autoX Awards 2024: Typically, high-performance and premium motorcycles steal the spotlight during our annual mega-test. Yet, the Bajaj Freedom 125, while neither the fastest nor the best-looking ride, managed to stand out, turning heads and earning considerable attention. Why? For two main reasons – its quirky design and dual-fuel technology. It is the world’s first CNG motorcycle, which promises significant cost savings – up to 50% compared to a standard petrol-powered commuter bike. And this made it the best value-for-money proposition in our entire bike line-up.
Bajaj developed the Freedom 125 with a minimalist approach, successfully incorporating a PESO-certified 2kg CNG cylinder in the middle of its trellis frame. What’s more, they also packed the whole conversion and switching system – which is similar to setups found in some cars – seamlessly into this sleek motorcycle.
The Freedom is all about functionality, with a long, comfortable seat and multiple luggage holders on each side. Plus, it has fork sleeve protectors, which, while not the most stylish, definitely add a rugged touch. The seat height is 825mm, which is an issue for shorter riders.
Powered by a 125cc air-cooled engine, which delivers 9.5bhp at 8,000 rpm and 9.7Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm when running on CNG, the Freedom isn’t a contender for lap times on the track. Rather, it is a capable commuter for everyday use. The engine is surprisingly smooth and easy to handle, offering a claimed range of about 200km on CNG and an extra 130km on petrol.
Also Read: Bajaj Auto Registers 2% Year-on-Year Total Sales Growth in October
The high-end version we tested comes with cool features like an LED headlight, front disc brake, and an inverted LCD display, with Bluetooth connectivity. So, the Freedom 125 doesn’t lack in features, especially for its segment. It is definitely a great and innovative option for commuters, offering efficiency and practicality. However, it looks decidedly utilitarian and the quality levels could be better too.
- Bajaj Freedom (Lap Time: 1.37.6)
| PARAMETERS | POINTS | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY | 10 | 5 |
| COMFORT & PRACTICALITY | 10 | 8 |
| REFINEMENT | 10 | 8 |
| DESIGN | 10 | 4 |
| DRIVETRAIN | 10 | 8 |
| RIDE & HANDLING | 10 | 7 |
| X FACTOR | 15 | 12 |
| LAP TIME | 05 | 0 |
| VALUE FOR MONEY | 20 | 18 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 70 |
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