If you're thinking about buying a Wels Trophy cruiser, think again. This bike looks good in the photo, but in practice it has a lot of shortcomings that even a low price cannot compensate for. Heavy , with a weak motor and numerous assembly flaws, it is quite suitable for the role of the first steel horse for beginners, but a negative experience can completely discourage the desire to ride on two wheels. But not everything is so sad! Trophy 250 (under this name it is known in other countries) also has some advantages, which will be discussed below.
Design
The Wels 250 Trophy looks surprisingly good for such a cheap motorcycle. It doesn’t try to “mow” under the Yamaha XV250 Virago, like a whole horde of other Chinese choppers, and overall it looks very well built. military style worked well for him, as did the harsh matte black color. The only thing that slightly spoils the otherwise balanced appearance is an engine the size of two fists, bashfully hidden deep in the frame.
Specifications
When the main goal of the designers is not unprecedented quality or impressive performance, but cheapness, you get something like the Trophy 250. This motorcycle is designed by marketers, not engineers, and its main goal is to lure buyers with flashy looks. Alas, it looks much better than it drives... Although many chopper drivers would argue with this statement, subtly hinting that cruisers are designed for relaxed driving, and not for speed records.
Engine
Imagine the simplest single-cylinder engine , developed decades ago - this is exactly the power unit installed on the Wels Trophy. The only modernization made by Chinese designers is a small oil cooler, which promotes better engine cooling. It was probably installed because this model was originally developed for countries in Southeast Asia with a hot climate. Engine power is 16.3 hp. , maximum torque is 18 Nm , and, according to the manufacturer, this engine is capable of accelerating the motorcycle to 130 km/h. In practice, the numbers are somewhat different, and a comfortable cruising speed does not exceed 90 km/h . If you are patient and turn the throttle all the way towards you, after some time you can see 110 km/h on the speedometer, provided there is no strong headwind.
Transmission
The gearbox matches the engine. It has five gears and we'd like to say that, like all simple machines, it works perfectly, but it doesn't. In general, there are no complaints about it, the unit is quite reliable, but it has one unpleasant feature - from time to time, when switching from first to second, it jams, and you have to return to first gear again. To avoid this, you need to shift up gear with more effort.
Chassis and brakes
The simplest tubular frame , sprung by equally simple shock absorbers, two in front and two in rear. The suspension of the Wels Trophy motorcycle is very durable, but weak, and it often breaks on road bumps, especially if you are carrying a passenger. The brakes can make anyone who rides any other bike cry - the front disc brake is not enough to effectively slow down, and the rear drum brake mechanism seems to have two operating modes - “on” and “off”.
Electronics
All that can be said about it is that it is there. If you've seen the insides of at least one Chinese motorcycle, then you've seen them all. There are no complaints about the quality of the components, but there are some regarding the build quality. After purchasing, it is advisable to carefully grab the dangling wires with clamps, lay them so that they do not rub against the metal parts of the frame, and check the insulation.
Weight and dimensions
Wels Trophy 250cc weighs 170 kg , and this is only dry weight . Cruisers are generally not distinguished by their modest mass, but in this case the bike is too heavy for the weak engine, which accelerates it with obvious difficulty, vibrating mercilessly, since it does not have balancer shafts . But the dimensions of the motorcycle are quite respectable, it is comfortable to sit on, and the classic wide handlebars , which look great, deserve special praise.
Controllability
Wells Trophy handles tolerably, but nothing more. It lacks the dynamics for sharp maneuvers, and it’s better to forget about overtaking on the highway right away. It takes turns quite confidently, but still in terms of maneuverability this model is inferior to lighter Chinese small-capacity models. Cruisers are designed for leisurely driving on highways, and not for slaloming between cars, so this shortcoming can be forgiven.
Fuel consumption
The engine is capable of running on any gasoline that you want to pour into it. The tank volume is 15 liters , and this is enough for less than 300 km without refueling. Consumption in the combined cycle is 3.5-4 liters , and during long driving at maximum speed it can approach 5 liters. In city traffic jams, according to owner reviews, this figure averages 4.5 liters .
An excellent means of transportation around the village and an assistant in the household.
Having sold the ZiD Lifan 50-05, which I rode on for 2 seasons, I decided to get a more powerful moped. I've heard a lot about alpha, but in our village it's not popular because... nearby Kovrov and 90% of motorcyclists ride mopeds and ZiD motorcycles. But I didn’t want a courier-type motorcycle, and the Pilot cost 35,000 rubles, for that kind of money you could easily buy a 110 cc Alpha in almost complete mince.
