November 10, 2014
Choosing an inexpensive, but powerful and reliable snowmobile
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Utilitarian snowmobiles are most popular in Russia, as the most budget-friendly transport option for traveling on snow. However, this season, prices for imported snowflakes have increased noticeably and not everyone can afford this purchase. But the Russian STELS has released a worthy alternative to its overseas competitors - an inexpensive, but reliable and powerful analogue.
People first learned about the existence of the STELS 800 “Wolverine” snowmobile in the fall of 2013. Many were even flattered by the new product, voting for it with rubles. Alas, that “Wolverine” did not make its owners very happy. On the snowflake there was a Chinese 800 cc Odes engine, which was not distinguished by quality. Suppliers of shock absorbers and the entire chassis of the snowmobile also let us down, slipping into production something that was not quite what they promised. There were some mistakes in the cooling system and other small things. In general, the snowmobile drove, but required some troubleshooting skills from its owner. Taking into account the mistakes, the stealth team completely reworked their brainchild, bringing it to mind. The “Wolverine” of the 2014-2015 model year has nothing in common (except, perhaps, in appearance and name) with its predecessor.
“Wolverine 800” is not a light snowmobile, weighing 370 kg. But thanks to the wide skis and 60-centimeter track, the car has positive “buoyancy” on the snow.
Made in Japan
The main change is a completely new power unit. Under the hood of the Wolverine, as you can easily guess from the name, there is an 800 cc engine developed by the STELS in-house design bureau. This two-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled injection engine was invented in Russia, but is produced in... Japan. This geography is by no means accidental. The fact is that in Russia there is neither the experience nor the equipment that could be used to produce a high-quality engine for motorcycles. But in the Land of the Rising Sun, not a single dog has been eaten in this case. And the fact that the Japanese had a hand in the snowmobile’s engine is immediately obvious. Very well assembled and with great production culture. It literally starts on the fly and runs smoothly, without any extraneous noise or ringing. Thanks to a perfectly matched balance shaft, the motor not only works, but whispers... By the way, STELS is so confident in its power unit that it gives a separate three-year warranty for it.
The Koso dashboard works at A+ even in cold weather. The only thing that caused a slight criticism was the installation angle, which is why the tidy is slightly covered with snow.
SPECIFICATIONS:
| Modification | Viking 800 |
| Frame | steel sheet, riveted-welded |
| Engine | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled |
| Working volume, cm cubic. | 800 |
| Supply system | Injection, gasoline with an octane rating of at least 92 |
| Ignition system | Electronic control unit (CDI) |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Max power, hp/kW/min־¹(rpm) | 67(49,9)/(6000) |
| Max torque Nm(rpm) | 73/5000 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | Not less than 70 |
| Clutch | Automatic, centrifugal (CVT) |
| Transmission | Mechanical |
| Primary transmission | V-belt variator |
| Front suspension | Telescopic, spring with hydraulic shock absorber, stroke 150 mm |
| Rear suspension | Pendulum, spring with hydraulic shock absorber, stroke 170mm |
| Track (length / width / lug height) | 3938/600/22 |
| Brake | Disk, hydraulically driven, mounted on the output shaft of the gearbox, acts on the track |
| Main fuel tank capacity | 45 |
| Overall dimensions: length/width/height | 3170/1160/1470 |
| Clearance | 150 |
| Curb weight, kg | 469 |
| Total weight, kg | 688 |
| Turning radius, mm | 5000 |
| Weight of towed trailer, kg | 500 |
| Passenger seat | + |
* In order to improve consumer properties and quality of equipment, technical specifications and equipment may be changed by the manufacturer without prior notice.
"Kettle" for the motor
Is it the right choice to install a four-stroke engine in the snow, since two-stroke engines, as you know, are more powerful and start better in cold weather?.. You shouldn’t rush to conclusions. The stealth engine is equipped with a kind of pre-heater as standard. If necessary, the electric heater inside the engine is connected with a special wire to the battery terminals, 5-7 minutes - and the oil in the crankcase becomes warm and liquid, thanks to which the engine starts without problems even in the most severe frost. Skeptics will certainly notice that during this time the “boiler” will drain the battery and the starter simply will not crank the crankshaft. Unnecessary fears. The Wolverine 800 has two high-capacity batteries. We can definitely say that the snowman is one hundred percent perfect for the Russian winter.
Let's try the stealth "Wolverine" in action? After spending the night outside in 23-degree frost, all the snowmobiles, of which there were 7 in the test, started up perfectly in the morning even without electrical heating. While the engine is warming up at idle, we study the controls at random. Everything is very logical: on the left side there are starter buttons, low/high beam switches, as well as buttons for heating the grips and the gas trigger. On the same side is the brake lever. On the right side of the steering wheel there is only a gas trigger and an emergency engine shutdown button. In general, a classic of the genre, just like on any other snowmobile.
