ATV Stels ATV 600 YS Leopard

DESCRIPTION:

The release of the STELS ATV 600 ATV is the result of a decision to improve the reliability and quality of equipment, and the stability of the supply of spare parts. To achieve this, the company began to move away from producing ATVs from Chinese components. ATV 600 will be the first ATV under the STELS brand, completely developed and manufactured at the Zhukovsky MotoVelozavod.

The carburetor engine of the model is also a product developed by ZhMVZ engineers; it produces 39 horsepower and has a displacement of 594 cc. The engine has impressive torque, excellent elasticity and traction throughout the entire speed range, and the engine cooling system is liquid.

At the initial stage, the ATV will be produced in the body of the already familiar Hisun ATV 500. This solution ensures the interchangeability of suspension elements and plastics of these models, and will not leave owners of already produced ATVs without spare parts.

The device is equipped with a Koso instrument panel. It is informative and shows a clearly readable image in different temperature conditions, which is especially important for an ATV that is used all year round.

The STELS ATV 600 also features predictable handling and ride comfort, it is stable and handles well in sharp turns. What is important is that the ATV has an impressive margin of safety thanks to the suspension, which absorbs all the bumps on the road.

This new product will undoubtedly become an excellent companion for off-road conquerors!

DESIGNED AND ASSEMBLED IN RUSSIA - ATV 600 is completely developed and manufactured at the Zhukovsky Motovelozavod, Bryansk region.

Frame and chassis

The basis for confident operation is a strong and reliable frame and suspension. The new ATV600 is developed on the basis of the long-known Stels ATV500H and ATV700H. ATVs that have been tested not only by time, but also by various major country-cross and trophy-raid competitions, in which they have proven that the frame and suspension have a colossal margin of safety and can withstand very heavy loads. At the same time, the frame and suspension were strengthened and redesigned by domestic engineers taking into account many years of operation. The production cycle of frame manufacturing, from blanks for pipes to welding and painting, at ZhMVZ is carried out on a robotic production line.

The strength of the suspension is ensured by the use of forged parts and parts made of high-strength alloys. Forged steering knuckles and hubs, stamped high-strength alloy upper arms and tubular lower arms. The hubs use reliable bearings from the famous Japanese company Koyo.

Smooth running and large suspension travel (170 mm at the front and 225 mm at the rear) are ensured by hydraulic shock absorbers from the Taiwanese company Forsa.

Engine and transmission

The only unit from a Chinese manufacturer in the ATV was the engine. However, it will not become the weak point of the ATV - Velomotors engineers took a very responsible approach to the choice of supplier and engine. This simple and reliable unit has a large safety margin.

Initially, this motor was designed for heavy and loaded UTV class vehicles. In engineering it was adapted for installation on an ATV. The mounting points and the shape of the crankcase have been changed, the intake and exhaust system for this engine has been calculated and optimized. The power system uses a carburetor from one of the Japanese leaders in this field - Mikuni. After all the modifications, the engine produces 39 hp. To increase reliability, an additional engine oil cooling system has been designed.

Imported transmission elements (cardan shafts, drives, gearboxes) are supplied by well-known Taiwanese companies, which also supply their products to famous brands.

Brake system

The braking system did not go unnoticed - it was completely replaced with a new one, developed jointly with a Taiwanese manufacturer. The new brakes are more efficient and provide better feedback. To increase reliability, the system uses reinforced brake hoses.

Electrics

To increase reliability and quality, the ATV is equipped with waterproof electrical wiring. All relays and fuses are placed in a moisture- and dust-proof box.

All necessary data on engine operation, speed, coolant temperature and other parameters are displayed on the Italian dashboard of Koso, a well-known manufacturer of electronics for all types of motorcycle equipment.

When choosing steering switches, the choice fell on proven and well-proven remote controls made in Taiwan on ATVs. These are remote controls that have been used for a long time on Stels ATVs in D and GT trim levels.

Appearance

The world famous Yamaha Grizzly ATV served as a design model for the Stels ATV600. All plastic parts for the cladding will be produced at MotoVeloZavod in Zhukovka.

The engineering department conducted a lot of analyses, tests and experiments aimed at selecting the best plastic for ATV linings. The new composition, which will be used in production, is an excellent combination of elasticity and strength. The new plastic cladding can withstand very strong impacts without any serious damage. All this made it possible to achieve the survivability of the fenders and running boards even in the most difficult situations.

I decided to write this review several months ago, when I learned that this year’s new product from Benelli ( BN600 GT ) would still be supplied to Russia under the Stels (suddenly, yes). Unfortunately, I was unable to carry out my plan and publish this review before Motopark. However, I couldn’t leave this business - last year, when I wrote about the Stels 600 Benelli, I mentioned that if the Stelsites sold something touristy for that money, I would take it without hesitation. They will be selling this year. Shall I take it? The first time I saw pictures of this bike, I was really hooked. My Venik suits me a little less than completely, but then I saw a completely ideal one - large panniers, wind protection, a different seat and a normal exhaust, as well as a differently designed light. There is no shame in driving such a vehicle even on a long distance, and after removing the luggage kit, you can appear at the observation point.

