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.
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.
Stels 400 Enduro
The Stels 400 Enduro model (2011 - model year) has a sporty appearance.
Thanks to the soft suspension, the motorcycle can easily move on a flat road (can accelerate to 100 km/h) and off-road, and its small dimensions allow it to maneuver in dense traffic.
For the four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, which is started by an electric starter, the Stels 400 Enduro design provides protection.
The manual transmission is a 6-speed foot-operated gearbox . Braking at the slightest pressure on the clutch is provided by a multi-disc brake system.
A comfortable steering wheel and optimal layout of a steel tubular frame make this motorcycle accessible to inexperienced off-road enthusiasts.
Motorcycle Stels 400 Enduro 2014 review
Stels 400 Enduro is, on the Russian market, one of the few models of Chinese dual-purpose motorcycles in the 400 cc class. cm. Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki currently produce either chekushki (250 cc) or heavy, more touring motorcycles, with an engine capacity of 500 cc.
European manufacturers, Beta, Husqvarna and KTM, produce cars with engine capacities of 350, 310, 450, etc., but all of them are rather cross-country sports units homologated for public roads, while the Stels 400 Enduro is positioned as a motorcycle dual-use, that is, 50/50 - road/off-road.
The 400cc Stealth Enduro is the best combination of weight and power. This motorcycle is more versatile than its 250 and 650 cc counterparts. On the road, the “check” will quickly get boring with the clicking of gears, and the 650 will be very clumsy and uncomfortable on the ground due to its weight. “Scabies” (400 cc) will best combine these two minuses and turn them into a big plus.
Looking at this motorcycle from the left side, it is impossible not to notice the letters “XY” on the frame, and it seems that the treasured third to the famous Russian “three letters” is very much missing. Where and why is this? An engineering joke that was passed onto the assembly line? In fact, this is not at all what you might think, and XY is an abbreviation for the original name of the model in the Middle Kingdom.
STELS 400 Enduro is a product of the domestic rebranding of the Chinese motorcycle industry called “XINGYUE XY400 Enduro” / “LEGEND XY400Y”, which in turn are made visually to resemble the HONDA XR250L / HONDA XR250R MOTARD, the design of which has not changed much since the 80s. However, due to the lack of a sufficiently boosted Chinese analogue of the cross-country two-cylinder engine, a single-cylinder 400 cc engine was installed, which, however, also does not match the Honda’s in terms of “horses” or torque. The 20-year-old design is refreshed only by the original, more modern Chinese headlights, luggage bar with handles for the passenger and fenders. The resulting motorcycle is well suited for use in the city. Water cooling, which until recently was a rarity for the Chinese, will prevent the engine from overheating in a traffic jam that cannot be avoided or when overcoming a long, steep climb.
On the one hand, the STELS 400 Enduro is far from a real Enduro due to its relatively large weight, engine characteristics and vague suspensions, on the other hand, the preserved geometry of the original XR allows you to slowly overcome serious off-road conditions. Compared to other Chinese motorcycles offered by the STELS brand, the 400 Enduro model still seems to inspire more confidence in its reliability. With 400 cubic meters per cylinder, the engine life before major overhaul is very long, much longer than many can drive. You don’t have to worry about the engine block even if you want to travel from Moscow to Magadan. But the quality of other parts requires the owner to pay close attention to details as well as the ability to eliminate them.
The niche of “four hundred” in Russia has long been firmly occupied by Japanese second-hand stores: in capable hands the devices last a long time. But there are almost no new cars, because many brands have left this sector of the market. Ordinary motorcycle manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom, having perfected their 150-200 cm³ “air vents”, are in no hurry to dive headlong into the next class, which requires a different level of technology. It is all the more interesting to evaluate a new product on the Russian market - Stels 400 Enduro, which will play in the “adult” league.
