French Revolution | MoreBikes

Peugeot Bikes has been round since 1898, which truly makes it one of many oldest producers of bikes on the planet. That’s fairly an achievement – although it hasn’t truly been constructing ‘correct’ bikes constantly for all that point. It’s a lot better identified for its regular launch of scooters; with a wealthy vary of city commuters, retro-ish rides and longer-legged maxi scooters (and three-wheelers, too). Chris Bailey has been spending time with the PM-01 125cc.

Peugeot does make bikes, although – it’s simply that it’s been some time for the reason that final one, with the XR7 launched over 10 years in the past in 2012. The excellent news is that the French agency’s determined it’s time to get again within the recreation with a pair of recent bare bikes for learner riders – the PM-01 125 and 300. We managed to snag the littlest of the pair for a few weeks by means of the summer time, placing it by means of its paces as a each day commuter. 

It’s a handsome factor – in a type of futuristic approach. Peugeot’s vehicles have all the time had a particular look to them, and the PM-01 is not any totally different; with a big angular LED headlight protruding from the entrance in a putting design alternative which suggests there’s a hole between the entrance of the bike and the gas tank. The remainder of the bike’s angular, too, all sharp traces and block colors. The again of the PM-01 is spectacular, with the tail lights being made up of 6six LED strips, and the indications being sequential. The end is sweet and the construct high quality appears fairly spot on, befitting its premium 125cc motorbike pricing.

Sadly it’s not probably the most snug place to be. It’s compact dimension and bare styling weren’t ever going to make for the plushest of rides, however the ergonomics of the pegs, seat and bars simply didn’t fairly make sense. It’s each sporty however not sporty sufficient, and relaxed however not relaxed sufficient to ever actually be one factor. The highest half of your physique desires to be bolt upright, whereas the decrease half of your physique reaching again a bit in the direction of the pegs – which isn’t an altogether uncommon arrange – however it’s so compact that it’s an actual squeeze even for my sub-6ft body.

Whereas we’re on the topic, it’s price mentioning that the kickstand that’s situated immediately beneath the footpeg is a little bit of a ache to get to. I obtained used to it comparatively shortly, however it took a good bit of awkward fumbling for the primary few days till I developed the knack.

The opposite necessities work properly, although. The mirrors come up excessive and supply a incredible view of the highway behind; the switchgear is obvious and straightforward to make use of; and the TFT display screen affords all data you’d wish to see at a look (together with permitting you to see notification of any calls or messages if you happen to hook up your cellphone).

On the highway, it performs properly. The 14hbp engine made it straightforward to rise up to the nationwide pace restrict and past – and even whereas using into sturdy headwinds, the PM-01 reliably reached 62mph. You’ve started working it exhausting to make progress, but it’s surprisingly easy and fairly versatile. I’ve not been using lengthy (and have solely ever ridden 125s), however it’s actually top-of-the-line engine’s I’ve had the possibility to place by means of its paces. It stops properly, too, with the ABS-assisted arrange working admirably, responding shortly with no stunning chunk and loads of really feel.

I’m a fan of the suspension arrange. It appears to take a seat within the golden center zone between exhausting and smooth; agency and performance-focused to make swift, assured progress, but with sufficient give to sail over tough roads and not using a exhausting bump.

Dealing with-wise, all the things comes collectively properly. It didn’t matter whether or not I used to be throwing the PM-01 spherical out on the twisties or ambling round city, it felt as if I used to be working with the bike reasonably than feeling like I used to be having to drive it spherical every bend.

I’ve obtained a little bit of a factor for headlights. I do first rate miles at nighttime, so that they must be good, however I wasn’t completely certain which approach the PM-01’s have been going to go. I used to be thrilled to find that the items fitted are among the strongest headlights I’ve used thus far, with the dipped beam offering nice protection and the total beam had roughly the identical stage of brightness, simply with additional attain.

Regardless of a few small gripes, the Peugeot has been an ideal journey; an actual jack-of-all-trades which appeared completely assured it doesn’t matter what highway floor I put beneath it.

Finally, the £3999 PM-01 carves out an ideal place for itself in the midst of {the marketplace}, with its efficiency placing it above the competitors on the cheaper finish of the spectrum and its worth pitting it beneath among the massive names within the recreation (with out skimping on options and constructed high quality).

In conclusion, this bike is a cracking little bit of package that’ll maintain its personal on the wide-open highway and dominate site visitors in the course of the each day commute.