in fifth gear, and this speed is surely not meant for long inter-city commutes.

Lack of ABS

The top variant of Freedom 125 is priced at Rs 1.10 lakh ex-showroom. It has a front disc brake option along with an LED headlight. However, the bike does not offer an ABS, not even as an option. This is a serious miss, because ABS is one of the most important safety features, and its lack on a Rs 1.10 lakh motorcycle is not justified. We feel that it will be a reason for some buyers to not opt for the Freedom 125. Hopefully, Bajaj will add a single-channel ABS going forward.

Unprecedented Future

Bajaj is a brave manufacturer, and it is known for making out-of-the-box products. The Freedom 125 is one such unique product, but, the future of a hybrid CNG-petrol bike is unknown in India. While the commuter segment has a big area where CNG buyers would plunge for the Freedom 125, the long-term reliability and repair costs of this setup are still unknown. As per Bajaj's calculation, it is going to be more than half cheaper than running or owning its petrol rivals. But, we suggest that you wait for at least a few months, before a serious issue pops up, if it has any.

Also Read: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike vs Hero Glamour Xtec - Check Detailed Comparison