ATV Stels (Stealth) 500 GT - review of a multifunctional model

ATVs are also very popular on the motorcycle market. Previously, such machines were supplied exclusively by foreign manufacturers. However, later domestic companies also mastered production. At the moment, one of the main ones with its famous Stealth line.

But, despite this, it is still difficult to call this line a domestic development, since many units and components installed in the models are most often provided by foreign manufacturers under a special license. However, this did not prevent it from becoming very popular in the market, since the equipment is famous for its quite affordable cost and good quality.

The most popular ATV belonging to the Stels line can be called the middle class model Stels ATV 500GT.

This ATV is a utilitarian machine that can also be used both for regular recreation and for extreme off-road driving or snow.

The model has a rather modern and stylish appearance, which also to some extent affected its popularity. Despite its small overall dimensions, the equipment has very good performance, in particular off-road performance. This was facilitated by the use of a powerful power plant, a reliable transmission system with the ability to disable all-wheel drive, and different-sized wheels with increased lugs.

Design

Nobody expects design delights from utilitarian equipment. Stealth 500 looks like it was cut down with an ax - square, angular and brutal . At the same time, its appearance is devoid of any zest, and in appearance it subtly resembles all inexpensive ATVs at once. But, having saved on design, Chinese engineers relied on practicality, and, as it turned out, they were right.

Where to buy a Stealth ATV

Stealth ATVs can be ordered on the website of the official dealer of Stealth equipment STELSMOTO. Upon purchase, a company warranty of 3 years is given. An all-terrain vehicle can be purchased on credit with 0% installments. Delivery is carried out to any region of the Russian Federation and the CIS, the cost is calculated individually. In Moscow, as well as at a distance of up to 100 km from the Moscow Ring Road, goods are delivered free of charge. Further tariffs of transport companies apply.

There is another way to purchase a Stealth ATV - buy it in motorcycle stores or at an authorized dealer’s motorcycle showroom in your city. True, in this case you will have to take what is in stock or place an order. In this case, prices will be higher, but you can see the product in person and take a test drive.

Author: Natalya Semenova, especially for Motoaria.ru

Specifications

An inexpensive ATV with Chinese roots should be at least average in all respects. And Stels 500 fits this definition - it doesn’t miss the stars from the sky, but it doesn’t try to do so. Without claiming to be the best ATV of all time, it honestly earns its value.

Engine

The single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 493cc liquid-cooled engine is based on the old 400cc power unit. Maximum power of 32.6 hp. is achieved at around 5500 rpm, and the maximum torque of 40 Nm is at 4000 rpm . Like all “single-barrel” engines, the engine loves high revs, but it also has low end, so getting out of the mud with a powerful jerk is not a problem.

Transmission

The automatic CVT transmission is not without its shortcomings, but it works generally satisfactorily. People accustomed to a manual transmission will have to get used to it again, but the CVT behaves predictably, and it is excellent for everyday use.

Chassis and brakes

The fully independent double wishbone suspension on a powerful steel frame is as reliable as the Kremlin. The Stealth 500 has a lot of minor flaws, but the suspension and chassis as a whole are devoid of them, they work almost perfectly, regularly absorbing bumps and holes. Disc brakes on all wheels are also reliable, and they confidently stop the ATV even from high speeds. All-wheel drive makes it easy to overcome even severe off-road conditions.

Electronics

Structural simplicity led to a minimum of electronic filling. But the one that exists is not well protected from moisture. These design flaws can be easily eliminated on your own by checking the insulation of all wires and contacts. If necessary, some of them can be moved.

Weight and dimensions

The Stels 500 GT weighs a whopping 300 kg , and that's just dry weight. Lightening the design would entail the need to use more modern materials, which would inevitably affect the price of the model. The dimensions of the ATV are typical by the standards of the class, and if you put it next to other examples from different manufacturers, the size match will be almost one hundred percent.

Controllability

Thanks to the low center of gravity, the ATV does not have a pronounced tendency to tip over. It handles quite tolerably, in skillful hands it can take turns well at high speed, and does not prohibit active maneuvering between obstacles. This is largely due to the good suspension, which absorbs uneven terrain and helps maintain control over the ATV.

Fuel consumption

On the highway, an ATV consumes about 6.5-7 liters of fuel per 100 km , but such equipment rarely drives on asphalt. Off-road consumption is impossible to predict; it depends on driving style, the condition of the ATV itself and operating conditions. Considering the small capacity of the gas tank, the range is still small.

ATV price

A used copy of the first years of production will cost from 150-170 thousand rubles , but most cheap offers have defects, sometimes hidden. A fresh ATV, with low mileage and released several years ago, will cost 250-300 thousand rubles , which is noticeably cheaper than new Chinese ATVs, comparable to the Stels ATV 500 GT in terms of characteristics.

ATV line

Velomotors is a Russian company and is focused primarily on domestic consumers. Therefore, the market offers a wide range of durable and unpretentious vehicles with high cross-country ability.

