Comparsion - Peugeot Geopolis Executive 250 and Peugeot Satelis Executive 250
It’s not often we get to test two scooters from the same manufacturer, back to back. Both with the same single cylinder 250cc, 4 stroke, 4-valve, fuel injected engines developing 22HP.
Visually the two scooters are like chalk and cheese. The Satelis is styled in the maxi-scooter mode (with smaller diameter wheels),which is fitting as it’s also available in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc engine sizes . Whereas the Geopolis is styled in the traditional scooter mode with larger diameter wheels and is available in 125cc and 250cc versions.
Peugeot Satelis Executive 250
Both scooters abound with useful features. The more upmarket looking Satellis includes a sunglass holder, large lockable glove compartment including a 12v charger socket, big wide mirrors with a good range of adjustment, comprehensive instrument display panel including LCD display and a cavernous boot. The under saddle storage would easily accommodate 2 full face helmets and has a neat toy, a remote control for automatically opening the boot; which when pressed, glides open powered by a hydraulic jack. However one feature that is really worthy of praise is that the Executive model includes a built-in 140cm security chain and ABUS lock for safely securing the scooter when parking. This is in addition to the inbuilt ignition immobiliser. This scooter has not one but two H7 projector headlights built into its sleekly styled nose. One bulb operates for low beam but both bulbs operate for high beam. Whilst we didn’t do any night testing, two H7 bulbs, puts you on a par with car-type headlight illumination. Safety extends to braking on the Executive models both scooters have servo assisted hydraulically linked ABS braking systems. Both are also equipped with side and centre stands and their lightweight makes it an easy task to lift them on to the centre stand.
 Peugeot Geopolis Executive 250
The Geopolis looks the more utilitarian model, but it too boasts an impressive feature count which generally mirrors that of the Satelis (minus the remote control for the boot). The quality of the plastics used on the Satelis though seems better than the Geopolis. Also the under seat storage on the Geopolis is slightly less generous.
Underseat storage- Satelis (left), Geopolis (right)
However it is when you ride the two scooters that the differences between them become most obvious!
The Satelis offers more rider space than the Geopolis, with wide footboards, that allow you to ride with you feet down or upright. Plus good size foot boards are afforded to the pillion passenger. The Geopolis has less space and a very upright seating position, which makes your knees sit very near the front inner panelling of the scooter. It has neat wide pillion foot pegs which fold into the body, with a flap on each side.
On the open road the Satelis feels less punchy than the Geopolis. The automatic clutch and gearbox strives to keep the Satelis in the 7-8000 rpm bracket if you accelerate hard. In the handling and ride comfort areas again the Geoplois has the edge. On smooth roads the smaller diameter wheels of the Satelis provide a cosseted ride, but as soon as the road surface deteriorates, we found the ride quality also deteriorated, with it becoming somewhat jiggly. We found the standard suspension setup on the Satelis erring on the hard-side, also the front wheel on the Satelis was more easily deflected off line by road surface variations than the Geopolis. But if you’re only going to use your Satelis for commuting on good quality roads then the ride comfort is otherwise good. Perhaps if we had the Satelis for longer, we could have experimented with the 5 step twin adjustable rear shocks to see if improvements in ride quality could be made.
The Satelis with its maxi-scooter style bodywork tends to keep more wind and rain off you than the Geopolis offering. The screens on both models seem to provide wind deflection for riders up to about 6 ft. The mirrors on the Geopolis were not as beneficial as the wider mirrors on the Satelis, we had some difficulty adjusting them to give an ideal rear view.
Braking from the single calliper double piston front and rear linked ABS servo assisted disc brakes on both models is very firm and sharp, however again the Geopolis seems to have the edge. The brakes felt even sharper, particularly the rear brake, which proved a little too sharp on occasions! The controls on both scooters are beautifully light in action, particularly the smooth throttle action. The step less belt drive automatic gearing on both scooters works seamlessly; you have absolutely no perception that the gearing is being automatically altered in response to throttle input.
Handling on the Satelis is perfectly acceptable, but it’s not designed for spirited cornering. Yet again the Geopolis leads the way; its larger wheels and better quality ride on poorer road surfaces in-still the confidence to corner this scooter more enthusiastically. Within the limits of the performance it can be hustled through bends on its Pirelli GTS tyres with a surprising degree of verve, somehow the Satelis never quiet inspired that amount of confidence.
The stepped two stage seats on both models provide good back support and comfort for reasonable commuting periods, thereafter they started to feel increasingly hard. The seat on the Satelis is the more comfortable as it is broader than the Geopolis seat
The Satelis is happy at speeds between 60 -70 mph, which for most road situations is enough performance. Top speed we would estimate is around 80-85mph. Its power delivery is somewhat softer than that offered by the Geopolis, though there is no difference in achievable speeds between both models. Both models were able to keep up with traffic, but lacked the extra power to accelerate sharply beyond 70 mph. Even when you were pushing these scooters towards their upper performance limits, there was no discernable increase in the low key burbling exhaust note and at no time did it actually feel like you where thrashing them. Smoothness in power delivery is what really shines, which allows for a fuss free and relaxing ride.
In town both scooters excel, their smooth throttle action enables both bikes to be ridden at low speeds, with no throttle jerkiness; making them ideal for making progress in heavy town traffic. Both are very manoeuvrable with light steering, which makes them very nimble. It is the urban commuter market at which these models are aimed, so their in impeccable town manners are a necessity.
Instrumentation on the Peugeot Satelis
Both scooters have their speedos calibrated in kph first and mph as the second inner scale. We feel that this is unacceptable on Executive models, for the cost of a changed speedo face. We also found it difficult to easily close the seat down easily on the Satelis, if you used more than gentle force to engage the lock it would just pop back up. Also the audible warning indicator on the Geopolis could become annoying, however these are minor gripes and do not spoil the overall offering.
Instrumentation on the Peugeot Geopolis
Customers looking to buy a scooter will generally be looking for good fuel economy and we were told 85mpg plus is achievable from these models, making them ideal commuter tools; but you will be filling up the Geoplois more often as it has a smaller tank 10.51 litres compared to the 13.21 litre tank on the Satelis.
Verdict
Both admirably fit the bill as commuter models, providing a relaxed and fuss ride. The Satelis provides more space and a modicum more comfort than the Geopolis , but it’s ride quality is not as good as the Geopolis. Whilst the Geopolis copes better with a wider variety of roads and offers more spirited handling, but you give up some space and seat comfort. However both offer low running costs with their excellent fuel economy.
Specifications Geopolis/Satelis Executive
New price*: £3,781/£3,781
Engine: 4 stroke single
Engine Size: 244 cc
Power: 22 HP
Transmission: Belt- double variator
Weight (Dry): 160/159 Kg
* Suggested Retail Price - Includes PDI, delivery, number plate, VAT, 1st registration fee and 12 months road fund licence.
Note all performance figures, weights and technical specifications are as claimed by the manufacturer
Article and Photos by Jon Booth – http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/– The UK Biker Site
Insurance Sponsor: ChoiceQuote Insurance – Cheaper Motorcycle Insurance Cover
Thanks to Three Cross Motorcycles Ltd for the loans of the Peugeot Satelis Executive 250 & Peugeot Geopolis Executive 250
|