I stopped by Kameshkovo and decided to look at motorcycle equipment in a store there. There I saw the discounted Alpha 125 Lux. The color was black, completely minced, unlike the standard Lux configuration, the moped had additional arches, a fairing with plexiglass, instead of casting there were spoked wheels, and the price also included a side trailer. (Such a trailer is sold separately for Alpha mopeds, its cost starts from 5,000 rubles.) As it turned out later, this moped was ordered to order by the former owner, he ordered a 125lux with a CVT and additional options. But after driving it for a couple of months, I took it to the store and exchanged it for a motorcycle. The price was 35,000 rubles, what a penny for a moped in such stuffing. I immediately withdrew money from the nearest ATM and bought it.
The mileage was 280 km, the condition of the moped was as from the factory, the only thing missing was the glove box that is attached to the trunk (the helmet is usually put away in it), and that was all. The documents stated a cubic capacity of 50, 50 was also stamped on the block, in reality it was 125. This was done specifically so that you could drive without a license, because with a cubic capacity of 50cc or more you need a category M license. The speedometer is normal up to 60 km, I already had one electronic, installed by the former owner.
I reached the village normally. Thanks to the variator, I calmly changed gears and did not notice any jerks or loss of speed. In general, the variator in Alpha mopeds is the same as a manual one, but unlike a manual one, you no longer need to depress the clutch. The gearbox is foot-operated, not like on expensive scooters on the steering wheel.
While I was driving it to the village along the road, I didn’t notice how it accelerated to 100 km, and I was driving with a trailer and didn’t take the risk anymore because... was driving empty.
The trailer itself can be removed in 15 minutes. Without a trailer, I accelerated the moped up to 120 km, then apparently the gearbox cut-off was triggered. According to documents max. Speed 110 km. Thanks to the variator, the speed picks up instantly and the dips when switching are minimal. On the road, I calmly overtook the “Sunrises” and rode almost on par with the “owl”, although in fact it is a moped, not a motorcycle. Everything was spoiled by the restriction on the box and the moped exhaust system. I read on the forums how after replacing the exhaust with a “saxophone” or forward flow, the moped accelerated faster, there were also tips on how to improve the gearbox so that there was no cutoff, then the moped could be accelerated to 142 km. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know, I’m 100 km away. It was enough and you won’t be able to speed up on the roads anymore, just potholes.
The side trailer is a good thing. One day, after fishing, I was driving along a different road and saw a fallen tree. He quickly rushed home. I parked the trailer, took a rope and a chainsaw and went back. There I sawed this tree and tied it to the side trailer. I got there normally, having accelerated in first, I immediately put it in 4th gear in low gear and drove along a country road until I reached the asphalt. So periodically I carried fallen trees on a moped with a trailer, which later turned out to be 1.5 woodpiles of firewood. In general, the variator is a great thing, it started in first and then immediately switched to 4th and at a speed of 20-30 km. You are driving along a country road with a loaded trailer.
Problems during the season: The alarm stopped working, i.e. The alarm was set and removed, but when the moped moved, the alarm did not squeak. I pulled all the wires in the block and then it worked. The spark plug started to fill, I asked a neighbor, he adjusted the carburetor for me and it became normal. The spark was lost, I replaced the spark plug and everything became normal. Towards the end of the season I started spitting oil and gasoline. I pulled all the hoses and it turned out they were not the problem. My neighbor and I dismantled the carburetor and engine, and there were rotten rubber bands and seals. I took the whole set and went to Kameshkovo, picked up similar ones, and then put everything back in place, nothing else was leaking. Next season I wanted to change the exhaust pipe to a “saxophone” or a direct-flow one, I already ordered a set from Kovrov.
Regarding the salary, it is very difficult to find them because... There are few of them in stock, especially for 125cc, mostly most are made to order.
Wheels Alpha is a complete analogue of Orion Alpha. Which companies assemble this Alpha and Orion and Wheels and Jaguar, they differ only in the configurations and attachments, but the engine on them is the same. It’s difficult to find spare parts on Aliexpress; most of them have 50 cc spare parts. There are similar CVTs from 2,500 to 4,000 rubles, but I didn’t dare to buy such a large amount of money.
Compared to zid 50-05, alpha gave me practically no problems, but on the contrary, it became an assistant in the household. I still don’t regret the money I paid for it, but it’s already worked out some of it on free firewood.
Its consumption is approximately 3 liters per hundred no more. The ZiD 50-05 had less, but it was more than 60 km. And he didn’t drive, but the alpha not only drives, but can also drag away a sawn birch tree on a side trailer. In general, I don’t regret that I bought it.