Therefore, in general, I expected a lot from my acquaintance with the 600 GT. But, looking ahead, I will say right away that expectations were not met. No, the motorcycle didn't upset me. He just didn't make me as happy as I would have liked. However, let's start with the obvious advantages.

Since this motorcycle is positioned as a touring motorcycle, wind protection is simply necessary here. And it really is - the entire front end was covered with plastic, and some kind of windshield was placed above the tidy. Whatever one may say, there is a significant increase in comfort. True, it is, of course, impossible to talk about the effectiveness of all this before a full test drive. For these photos, taken at intervals of 20 minutes, they promised to pour sugar into the tank at the next maintenance. But I won't be intimidated! With a slight movement of the hand, an unknown motorcycle turns... into Stels!

Let's also talk about light. The stock headlight on the Stels 600 Benelli coped with its task, frankly speaking, very mediocrely on unlit road sections. On the same modification of the motorcycle, as we can see, the light has been redesigned. The high beam here is already lensed. The headlight has a lensed low beam (thanks to AVIX), however (as a Velomotors representative told me), this is not xenon. Well, even if an ordinary lamp is well tuned here, this is already a big plus.

One of the important details is that the tank here is almost doubled compared to its street counterpart - its volume reaches 27 liters (3 liters reserve). The information was taken from the official Benelli website, since the sign on the Stealth... oh, let's not talk about sad things. Considering that plastic will most likely benefit aerodynamics, fuel consumption on a motorcycle will at least not increase. And this will allow you to travel 500+ km on one fill, which is very impressive. And, yes, the tank is no longer covered with plastic on top, now you can safely sculpt bags with magnets onto it

The dashboard has also been changed somewhat, but I have no doubt that it will be as successful as on the previous six hundred.

The redesigned motorcycle exhaust system will now sound appropriate. Naturally, they didn’t let me have one at the exhibition, but this information was obtained from reliable sources. True, the redesigned resonator really catches the eye with its... um... brutality, let's say. But in response to my remark, they quite appropriately answered: “There’s a Yamaha stand over there, go and admire it. And then look at the price tag and come back to us.”

It’s nice that all sorts of small details were also improved - the front fender mounting brackets were slightly changed (let me remind you that on the previous 600, in some examples they rubbed against the fork stays) and the driver’s and passenger’s footpegs were made more massive and durable.

Don't pay attention to those hellish chrome bars. Our motorcycles most likely won't have them.

But, apparently, there will be no panniers ! Yes, yes, all this wonderful three-dimensional design, without which a touring motorcycle is unthinkable, most likely will not be installed on the copies delivered to us. Why do I need it then? - you ask. But really, what for?

The position on the motorcycle remained No, perhaps it did not remain the same. And, unfortunately, I will not call this a positive change. The footpegs here are still set back a little, but even this doesn’t help the situation - they put plastic on top of the old frame, thereby widening the motorcycle a little more. And now my legs (height - 188) do not fit under the tank at all. By the way, the friend with whom we traveled together also noticed this. And he is slightly shorter than me. However, in general, the landing remained the same upright.

Moreover, the seat, which seemed different to me, was actually the same as before. Yes, yes, it looks different, but after sitting on the motorcycle, I realized that it is absolutely the same. That is, not at all touristy. However, some bearded man said that he was quite comfortable sitting in the passenger seat.

Specifications copied from Stels 600 Benelli:

Total But it’s not just that the title of this post is almost no different from last year’s. Unfortunately, we won't see much new in the new BN600 GT And what we see won’t necessarily make us buy it. Firstly, if indeed a version without panniers is supplied to Russia, the whole idea of ​​a touring motorcycle is called into question. Secondly, let’s say we just want a comfortable (with protection from the wind) movement around the city from point “A” to point “B”. But why do we need a tank of three dozen liters then? In addition, do not forget that one of the problems of the Stels 600 Benelli was the high center of gravity. And with a full tank on the GT , we raise it even higher, which will not be to the benefit of the bike if you are going to use it in traffic jams.

In essence, the Stels 600 GT Benelli is in every way just a restyled version of the motorcycle without the “GT” prefix - the same engine, frame (with a slightly modified tail), suspension, brakes and tires. Nothing radically new, just minor external changes. However, I personally still don’t understand who this model will be aimed at if it comes without panniers.

Subjectively, if I had a choice between this model and the one I currently have, I would, of course, take this one. However, the improvements and changes in this one are not enough to make me change my Stels 600 Benelli to a Stels 600 GT Benelli. It was a shame, by God.

Motorcycles are expected in Russia by the middle of the season, the price will be slightly higher than for the “naked” version. Well, I'll be looking forward to the owners' feedback.

SPECIFICATIONS:

* In order to improve consumer properties and quality of equipment, technical specifications and equipment may be changed by the manufacturer without prior notice.