Today the company is focused on producing several lines of units:

• STELS ATV LEOPARD with 500, 600 and 650 cm3 engine. Compact and nimble all-terrain vehicles are ideal for tourism, household work, hunting and fishing.;
• STELS ATV GUEPARD with engines of 650, 800 and 850 cm3. A flagship series of utilitarian machines with many additional features and adaptability to various operating conditions;
• STELS ATV - all-terrain vehicles that were not included in the previous series and children's versions. The devices are universal, any of them can be used for work and walking.

Repair and tuning

The Stealth ATV 500 is not known for its high reliability, so when purchasing this model, it is better to be prepared to get your hands dirty from time to time. But if these same hands are skillful enough, the ATV will serve faithfully for many years.

Repair

Repairing this model is not difficult, since it is structurally very simple. A garage and a standard set of tools, including jacks, will be enough. Even a novice mechanic can handle most breakdowns without any problems.

Spare parts

The cost of spare parts for the Stels ATV 500 is low, and they are usually available at dealers, who are available throughout Russia. Some parts are suitable from other Chinese ATVs, and almost all are from the Kazuma Jaguar 500 model, of which the Stealth 500 GT is a copy.

Tuning

Many ATV owners modify it, bringing it to a more decent condition. Most often, radiator protection is installed, since in stock it is open to any mechanical damage, the brake reservoir is changed to a more reliable one, and electrical relays are changed, which often fail due to moisture getting into them. There are many available tunings, mostly universal, and they are inexpensive.

Price

The cost of the new Stealth ATV 500 ATV currently varies from 250 thousand rubles to 285 thousand Russian rubles. The final cost varies depending on the year of production and configuration, which may also include camouflage colors (on average, the cost of this option is about 3 thousand rubles).

For used equipment, the current price range is from 70 thousand rubles to 235 thousand Russian rubles, taking into account the current condition of the car.

This ATV actually has a fairly affordable price tag, which, in addition to its great popularity, has also allowed it to some extent surpass its analogues, including foreign ones.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you compare the Stels ATV 500GT with products from American and Japanese manufacturers, it will be inferior to them in all respects. But let's not forget about the price! So we will compare the ATV with its competitors not only in terms of technical characteristics, but also in terms of cost. And among them it stands out well, largely due to the fact that over the years of production the design was brought to mind and improved, eliminating a number of “childhood sores”.

Advantages

• Affordable price . And the Stels ATV 500 itself is inexpensive, and spare parts for it too, so its maintenance costs a modest amount.
• Versatility . The ATV is suitable both for riding for fun and for performing various work, which is especially important in rural areas.
• Decent cross-country ability . By turning on the 4x4 mode, you can overcome almost any off-road terrain.
• High load capacity . The ATV confidently drags the driver, passenger and a decent amount of cargo.

Flaws

• Small gas tank , only 14 liters. The Stels 500 GT has a small range.
• Low reliability of some components. Many owners complain about frequent minor breakdowns.
• Large turning radius , as much as 3.2 meters. This may cause inconvenience in some conditions.

Owner reviews

I own an old Stels 500 GT, the device is controversial. In fact, it’s a copy of the more famous Chinese quad, the idea is good, the design is balanced and made wisely, but small mistakes spoil the picture. Many aspects are simply not thought through to the end, and in practice breakdowns begin. A typical birth problem - the brakes fail. Fun, right? Because the original brake reservoir was invented by engineers with brain defects, and after driving through mud or just in the rain it stupidly floods, water seeps inside, and that’s it, there are no brakes. It can be treated by replacing it with any other one, even from Zhiguli. And there are many such little things. Vladimir, Krasnodar, Stealth ATV 500 '2012.

It’s a peppy quad, I ride it where I rode the evil 250cc enduro, despite its weight, it pulls confidently, torque makes all the difference. In the most difficult places, a winch helps out. There is no tendency to somersaults, it consumes a lot of gasoline off-road, but there are enough rides for a day. I service engine hours strictly according to the manual, no problems. Anatoly, Tolyatti, Stealth 500H AL EFI '2016.

The model is unsuccessful, simply not brought to mind. While it's under warranty, nothing yet, then it starts constantly demanding money. Spare parts are cheap, but something falls off every two weeks. I drove for three years, until my patience ran out, I sold it to a new lucky guy, bought myself a 600 cc Polaris and forgot this Russian-Chinese craft like a bad dream. Vladimir, Chelyabinsk, Stels ATV 500GT '2015.

Reviews

Dimon_OK

I recommend it to my friends!!!

