Universal fighter: motorcycle Stels Desna 220 Phantom

Remember Soviet motorcycles? “Urals”, “Izhi”, “Voskhody”, “Minsky”... If you have nostalgia for those distant times when you rode around the village in your father’s Java, then the Stealth Desna 220 Phantom is what you need. Having ridden this bike, you will wipe away a stingy male nostalgic tear and run to buy it. But even if your childhood was different from the one described above, still take a closer look at this motorcycle, especially if you want to buy yourself an inexpensive two-wheeled friend that can cope with a variety of tasks and become a truly universal assistant.

"Desna 125 Comfort"

This motorcycle is suitable for forays on Russian rough roads and for moving in urban environments.
In general, Desna 125 Comfort is a light modification of the Mirage. The manufacturer made minor changes to it. They relate mainly to the appearance of this motorcycle. Its color has changed, and the rear marker lamp is recessed into the facing housing. Additionally, the passenger footpeg brackets are mounted to the frame rather than to the swingarm. The engine remains the same: it is a single-cylinder four-stroke, with a power of seven horsepower and a displacement of 120 cubic meters.

STELS Pilot 220 Boy 20 (2016)

Balashov Alexey, 10/26/2017

Advantages: 1. Everything is done well, the design does not raise any complaints.

2. Weight. Not as heavy as steel counterparts.

3. Gearbox - planetary hub from Shimano (about it separately in the comments)

Disadvantages: I have not yet found any particular disadvantages. One minor detail is the lack of a chain guard, but you can live with that. Well, the fork is not shock-absorbed, so it’s “taste and color”. And so - a normal bike. Maybe the average price is 16,400 - but what can you do, the thing is really not bad.

Comment: I bought the bike for a boy (6 years old, 122 cm, 25 kg). The previous bike was 16″ of an unknown brand, without speeds, and with a coaster brake. Unfortunately, we don’t ride often, so there’s no way to say that a child is a racer or a good skater. It just drives slowly and doesn’t fall. Therefore, when choosing, we tried to take into account its weaknesses. It immediately became clear that it was extremely difficult for him to control the hand brakes (most bicycles (from Sportmaster’s STERN and Decathlon’s B’TWIN to Merida and Cube) have brake handles quite far from the steering wheel, he could barely reach them with his fingertips) It is clear that after a year It will be fine, but I want it here and now. I sat down and went. And in this model with a planetary hub there is a foot brake (as it was on 16″ and as we had in the Soviet past on almost all bicycles of this age group). This was the first argument in favor of the 220th model. And the second is the gearbox mechanism itself. The planetary hub has 3 advantages compared to conventional ones. The first thing is that the shift knob turns many times easier than on regular ones (there my child was able to turn it to downshift with only 2 hands). Secondly, you can switch even on the spot without rotating the pedals, which is also more convenient and understandable for the child. And thirdly, this whole mechanism is not on the outside - all these sprockets are of different sizes and the chain does not jump along it - everything is hidden inside the bushing. And there is essentially only one minus - there are few gears. Just three. But again - in my childhood there were no transmissions at all and nothing - they survived. And here three is already a choice. By the way, this hub itself and everything connected with it are made by Shimano, so in terms of reliability it will most likely be no worse than conventional gearboxes. In the end we bought it - the child sat down and drove off. Just as we wanted. Of course, all children are different. I repeat once again - this will be a good model for those children who ride little or “not very much.” For advanced people, it’s probably better to take the Pilot 230 from Stels, or even better – pay a little extra and take, for example, the Merida Matts J20.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

• Off-road tires give the motorcycle an advantage on off-road terrain. This is a suitable option for rural, rugged terrain.
• Availability of PTS (technical device passport).
• Sturdy, reliable frame.
• Even with a large driver, it can easily accommodate a passenger.
• Affordable price.

Minuses

• The original nuts and bolts are unreliable; you constantly have to tighten and tighten them. It is better to immediately replace it with locking or spring washers, which were specially designed to prevent the nut from self-unscrewing.
• No kick starter.
• Body painting requires regular updating.
• ABC plastic, which cannot be glued independently.

In the video below you will learn more about the disadvantages of this motorcycle:

Read other motorcycle reviews Review of the Kawasaki ZZR 400 motorcycle

Disadvantages and cons

• Gasoline consumption is high for a small-capacity motorcycle - about 3.5 liters per hundred kilometers, even more if you actively drive off-road. Fortunately, the bike is not too demanding on the quality of gasoline - in fact, it is capable of running on anything that burns. Although it’s probably not worth checking this experimentally.
• Decent weight. We will tactfully keep silent about 400-kilogram cruisers, but 150 kg of weight may be too much for a beginner, especially taking into account the high saddle height.
• Old fashioned appearance. Not everyone will like it, although some will see in it a peculiar retro charm.

