Peugeot Satelis 125

Peugeot’s luxury-learner scooter is an ideal tool for the well-heeled provisional licence holder – it’s well-equipped, nicely made and rides well. It’s not so good out of town, but then few 125s are really.

Engine

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The revvy engine in the Satelis 125 is coupled with CVT transmission that uses the power for quick pick-up up to 40mph – town speed, in other words. Above that the pace slows, and getting past 65mph takes real effort. It can reach 75mph, but realistically it tops out at 67-70, straining hard and making a lot of noise.

Ride and Handling

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The Satelis 125 isn’t a sporty scooter, so it’s built for comfort instead. Largely it’s OK, though big bumps and holes overwhelm the small-wheel design. It handles well enough for its purpose and has a lot of steering lock for nipping around town. The large car-like mirrors give a great view and fold out of the way easily too.

Equipment

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The large fairing and screen keeps most of the wet weather of the rider, so you can get away with a light shower in the wrong kit. It also houses a locking cubby hole for small items in addition to the underseat storage, which will take certain full-face helmets. There’s enough room for a pillion – best not to bother given the low power output though.

Quality and Reliability

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The Satelis 125 is more neatly built than rivals – everything fits together properly and looks classy (with exception of the boot lid, which flexes on its hinges and can be difficult to get to close). Peugeot’s scooter range is massively popular, and faults aren’t common, so fingers crossed a Satelis should give trouble-free commuting.

Value

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The Satelis 125 is towards the upper end of 125 scooter prices, but it is a well specified scooter. If you intend to get a few years of regular use out of it, it’s a good choice, but it’s a big investment if you plan to move on after six months.

Insurance

Insurance group: 4

Model History

Introduced 2006. Unchanged since.

Other Versions

Peugeot Satelis 250 - 250cc version of the same – 33bhp learner legal.
Peugeot Satelis 500 - Largest Satelis model is a bargain maxi-scooter.

Specifications

Top speed	67mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	15bhp
Torque	14ftlb
Weight	159kg
Seat height	784mm
Fuel capacity	13.2 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group	4

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	Four-valve, liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke. CVT transmission.
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	263mm disc, two-piston caliper
Rear brake	240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	120/70-14
Rear tyre size	150/70-14

p.s if people could just randomly click on any advetising just so i can generate some money to keep the review coming many thanks :)

Peugeot LXR125

As big-wheel scooters go the Peugeot LXR125 is hard to fault – the competitive price, stable handling and a good dose of practicality add up to well-rounded package. It looks relatively stylish to boot.

Engine

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The LXR125’s liquid-cooled 125cc 4v engine zips up to town speeds, makes a claimed 12.5bhp and it’ll cruise at an indicated 65mph. Strangely though it feels no quicker than Peugeot’s own (cheaper) 8.7bhp air-cooled Tweet 125 - probably because it weighs 36kg more.  

Ride and Handling

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The LXR125’s big (for a scoot) 16” wheels improve the handling over rutted or pothole-strewn roads. The ride is very stable and reassuring, even at top speed, but it's slightly more cumbersome at walking pace or during u-turns. Brakes are just right – not so strong as to be threatening but more than enough bite for slicing through town traffic.

Equipment

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Lots of nice details that show thought has gone in to the design, such as a handy button on the bars that pops open the seat, luggage rack as standard, digital clock, petrol-cap on the tail unit rather than under the seat and fold-out pillion pegs. The underseat storage bay is big enough to take my full-face Shoei, which isn’t true of all 125 scooters.

Quality and Reliability

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The LXR125 has a sturdy feel to it that’s lacking in other 125cc big-wheel scooters – plus the French firm are offering a 2-year manufacturers warranty.

Value

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Scooter manufacturers seem to charge a small premium for big-wheel scooters so it’s up to you whether you think the extra stability is worth the extra cost. The LXR is cheaper than the similar Suzuki Sixteen 125 and Honda SH125. Factor in the 2-year warranty and it looks like good value.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

Introduced 2010

Other Versions

none

Specifications

Top speed	65mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	12.5bhp
Torque	ftlb
Weight	142kg
Seat height	795mm
Fuel capacity	8 litres
Average fuel consumption	80mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	124cc
Engine specification	liquid-cooled 4v single
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	220mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	100/80-16
Rear tyre size	120/80-16

Peugeot Tweet 125

If you can get past the daft name, the Peugeot Tweet 125 is a fantastic little scooter. There’s nothing new or revolutionary about it, but it’s fun to ride and offers everything you need to beat the traffic on your commute at a bargain price.

Engine

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The Tweet is powered by an air-cooled 125cc engine that makes 8.5bhp – fairly modest for a 125. But it makes up for it with low weight – it’s only 106kg, which is much lighter than a lot of 125cc scooters and even on par with some 50cc scoots. As a result it feels fairly nippy, even compared to Peugeot’s own 12.5bhp LXR125. 

Ride and Handling

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The Tweet 125’s light weight makes it ridiculously easy to throw around and a joy to u-turn. It’s not quite as stable at top speed, but in it’s element on city streets it makes light work of filtering. 16” wheel help to keep the Tweet composed over bumps and potholes.

Equipment

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The Tweet 125 has a useful switch on the bars that pops open the seat, an oddly-shaped but worthwhile glovebox, fold-out pillion pegs and a built-in luggage rack. Unfortunately the underseat storage bay wasn’t big enough to take my full-face Shoei, but an open-face lid would fit. Fuel capacity is also quite small at 5.7litres.