Comfort for a workhorse
Despite the wide track, the snowmobile from STELS, in general, is very good to drive. Thanks for this should be given to the ski skates, on the bases of which carbide inserts are welded, ensuring steering control on almost any surface. We would like to add that without ski extensions, the Wolverine handles much sharper.
Let's jump on the seat. Very pleasant in all respects: the correct shape, you sit as if on a royal throne. Everything in the passenger seat is also at the highest level, and for greater comfort there is a backrest that supports the lumbar region. The seats are definitely suitable for a long-distance voyage. Typically, utilitarian snowmobiles have never been famous for their high level of comfort; the creators of snowmobiles poured all their concern for the ergonomics of the pilot and his passenger into the “tourist” class. They say, is there any point in bothering with amenities if a utility is a workhorse, created to solve everyday problems?.. But the market dictates its own rules of the game and now the buyer looks at the availability of amenities even when choosing a utility.
The STELS snowmobile of the 2014-2015 model year received a qualitatively new suspension, chassis, engine and transmission. That is, compared to last year’s “Wolverine,” this is a completely new snowflake.
Well, the engine, apparently, has reached operating temperature, and we can move to the mountains. The gear selector lever is located under the left hand. The handle has four positions: L - low gear, H - high gear, R - reverse and N - neutral. The action shifts with the precision of a bolt action on a good rifle. We turn on the boost and the gas, as they say, to the floor. The heavy car - and the loaded Wolverine weighs quite a lot, as much as 370 kilos - confidently takes off. According to the speedometer, in a matter of seconds the snowball crossed the 50 km/h mark, and the acceleration doesn’t even think of ending! The 67 “horses” that the engine produces at peak are more than enough for a stealth snowmobile. What about torque? There is also plenty of it - 73 N/m. Thanks to this traction, the Wolverine 800 is capable of pulling a sled weighing up to 300 kilograms. Why the sleigh, it will drag the car!
User manual
Each Stels snowmobile is equipped with a warranty card and detailed operating instructions, which indicate all the key points for servicing the track. The manual also contains a list of the most common problems and malfunctions, as well as methods for eliminating them. At the end there is also a detailed wiring diagram for the snowmobile track.
Break-in recommendations
The running-in period for this snowbike includes the first 500 km. During this period, new engine parts are just being broken in, so it is important to follow the following rules:
- During the first start, let the engine idle for 2-5 minutes. During this time it will warm up to the desired temperature.
- For the first 150 km it is recommended to drive at a speed of no more than 50 km/h.
- After reaching 150 km and until the end of the break-in, you should not allow long driving at speeds in the range of 60-75 km/h.
- Ride without a load or a passenger.
- At the end of the break-in, completely change the engine oil.
Daniila Rukin
Snowmobile specialist "Buran". I go fishing in my free time.
Ask a Question
During the break-in period, it is strictly forbidden to drive with the throttle fully open. If for some reason there is extraneous noise in the engine, you should contact a specialized service center.
It should also be remembered that during the break-in period, fuel and engine oil consumption may increase. Therefore, you need to check the oil level every 100 km.
Maintenance
The first comprehensive maintenance should be carried out immediately after the end of the running-in period or a month after purchase. All operations must be repeated at intervals of 500 km or once a month. In addition, it is necessary to carry out daily maintenance each time before leaving. During the EO they check:
- operation of the brake system, steering wheel, lighting system and throttle drive;
- fuel and oil level;
- condition of controls, track, air filter;
- fastening parts;
- towing device;
- completeness of spare parts, availability of tools.
After every 3,000 km (or every 6 months), service is carried out, which includes a comprehensive check of all system components.
Preservation and storage
After the end of the season, snowmobile equipment is removed for long-term storage, having previously undergone preservation. Proper preparation allows you to keep all the vital components of the machine in working order and prevent premature corrosion.
Storage areas must be dry and well ventilated. Preparations for preservation should be carried out with a cold engine.
Basic engine operations:
- Remove the spark plugs and pour 20-25 ml of engine oil into each cylinder.
- Insert spark plugs into spark plug tips and place them on metal parts of the engine to “ground” them.
- Use the starter several times to crank the crankshaft.
- Insert the spark plugs into the cylinders and put on the tips.
Rear suspension preparation:
- Remove moisture and snow from the surface.
- Loosen the track.
- Install the hangers on the supports so that the track is in a hanging position.
- Clean the entire surface of the bike and apply anti-corrosion agent.
- Put on the cover.
In addition to the operations described above, you should also completely fill the fuel tank. This will prevent corrosion of the power system elements. It is also imperative to remove the battery, first disconnecting the negative and then the positive drive. In order to maintain the battery's performance, it must be charged periodically.