Basic model

The very first issue is “Desna 200 Country”. It is equipped with an air-cooled engine. Its working volume is 196 cubic centimeters. "Country" has spoked wheels and durable luggage mounts. This “Desna” is a motorcycle that, judging by reviews, has proven itself well in domestic off-road conditions. It is convenient for hunting and fishing trips.

On the left of its steering wheel there are direction indicators, as well as buttons for switching the light from low to high and for a sound signal. Side bars were not included in the package. The rear passenger footrests are real platforms. And although they do not protect the knees when falling to one side, they are definitely a salvation for the feet.

The manufacturer also took care of the safety of the chain: it is protected from dirt and sand at the top and bottom with a reliable metal casing. In general, regarding protection: many outwardly associate “Country” with a medieval knight dressed in armor. Along with an electric starter, familiar to modern motorcycles, this “Desna” is a motorcycle equipped with a kick starter. This means that a dead battery never becomes a problem.

Motorcycle Stels Desna 220 Phantom

The versatility of the domestically produced Stels “Desna 220 Phantom” motorcycle lies not only in its functionality, but also in its design innovations. Such artistic design of motorcycle equipment will suit even the most indulgent snobs. According to online reviews, the model was highly rated by both representatives of the younger generation and experienced bikers. “Adult” riders may even find something of a retro style in the appearance of this motorcycle, and they will be right. And this is an exact copy of the Yamaha TW200. The developers deliberately relied on creating such an impression, and they did it well.

The bike looks as if it came to us from the 80s: the vehicle is a compact, low, neat landing, streamlined two-wheeled creature with a raised top. At first sight, you fall in love with such a work of technical art: you want to quickly jump into the saddle and rush off with the breeze! An ideal model for fishermen and hunters who want to avoid wasting time on the road.

You can travel on the Desna anywhere: on a flat highway, on a broken road, or on a rural dirt road - the motorcycle can cope with all simple and tricky routes. Well, perhaps on open off-road terrain there is a risk of accidentally getting stuck, but that’s only if the landscape is completely out of whack. However, is it worth torturing equipment with unimaginable tasks? The question, as they say, is rhetorical.

Stels video “Desna 220 Phantom”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mqeEPBWRsh0

Now let's turn to the most important thing - the technical indicators of the motorcycle:

• unit weight – one and a half centners;
• carburetor engine volume - 200 cubic centimeters;
• power 15-16 “horses” depending on running-in;
• single-cylinder engine with four valves and a balancing shaft;
• fuel tank capacity – 11 liters;
• 5-speed manual transmission;
• contactless ignition with electronic control.

The frame is made of steel, the frame is welded and tubular. The model is “armed” with an oil filter and two oil radiators, which do an excellent job. The suspension is classic and energy-intensive, which allows you to move comfortably on almost any road surface.

The motorcycle starts like a clock, using an electric starter. The clutch is equipped with a multi-plate clutch and gear shifting is precise. The main transmission is a roller chain with drive to the rear wheel. The front suspension is a fork with a pair of spring shock absorbers. The rear suspension is nothing more than a pendulum fork with a single shock absorber. The front brake drive is hydraulic, the rear brake drive is mechanical.

The seat is comfortable, single for the driver and his intended passenger. There is a small trunk. The tires are equipped with a solid tread, which helps you move more confidently in the spring thaw and through winter snow drifts.

Find out in detail the technical characteristics of the Stels Desna 220 Phantom, click on the picture.

The engine accelerates the car well and dynamically.

The cost of a used motorcycle ranges from 60 to 70 thousand rubles; for new equipment you will have to pay approximately 80,000 thousand.

If we compare “Desna” with such a class competitor as the Yamaha TW200, then our model is inferior in many respects, less reliable, but better adapted to Russian road realities and, most importantly, much cheaper.

At the end of the review, we will give a verdict on the motorcycle equipment under review. With the help of this budget SUV, a motorcyclist will easily overcome:

• unpredictable terrain of the provincial outback;
• snowdrifts up to 20 centimeters deep;
• sand hills of quarries;
• “barricades” of the autumn forest;
• city ​​curbs (in case of avoiding traffic jams);
• flights of stairs (provided that the driver is an extreme sports enthusiast).

You won’t be bored with “Desna 220 Phantom”! Just forward, for new sensations!