They say that the impression of the first sight largely shapes subsequent relationships. The sweeping outlines of the front fender and headlight shield of the complex shape of the Stels 400 Enduro motorcycle, outlined with bright stickers, immediately attract attention. And the dense layout inside the matte black frame hints that the filling here is serious. At the same time, 400 cubes (more precisely, 387), unusual for the Chinese motorcycle industry, were able to fit into a fairly compact power unit, primarily thanks to the short-stroke cylinder-piston group. The engine design is quite modern: 4 strokes, 4 valves, liquid cooling. Works in tandem with a 6-speed gearbox.
We couldn't resist the temptation to see what's inside, so we disassembled the Stels 400 Enduro power unit. There was a T-shaped piston in a very low cylinder (see manufacturer's data) - the first pleasant surprise. The second is the minimum gaps between the crankshaft and balancer shaft, which also shows how much the designers cared about compactness. The valves are controlled by two rocker arms with roller tappets, and the clearance is adjusted with screws. The camshaft is driven by a chain, this is not new, but the completely plastic (except for the spring) tensioner was surprising. Just like the plastic thermostat in the “head”. In general, the motor turned out to be compact. And it looks like it’s original (I don’t know if that’s good or bad).
The Stels 400 Enduro engine is called XY191MQ-2. This is the own development of the China Xingyue Group campaign, as far as a Chinese creation can of course be original. Knowledgeable specialists quickly determined which of the more famous brands the technical solutions were borrowed from. It turned out that the lower part of the engine and gearbox is almost completely identical to that of the HONDA XR 250, and the cylinder block itself and its head are complete analogues of the Austrian ROTAX 400, with the only feature - the camshaft of the Xingyue engine rotates in the opposite direction.
The steel space frame of the Stels 400 Enduro is powder-painted 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 of the Stels 400 Enduro has a steering lock position, the tank cap is locked and there is a helmet lock on the side of the saddle - 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 latest Stels 400 Enduro is sorely missed, 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).
The Stels 400 Enduro has a kick plug in place, 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 of the Stels 400 Enduro 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 Stels 400 Enduro brakes, as well as reasons for admiration.
The ambitions of the Stealth 400 in the niche of real enduro (which the “four hundred” from the domestic Japanese market have always been famous for) are declared by full-profile Kingstire tires (21 inches in the front, 18 in the rear). Their universal tread is made with a clear bias towards off-road, and its depth is decent: 12 mm on the rear wheel. The chain here is also endurable - the common 520, and with seals, which is atypical for the Chinese motorcycle industry. The one and a half hard saddle brings the motorcycle closer to hard enduro: sitting on this, you remember the joke about Lieutenant Rzhevsky and the frying pan. However, for the passenger there are quite comfortable handles on the sides of the trunk. But he will have to accept the fact that half of the sirloin will end up on the trunk. But on solo trips you can place a heavy load in the case above the rear wheel axle.
On the way from the metropolis to off-road spaces, I estimated the maximum speed: it was about 120 km/h (with a passenger). Perhaps after running it in, the Stels 400 Enduro will run faster. But when landing directly and accelerating above 110 km/h, it starts to sail, and the pleasure of driving disappears. However, for light enduro this is rather the norm.
The dynamics of the Stealth 400 Enduro in the city seemed sluggish for the stated 30 “horses”. This may be due to the lack of constant vacuum from the accelerator pump in the carburetor. However, it is expected that a Dell'Orto spool valve with a pump will be installed; such a sample was demonstrated in the showroom.
I was very pleased with the absence of vibrations in the entire range of engine operation on the Stels 400 Enduro. The gears are long, and at first it seemed that there were “no number of them” (there is not enough tachometer during spin-up). The sixth one was turned on after 90–100 km/h, it was used to save fuel during long-range driving. It is significant that the “neutral” was easily caught, even in static conditions, something that the gearboxes of other “more branded” motorcycles cannot boast of.
On broken gravel roads I finally appreciated the performance of the suspensions. There is a clear breakthrough by Chinese manufacturers - for a long time it was suspensions that were the weak point of off-road vehicles. On the coastal rocks of the Kronstadt forts we were able to fully experience the high ground clearance. And the fact that the first gear of the Stels 400 Enduro is “high” means I had to play with the clutch. The sand confirmed the correctness of the weight distribution, although the test on this surface cannot be fully described as it had rained the day before.