Quality and Reliability

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The Tweet 125 looks basic and you can see that it was built to be a no-nonsense bargain commuter. New models come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Value

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At £1899 for a big-wheel scooter the Tweet 125 is great value for money. There are cheaper scooters and there are pricier better equipped options, but the Tweet offers a nice balance between spec and price.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

Introduced 2010

Other Versions

none

Specifications

Top speed	62mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	8.7bhp
Torque	ftlb
Weight	109kg
Seat height	800mm
Fuel capacity	5.7 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	4v air-cooled single
Frame	tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	226mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	90/80-16
Rear tyre size	110/70-16

p.s if people could just randomly click on any advetising just so i can generate some money to keep the review coming many thanks :)

Peugeot Vivacity 125

Classy styling, nice attention to detail and a list of handy well thought-out features make the Vivacity 125 look like a charming city commuter package. Overall it strikes a tempting balance between quality and price. The only slight let down is its performance.

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This is the weak point. It zips up to 40mph nicely, but the Vivacity’s 4-stroke motor is only good for around 60mph in a market where other 125 scooters manage 65 or even 70. If you ride in the city it won’t matter, but out of town those extra 5-10mph are crucial.

Ride and Handling

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The Vivacity is very stable for a small-wheel scooter and the ride is unintimidating and confidence-inspiring. Fuel is stored under the floorpan which lowers the centre of gravity for better balance. The brakes are a little weaker than other 125cc scooters – including Peugeot’s own cheaper Tweet 125 – but they’re more than acceptable for town use.

Equipment

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Everything you could want in a city scoot – 12v power socket to charge your mobile, fuel gauge, comprehensive half-digital clocks and a hook for your shopping. Alongside a 22-litre underseat storage bay big enough to take my full-face lid, there’s a clever 13-litre storage bay built into the front of the Vivacity. It opens via a concealed button under the handlebars that you can't access when the steering lock is on.

Quality and Reliability

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The Vivacity is nicely put together – nice enough to inspire some joy of ownership even. The seat has stylish white stitching around the edges, the lines of the bodywork and the light clusters show thought and the general fit and finish is neat.

Value

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At £1999 the Vivacity 125 is nearly £600 cheaper than Honda’s PS125 and nearly a grand less than the very desirable yet less practical Vespa LX125. It sits nicely in the middle of the market with a good balance between quality and price.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

Introduced 2010

Other Versions

Peugeot Vivacity sixties - special edition 60s-style version with a tan-coloured seat and a choice of ivory or sky blue retro pastel paint.

Specifications

Top speed	60mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	8.5bhp
Torque	ftlb
Weight	110kg
Seat height	790mm
Fuel capacity	7.5 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	124cc
Engine specification	4-stroke 2v single
Frame	Tubular steel
Front suspension adjustment	none
Rear suspension adjustment	none
Front brakes	200mm disc
Rear brake	130mm drum
Front tyre size	120/70-12
Rear tyre size	120/70-12

Kawasaki KH125

Something of a bus dodger are we, Sir? Then try the Kawasaki KH125 for your daily commute. Kawasaki KH125 costs buttons to buy and run, reliable and has just enough power to stick with urban traffic. The Kawasaki KH125 looks a bit dated now and it's a low tech two-stroke, but still a fun way to get to work.

Engine

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Once the rotary valve Kawasaki singles were class leading performers, but that was three decades ago and now the KH100/Kawasaki KH125 motor seems a bit vibey, harsh at speed and simply runs out of steam on the open road. The Kawasaki KH125 is very durable for a two stroke however and worth noting that the KH100 makes almost exactly the same bhp as the Kawasaki KH125.

Ride and Handling

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Kawasaki KH125 early models had fairly basic suspension, with fully enclosed forks and shock absorbers - ironically, these items tended to wear better than the post 1983 Kawasaki KH125 models, with exposed telescopic forks and shock springs. aKawasaki KH125 hndling is what you'd expect for a commuter - nothing special, an unpretentious lightweight.

Equipment

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When it was launched the Kawasaki KH125 was a novelty as it featured a front disc brake - the KH100 of the late 70s had a basic drum front brake, before gaining a disc in the early 80s, along with five spoke cast alloy wheels. Kawasaki KH125 has a decent saddle, handy grabrail, but lacks any mirrors as standard.

Quality and Reliability

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The Kawasaki KH125 engines are renowned for their tough durability and the bike chassis wears OK too. With a twenty year production run spares aren't too bad for the Kawasaki KH125, although vulnerable items like clocks, the unique square headlight and chrome plated mudguards are getting scarce now.

Value

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The Kawasaki KH125 was created in an era when the Japanese factories dominated the ride-to-work market. Bikes like the Kawasaki KH125 were meant to survive daily use, enjoy very little maintenance and return 65mpg at a steady 55mph. Even a battered example can still get you home, eventually.

Insurance

Insurance group: 2

Model History

1975: Kawasaki KH125 appears in UK.
1976: KH100 launched in UK.
1990: KH100 dropped.
1998: Kawasaki KH125 dropped.

Other Versions

KH100.

Specifications

Top speed	65mph
1/4-mile acceleration	19 secs
Power	12bhp
Torque	65ftlb
Weight	95.5kg
Seat height	780mm
Fuel capacity	13.5 litres
Average fuel consumption	65mpg
Tank range	175 miles
Insurance group	2

Engine size	123cc
Engine specification	2 stroke, single, 5 gears
Frame	Steel cradle
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	240mm disc
Rear brake	Drum
Front tyre size	90/90 x 18 in
Rear tyre size	100/90 x 17 in

p.s if people could just randomly click on any advetising just so i can generate some money to keep the review coming many thanks :)