should i put more powerfull bike reviews on here

Saturday 17 September 2011

Peugeot Satelis 125

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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 0
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
Power15bhp
Torque14ftlb
Weight159kg
Seat height784mm
Fuel capacity13.2 litres
Average fuel consumptionmpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group4
Engine size125cc
Engine specificationFour-valve, liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke. CVT transmission.
FrameTubular steel
Front suspension adjustmentNone
Rear suspension adjustmentPreload
Front brakes263mm disc, two-piston caliper
Rear brake240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Front tyre size120/70-14
Rear tyre size150/70-14

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

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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 5
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 3
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
Power12.5bhp
Torqueftlb
Weight142kg
Seat height795mm
Fuel capacity8 litres
Average fuel consumption80mpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group
Engine size124cc
Engine specificationliquid-cooled 4v single
FrameTubular steel
Front suspension adjustmentnone
Rear suspension adjustmentnone
Front brakes220mm disc
Rear brake220mm disc
Front tyre size100/80-16
Rear tyre size120/80-16

Peugeot Tweet 125

Peugeot Tweet 125If 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

ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 4
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 5
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

 ratingrating is 5
Owners' ratingrating is 3
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
Peugeot Tweet 125

Other Versions

none

Specifications

Top speed 62mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power8.7bhp
Torqueftlb
Weight109kg
Seat height800mm
Fuel capacity5.7 litres
Average fuel consumptionmpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group
Engine size125cc
Engine specification4v air-cooled single
Frametubular steel
Front suspension adjustmentnone
Rear suspension adjustmentnone
Front brakes226mm disc
Rear brake220mm disc
Front tyre size90/80-16
Rear tyre size110/70-16

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

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.

Engine

ratingrating is 3
rating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 4
rating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 5
rating is 0
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

ratingrating is 4
rating is 0
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

 ratingrating is 4
rating is 0
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

Peugeot Vivacity 125
Top speed 60mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power8.5bhp
Torqueftlb
Weight110kg
Seat height790mm
Fuel capacity7.5 litres
Average fuel consumptionmpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group
Engine size124cc
Engine specification4-stroke 2v single
FrameTubular steel
Front suspension adjustmentnone
Rear suspension adjustmentnone
Front brakes200mm disc
Rear brake130mm drum
Front tyre size120/70-12
Rear tyre size120/70-12

Kawasaki KH125

Kawasaki KH125 motorcycle review - Side view

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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 3.5
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 3
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 2.5
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

 ratingrating is 3
Owners' ratingrating is 3
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

 ratingrating is 4
Owners' ratingrating is 3.5
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
Power12bhp
Torque65ftlb
Weight95.5kg
Seat height780mm
Fuel capacity13.5 litres
Average fuel consumption65mpg
Tank range 175 miles
Insurance group2
Engine size123cc
Engine specification2 stroke, single, 5 gears
FrameSteel cradle
Front suspension adjustmentNone
Rear suspension adjustmentPreload
Front brakes240mm disc
Rear brakeDrum
Front tyre size90/90 x 18 in
Rear tyre size100/90 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 :)