Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike Variants Explained

The world’s first CNG bike comes in three variants including NG04 Drum, NG04 Drum LED and NG04 Disc LED. Here’s how they are different from each other

The all-new Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike has been launched in India, starting at Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom). It is not only India’s first CNG bike but is also the one-of-a-kind bike in the world. It comes with a unique and stylish design. The bike has a hexagonal headlight rounded at the edges, a braced handlebar, a small tank and a 785mm long single-piece seat, which is the longest in the segment.

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike is available in three variants, including the base NG04 Drum variant, the mid NG04 Drum LED variant and the range-topping NG04 Disc LED variant. Here’s how they are different from each other:

The Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04 Drum: Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom)

The base variant of the Bajaj Freedom 125 is called the NG04 Drum. It gets two colour options including Pewter Grey - Yellow and Ebony Black - Red. The base NG04 Drum variant comes with a halogen headlight, it gets a full-LCD instrument console and misses out on smartphone connectivity.

The base Freedom 125 also doesn’t get a tank cover flap. As the variant name suggests, it comes fitted with 130mm front and 110-section rear drum brakes with CBS (combined braking system). Like the other variants, it rides on 17-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheels but unlike other variants, it gets 80-section tyres on both ends. This variant gets a sheet metal bash plate.

The Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04 Drum LED: Rs 1,05,000 (ex-showroom)

The NG04 Drum LED is the mid-variant of the Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike and is available in five colour schemes: Caribbean Blue, Ebony Black - Grey, Pewter Grey - Black, Racing Red and Cyber White. It comes equipped with an LED headlight and LED DRLs (daytime running lights), and gets a full-LCD instrument cluster but lacks smartphone connectivity. This variant gets a tank cover flap.

Just like the base variant, it also gets drum brakes with CBS on both ends, however, the rear drum at 130mm is slightly bigger than the base variant’s 110mm rear drum brake. The NG04 Drum LED variant comes wrapped with 90-section front and 120-section rear tyres. The mid variant has a more robust plastic and steel metal bash plate.

The Bajaj Freedom 125 NG04 Disc LED: Rs 1,10,000 (ex-showroom)

The Freedom 125 NG04 Disc LED is the top as well as the most feature-loaded variant and is the only variant currently available in Maharashtra and Gujarat. It comes in five shades: Caribbean Blue, Ebony Black - Grey, Pewter Grey - Black, Racing Red and Cyber White.

The range-topping NG04 Dis LED is equipped with an LED headlight with LED DRLs. It features a negatively-lit LCD instrument console with Smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth, call alerts and a dedicated call-receiving button on the left-side switchgear. It also gets a USB charging port along and a tank cover flap.

The top NG04 Disc LED variant is equipped with a 240mm front disc brake and a 130mm rear drum brake with CBS. Its 17-inch front alloy wheel is wrapped with a 90-section tyre and the 16-inch rear alloy is fitted with a 120-section tyre. It also gets a plastic and steel metal bash plate.

What Is Similar On All Three Freedom 125 Variants?

All the variants are powered by a 125cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine which is compatible with both CNG and petrol, and makes 9.5PS and 9.7Nm. The engine is likely to be paired with a 5-speed gearbox. It has a claimed top speed of 90.5kmph (CNG) and 93.4kmph (petrol). 

The Bajaj Freedom 125 has a 2kg CNG tank placed horizontally under the seat and a 2-litre petrol tank for when the CNG runs out. The bike seamlessly switches between CNG and petrol modes and includes a CNG pressure indicator too. Bajaj claims a mileage of 102km per kg (CNG) and 65km per litre (petrol), providing a combined range of about 330km.

The Freedom 125 gets a specially designed trellis frame and a sub-frame that protects the CNG fuel tank in case of an accident or a crash. It has a box-section steel swingarm. The suspension system consists of a telescopic fork and a linked monoshock. It has a kerb weight of 149kg, a ground clearance of 170mm, a 785mm long seat (the longest in its class), and a seat height of 825mm. The narrow seat profile makes it easier for shorter riders. At the rear, it features a stubby upswept exhaust with a steel heat shield and a saree guard.

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike is currently the world’s only CNG motorcycle and doesn’t have a direct competitor. However, it competes with other 125cc bikes like Honda Shine 125, Hero Glamour Bajaj Pulsar 125, Hero Xtreme 125R and TVS Raider 125.

Bajaj has also addressed the safety concerns related to the CNG bike by conducting 11 different types of crash and impact tests. You can check out the full story here.