I recently sold it to a neighbor for the same price I bought it for. He skated on it for another season and now he has it. In general, the neighbor overloaded the trailer with logs and his connecting rod bearing turned. Now it's standing and waiting for spare parts. The variator is still in good condition, as is the clutch.
As a conclusion, I will say that the moped is excellent, but the Chinese quality spoils everything, but if you take care of it, it will last for quite a long time. Those whose mopeds fell apart in a couple of seasons simply did not take care of them and ended up in the trash. My grandfather had a “Verkhovina”; he only changed consumables and the moped is still alive.
Motorcycle price
Russian dealers offer a motorcycle at a price of about 150 thousand rubles . Used copies are found on sale, but quite rarely, and cost on average 110 thousand or more . When purchasing this model, it is worth keeping in mind the problems with its liquidity - it is not difficult to buy it, but it is not easy to sell it. Few people ride small bikes year after year; most bikers quickly think about switching to something more powerful.
ATV manufacturer Wels
The Wels company was founded back in 1996 and produces ATVs and bicycles of excellent quality to this day. Every year they only increase their experience in creating equipment and their customer base.
This company is famous for its price-quality ratio, as evidenced by countless positive reviews from satisfied customers. You can safely buy any ATV from a huge range of equipment, without worrying about having to return the money later.
This company is famous for its price-quality ratio
Repair and tuning
All budget Chinese motorcycles have the same feature - they are easy to repair and tune, and there are no problems with spare parts. On the other hand, the quality of components is usually not up to par, so the simplicity and low cost of repairs are “compensated” by the frequency with which they are required. However, timely maintenance and careful handling of the bike always help to reduce problems to a minimum.
Repair
You can disassemble and reassemble Wels Trophy on your own in a couple of evenings in your own garage. This extremely archaic motorcycle is structurally not far removed from its ancestors of 50 years ago, and there is absolutely nothing complicated about it. But it is worth stocking up on bolts and hexagons, since those that are installed initially are made of low-quality alloy, and when unscrewing they are often damaged.
Spare parts
Through official dealers you can order everything you may need, but they usually only have consumables and other small items in stock. Spare parts are also available on Aliexpress, where they are inexpensive. Much can be found by selection in stores selling spare parts for Chinese motorcycles, since a number of parts are suitable from bikes from other manufacturers.
Tuning
Most cruisers are customized to some extent by their owners, regardless of their price and model. On the Wells Trophy you can also install everything that is most often installed on cruisers - a windshield, for example, side cases, a trunk and a bunch of chrome. The glass would be pretty much useless though, given that the bike isn't capable of reaching speeds where headwinds become a problem.
Advantages and disadvantages
Potential buyers usually pay initial attention to the advantages of cars, of which Wels has plenty. But it is also worth taking into account some of the disadvantages that occur even if the motorcycle equipment is carefully manufactured.
Advantages:
- Availability. ATVs from Wels can be purchased in almost any region of Russia;
- Quality. The equipment has European and Russian quality certificates;
- Logistics. Low price for delivery and availability of warehouses in major cities of the country;
- Range. The company provides a truly wide range of models that can satisfy any whim;
- Equipment. Excellent basic equipment that satisfies any operating conditions.
Potential buyers pay initial attention to the advantages of cars
Flaws:
- Vibration at speed in rare cases;
- Some models may have low coating strength;
- Not all fuel types are suitable.
It should be noted that with careful use and good care, you can safely forget about the disadvantages of the equipment.
Motorcycle modifications
The Wels Trophy 250cc has been produced in the same form for several years now, and it is unlikely that anything will change in the near future. The Chinese usually replace some models with others quite quickly, but why change anything if the model is already popular? even only one color available , matte black, and it looks very good. If options in a different color appeared on sale, they would hardly be in demand - the bike looks so attractive largely thanks to this successful design decision.
Advantages and disadvantages
When designing the Wels motorcycle, the main priority was clearly to reduce production costs . This could not but affect the quality, which overall leaves much to be desired. The bike is also not without its positive aspects, which is why people buy it, and quite willingly, because low prices have always been and will be the strongest argument in the fight for buyers’ wallets. This model is suitable for beginner motorcyclists with a limited budget, who are ready to tinker around in the garage from time to time and solve problems that arise. There is even a plus to this - Wells Trophy will help you not only learn how to ride, but also learn how to repair motorcycles.
Advantages
- Stylish appearance , solid and attractive.
- Comfortable seating position , including for tall motorcyclists.
- Low price for both purchase and further maintenance.
- Many spare parts are suitable from other Chinese bikes.
- Good standard equipment - a chandelier, a passenger backrest, driver's platforms and roll bars.
