Review of the Chinese enduro Stels 400 GT - is it really worth the money?

Chinese companies have long flooded the market with inexpensive motorcycles for beginners. Cruisers, sportbikes, classics - thousands of them! But the class of touring enduros has long been deprived of the attention of manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom, and the Russian-Chinese tandem Stels decided to correct the situation by filling an empty niche. Why not? All modern tourenduros are powerful, heavy motorcycles, not very suitable for novice bikers, and they are also quite expensive. Of course, there is always an alternative in the form of old Japanese 400s, but not everyone has the desire to purchase a 20-year-old motorcycle for a significant sum. So the Stels 400 GT deserves the closest attention, if only because it is, so to speak, a pioneer in this niche.

It's no joke - a Chinese tourenduro! Although, of course, he will have to face a certain distrust of potential buyers. Turenduro is a motorcycle designed for long-distance travel, and the issue of reliability is very acute here. And among the motorcycle community there is still a strong stereotype about the poor quality of all Chinese motorcycles without exception... Well, let's see what's what.

German design, Chinese technology

The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the Stels 400 GT is its resemblance to the famous German “goose”, that is, the BMW R1200 GS model. More precisely, with its previous generations - R1100 GS and R1150 GS. It is not clear why they resorted to such obvious copying, since the Chinese have already learned how to make quite nice motorcycles that do not try to pretend to be their more famous brothers. But the appearance of the Stels 400 GT really screams that its creators were inspired by BMW design.

However, for a tourenduro, the main thing is endurance and reliability, not appearance. The Stels 400 GT's technical characteristics are quite consistent with its price and purpose. You shouldn’t expect feats from it, like at the famous Paris-Dakar rally, but the declared performance characteristics are not bad, and they correspond to their truth. Interestingly, the PTS indicates the engine power at 19 hp. , although the same engine was also installed on the Stels 400 Enduro without any changes, where it has 28 hp. , which is more like the truth. Apparently, the power in the PTS is underestimated for some economic reasons, because the bike rides more or less vigorously.

Estimated cost

Motorcycles of the Stels 400 model range, taking into account the technical characteristics, quality of components and assembly in accordance with European standards, have a moderate cost and are considered quite cheap among other representatives of their class.
The most affordable model is the 400GT. Its minimum price is 127,000 rubles.

Second place goes to the 400 Enduro, the cost of which ranges from 140,000 to 154,000 rubles.

The most expensive model in this line was the 400GS. Its price starts at 157,000 rubles. As for the 400 Cruiser, before it was discontinued its initial price was 125,00 rubles.

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The most popular and best-selling CheZet motorcycle model is the CZ 350 12V, in our photo selection.

Technical characteristics of Stels 400 GT

Having borrowed the appearance from the Germans, the Chinese did not invent anything new in technical terms. They placed a 386 cc single-cylinder engine in a tubular steel frame. see , about the power of which is written just above. The engine loves high speeds, reaching peak power at 7000 rpm . Up to 100 km/h the acceleration dynamics are quite good. The Stels 400 GT has a stated maximum speed of 130 km/h , and this is true. True, after 100 km/h the motorcycle loses any remaining dynamics and accelerates very sluggishly.

Otherwise everything is very simple. 5-speed gearbox , carburetor, chain, disc brakes - a classic, nothing less. But the pendants are more interesting. At the rear there is a regular pendulum, and in front there is an inverted telescope fork. The suspensions of the Stels 400 GT motorcycle can be called quite energy-intensive. Their long strokes allow them to successfully cope with uneven surfaces, so driving on a road with poor asphalt does not feel like driving on a washboard.

Thanks to its modest weight by class standards and comfortable driving position, you feel comfortable behind the wheel of the motorcycle. The passenger seat on the bike is also normal, but only if the passenger’s height does not exceed 160-165 centimeters . The motorcycle is surprisingly easy and obedient to control. The standard tires, of course, leave much to be desired, but the Stels 400 GT, unlike the “liter” tourenduros, feels quite good even off-road with normal “toothy” tires. But, when moving off the asphalt, do not forget that crankcase protection is not provided on this motorcycle. For a tourist enduro, this is definitely an omission - on Russian roads there are sometimes holes in which you can leave the entire motorcycle, not to mention a piece of the crankcase. However, garage craftsmen are quite capable of making protection on their own. Of course, you'll have to sacrifice a couple of centimeters of ground clearance, but it's worth it.

Stealth 400GS - brief overview

Stels 400GS / Stealth 400GS

The Stels 400GS motorcycle can be called a budget enduro model. But, despite the low price, the build quality meets European standards. A power unit with a water cooling system is mounted on a high-strength steel frame welded from pipes. Its power is enough for a stable and safe ride in various road conditions.

The large muffler of the Stels 400GS motorcycle is additionally equipped with neutralizers and produces an aggressive rumble. The engine unit and six-speed gearbox with multi-disc clutch increase the bike's cross-country ability and allow you to select a specific riding mode for each type of road surface or its condition. Off-road tires on large wheels are very effective off-road.