In conclusion, about the identified shortcomings of the Stels 400 Enduro. There was no place for a tool or a small shmurdyak - the same “Japanese” have pencil cases, albeit small ones. In a tank designed for trips of up to 150 km, the level of gasoline is not visible. Short front fender. Maybe this is not so bad, but the radiator is not equipped with protection against dirt, and in the area where dirt escapes from under the front wheel there is also a sound signal. And at the end of the test it turned out that the plastic chain protection shield was wrapped and rubbed through.
In general, the Stealth 400 Enduro device is certainly worthy and is not much different from the Japanese technology beloved by many. The only question that remains open is minor tuning such as engine protection or windshields, durability and availability of spare parts.
Go to the entire model range of Stels motorcycles, on this page you can find Stels 400 Enduro motorcycles from other years of production and information about them
400GT ("Gran Turismo")
The Stels 400GT (“Gran Turismo”) model was released in 2013.
It is characterized by a four-stroke single-cylinder carburetor engine with a liquid cooling system and an electric starting system. The engine is combined with a 6-speed manual transmission and hydraulic disc brakes with anti-mud protection.
Suspension in the form of an inverted telescopic fork and a pendulum with a monoshock absorber provide comfortable travel on roads with different types of surfaces.
The motorcycle seat is designed for two people. Handles and footrests are provided for the passenger.
Owner reviews
Owner review #1
Owner review #2
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Owner review #3
Screenshot of owner review No. 4
400GS
The Stels 400GS model (model year 2013) is considered a budget enduro motorcycle, although it is assembled in accordance with European standards.
The motorcycle is a direct successor to the Stels 400 Enduro, from which it inherited the chassis, and the Stels 400 GT, which is similar in external design.
Manufacturers announced the Stels 400GS as a tourist SUV. It is powered by a four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The motorcycle can accelerate to 130 km/h. Definitely the big advantage of the Stels 400GS is its spacious tank, which will have enough gasoline for half a thousand kilometers with an average consumption of 4 liters.
Road bumps on a motorcycle are almost not felt thanks to good suspensions (front telescopic and rear pendulum forks), but if two people are riding, the suspensions perform their functions worse, and steering becomes harder.
Stels 400 GS, due to its insufficiently powerful engine, is not very convenient for driving around the city and is more comfortable for long, but not long, trips of one rider with the necessary luggage.
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.
Table of main technical characteristics
| Characteristic | Enduro | Cruiser | GT | G.S. |
| Length, mm | 2155 | 2240 | 2110 | 2110 |
| Width, mm | 880 | 730 | 825 | 860 |
| Height, mm | 1215 | 1110 | 1390 | 1360 |
| Weight, kg | 145,0 | 194,0 | 161,0 | 163,0 |
| Fuel tank volume, l | 9,0 | 13,5 | 22,0 | 22,0 |
| Engine capacity, cubic meters cm | 386,8 | 399,0 | 386,8 | 386,8 |
| Maximum engine power, hp | 19,0 | 30,3 | 19,0 | 19,0 |
| Tires front/rear | 3.00-21 / 4.60-18 | 3.00-19 / 140/90-15 | 110/90-16 / 140/70-16 or 110/70-17 / 140/70-17 | 3.00-21 / 4.60-18 |
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
| Maximum engine power: | 19 hp at 7000 rpm (13.9745 kW) HP |
| Torque: | 20 N•m at 5500 rpm Nm |
| Working volume: | 386.8 cm3 |
| Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | 4 stroke |
| Number of cylinders: | 1 |
| Number of valves: | |
| Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
| Bore and stroke: | |
| Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
| Maximum speed in km/h: | 130 km/h |
| Cooling system: | Liquid |
| Transmission (gearbox): | Mechanical 5-speed |
| Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
| Drive unit: | Chain |
| Frame: | Steel tubular |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
| Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
| Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
| Seat height: | |
| Ground clearance: | |
| Curb weight: | |
| Wheelbase: | 1455 mm |
| Weight: | 161 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 22 l. |
| Battery capacity: | |
| Year of release: | |
| Country of Origin: |
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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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.