Flaws
- too weak for such a mass. The dynamics leave much to be desired.
- Mediocre brakes . The front brake disc is not enough for effective braking, and the rear drum mechanism is almost useless.
- Fragile side plastic that shatters into pieces from any fall.
- Low quality paintwork . The paint scratches easily and peels off quickly, and some elements quickly begin to rust.
- The transmission occasionally jams when shifting from first to second gear.
Article review of the Wels 250 pit bike
Every year new stars appear on the market. And this happens because people want something more powerful. And you all know very well that demand creates supply. Already in 2015, pit bikes with a 250 cc motorcycle engine began to appear. cm. That is, they essentially took the chassis from a pit bike, left the wheels at 17/14 and stuffed a huge engine in there. The decision is certainly controversial, but deserves our attention. What do we see here? The headlights are like those on a real village motorcycle. Interesting wheel hubs, bright aluminum color. Engine brand Lifan - 250 cc. see. But the advantages end there. Because they installed simple carburetors, as well as filters. We heard a variety of data on power. someone writes that it produces a cosmic 23 horsepower, someone claims that 16 horses live in it (although any 150 has more). The gearbox is made here like on ordinary motorcycles. First gear down and four gears up. Only God knows why a five-speed pit bike needs it. Kickstarter of a peculiar shape. The motorcycle also has an electric starter and there are no complaints about it. The muffler here is standard, direct-flow. No jammers. Everything works very loudly. The front caliper is two-piston. The rear is single-piston. Shock absorber - 360 mm. That is, this is a high pit bike. Regarding the wiring. Here the motorcycle has various wiring connections to which it is easy to connect the brake light. One of the advantages is convenient access to the carburetor. This doesn't even exist on YCF. The motorcycle tank is about 5.5 liters. He runs on 92 gasoline. The seat is soft and small. Moreover, it will not tear after a couple of runs, despite the low cost of the model itself. The chain here is in the best traditions of the Chinese motorcycle industry - 428 mm, gold, thick. The fork is simple, without adjustments. A huge plus of the model is the sedative. Here he is simply divine. At the same time, we operated the bike in very harsh conditions. The chain has never been tightened and it has never fallen off. Why they couldn’t come up with such technology on more expensive pit bikes is unclear. This pit bike is capable of traveling at a speed of 80-90 km/h without straining the engine. If you take it for competitions, then of course it’s unlikely to be suitable. But if you take it for yourself, it’s a really cool thing. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the weak suspension and the quality of the metal. But all this is ok for a low price. The motorcycle also pulls well, you don’t need to pull the kickstarter and start it with half a turn. High cross-country ability and comfortable to ride while standing. Yes, this pit bike will not compete in competitions, but it is perfect for rides outside the city.
Owner reviews
I bought this fiend of the Chinese motorcycle industry on my own, although my friends dissuaded me. I didn’t listen to them, but in vain... So, a list of everything that happened in three months: the fork leaked, the mufflers rusted inside and out, the clutch cable broke, the engine crankcase began to sweat oil, the original chain stretched, the sprockets were eaten, the spokes on the front wheel came loose . During this time I drove less than 3000 km, I drove both on asphalt and on dirt roads. The side plastic can be broken with your fingers. Pros: good exhaust sound, rich and pleasant. The seating position is comfortable, I am 185 cm tall and I sit comfortably, the seats are also excellent. This is where the pros end, the rest is pure cons. Sergey, St. Petersburg.
I like the mot, it’s a little stunted, of course, but I knew what I was buying. But it looks gorgeous, like an adult bike, the iron is strong, the welds are not crooked, everything is assembled normally, although after purchasing the bolts and nuts it is highly advisable to check everything yourself. You need to immediately fill in normal oil instead of what is poured there at the factory or in the showroom, and it would be a good idea to replace the tires, otherwise the original one doesn’t hold up at all on a wet road, although it’s ok on a dry road. It’s quite normal to sit with a short passenger, the second number doesn’t complain, the standard backrest helps out, even though it’s not high. Acceleration is sluggish, especially uphill, sometimes you even have to shift down 1-2 gears, since the revolutions themselves drop, no matter how you twist the gas, especially if the angle of climb is noticeable. Rustam, Krasnoyarsk.
A beautiful chopper in military style, it drives impressively, as it should be for its class and price))) It looks beautiful, people turn around, no one believes that it’s only 250cc until they take a closer look. The motor only gives out the cubic capacity, but the dimensions are quite adult, a tall guy like me can sit comfortably. There were no special problems, just minor things, everything was fixed under warranty. Semyon, Podolsk.
Similar models
- Keeway Superlight 200 . The same cheap and low-power cruiser, similar to the Trophy 250 in most respects.
