PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 3 50 (2009 - on) Review

Chassis-wise, the biggest change with the new Peugeot Speedfight 50 is the switch to 34mm telescopic forks, which replace the old trademark, single-sided swinging arm. In addition the new versions has 13-inch wheels in place of the old bike’s 12s, to improve stability.

The redesign has also added a whopping 120mm to the overall length of the Peugeot Speedfight3, plus 30mm to the wheelbase, altered the floorboards and resculpted the legshields.

Overall, the changes are welcome. The bigger wheels make it feel more planted, the new forks are an instant improvement over the old awkward and heavy single sided front arm and the new, radially-mounted front brake is stonking.

For the 2009 Peugeot Speedfight 50, two new engines are available – either air or liquid-cooled. Both are Euro 3 compliant two-strokes and both feel fairly nippy, although we preferred the liquid-cooled version. It sounded as sweet as a nut and would produce another 500rpm over its air-cooled stable mate – essential extra power on a 50!

The UK's 50cc scooter and moped market is dwindling in the 2020s with many young people opting not to ride or choosing electric alternatives, which can make far more sense than electric leisure bikes. A short hop to work or college followed by a long opportunity to charge is ideal electric bike territory, especially with running costs as low as 1p per mile!

Sadly, the Peugeot Speedfight's original two-stroke engine has made way for a less powerful four-stroke unit - something that will infuriate the purists of the genre but gets the bike through Euro5 regulations.

Peugeot quality and reliability has always been among the best in the scooter class and the Speedfight3 maintains that tradition. They’re generally robust, refined, and well built.

Peugeots have always happily occupied the upper middle-ground, offering quality machine with decent spec at reasonable prices, and the new Speedfight3 is no different – that’s why they’ve proved so popular.

The new Peugeot Speedffight3’s seat height is unchanged at a comfortable 800mm but the seat has been reshaped and the fuel tank repositioned to lower the centre of gravity and help gain storage space beneath the seat. The result is there’s now enough space to accommodate a full face lid – or the optional Peugeot stereo system which plugs into the 12v socket and includes an iPod dock, sub and amp. The speakers mount into the dummy air intakes on the side of the rear panels. It also has handlebar-mounted controls. Cool or what?

Styling-wise Peugeot’s baby still looks like a Speedfight but the panels have been sharpened up, lights and indicators redesigned and the paintjob refreshed. The instruments are all new, too.