Peugeot Geopolis RS 300 - Lion Cub

The Geopolis is ideal for our metropolis, but it could be cuter and cheaper.

In highly urbanized Singapore where the road network is dense and travel speeds are well policed, it’s puzzling why the ownership of scooters isn’t encouraged, or the runabouts given more recognition. Affordable, zippy and costing peanuts to run, they are an obvious alternative to the “sardine can” that is public transport, without worsening our increasingly chronic congestion woes.

Peugeot Geopolis RS 300

The Geopolis is Peugeot’s idea of cheap and cheerful two-wheeled commuting, although it sits at the top of the French firm’s scooter range. Powered by a 276cc four-stroke single-cylinder, it produces a claimed 21.6bhp and 23Nm of torque. Like almost every scooter today, the Geopolis has an automatic transmission, a CVT in this case, so all one needs to do to get moving is “twist and go”.

Disappointingly, the Geopolis looks too nondescript. Peugeot is known for making distinctive, funky super-minis, but this talent doesn’t seem to filter down to its two-wheeler department, as evidenced by this bike.

At just over $12k on the road, the Geopolis certainly isn’t the cheapest scooter out there. And you’d need a Class 2A license (200cc-400cc) to ride it, so the many Class 2B newbies (only allowed to ride bikes up to 200cc) are excluded from the Geopolis’ potential buyer pool. Besides, there are many Class 2B scooters similar to the Peugeot that only cost half as much. So, what does the Geopolis offer that a smaller, simpler scooter doesn’t?

For one, the Peugeot has more power. This advantage makes speedy junction getaways a little easier, which is especially handy if you’re tired of being swarmed by Malaysian “kup chais” when the traffic lights turn green. Highway riding is also a breeze, as this bike can easily sustain speeds of up to 120km/h. And because at almost 160kg unladen, it weighs roughly the same as a normal motorcycle; it’s reassuringly stable, too - meaning it doesn’t suffer from the “I wobbled because a lorry overtook me” syndrome that usually plagues small scooters.

This scooter can get ahead of 'kup chais' quickly when the lights turn green.

The litmus test for any scooter is its ability to thrive in a busy urban environment with heavy traffic. In town, Geopolis slots into tight spaces with ease despite its larger-than-usual dimensions. This is a 2A bike that zips through traffic like a 2B bike, with a width at the handlebars just 100mm wider than Peugeot’s l25cc Vivacity. Lane-splitting is therefore a worry-free maneuver.

Like a typical scooter, the Geopolis’ ride is rather harsh due to an over-damped suspension, although it does come with four-step adjustment on its rear dual shocks. The Geopolis also features front and rear disc brakes, versus the more common rear drum brakes on other scooters. But its stopping power is only adequate for a scooter of this size, despite the racy red brake calipers.

One of the attractions of riding a scooter is that light grocery shopping isn’t out of the question. The Geopolis comes with an under-seat bay that can hold two helmets (one full or open-face, and one half-cap), or stuff from the supermarket. The glove-box space could be larger, though, which is a factor worth considering if you often carry a pillion rider with you. Of course, if you do need more cargo capacity and are willing to fork out the extra cash, an aftermarket top box is your best bet.

The dash displays all the information you’d expect on a modern scooter, such as multi-trip data, fuel level, engine temperature, and the time. The hazard light switch, which isn’t always available on scooters, is a welcome addition.

The Geopolis, then, is perfect if you’re looking to upgrade from your humble 2B scooter to something slightly more capable. The problem is that Peugeot’s own Vivacity can do the job just as well, for less than half the price of the Geopolis. But don’t misunderstand me, there isn’t anything fundamentally wrong with the Geopolis - it’s just that it’s hard to justify paying a premium for that extra bit of power compared to a 2B scooter.

If the Geopolis RS 300 isn’t your cup of French tea, turn the page for a hearty serving of grown-up German scooter.

All-round disc brakes and red calipers fit the “RS” tag, but their braking ability is only average.

Geopolis’ under-seat storage is useful for headgear and small items