[volkman10]

Bajaj CNG bike launch date confirmed.

[The Pianist]

Now that's an innovative and bold step!
Congratulations to Bajaj

[Black_Star]

This is perhaps the longest seat I have ever seen

While Splendor max out at probably 3, this Bajaj can do 4, truly innovative thinking by them

[ganeshk4]

I think this is going to be a flop.

1) People are already moving to EV's from ICE at least in two wheeler segment. I doubt CNG two wheeler can beat running costs of an EV.

2) At least in rural maharashtra CNG has availability issues, (talking about western part maharashtra). You will see huge lines for CNG spanning 1-2 hours that now CNG cars are MEME material (not talking about mumbai). Now imagine adding two wheelers in the mix.

They should have launched it way back. This is an EV era for commuter two wheelers now.

[r2212xx]

My curiosity is - Who is the target customer?

I do not think city dwellers are going to prefer this since EVs seem a much more logical option. Standing in CNG station queues is incomprehensible to a two-wheeler owner. I see almost zero potential in major metros where you have cost-conscious short-distance riders; for them, EVs are an option that hits the sweet spot.

Those in rural areas lean towards the simple 100-125 cc commuter motorcycles, which almost always top their list of potential mobility options. These motorcycles have a comparatively lower upfront cost, and the subsequent maintenance cost is also lower. Finance is also generally easily available for such motorcycles. Another quality of commuter bikes is their abuse-friendly nature - a bonus to those who live in deeper hinterlands.

So, it makes one wonder - Who does Bajaj intend to sell the bike? That will determine the competition and the benchmark of expectations in terms of features.

A few features that can attract customers from the aforementioned categories are a lucrative price that undercuts competition and exceptional features, including various transmission choices.

[ExplorerXIII]

Originally Posted by ganeshk4

I think this is going to be a flop.

1) People are already moving to EV's from ICE at least in two wheeler segment. I doubt CNG two wheeler can beat running costs of an EV.

Major international brands Toyota and Ford are backtracking on their EV commitments and focusing on ICE hybrids instead.

Originally Posted by ganeshk4

2) At least in rural maharashtra CNG has availability issues, (talking about western part maharashtra). You will see huge lines for CNG spanning 1-2 hours that now CNG cars are MEME material (not talking about mumbai). Now imagine adding two wheelers in the mix.

They should have launched it way back. This is an EV era for commuter two wheelers now.

India does not have the power grid to support widespread EV adoption currently unless electricity is generated generated from solar which also is limited in densely populated metros with multistorey deswellings.

[ganeshk4]

Originally Posted by ExplorerXIII

Major international brands Toyota and Ford are backtracking on their EV commitments and focusing on ICE hybrids instead.

Though what you say is right with respect to four wheeler brands. What i said was specific to two wheeler scenario. And I don't know any two wheeler brand which backtracked their commitment. Since EV's suffer from range anxiety for now their adoption for 4 wheelers are less most of households only have one 4 wheeler which they use for everything city drive, inner city travel.

Where as minuscule amount people use their motorcycle for long distance traveling this makes motorcycle segment ripe for EV.

[volkman10]

Bajaj Bruzer CNG motorcycle will be launched on July 5, 2024, in India and its first teaser video confirms a host of details.

First is a blue switch to toggle between CNG and petrol. It’s positioned on the left-side switchgear where you’d normally find a toggle switch for low and high beams. The indicator switch is clearly visible under this toggle. Also, there’s a hint of a circular button between the fuel toggle and the indicator switch, which would most likely be for the horn. If that’s the case, the CNG Bike will have an integrated hi-low and pass switch at the index finger position, just like on the KTM bikes.

The fuel toggle switch should be able to seamlessly switch between the two fuels which will add to the bike's utility.

The CNG filler nozzle is most likely to have a separate placement from the petrol filler. CNG filler nozzles are far more complex yet secure refilling mechanisms. Remember how the LPG cylinders and their regulators are? The CNG storage system is a pressurised unit and requires a specialised mechanism to refill. This is why the lid seen will be different from a normal petrol tank lid.

the shape of the petrol tank, a single-piece flat seat and a tubular grab rail in the teaser. The CNG tank will be positioned below the conventional petrol tank and it appears that the outer casing (or a sump guard) has also been teased.

Other key features of the model include an upright handlebar, knuckle guards, sharp mirrors, minimalistic side body panels and utility hooks. Bajaj is expected to offer the CNG motorcycle in at least two variants. The suspension duties will be handled by telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear.

Link:

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Bajaj Bruzer CNG motorcycle will be launched on July 5, 2024, in India

It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to CNG motorcycles. If they become a hit, it could bring good days back for Bajaj. Additionally, it would allow more manufacturers to explore this option.

[Shubhendra]

CNG bike is not an innovation from Bajaj as there are lot of after market CNG retrofitters since last 5-7 years. However, its a good initiative to launch a factory fitted CNG bike (similar to cars)
People asking about target customers: Out of 28 crore families (140 crore people) 30% of Indian population earn between INR 2 lacs to 5 lacs a year. There are lot of people outside this online world who although can purchase a bike on installment but running cost of that bike matters to them.
About that long seat, Bajaj truly nailed this. Reason, people are going to buy CNG bikes for the utility - delivery boys, farmers, daily wage workers , small shop/business owners etc.

[SS80]

I am not a fan of buying any Type 1 models of any Indian company.
Usually, we become the guinea pig for them, ask Tata & Mahindra type 1 car owners and you know the answer.

It might be wise to wait for a while and then decide on this bike. We never know what new issues would be hidden in it.

[Nithesh_M]

Sometime around 2011 as part of my college project we put together a duel fuel motorcycle using the first gen pulsar 150 as base and stuck a 4 or 5kg cng cylinder under the seat. If I remember correctly we managed to get something like 108 kmpl despite all the weight penalty we had on there.

Once we all passed out of the college I'd heard some manufacturer got wind of the project from local papers and contacted one of us but none of us were in touch so we never got back to them.

[TusharK]

Bajaj CNG bike could be called Freedom 125

Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch India’s first CNG-powered motorcycle tomorrow. It seems the bike could be called Freedom 125.



The latest leak comes in the form of the official website. The new model briefly appeared under a drop-down menu alongside other models from the Pulsar and Avenger ranges.

Bajaj recently shared a teaser showing a blue switch to toggle between CNG and petrol modes. A silhouette of the Freedom 125 has also appeared in some local newspapers, revealing a flat, single-piece seat and a round LED headlamp.

If the new bike is indeed called Freedom 125, it will be safe to assume that the engine is a 125cc, single-cylinder unit in a sloper configuration. Either way, details will be officially announced on July 5, 2024.

Source: Rushlane

Link to Team-BHP news

[volkman10]

Bajaj CNG Bike name revealed: Bajaj Freedom 125

[Gaur]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Bajaj CNG bike could be called Freedom 125

Bajaj Auto is gearing up to launch India’s first CNG-powered motorcycle tomorrow. It seems the bike could be called Freedom 125.

Attachment 2623914

Bajaj didn't mention anywhere that this is a 4 seater motorcycle