- Irbis Garpia 250. A good motorcycle for its price, devoid of any pronounced design flaws.
- Patron Indigo 250 . Quite a popular model from a brand that has been operating on the Russian market for a long time, inexpensive and cute.
FAQ
- Can you find spare parts for it in China? Yes, you can, since this model is assembled from components and parts used in the production of other bikes from a variety of Chinese manufacturers
- Is it suitable for long-distance driving? Especially if you go with a passenger, for example, to the sea a thousand or two kilometers away? It’s better not to – the design can hardly be called reliable, and the lack of sane dynamics makes it unsuitable for long drives on the highway. Especially with a passenger and cargo.
- Is there any way to improve the brakes? There is a catastrophic lack of relatives. The most budget-friendly and suitable solution would be to replace standard brake hoses and fittings with reinforced ones. Inexpensive and more or less effective.
Conclusion
In pursuit of style, the Chinese lost sight of the technical component. It can be assumed that the Wels Trophy 250cc was created under conditions of a strictly limited budget, and the cheapest components available on the wholesale market were used. They clearly didn’t skimp on the designers, and the appearance of the bike, albeit completely secondary, turned out to be nice . But sluggish dynamics, a large number of annoying little things and general quality problems spoil the impression of the model as a whole. We are not dissuading anyone from buying, but we cannot help but hint that there are plenty of other options on the market that are no less interesting and of sufficient quality.
Specifications
Maximum engine power: | 16.3 HP |
Torque: | 18 Nm |
Working volume: | 250 cm3 |
Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | 1-cylinder, 4-stroke, oil cooled |
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: | 110 km/h |
Cooling system: | Oily |
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: | |
Weight: | 170 kg |
Fuel tank capacity: | 15 l. |
Battery capacity: | |
Year of release: | |
Country of Origin: |
Wels Gold motorcycle review
It just so happens that representatives of the Chinese motorcycle industry, when designing their motorcycles, often take as a basis already proven models of Japanese production from Suzuki, Honda and others. This approach is quite reasonable, because it allows you to save a lot and, at the same time, offer customers proven and proven technologies at a very attractive price.
Wels Gold
For the Wels Gold model, the Honda CB500V became such a “donor”. This is a completely universal motorcycle that has earned trust with its driving performance and fairly simple design. Received a second life under the name Wels Gold, the motorcycle took over from the CB500 not only its appearance, but also its geometry, ergonomics, and similar dimensions. The representative of the CB line from Honda shared with its younger brother Wels Gold its best of ergonomics: a comfortable two-level seat, comfortable rear footrests for the second passenger, a large foot brake foot and many other little things that form the basis of convenient operation. Lighting devices are made to a high standard. All dimensions are LED, the headlight is “crystal” with transparent glass, so the dark will not be a hindrance for the motorcyclist. The engine in Wels Gold has a service life of about 70 thousand km before major overhaul, which is a very good indicator. Of course, this is true with proper and timely maintenance. Thanks to the design with an overhead camshaft, it turned out to be high-torque and stable in operation even under heavy loads. Separately, it is worth mentioning the balance shaft, which rotates in antiphase with the crankshaft, leveling out the inevitable vibrations of the engine. I would also like to note the starter with a reduction gear, which means that the torque does not come directly, but through a planetary gear, which removes the load from the starter and makes the engine easier to start.
Wels Gold
The maximum speed and acceleration time are, of course, inferior to the Honda, but the engine size and power of the Gold are 2.5 times less. In our case, the motorcycle easily reaches and maintains the declared maximum speed of 110 km/h. Thanks to the front disc brake, the Gold comes to a complete stop in a matter of seconds. The rear drum brake has good modulation and is consistent with safe driving within the speed limits, and the durability and low maintenance will be an advantage for many. The front fork of the motorcycle is inverted. As practice has shown, such forks last longer and are stronger than classic ones. In addition, this reduces the weight that the spring has to move, so the fork reacts better to obstacles. Well, the last thing that can be noted is the alloy wheels with a good margin of safety, because our roads are far from ideal. Unlike spoked ones, such discs do not have to be tightened and straightened. Summary: as we are once again convinced, representatives of the CB line discontinued by Honda and other models that have become a thing of the past thanks to the constant race of technology are too early to write off. With the skillful assistance of Chinese manufacturers, Japanese technologies are given a second life and continue to serve for the benefit and delight of owners of inexpensive but proven motorcycles. So in this case, the Wels Gold can be called a perfectly balanced motorcycle that fits equally well into the hustle and bustle of city traffic jams and the peculiarities of country roads.