Bajaj Freedom 125 Vs Raider 125 Vs Xtreme 125R Vs Pulsar NS125: Specs Comparison

Updated: Sunday, July 7, 2024, 10:15 [IST]

Bajaj has introduced the world's first CNG motorcycle, the Freedom. This bike aims to offer low running costs while maintaining a competitive price with other sporty 125cc motorcycles. The Freedom 125 is designed for buyers who want to minimise daily expenses, similar to those considering budget commuters in the 100cc and 110cc segments.

Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Vs Sporty Rivals

The Freedom 125 stands out with its unique design elements like front fork covers, LED headlights, an X-motif LED tail light, and a muscular tank shroud. It also features the longest-ever seat and playful colours. Comparing it to basic commuter bikes feels inappropriate; hence, its competition includes TVS Raider 125, Hero Xtreme 125R, and Bajaj's Pulsar NS125.

In terms of powertrains, the Freedom 125 delivers 9.37 bhp and 9.7 Nm of torque, making it the least powerful among its rivals. The Pulsar NS125 is the most powerful in this group. Despite this, the Freedom 125 makes its peak torque at just 5,000 RPM, which is lower than its competitors.

Specs Comparison

Weighing in at 147.8 kg, the Freedom 125 is the heaviest among its peers. Its fuel capacity is also the lowest with just 2 litres of petrol and 2 kg of CNG. However, it excels in fuel efficiency with an impressive rate of 102 km/kg. This means that even with a daily commute of 50 km, refuelling is minimal and cost-effective.

The bike's added components contribute to its weight but are necessary for its complex engineering. It has a seat height of 825mm and a ground clearance of 170mm. Interestingly, Bajaj offers a 16-inch rear wheel for the Freedom 125 while rivals use 17-inch wheels.

Features and Componentry

The tyre width on the Freedom 125 matches that of Hero Xtreme 125R (90-section front and 120-section rear), which were previously the widest in this segment. All contenders feature RSU telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock setup. The substantial fork covers on the Freedom add to its muscular appeal.

Except for Hero Xtreme’s larger front disc brake at 276mm, other bikes offer a standard front disc brake size of around 240mm and a rear drum brake at about 130mm. While all these bikes provide LED headlights and tail lights (at least as an option), only Xtreme offers LED turn indicators.

TVS Raider stands out with a TFT instrument cluster that includes navigation among other features; others offer Bluetooth with limited functionalities.

Bajaj aims to attract various customer segments by incorporating premium features into their first CNG bike offering. Future models might include more affordable options without premium features under different lines like CT.

Bajaj's innovative approach with the Freedom 125 CNG sets it apart from traditional motorcycles by focusing on cost-efficiency without compromising on style or essential features.