Heavy, clumsy, unsinkable
There was a lot of snow in the mountains of Khakassia. In some places, trying to walk on your own two feet, you fall waist-deep, or even chest-deep. But “Wolverine 800” is not chubby at all. Firstly, a fairly wide 60-centimeter track with a lug height of 22 mm perfectly holds the car even on freshly fallen snow, preventing it from falling through. Secondly, the stock version of the STELS 800 snowmobile comes with ski extenders, which also have a positive effect on the “buoyancy” of the snowmobile. True, there is also a downside to these extensions - the snowmobile does not respond very responsively to the steering wheel. Not an iron, of course, but to make a snake around the birches, you need to try pretty hard. For the purity of the experiment, we remove the expanders. The snowmobile has become noticeably sharper in handling, and not to mention that on narrow skis it began to get stuck in snow drifts more often.
We won’t tell stories about the Wolverine’s unsinkability in the snow. There are places where any snowmobile is destined to get buried. And we found ourselves in such traps more than once during our two-day test drive. What saved me was that I found a good company. Without further ado, everyone was ready to come to each other's rescue. Is it possible to dig out a “Wolverine” buried in deep snow alone or together? I think no. Therefore, installing a winch will not be a waste of money. Moreover, space for its installation (both front and rear, if you sacrifice the large plastic case included in the stock package) is already provided by the design. Of course, it was not entirely correct to test the utility vehicle in the mountains, since it was designed for use in a completely different area. What can you do, because only in Priiskovoye at the end of October you can see a real Russian winter in order to experience a new product on the eve of the season. And imagine the surprise of the journalists when the heavy utilitarian snowmobile, like a mountain goat, dashingly climbed quite steep climbs.
Snowmobile Stealth Wolverine S800
Stealth Wolverine 800 - the latest generation snowmobile is made taking into account all user complaints about previous modifications. Now the car has a reinforced rear suspension and durable ski extensions. The tees of the cooling and fuel supply systems are protected from cracking in the cold. The slides are compacted and can withstand loads 3 times greater than before. The wind screen has changed significantly. The new protective glass on the Stels S800 Rosomaha does not shake when driving and does not create optical bends on the sides and top.
Price matters. Decisive
Not to say that the rides were deadly for the equipment, but none of the journalists felt much pity for the snowmobiles tested. That is, it was a real test drive, and not a fake ride for the sake of a photo shoot. Surprisingly, none of the snowmobiles tested gave the slightest malfunction. Not even a light bulb burned out anywhere. The stealth team's car turned out to be very strong. Is it possible to put Wolverine on a par with famous brands? Yes and no.
Yes - because, as we have seen, it is not short of reliability. If last year this model could be called a “semi-finished product” that needed serious improvement, then the “Wolverine” of this model year is quite a serious STELS bid for victory.
No - because “Wolverine” is a completely different price segment compared to branded equipment. Even in the conditions of the daily dance of the dollar exchange rate, when import sellers rewrite price tags for equipment several times a day, “Wolverine 800” in STELS dealership centers is sold for... 275,000 rubles. Well, where can you find an equally powerful and well-equipped car, mind you, not made in China, for such an adequate price? We must assume that this winter this machine, thanks to its price/quality combination, will become a real bestseller and will take the lion's share of the market for heavy utilitarian snowmobiles sold in Russia.
The STELS snowmobile of the 2014-2015 model year is the most budget-friendly utility vehicle.
AutoVzglyad Magazine | Dmitry Zlenko
S800 benefits
This snow transport is equipped with a two-cylinder, V-shaped, injection engine, its stroke is four-stroke, the system is liquid-cooled, the engine displacement is 800 cm cubic, the power output is 67 hp.
A powerful engine with a decent displacement allows the snowmobile to quickly and confidently pick up speed on rough, snowy terrain, this is especially true on already compacted snow.
The engine starts well and has economical fuel consumption.
During the development of this vehicle, the company's engineers adapted the engine to operate in conditions of low temperatures and active operation at high speeds.
Each part in the power plant has an increased wear resistance resource. A gas tank with a capacity of 45 liters of fuel and an average consumption over a distance of 100 kilometers of about 12 liters, allows you to travel quite a decent distance, without the need to stop for refueling.
A snowmobile of the previous brand, Stels 600, shows approximately the same fuel consumption.
The front suspension is telescopic, its travel is 15 cm, the track is 60 cm wide, it has snow hooks each 2 cm in size, as a result the snowmobile receives the highest performance in cross-country ability and controllability at high speeds.
Here, the engineers were helped by the experience of operating the Stels 600 snowmobile, the technical characteristics of which were largely taken as the basis for the new model . You can see for yourself the controllability and maneuverability of stels products by watching the test drive of the stels s800 wolverine snowmobile, the video is uploaded to the Internet.
The STELS 800 model snowmobile has a comfortable seat; two large people can sit on it comfortably.
The steering grips are equipped with a heating system that will prevent your hands from getting cold while driving and being distracted from driving, while getting pleasant emotions from riding in the snow.
A towbar is included as standard, so you can tow a heavy load without any problems. The starting package includes a spacious case.
The design of the snowmobile is classic; the S800 Wolverine snowmobile is equipped with everything required for everyday work and for excellent relaxation when going outdoors outside the city, for active recreation.
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