Peugeot Geopolis 125 RS ( 2007 – current): A 125 c.c. scooter, very close to the GT standards

Because of wet weather especially during the period of the test, the pictures of the scooter might not be of the highest quality.

Engine: The liquid-cooled, fed via injection engine of 124.8 cc, delivers 15 bhp / 9750 rpm, nominal value.
Under full throttle acceleration, the scooter accelerates extremely quickly to 20 Km / h, very quickly to 40 km / h, fairly fast to 60 km / h, adequately reaches 80 km / h, 100 km / h moderately, 120 km / h which is top speed, slowly. Taken from indicated figures.

Actually the acceleration up to 80 km / h is powerful. In the hypothetical case that rider is unaware of the engine capacity of the scooter, he may assume that the engine is much greater.
Under full throttle acceleration from a standstill, a slight hesitation may be felt.

     Riding position: The height of the seat is large, the width of the saddle is even. Shorter riders will not step a confident foot on the ground.
     The size and weight of the scooter refer to the 300 cc class standards. Consequently dimensions are large for a 125 cc scooter. The weight is large also, 159 Kg dry nominal. However, center of gravity is low.
     The size and weight of the scooter is exactly the same with the 300 c.c. version, according to the company's website.

     Rider is positioned mainly in, slightly on the scooter. Riding position is neutral, compared to the sporty character of the Geopolis.
     Taller riders will find a single riding position most suitable, sited backwards, at the rear of the rider’s seat.
     Tyres fitted are Pirelli GTS 24, dimensions are 140-70/16 at the front and 110-70/16 at the rear.

On the road: Suspension feels relatively firm. Suspension setting matches the sporty character of the scooter and the robust frame. A 37mm front fork is fitted (!) , while the two Paioli rear shock absorbers may be adjusted to spring preload in four increments.

City rides are firm and stable. Agility is inferior to the standards of the 125 cc class scooters. As a result of the above, urban rides are a typical example of a sporty scooter, regardless of the engine displacement. On high quality – high friction streets, Geopolis provides a very satisfactory robust feeling.
However street imperfections are not absorbed adequately, comfort to the rider is diminished then. The large 16 inch wheels cannot really compensate.

     Due to the increased dimensions, downtown traffic jam is not the scooter’s favorite field. At the process of filtering, the height of the handlebar and mirrors are equal to the height of car and SUV mirrors respectively. This will impose some restrictions.
    Steering lock is top class. It will be very helpful in traffic congested streets.
     However the dimensions of the scooter often cancel the advantage of huge steering lock and decrease filtering ability.

Conclusively in city rides, Geopolis 125 is as convenient as the 300 c.c. big brother, imposing that scooter class restrictions.

On B-roads, stability is impressing. The scooter is very solid and sturdy reminding of a sports bike rather than a scooter. Agility, which is the most prominent scooter characteristic especially in lower engine capacity scooters, is not as striking as stability. This is also due to the rather long wheelbase.
Riding quality is really good, confidence to the rider is superb, feedback to the rider is pretty good.

However despite the natural sporty feeling, Geopolis is still a scooter. As a result, at the fast pace, feedback to the rider gets moderate, while confidence to the rider is less than proportionally decreased. Conclusively road handling at the fast pace reminds of a motorcycle, providing inferior feedback though. Road imperfections will still find their way to the rider.

Quite reasonably, on the highway, due to the small engine capacity, the scooter feels weak. Otherwise, Geopolis 125 is a fully competent scooter, really stable, it will easily manage, even close to the top speed.
Eventually short highway rides may be attempted, pushing engine operation into the higher part of the power band, travelling on the highway is out of the question.

On dirt road, the large wheels will easily step above any bump, however suspension feels very stiff for such a terrain. Rider will feel any ditch, stone, etc.

Disc brakes, steel brake hoses, two piston calipers by Nissin are equipped front and rear. The front disc brake is powerful providing good feedback to the rider, while the rear is relatively powerful providing relatively good feedback.
Braking is exceptional especially on high friction streets. On low friction tarmac some caution will be necessary in the case of emergency braking as the front wheel could be locked. Once again the feedback provided by the front disc brake will be very helpful to the rider.

     Comments: The long and shallow storage space under the seat will be greater than an open helmet , there will be still some empty space at the front. A full face helmet will not be accommodated due to the decreased depth. Shallow shopping bags may be stored.
     The rack may be used as a pillion handgrip as well. A side stand is also available. The front lights are halogen, a 12 V socket is provided in the gloves compartment of the leg shield. The fuel tank has moved low and forward, under the rider’s feet which enhances weight distribution.
     Maybe its not the most important information of the day, however the buzzer of the indicators sounds pretty cool.

The red stitching on the saddle, the red brake calipers, the two-tone wheels and black color of the scooter, amplify the sporty image of Geopolis.

Pillion pegs protrude too far out. Fuel level indication could be more reliable. The rider’s feet floor of the scooter is not level.

Like the 300 cc version, the engine capacity indication is written discreetly, on the front of the scooter. Quality built is quite good.

     The small 125 cc engine capacity combined with a sporty set up, results in an even sportier feeling scooter than the bigger version of 300 c.c.. Riders usually expect smaller engine capacity bikes to be more user friendly. However sharing the same limitations does not favor the smaller scooter.
     This is the reason that Geopolis 125 should be considered a 300 cc category scooter, equipped with a smaller engine. Or in a different way, an absolute sporty GT scooter, bulky and heavy like a 300 c.c. although underpowered one.
     This is not the only reason that design is boosted for the category standards. The design of the scooter has won the prize of MDA in 2006.

Price used: 1800 €

Price new: 3150 €

+ Absolute sporty scooter for the 125 cc category standards.

+ Design

+ Image of a 300 cc scooter

- Disadvantages of 300 cc scooter category in city traffic

- Comfort on roads featuring imperfections.

More, specifications (FR)

Thanks to the motorcycle shop Baxevanis - Honda, tel.+302109237000, Kalirois 12, Athens, Greece, http://www.baxevanismoto.com/ for the test ride.