Universal fighter: motorcycle Stels Desna 220 Phantom

RU-MOTO rating

• Reliability
• Chassis
• Appearance
• Comfort

3.5

Verdict

Concluding the review of the Stels Desna 220 Phantom, we conclude that this is a budget SUV that can easily overcome:

— broken off-road outback; — freshly fallen snow (15-20 cm) when going on winter fishing; — sand dunes of quarries and mud of the autumn forest; — city curbs, when overcoming terrible traffic jams; — steep stairs, if the driver is interested in extreme sports.

Stealth Desna 220 Phantom is a godsend for lovers of adventure, drive and conquering the natural features of the terrain. It meets the needs of summer residents, hunters and fishermen.

So that once again you do not have to repair the old IZH-49, I proposed a solution to the problem. At the end of 2013, the Desna brand was revived, previously the name given to bicycles produced in the Soviet Union for motorbikes. And there they located the Velomotors production site, from whose assembly lines ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles roll off. The brand’s line is budget motorcycles (reliability and comfort are another matter).

Other motorcycles from the manufacturer: Stels Enduro 250 , Delta 200 and Flame 200

Stels Desna Phantom. Profile photo.

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.

"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.

Tuning

The motorcycle looks brutal in a “combat” camouflage livery with “evil” tires and a frame made of tubular luggage racks and protective arches surrounding it on different sides. The trunk above the headlight and the brackets above the rear turn signals look reliable, seemingly capable of supporting the weight of a person. A suitable option for hunters and fishermen.

“Civilian” versions, which are suitable for driving in traffic jams, are shod with less aggressive tires.

Tuning Stels Desna 220

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Reviews from real owners

I took a motorcycle to the village to go fishing and pick mushrooms. I went through the run-in carefully, and for the first thousand kilometers I hardly gave it any gas. After the first oil change, some metal shavings came out of the crankcase along with the oil. The wiring was hanging in snot, so I had to remove it myself. Otherwise it’s fine, it eats any gasoline, and it runs confidently on wet dirt roads. I didn’t add any tuning, except for the trunk case. Yuri, Ivanovo, Stealth Desna 220 Phantom '2016.

For a long time I couldn’t decide whether to take Desna or Racer, but since in my city there is less asphalt than holes, the choice fell on Desna. I read the reviews of the owners - people praise the survivability. So far I’ve only driven a couple of thousand km, our season is short, but the impressions are normal. I thought it would be worse, but it seems the Chinese have finally learned how to make motorcycles. Vlad, Kandalaksha, Stels Desna 220 Phantom '2017.

I looked at the Desna 220 Phantom bike review on the tube and became interested. The price of a new one is steep for me, but I found it second hand with a mileage of 3 thousand km, generally only after running it in. I took it for 80 thousand rubles, changed the oil (another 2 thousand rubles), nothing more needs to be done for now. There are no problems, it drives fine on wet ground. I can barely reach the ground with my feet, but I’ve already gotten the hang of it)) Victor, Krasnogorsk, Stealth Desna 220 Phantom '2016

Comparison with competitors by class and price

The Stels Desna 220 Phantom is inferior in reliability and performance to its Yamaha counterparts, but is superior in price. Compared to the Racer Forester, the cost is the same, but Desna was equipped with LED turn signals, in the absence of a fuel sensor.

Racer Forester. Profile photo

Yamaha TW200. Dynamic photo

Hello from the past

Externally, the Desna 220 Phantom motorcycle is very similar to the well-known ZiD 200 “Owl”, perhaps slightly modernized. However, the general outline immediately reveals the habitat for which the Chinese bike was created. Decent ground clearance, large radius wheels, a moderately aggressive tread of standard tires, a pre-installed trunk - all this tells us that the Stealth Desna Phantom 220 is a motorcycle that was created not so much for city streets as for dirt roads and graders. The only more modern design element is the angular headlight instead of the standard round one, but otherwise this bike really looks like a guest from the 90s of the last century. But does anyone say that this is bad? Before us is not a city dandy, but a hardy worker who will equally confidently push through traffic jams and make his way along a forest path.

There are few dual-purpose motorcycles produced these days, as they are not popular. One of the few small-capacity representatives of this class is the Suzuki VanVan, but it is unreasonably expensive, so the Stealth Desna 220 Phantom can be an excellent alternative to it - it is inexpensive, and copes with its tasks no worse. This motorcycle is as simple as three rubles, and even the auto mechanic Uncle Vanya from the neighboring garage cooperative can immediately understand its structure. This is one of the main advantages of the bike - it is reliable and as simple as possible, which is what is required from equipment that is often operated in rather harsh conditions.

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:

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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!