And so not so long ago, the domestic manufacturer of motorcycles, quads, mopeds and scooters Stels decided to revive the domestic Desna brand. Reincarnation occurred in motorcycles. I purchased one of the newly-made motorcycles. And so Desna 220 phantom

Initially, I wanted to take something like a pit bike, but the small size and lack of a title stopped me. Something more serious has already cost other money, and money is needed now. I liked the Yamaha tw200, but in decent condition - 160 thousand.

And then the release of Desna motorcycles caught my eye. And literally a week later, on February 18, the first assembled sample of Desna Phantom is already available for sale.

I didn’t think much about it. Yes, China, there are no spare parts, it is not known whether they will be available or not. But I liked the moped.

I felt it in the salon. I didn’t see any obvious jambs. Brewed no worse than the same Kawasaki Versys. Or rather, not better, because on Versus the welding does not impress with its beauty.

The cost of the device is 63 thousand wooden ones. Equipment with a title is issued immediately.

There are no obvious jambs

There are no complaints about the engine. According to later confirmed data, the engine 165 FML (CBB200 250) produced by Chonqging Yinxiang (hello YX pits) jointly developed by Husong, overhead four-valve with a balancing shaft. There is an oil filter (not a mesh) and 2 oil coolers on board. Radiators are not decoration - they cope with their duties with a bang. Volume 200 cc 16.3 hp 12Nm - characteristics similar to yamaha tw200

ABS plastic. - fragile. After the 2nd hellish-forest-swamp ride, the wing broke into 2 parts. I glued it - it didn't help. I installed a universal enduryak made of polypropylene for 200 rubles in Sokolniki. Surely there is a native endur wing, because the mount is present.

The side plastic is alive, because when it falls in contact with the ground it does not participate.

There were doubts about the engine paint. But the paint holds.

But the body is poorly painted. It will be necessary to remove everything in the off-season, prime and paint it properly. But so far everything is holding up. Let's see how it behaves.

Rubber with powerful mud tread. But at -6 on asphalt it behaves predictably, it doesn’t ask to skid, it brakes normally. It paddles through snow and mud more than confidently. Never got stuck. Although I climbed into very decent places. Fat tires - the same size as tw. At about 70 km/h it starts to swing up to 75 km/h - you need to balance it.

Steering wheel with steering weights - everything looks decent. The light can be turned on and off completely. There is no kick starter (((. It’s not a buzz, but you can start it with a push. (In 4th gear it starts normally) The light shines. I don’t understand how yet, I need to adjust it.

The remote controls, headlight, and tidy are the same on the Lifan LF200-16C 2013, subjectively better than on the Yamaha ybr

LED turn signals - the light is so-so. Like they don’t fall off - they pulled and struggled. Devices. Here the Chinese brothers saved money on the fuel sensor. There is a place for it (everything is fine on the Lifan), but the caring Chinese inserted a voltmeter there. Why the hell, it’s not clear. So there is a tank, a trip meter and a reserve tap. You can live. There is a high beam flasher and a kill engine button. Starts up without problems. The gears switch on clearly - subjectively - more clearly than on an Ebrike. With Kawasaka Versus there is parity. The node does not draw attention to itself. The exhaust growls. Just like a little enduro. Much louder than on the ebre, but the head does not buzz, as with two brothers.

I liked the seat - it was so fat) Comfortable - butt said thank you. There is room for the second number. There is a trunk, I have already stuck a case from Hepko Becker in there. Got up well. There are no handles for the mesh string bag (((The chain is a regular sealless chain. It will stretch like snot. Size - 428.

I really didn't like the transfer switch. Hidden under plastic and very tight. Switching to reserve on the go is not realistic. Yes, and so you have to puff.

It feels like a 250cc Honda Phantom made in Thailand. It growls a lot, it doesn’t go as much))) But subjectively it’s faster and more powerful than the ebrik. It’s quite certain that it has more torque, it gives good throttle up the steps on the ebrike, and here, practically at idle, it climbs quite a steep staircase. The ground clearance is greater than that of an Ebrik. The front suspension is soft, but does not break through. The back is tough. The motor is heavier and does not wobble in turns. I am 180 cm tall and confidently stand with my feet on the ground.

At the moment the mileage is almost 800 km. And far from being gentle

Over the course of 800 km, I changed the oil once, cleaned the filter, and tightened the chain. Didn't do any after-sales training. Nothing fell off on its own (except for the wing, but in that hole I would have broken my leg without a moto). The motorcycle starts and drives properly.