Excellent! The quad is super, fact.
It gets through everywhere. Actually everywhere. It’s even a shame for the prepared jeeps (although the comparison is inappropriate in the grand scheme of things). By the way, despite its all-terrain wheels, it holds the asphalt well, and in general hard ground, of course it’s not a passenger car, but it’s rushing at 90-95 km/h, it’s just worth the noise. I have driven about 2500 km on my quad, I ride just for sport, and for fishing, for mushrooms, berries, except for small things, nothing seriously breaks down, the engine and gearbox are simply amazing, the chassis in terms of travel is also on par and strong. In general, I am very satisfied with the price-quality ratio and recommend it to my friends. Cross-country ability, price - quality Not yet identified Alexey

An excellent choice for fishing trips, mushroom hunting trips and just “driving around the village”

Excellent! Excellent ATV. Fast, on asphalt up to 100, on gravel up to 80. Powerful, you can easily cut “circles” on gravel. The cross-country ability is not bad; you can drive anywhere with all-wheel drive. We rode everywhere, from gravel roads to swamps. The winch is not a bad thing, somehow I managed to get stuck in the wilds, hooked it to the nearest tree, and pulled it out in one go. It's easy to drive, my sister drove it for 15 years. I took the children for rides - the impressions were indescribable for everyone. Before that, I rode ATVs, which are available for rent here and in Egypt on excursions. There is no comparison; compared to this, they are childish. Here we sat down together (men weighing 100 kg each) + an additional tank on the trunk, we drove without any difficulties, we pulled at once. Quality is relative. After 250 km, the pipe broke off, but this is most likely a factory defect. After 1500 km, the front left shock absorber leaked, I haven’t changed it yet, you can drive on gravel roads, but it’s no longer advisable to drive on gullies. There may also be minor problems with disassembly; the casing is secured with bolts and nuts and not with self-tapping screws. It is possible to unscrew it, but screwing it back was a problem, since the nut cannot be held. In general, China is China, although I counted on this when purchasing, because... other models with similar characteristics are much more expensive. Conclusion: for yourself, for riding on gravel, forests, trips to mushrooms, and fishing - an irreplaceable thing. Powerful, fast, all-terrain. Quality is not German

FAQ

• Stels ATV 500GT suitable for long trips for two? It’s unlikely, since the level of comfort on the basic version of the ATV is low, and the small gas tank will require refueling approximately every 120-130 km. Outside cities, the distance between gas stations is often greater.
• How is it with the interchangeability of spare parts from other Chinese ATVs? Some nodes fit, some don't. The compatibility of a specific part can only be checked in a practical way.
• Is it worth buying a Stels ATV 500 GT in used condition and with high mileage? Buying a used ATV is always a lottery. Such equipment is often used in extreme conditions, and the condition of a used copy can vary from good to barely alive.

Conclusion

For its money, the Stealth 500 GT is a strong competitor to other Chinese ATVs. While inferior to American and Japanese competitors in terms of technical characteristics, it wins in price, and high maintainability makes it a good choice for rural areas. And it is perfect as a first ATV for a beginning off-road conqueror.

Specifications

Video

Most of the components of the ATV are hidden on top with plastic covers that act as protection. This element can have several types of colors. The car is often sold in red, green or black, but camouflage paint is also offered as an additional option. There is also a plastic trim on the front of the ATV, however, here it already has a fine mesh. Above it there is a kind of hood, in which all the lighting devices were integrated, namely headlights and direction indicators. Under the front trim and hood is the front independent suspension and axle.

Externally, the ATV has rather large wheel arches, but it should be noted that this decision was made specifically, since this allows to minimize the clogging of dirt between the wheels and fenders when driving off-road.

Between the front and rear fenders on the sides at the bottom there are stepped running boards. The stepped design was made specifically, as it allows for the most comfortable placement of legs for both the driver and the rear passenger.

The steering wheel is equipped with an analog-digital instrument panel, which has two wells in which the sensors and ignition switch necessary for the operation of the ATV are located.

Traditionally, the fuel tank was located immediately behind the steering wheel. It and the power plant are covered with special protection made of high-strength plastic.

The Stealth ATV 500 ATV is standardly equipped with a two-seater stepped seat. As an additional option, a backrest can be installed on the passenger seat. Behind the seat, just like other ATVs, there is a separate trunk.

The model has an independent rear suspension, which is covered from the outside with mesh protection. In the rear part, in the center of the entire structure, there is a main brake light. An additional brake light and turn signal are installed on each wing. The entire structure itself uses a welded tubular frame, which is quite difficult to find with the eye due to the abundance of plastic linings.

The front and rear suspension have spring-hydraulic shock absorbers and a pair of levers. The power unit used has only one cylinder and a liquid cooling system. The presence of an electric starter greatly simplifies starting in almost any conditions; however, if necessary, the engine can also be started using a manual starter. High cross-country ability is ensured not only by a powerful engine and increased ground clearance, but also by a transmission system that has a V-belt variator. This CVT has several modes that allow you to effectively use engine power when driving off-road. In addition, here the all-wheel drive is turned off or, on the contrary, turned on.

Torque from the transmission system to the drive axles is transmitted via cardan shafts. All four wheels of the ATV are equipped with hydraulically driven disc brakes.