Reviewed: Peugeot Metropolis 400 RXR

Take a stroll through streets of Paris, and you'll see lots of Piaggio MP3s, the tilting three-wheelers that Parisians seem to love. It's the same on the Riviera, where the French seem to have really taken to the idea of a tilting trike. All well and good, but French manufacturing pride was dented by this popularity of an Italian scooter. Peugeot, which has been making powered two-wheelers in France since 1898, rose to the challenge and launched its Metropolis in 2014.

This followed exactly the same lines as the pioneering MP3 – two front wheels, one at the rear and able to tilt round corners like a bike and lock upright when stationary. The idea is that two front tyres give a lot more grip and stability than one, and by and large that's true. Both MP3 and Metropolis were designed with affluent city dwellers and commuters in mind, the sort who value safety, weather protection and unscuffed shoes above any two-wheel thrills. But according to Peugeot importer Three Cross Motorcycles, tilting trikes also appeal to older motorcyclists who like the idea of a bike which doesn't need balancing upright while the pillion climbs on.

Anyway, for 2017 the Metropolis gets a fairly serious update. It may not look that different from the old one (though as ever there's a family resemblance to Peugeot cars) but underneath the plastic bodywork there's a new 400cc four-valve single producing 35.6bhp – Peugeot say it's got more low rev torque than the old engine (though it loses out over 6000rpm), meets Euro 4 emissions standards and uses 7% less fuel into the bargain. The brakes are uprated with bigger front discs and a two-pot rear caliper, there are bigger 13-inch front wheels and two-mode traction control. The spring/damper rates are revised and the frame is stiffer than before. The end result, says Peugeot, is about as quick as the previous Metro but more economical, lighter to steer, quicker stopping and better able to deal with humps and bumps. 

Verdict

The Metropolis makes a good package, especially with the latest changes – comfy, quick enough and with superb handling. It's not cheap, though.  The Peugeot is £800 less than a Piaggio MP3 500, but is there a good motorcycle alternative? Well I reckon the closest is the Honda NC750 with its semi-auto gearbox. With a full set of luggage that would cost about the same, offer more performance, a proper motorcycle feel and use slightly less fuel. But it would still lose out on weather protection and the benefits of three-wheel handling. Which would you have?

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine type: Liquid-cooled four-valve single

Displacement: 400cc

Maximum power: 35.6bhp @ 7000rpm

Maximum torque: 28.1lb ft @ 5250rpm

Front suspension: Single spring with adjustable damper

Rear suspension:  Twin adjustable shock absorbers

Front brakes: Dual 200mm discs

Rear brakes: Single 240mm disc

Front tyres: 110/70-13

Rear tyre: 140/70-14

Seat height: 780mm

Fuel capacity: 13.5 litres

Price: £7899 OTR