The design of the Stels 400GS motorcycle expresses all its qualities. The ergonomic seat of this enduro will facilitate long trips for two people, which will be made possible by a spacious sports fuel tank. The windproof body kit with original optics resembles a bird of prey, and the tuned suspension can withstand significant overloads.

Pros and cons of Stels 400 GT

Advantages

• Affordable price . This applies to both the motorcycle itself and the cost of maintaining it. Spare parts and consumables for it are really cheap.
• Low weight for a tourenduro - only 161 kg when equipped. Subjectively, the 400 GT doesn't really feel heavy.
• Capacious gas tank - as much as 22 liters .
• Average consumption is within 3.5-4 liters per 100 km . At the same time, the motorcycle does not disdain the AI-92 .
• Comfortable fit . My back doesn't get stiff even after a whole day of riding.
• General simplicity of design . Most faults can be fixed with your own hands if you have a set of tools and some knowledge in this area.
• Not bad brakes . Not “excellent”, but “not bad”. At 4 with a minus on a 5-point scale. But if there is a passenger, the braking distance immediately increases noticeably.
• Passable wind protection . Despite the modest size of the fairing, it provides adequate protection from the oncoming wind. Partly because the Stels 400 GT's top speed is low.

Flaws

• Absolutely secondary design . The Stealth 400 GT motorcycle looks good, yes, but such a copy of BMW looks akin to a Zhiguli with a Mercedes badge on the hood.
• Standard tires . It is too rigid and does not hold the road well in the rain. However, sooner or later it would still have to be changed, so this is not such a drawback.
• Vibrations on the steering wheel and footpegs at speeds above 100-110 km/h. This is a feature of all bikes with single-cylinder engines; nothing can be done about it.
• Short service intervals . When planning a really large trip, this is inconvenient - few people want to look for where to change the oil on the road.
• No tachometer . Quite a useful thing, which for some reason is not installed on many motorcycles.

Photo gallery

We invite you to take a closer look at the model range of four hundred stealth vehicles. We tried to select the best photos from this series.

Similar models

• Honda XL 400 V Transalp . A very popular model, produced from 1991 to 1996. Despite its advanced age, it is possible to find a motorcycle in decent condition. The cost on the secondary market starts from about 120 thousand rubles.
• Kawasaki KLE 400 . Direct competitor of Transalpa. Long out of production, it was produced from 1991 to 1999. The bike is as simple as a brick and quite reliable. Secondary market prices are roughly similar to the 400cc Transalp.

Brief history of the model range

Stels is a brand under which a large Russian engineering company, in collaboration with Asian partners, has been producing bicycles and motorcycles since 1996.

The cooperation of the Velomotors holding with China Qianjiang Group, the largest Chinese manufacturer of motorcycle equipment and owner of the Keeway and Benelli brands, marked the beginning of the production of a new line of products.

The first signs of Russian-Chinese collaboration were the Skif 50 mini-scooter (2007) and the Stels Gryphon Orion 125 A road motorcycle (2010).

Wanting to expand the range of models offered, one after another Velomotors offers Enduro class motorcycles.

In 2011, the Stels 400 Enduro model appeared, already in its name indicating the class. Two years later, three more models were added to this model range - Cruiser, GT and GS.

In some characteristics they are similar, and some indicators significantly distinguish them from each other.

Now the partners of Velomotors are actively working on the development of new models of motorcycles that operate exclusively on electric traction.

Reviews from Stels 400 GT owners

In general, I didn’t even think about tourenduro; for me this word always meant something big, expensive and scary. I was going to buy a Honda XL 400 first, but I couldn’t find anything decent in my budget, just junk that had been worn out five times before. I also thought about the Chinese, but it was somehow scary to get involved with Chinese technology. I changed my opinion when I read reviews about the Stels 400 GT on the Internet and decided that it was worth a try. Now the mileage is a little more than 17k km, I bought the bike new. It's worth the money, but the build quality is terrible; after purchasing, you should definitely double-check everything yourself so that something doesn't come loose while you're on the move. Nikolay, Orel, Stels 400 GT '2015

When I looked at the Stels 400 GT review on YouTube, I became interested. Mot really looks like Goose, only a little smaller. Well, it’s immediately clear that it’s not him, but the similarities can be traced. A new Pepelats in the showroom for the price of a 15-year-old Japanese 400, under warranty and with cheap spare parts. The factory assembly is really terrible, my plastic was not screwed on, the wires were dangling, the pendulum was not fully tightened, and so on. I expected this, so after buying half the motorcycle I scattered it and did everything myself. I think it’s not in vain - for two seasons and more than 20 thousand km there were no breakdowns. Then I sold it to the new owner, and bought myself a Triumph Tiger 800. Ivan, St. Petersburg, Stels 400 GT '2014

