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.
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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.
Competitors
High technical characteristics and an affordable price allow Leopard 500 to successfully compete with thoroughbred horses of world brands. One of the main opponents of the domestic device is the Sportsman 500, developed by Polaris.
The American is slightly more powerful than the Leopard, but inferior to the Russian ATV in versatility. The Sportsman 500 is more suitable for outdoor activities, racing or touring. But the domestic horse is also used for work. The utilitarian also wins in terms of price. A new Leopard costs 339 thousand rubles, and the price of a used Sportsman starts from 320 thousand rubles.
In reviews, the Stealth 500 Leopard is often compared with its older brother, the 600 model. The devices are indeed very similar both in characteristics and in appearance. But there is a significant difference: Leopard 600 is more powerful than its younger brother.
If the Leopard 600 is considered an older brother, then the Stealth 500 ATV should be called a sibling. It is 4 horsepower weaker, but the maximum speed is 10 km/h higher.
The Canadian Outlander L 450 Pro Viper also seriously competes with the Russian utility vehicle. The BRP machine is equipped with a reliable Rotax 450 engine, providing high power and maneuverability. The only minus of Aitlander is the high price. The cost of the car fluctuates around 670-700 thousand rubles.
Another similar model is Polar fox 500.
Specifications
Power point:
- Number of cylinders – 1.
- Working volume – 499 cubic meters.
- Rated output power is 32.6 horsepower/24 kilowatts (at 5500 rpm).
- The highest torque is 49 newtons per meter (at 4500 rpm).
- Number of camshafts – 1.
- The camshaft location is overhead (SOHC).
- Number of valves – 2.
- Type of cooling system – liquid.
- Type of lubrication system - oil sump.
- Type of fuel system – carburetor.
- Recommended fuel is AI-92.
- The type of ignition system is contactless electronically controlled (CDI).
- Starting system type: electric starter.
Chassis:
- Drive type – full.
- Transmission system type – variator with V-belt drive (CVT).
- Frame type: tubular steel.
- Clutch type – centrifugal automatic.
- Front suspension type – independent with two wishbones and spring-hydraulic shock absorbers.
- Rear suspension type - independent with two wishbones and spring-hydraulic shock absorbers.
- Front suspension travel is 170 millimeters.
- Rear suspension travel is 225 millimeters.
- Front wheel tires – AT26x9-12.
- Rear tires – AT26x11-12.
- Front disc type: light alloy.
- The type of rear discs is light alloy.
- Front brake type: hydraulic disc.
- Rear brake type: hydraulic disc.
Dimensions:
- Construction length – 2230 millimeters.
- Structural width – 1130 millimeters.
- Structural height – 800 millimeters.
- The height of the seat back is 1220 millimeters.
- Wheelbase length -1460 millimeters.
- The lowest ground clearance is 290 millimeters.
Other characteristics:
- The capacity of the main fuel tank is 7 liters.
- The capacity of the additional fuel tank is 4 liters.
- The maximum weight of cargo transported on the front trunk is 50 kilograms.
- The maximum weight of cargo transported on the rear trunk is 80 kilograms.
- The curb weight of the ATV is 362 kilograms.
Tuning and repair
Despite all the efforts of the developers, the Leopard 500 needs modernization. The owners of the device recommend immediately replacing the fuel system (hoses, bushings, etc.), installing a seat with a backrest, changing the exhaust pipe and main lighting. The device is produced in yellow color, so you will have to do the repainting of the car yourself.
Repairing domestic equipment is much cheaper than servicing foreign cars. You can find the necessary spare parts at any auto repair shop or dealer. Thanks to its simple design, most faults can be fixed on your own.
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.
Estimated cost
The cost of this technically quite good ATV is really low .
The new Stels ATV 500GT from dealers will cost 285 thousand rubles. For camouflage coloring you will have to pay an additional 3 thousand rubles.
You can buy a Stels ATV 500 GT second-hand, and this ATV on the secondary market can cost much less than a new one.
Thus, this market offers the Stels ATV 500GT ATV at a cost of 70 to 250 thousand rubles.
The debut of the Stels 800 Guepard ATV model became a real sensation on the domestic market.
The largest single-cylinder ATV in the world: https://themoto.net/atv/yaponskie-atv/suzuki-atv/kingkvad-750.html
Reviews
- There was a desire to buy an ATV for recreation. At first I wanted to drive it from the states, but due to lack of time and money I started looking for a cheaper car. I came across the Stealth ATV 500, and at first glance I really liked it. I arrived at the dealer, purchased it for 165 thousand rubles and headed home. They gave a 3-year warranty, which almost completely erased my doubts about the quality, but still I didn’t expect much. On the first trip I discovered the first problems. It turns out that the signal does not work, and the gearshift lever is not screwed in completely. I fixed the problem with the lever very quickly, but as soon as I did the signal, it still didn’t want to work. In terms of traction, it is a very decent car, even when driving with a passenger. I was also pleased with the cross-country ability, it goes everywhere. But at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour, another problem appeared: when you release the gas, something makes an unpleasant crunching sound.
- Because of the move, I had to sell my quad, but upon arrival I bought a new car. This time I decided to save money, and it turned out to be in vain, although maybe I was just unlucky. So, it was like this: in the winter I went out for a ride in the snow, and the rear-wheel drive ATV didn’t even budge. I turned on the four-wheel drive, the power indicator came on, and I slowly pulled away. Before I even had time to pick up speed, the drives suddenly crunched, and the second indicator came on, notifying me that all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive were simultaneously engaged. I pulled the device out of the snow and drove back home. As a result of this trip, the all-wheel drive disappeared, and now it crunches very loudly, although the mileage is only 90 kilometers. I thought about taking it to a service center, but realizing that such breakdowns occurred on completely new equipment, the idea arose to simply sell it, since in the future it might not give me peace of mind.
- When choosing an ATV, many were dissuaded from buying the Stels ATV 500GT model, supposedly the equipment was very unreliable. But still, by coincidence, I purchased it at a low price for a new one. I don’t know which one I got, but it doesn’t look at all like the model that often gets negative reviews. The ATV pulls very well, everything works properly, although there were some shortcomings, but not significant, and I even managed to fix them myself. The all-wheel drive performed very well in the mud, and the variator did not let us down either. Now approximately 4 thousand kilometers have already been covered and during this entire mileage there have been no serious breakdowns or malfunctions. Basically, everything was corrected by tightening certain parts and nothing more. I ride carefully, although sometimes quickly, and I don’t really strain the ATV, except in rare cases. This is probably why he still serves me faithfully.
Photo gallery
With a two-seater base, a reliable engine, an aggressive design, reliable construction and a low price, the Stels ATV 500 GT stands out from other utilitarian ATVs. Let's take a look at this popular ATV in our selection.
