Weekly Bike News Wrap-up: Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike Launch, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Spied, Ola Electric To Use Own Batteries & More

The first week of July was packed with thrilling news from the two-wheeler industry. Key highlights include the launch of the world’s first CNG bike, spy shots of upcoming bikes, new offers and discounts, and other industry insights. If you missed any of the action, here’s a quick news recap to get you up to speed:

1. Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG Bike Launch

The Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike has been launched in India, with prices starting at Rs 95,000 (ex-showroom). It is available in three variants: NG04 Drum, NG04 Drum LED and NG04 Disc LED. The world’s first CNG bike is equipped with a 125cc single-cylinder engine that produces 9.5PS and 9.7Nm.

The Freedom 125 has two tanks including a primary CNG tank and a small petrol tank. It has a claimed range of 330km and seamlessly switches between CNG and petrol modes, using a button on the switchgear.

2. Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Spied Again

New spy shots of the upcoming Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 have surfaced online, ahead of its launch on July 17. These spy shots suggest that the RE Guerrilla 450 will be available in at least two variants. A more affordable one with a single-tone colour and a semi-digital instrument console from the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, whereas the other is likely to be a more premium one, finished in a dual-tone paint scheme and has the fully digital TFT console from the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.

3. Ola Electric To Use Own Batteries By 2025: Electric Bike Launch Next Year

Ola Electric is planning to use in-house manufactured lithium-ion batteries for its S1 electric scooters from 2025. This move from the manufacturer will reduce dependency on imports of lithium-ion cells and will significantly reduce the cost of EV battery manufacturing, hence reducing the prices of Ola S1 electric scooters and upcoming bikes.

Moreover, Ola Electric is also planning to launch its first electric bike in India by next year (2025). Previously, the EV maker unveiled four concept bikes in 2023 and is expected to showcase the production version of its first electric bike on the upcoming Independence Day, August 15, 2024. The upcoming electric bikes should also be powered by Ola’s in-house manufactured batteries.

4. Triumph Speed 400 & Scrambler 400 X Discount

Triumph Motorcycles India is offering a discount of Rs 10,000 on the purchase of the Triumph Speed 400 and the Triumph Scrambler 400 X. However, this is a limited-period offer, valid only till July 31, 2024. 

This offer comes as a celebration of the Speed 400’s first anniversary, as the bike was launched last year on July 5, 2023. Additionally, the manufacturer revealed that it has sold 50,000 units of these motorcycles combined across 50 countries in just one year.

5. Kawasaki KLX230 S Spied Again

The upcoming Kawasaki KLX230 S has been spied twice this week. The latest spy shots seem to be taken inside Kawasaki India’s facility. However, the grab rail and saree guard, which we saw in the earlier spy shots, were not mounted on the bike this time. 

The Japanese dual-sport bike is likely to be equipped with the same 233cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, engine as its Indonesian version. The engine produces a peak output of 19PS and 19.8Nm. It will go up against the Hero Xpulse 200 4V in India.