Video Review: Peugeot Belville 200 scooter

The Peugeot Belville 200 scooter comes in a standard and an RS version. Powered by a single-cylinder 169cc air-cooled SOHC two-valve EFI four-stroke, the CVT auto driven scooter will happily sit on 100km/h thanks to 12hp, 12Nm and 16in wheels. If you live in the ‘burbs and work in the CBD, this could be the scoot for you… We rode around Melbourne for a day to find out what it is like in and out of town…

The RS version pictured comes with special paint, LED headlight, seat stitching, sports mirrors and wind deflector, alloy bits and black forks. It currently costs the same as the standard version as a special. We reckon it looks awesome.

Peugeot have a huge two-wheeled history. In fact, they are the longest running motorcycle manufacturer in the World, being formed in 1898 by Armand Peugeot. Amazingly, a Peugeot powered twin-cylinder Norton racer won the very first Isle of Mann TT in 1907 with Rem Fowler on board… they returned to Moto3 in 2016 and 2017, some 110-years later. Now wholly owned by Indian giant, Mahindra, the French legend is returning in a big way and the Belville 200 is one of their latest scooters, a sporty utility scooter ideal for commuting and longer urban distances.

It is as if the Belville is made for Melbourne. It is small, narrow and easy to navigate and lane split through the compact CBD traffic but can stretch its legs and keep up with fast traffic flow out of town. Melbourne opens up very close to the CBD, with parks, residential areas and 60 – 80km/h zones so you need some mumbo out there.

I rode the Belville through the inner suburbs of leafy Melbourne, from the North side through to St Kilda with a loop out to the East, then back through the peak hour traffic bang on 6pm. It was a good test for the Belville – traffic jams, 50 zones, open highways, multi-lane roads and tight City parking. The loop had everything and we rode for a good three or four hours. With a 7.5L fuel tank and consumption of 2.7L/100km there was no need for a pit stop with a potential range of 300km.

The Belville, with big 16in wheels and narrow tyres, firm suspension and lots of ground clearance, actually corners really well – handy for those immature people like me that can’t help but have a crack on anything with two wheels!

I’m tall and I was super comfy on the Belville. There is plenty of leg room, a relaxed reach to the ‘bars and the seat is wide and comfortable without being plush – more so well supported, which is better over a longer ride. With my dodgy knees, I appreciated the flat footwells with space for my size 12 hoofs. My legs were not cramped and I found the Belville easy to hop on and off, thanks to the low platform and footwell space. It’d be ideal for shorter riders, too, being easy to slide you leg over to the opposite side you are hopping on. Oh, and the centre-stand is well ratio’d – it’s incredibly easy to flick the bike up onto the centre-stand. If you are in a rush, there is a side-stand too.

Whether lane splitting or riding in open 60 to 80km/h zones, the Belville is fuss free, easy going and comfortable. More storage would be nice though…

Check out my full Video Review above and keep an eye out for the written review in coming weeks.

The Peugeot Belville 200 scooter will set you back $5,490 Ride Away. Visit Peugeot Motorcycles Australia to find a dealer near you. 

2019 Peugeot Belville 200 Specifications

Peugeotmotorcycles.com.au

Price: $5,490 RRP + Ride Away ($5,990 RS)
Claimed Power: 8.3kW[11.8hp] Claimed Torque: 12.2Nm[8.9lbs-ft] Wet Weight: 130kg
Fuel capacity: 7.5L

Engine: Air-cooled, four-stroke, 61 x 57.8mm bore x stroke, SOHC two-valve single-cylinder, EFI, Euro 4 Gearbox: CVT Auto, belt drive

Chassis: Tubular steel underbone.

Suspension: Telescopic forks, twin rear shocks

Brakes: 260mm rotor (f), two-piston sliding caliper and conventional master-cylinder (ABS on front only), 240mm rotor (r), single caliper

Wheels & Tyres: 16in alloy wheels, 110/70-60 tyres

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 1355mm
Seat height: 790mm
Overall width: 725mm
Overall Length: 2055mm
Overall height: 1165mm

Instruments: Multi-function digital display.