The Bajaj Freedom has caught the attention of everyone, ever since its launch. Priced from Rs 95,000 onwards, it is the first CNG bike in the world and promises an economical mode of transportation. Those who need to commute regularly or those involved in the delivery business, will especially like the unmatched cost/km savings that the Freedom CNG offers. Its 125cc, air-cooled, single cylinder engine produces 9.5bhp at 8,000rpm and 9.7Nm at 5,000rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed gearbox. It has a 2kg CNG tank and the bike can cover 104km in a kilogram of CNG. However, if you don’t want the hassle of waiting in long lines to fill CNG, as is the case these days with other CNG vehicles, here are your other 125cc, petrol motorcycle options.
TVS Raider 125 (Rs 95,219 onwards)
The Raider is the darling of the masses and among the highest selling bikes in the category. It blends modern styling with comfortable ergonomics and has a peppy engine that adds more zing to your mundane commute. The handling is the cherry on top and this is the first 125cc commuter to feature a monoshock suspension. The features list is pretty strong as well, with the top variant getting a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity.
Hero Xtreme 125R (Rs 95,000 onwards)
The Xtreme 125R ushers a new era of Hero motorcycles in the 125cc space. Gone are the traditional and boring commuter bike designs that Hero was known for and in comes a sharp and aggressively styled motorcycle. Hero has clearly targeted the younger generation of buyers with the bike. Its engine is notably refined at high speeds but one needs to feed in a lot of revs to access most of its performance. The bike also rides and handles very well, as is expected of motorcycles made by Hero these days.
Honda Shine (Rs 80,250 onwards)
The Honda Shine is an extremely popular motorcycle and the only Japanese motorcycle here. Its conservative styling appeals to people who don’t want something loud. The comfortable ergonomics, good ride and frugal engine have earned it the name it commands in the market. It still remains the safe choice for those who want a proven 125cc bike.