The motorcycle seems attractive for the money, but that’s only until you ride it. I bought a used one with a mileage of 3000 km and quickly realized why the first owner dumped it so quickly. The engine vibrates, the vibrations cause the bolts to constantly loosen (can be treated with Loctite), and at around 5000 km the generator died. At 7000 km the carburetor began to take on life and began to overflow, but the overhaul did not reveal any obvious problems. I spat and bought a new one; the carb assembly cost 2,600 rubles. I drove it for an incomplete season, put on 9,000 km of mine and sold it. Better than an old Japanese one. Igor, Lipetsk, Stels 400 GT 400 '2014

Total

The Stels 400 GT turned out to be an interesting and promising motorcycle, but largely only due to the lack of competitors in the niche it occupied. It has received rather contradictory reviews - some praise it, while others vice versa, as is the case with any other Chinese motorcycles. Most of the complaints are due to the build quality, which can be corrected on its own with the help of skilled hands or mechanic friends. Considering the almost complete lack of alternatives in the class of small-capacity tourenduros, it is possible to consider the 400 GT as a bike for a novice biker. It is far from a fact that an old “Japanese” purchased for comparable money will not crumble and break, but spare parts for it will cost much more.

Specifications

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Having disassembled the engine, we were amazed at what a step forward the Chinese motor industry had made - both in design and technology.
Having disassembled the engine, we were amazed at what a step forward the Chinese motor industry had made - both in design and technology. The steel space frame is powder coated black. However, everything else was painted in Henry Ford’s favorite color, except for the aluminum parts (pendulum, muffler, trunk, steering wheel, license plate bracket and rims). And it is proposed to expand the color range through self-adhesive ornaments.

As it should be on “correct” enduros, the electrical circuit of the ignition system includes sensors for side support and gear engagement. The ignition switch has a steering lock position, the tank cap is locked and there is a helmet lock on the side of the saddle - just like on the Japanese.

On the ascetic-looking dashboard there is a dial mechanical speedometer and a coolant temperature indicator. I think too much attention has been paid to the latter - it would be better if they installed a tachometer here. The latter is sorely lacking, especially considering the six-speed gearbox. There’s nothing to say about the controls, except that I’ll note the two-cable throttle handle - this is the first time I’ve noticed this on Chinese enduros (on others it’s par for the course).

There is a plug in place of the kick, which is a minus for enduro (although the kick can be installed as an option). However, you will find this on many modern devices. There were no problems with the electric start, and the engine responded quite loudly at idle.

It is not easy for a driver of shorter than average height to climb onto a motorcycle: the saddle height is 900 mm. This is the price for long-travel suspensions (280 mm) and ground clearance (300 mm). The rear suspension is progressive, with a linkage system. By the way, a revision of the “rocking chair” design showed: it was made in accordance with the canons - on needle bearings, with cuffs. The suspensions are quite modern: an “inverted” fork with compression and rebound adjustments and a monoshock absorber (gas-filled, but without a remote reservoir) with compression and spring preload adjustment (with a nut).

The brakes front and rear are two-piston, and the pads are interchangeable. No shortage is expected: the same type is used on Honda and KTM off-road vehicles. But the metal tube in the brake line of the front brake surprised me. Did you save money on a reinforced hose or were there deeper considerations? One way or another, there are no complaints about the brakes, as well as reasons for admiration.

Total

The Stealth company made the right move by filling an empty niche. There are simply no other fresh 400 cc touring enduros in Russia, which means that the Stels 400 GS has no competitors either. And this bike has a number of advantages - light weight, for example, and the fact that it is easy to handle not only on asphalt, but also on sand or wet ground. Despite the modest power reserve, the Stealth 400 GS is built very well. This is not just a stylization of a motorcycle of a certain class, as is usual with the Chinese - this is really a real tourenduro. Compact, lightweight, quite reliable and very durable.

To buy or not to buy

With all its advantages, the Stels 400 Cruiser, according to reviews, has a low cost for a new motorcycle. It is only 130,000 rubles. This is the price for a new motorcycle, which is also under warranty. Of course, most people have the idea that everything Chinese is of poor quality. But is this really so?

If you go outside and look around, you can see a lot of Chinese cars. Although you don't have to go far. Almost everything that is in everyone's home, be it a ballpoint pen or a television, is made in China.

There are reviews from the owners of this motorcycle that, even though it had not traveled 700 km, the engine jammed. But, most likely, there are already claims against the owner of the chopper. With proper care and operation, such troubles do not happen.

The presented model, according to customer reviews, is of high quality at a fairly affordable price. This is a reliable motorcycle that can often be found on Russian roads today. High performance characteristics for a model of this class make it popular.

Still, most reviews are positive, so the Stels 400 Cruiser can be considered a worthy model. A motorcycle can take a place in the garage of a two-wheeled enthusiast who does not have a large budget for purchasing a vehicle.

Having examined the features of the new model of Russian-Chinese production, we can note its decent quality and reasonable cost. This explains the high demand for the Stealth motorcycle.