Viva 250 tourer - first impressions

[Gary]

Well, I've had my Viva 250 Tourer all of four days now and would like to give a quick review of my first impressions:

First and foremost, ITS NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S SCOOTER. This is one big, powerful machine. My one other scooter experience is a Tank Urban Sporty 150. It feels like a little toy. The 250 feels much more like a grown-up machine - like what I would imagine a Harley or Gold Wing feels like. I'm short (5'6"); the 250 is really roomy, almost too big for me. Big guys would have no problem. The ride is very smooth and stable. This comes a bit at the expense of the fun factor. The 150 is a lot more nimble; I feel pretty comfortable splitting lanes or parking it on the sidewalk at the mall. The 250 is enough bigger that it doesn't seem to belong on the sidewalk. And then there is the power. On my ride to work the 150 is WOT much of the time and I slow down going up long hills. The 250 is part-throttle and there is no slowing down. I've been on the freeway a couple of times with the 250 and it feels OK. (I wouldn't consider the freeway with the 150.)

Things I like:

• The overall build quality seems quite decent. Parts fit together pretty well, with a few very minor mismatches. The hoses and cables seem well laid out and securely fastened.
  
• The engine runs and idles well and sounds really sweet. Seriously, it almost purrs, whereas my 150 is ping, ping, ping. And it started right up on the first try.
  
• The seat is super comfortable. Its wide and supportive and embossed with a leather-like grain that keeps you securely in place. And the seat doesn't slope forward like my 150's seat (which forces rider's knees into the dash).
  
• The gas tank holds a lot, close to 3 gallons.
  
• The dash is really nice. The gages look good. There is a trip meter in addition to the odometer (but no tach). The turn signal indicators are bright enough that you can see them during the day. (But one could still use a louder clicker because the indicators aren't in your normal line of sight.) The gages are also well-lit so you can see them at night.
  
• The horn is very loud.
  

Things I don't like (mostly minor stuff):

• The scoot doesn't have a kick starter, but then again, I'm not sure if any of the 250s do.
  
• There's lots of underseat storage space, but its not all that useable. For example, you can't store a helmet under the seat.
  
• The trunk, which is removable, is a bit of a PITA. The key can't be removed without locking the latch. Its idiot-proof, but to me its just a hassle. And the extra mechanism for locking the trunk to the scoot takes away from the already small trunk storage. Also, the passenger lumbar support keeps the trunk lid from folding down onto the seat, making it more difficult to arrange stuff in the trunk.
  
• The mirrors shake badly at idle, due to engine vibration. I guess this isn't too unexpected with a single-cylinder 250. At higher rpms, the mirrors are steady enough.
  
• The lights are aimed about ten feet in front of the scoot. Im going to have to learn how to realign them.
  
• The paint seems to scratch pretty easily. (I scratched the front fender a bit trying to install it backwards. I didn't think I forced it that much, but it still scratched). By the way, its much easier to match black paint.
  
• The battery died after just three days. Allnew is sending me another under warranty.
  

Overall, the Viva 250 tourer seems to be a pretty darn good scoot for the money.

Allnew has been responsive to my inquiries, and the scoot was delivered quickly. They could however have been more shall we say 'accurate' in their answers to my questions about engine displacement and wheel size.

[scootindan]

The adjustment screw for your lights is just under the front-most part of the cowling. Lay on your back with your head beside the front wheel and look for an opening. Reach up inside and you should find an adjustment knob. DON'T force it--some folks have managed to break the knob off.

If you plan to do much night riding, consider switching to 35W H4 bulbs. Most tourers come with 18W H4 bulbs that just don't put out enough light for safe riding.

Glad you are enjoying your bike. The 250 touring configuration makes for a pretty nice scooter.

[Charlie]

Your new scoot sounds really nice. Great feeling to have some "beef"under your butt isn't it? Post some pics for us.

[Gary]

Here are some photos of the Viva 250 tourer.

First the overall. Certainly a nice-looking machine.


The rear. I put a shock cord over the trunk lid because I didn't want to insert the key every time to unlatch it. The Viva sticker looks like it was just slapped on - bubbles under the decal, etc.


The instrument panel. I really like how this looks. There's fuel, temperature, speed, odometer, and trip meter, but no tach. The panel is well-lit so you can see all the gages at night. The turn indicators are also bright enough to see during the day. Also, the instruments seem to be damped, so the needles don't bounce around while you ride. All-in-all, very nice.


The seat. Also really nice. Wide, supportive, sloped just right and with a nice leather grain embossed in the vinyl that gives a secure feeling that you are not going to slip off.


The front wheel. Disc brakes front and back. They seem to work very well.


The manufacturer's tag. 2006, MotoFino, 250 cc.


The quality control tag. This was one of a few on the scoot.


And the very best part, the warning sticker. I'll be sure to wear my showy protectingclothes from now on ....

[jose]

Looks like two makers are using the "Viva" name.. If you look at the other Viva bike.. it seems to clone the Reflex front end.. (head lights are higher and apart) while this 250cc took the lower look for the lights.. (Diff front end.) Either or.. You have a 250 and I don't .. Wahhh
Be safe and enjoy..

Jose'

[fulltimerart]

Congratulations, Gary- thats a real nice looking scoot-good luck with it and keep us posted. I like that label too---we gotta make sure we are putting on the safe cap! Art

[bond007]

Viva Los Vegas, Viva Los Vegas, Viva, Viva, Los Vegas - Elvis inspired scoot. Take off those stickers and put, (Viva Los Vegas,) on there, have some fun with it. I put Mercury stickers where the Qlink was on my Pegasus. It gets a laugh once in a while. Guy at Wallyworld walked up to it. Looked at it and said; Mercury real loud and looked at me funny. I just laughed and said no! He said; I did'nt think so. Then he had a few more questions. But people like to talk to you here, in small town Indiana. I lived in CA a couple years, and nobody ever says boo, or how do you do, or anything! Installed Ram Air the other day and found a sticker on the net. Have fun with your new scoot. Don't let those CA. snobs get to you. Only place where I've had a gun waved at me while driving on the Interstate. Happened 2 times I think. I could hardly believe it. That was back in 1987 or so and there was all this talk of Road Rage on the local TV. First time I ever heard of that. Enjoyed the sunshine though. David Crazy about a Mercury! I'm gona buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road. 80mpg. Oh Yeah!!!!!!!!