Maximum speed - 120 km/h. The valves need to be adjusted.

For the money, this is a great option for both beginners and those who need a versatile rural-urban horse with the ability to go where evil jeepers wouldn’t even think of going. The mot is light enough for an adult man to get him out of a difficult situation on his own. The horse is not for jumping - you can slowly climb into the shit on it, catch fish and ride back. Due to the width of the tires and the high-torque engine, it can climb into places where it would be better not to go on another motorcycle without proper training and skill. The consumption is negligible. In 800 km I refueled 2 times. tank 12 liters. Despite the fact that I drove through shit with speeds reaching up to 7 thousand revolutions in 1st gear.

Well, a little video of how it drives and sounds.

Beaver everyone!

Can handle any road!

The main advantage of the Stels Desna 220 Phantom motorcycle is its versatility and endurance. It has enough power and torque for a comfortable ride (16.3 hp and 16.6 Nm, respectively), and the simple but energy-intensive suspension absorbs road bumps perfectly. The bike weighs, however, a lot (dry weight is about 150 kg), and the seating position on it is quite high, so you shouldn’t ride it on serious off-road conditions - you can easily fall. But on dirt roads, the Stealth Desna Phantom 220 drives quite confidently - the standard tires literally bite into the ground. This motorcycle should not be confused with a full-fledged enduro, of course, but for everyday driving around the area it is perfect.

From the photo of the Phantom 220 Desna it is clear that the seat on this bike requires the driver to have fairly long legs, otherwise it will not be easy to reach the ground. Of course, this will not hurt an experienced biker, but a novice motorcyclist may at some point fall on his side without finding support with his foot, so this circumstance should also be taken into account when choosing a bike. The passenger seat is a bit cramped, and besides, the second number will inevitably slide towards the driver, displacing him onto the gas tank. The seat is quite hard, but comfortable. It partially covers the gas tank, which reduces the chance of hitting your groin on it on some treacherous bump.

Otherwise, the technical characteristics of the motorcycle correspond to its price. Average but tolerable dynamics, rather sluggish brakes (all due to the drum brake mechanism on the rear wheel), chain drive, reliable carburetor, noisy but no less reliable transmission - that’s probably all. You don’t have to expect any speed records or amazing abilities to conquer unexplored frontiers from this motorcycle - the good thing about it is that it is equally well suited for all purposes at once. And there are few such multi-purpose bikes being produced now, so the Stealth Desna 220 Phantom is a motorcycle that is a pleasant exception to this trend. It's too specific to become very popular, but that certainly doesn't make it any worse.

Advantages and benefits

• Versatility. This sets the Desna 220 Phantom motorcycle apart from other inexpensive Chinese bikes. Moreover, it has practically no competitors in this niche, especially those comparable in price.
• Availability. This model is inexpensive. In terms of maintenance, the bike also doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the owner’s pocket - all consumables and spare parts are usually available at dealers, and their prices are reasonable.
• Simplicity of design. In this model, everything is done for the sake of reliability. You can repair and service the bike yourself in your garage, armed with a standard suitcase with tools, purchased at the nearest Auto Parts store for 2-3 thousand rubles. In addition, this will be a good experience for a beginner - being able to understand the design of a motorcycle has never hurt anyone.
• Energy-intensive pendants. Despite the lack of adjustments, they cope well with bad roads. Of course, this does not turn the Stels Desna 220 Phantom into an enduro, but this bike is not afraid of broken asphalt and primers.

Specifications:

Maximum speed is 130 km/h, fuel consumption depending on driving style is from 3.2 liters to 3.7 liters.

• the new motorcycle was equipped with a four-stroke engine with air-oil radiators that prevent overheating in severe off-road conditions and a volume of 4 cubic meters. cm;
• engine power - 16 liters. With.;
• forced ignition - contactless with electronic control system (CDI);
• engine starting – electric starter;
• fuel tank volume 11 liters;
• manual transmission;
• wheels: front 130/80-18, rear 180/80-14;
• brake: front – hydraulic disc, rear – drum;
• Dimensions: length – 2072 mm, width – 836 mm, height -1155 mm.
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Main competitors

Since the Desna 220 Phantom is a very specific motorcycle, it has practically no competitors. The main one is the Suzuki RV200 VanVan, which is not a very popular bike for the Japanese domestic market. It differs from Stels products in having slightly more modest off-road capabilities and the same old-fashioned appearance, but rather in a European manner. However, on the secondary market, the RV200 VanVan costs significantly more than the Stels Desna Phantom.

Specifications