YX200 Karino: Rough roads, no regrets
The Karino’s main market was Russia, where it wore a Desna Phantom 220 badge under the STELS name. One landed in the garage of Taha Ayman Alam, who is best described as a self-made 3D artist with a taste for motorbikes
The Yinxiang YX200 Karino doesn't exactly blend in on Dhaka's roads — and that's part of its appeal. Proper dirt bikes are few and far between in this city, and the few big-name brands that offer them usually attach a price tag that's enough to scare off anyone hoping to thrash one off the beaten path.
This particular bike is a curious import story in itself. Made by Yinxiang Motors in Chongqing, the Karino's main market was Russia, where it also wore a Desna Phantom 220 badge under the STELS name. Another version showed up as the XMOTO RX200. Altogether, three siblings were aimed at giving riders an affordable way to tackle rough tracks and rural roads. A small batch of these found their way to Bangladesh — roughly twenty or so.
One landed in the garage of Taha Ayman Alam, who is best described as a self-made 3D artist with a taste for motorbikes. His fascination with bikes grew because of his father. He cut his teeth on a Honda CG125 before wanting something tougher that wouldn't break his back after a long ride. "I wanted a bike that wouldn't leave me sore after long rides, so comfort and ergonomics were key," he says. The Karino made sense — it cost less than half of what a Kawasaki would set him back.
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Visually, it doesn't try to be flashy. The lines are sharp enough to look purposeful, and the proportions lean towards function more than style. With its oil-cooled 220cc engine revving happily all the way up to 11,000 RPM, the Karino produces around 18 and a half horsepower and 17 Nm of torque. No major failures have been reported since it showed up here back in 2014 — not something every budget dirt bike can brag about.
Handling is decent for something that wasn't made to live on silky tarmac alone. A tall front wheel and sturdy rear tyre setup make it nimble enough for tight corners, yet steady on messy ground. Taha didn't expect much beyond a simple machine but says the bike gradually revealed its quirks. "Each ride revealed more of its character, and over the years, it's taken me to places few bikes in this segment could reach," he says.
Where the Karino really stands apart is its low centre of gravity. Combined with a mono-shock at the back and chunky telescopic forks up front, it manages to stay composed through bends and over bumps. The engine note has an unmistakable grumble that's a far cry from the bland buzz of everyday commuters.
It's survived a fair share of rough treatment, too. Streams, loose gravel, and sludge haven't done much to faze it. Maintenance has stayed simple enough. Taha points out that spare parts are interchangeable with other models, so he's avoided the nightmare of hunting down rare bits and pieces. He's never bothered modifying it either — it works fine in stock trim.
Where the Karino really stands apart is its low centre of gravity. Combined with a mono-shock at the back and chunky telescopic forks up front, it manages to stay composed through bends and over bumps. The engine note has an unmistakable grumble that's a far cry from the bland buzz of everyday commuters.
Some riders in traffic think they're seeing a Hyosung or a TW200 when it rolls by. Others do a double take once they realise what it actually is. For most, it remains an unfamiliar name.
For all its rugged charm, Taha does admit the front forks could use an upgrade to modern USDs for better damping. A stainless steel exhaust wouldn't hurt either, given the climate here. He reckons the bike's low profile is partly due to poor promotion and the fact that a few original owners didn't quite know how to care for a machine like this.
When asked whether he'd vouch for the Karino, Taha doesn't hesitate. Riders who enjoy going where the road ends — or those who want something that doesn't look like every other commuter — might appreciate its rough edges. "Absolutely—for those who enjoy off-roading, exploration, and unique bikes that aren't just another cookie-cutter commuter," he says.
The bike has been a loyal companion for long solo trips and stormy rides, including one memorable run from Dhaka to Chittagong that threw rain, potholes, and sketchy roads his way. The Karino handled it all without complaint. With some care and the right upgrades, there's every chance it'll keep going for years. Sometimes, the bikes that no one notices are the ones that stick around the longest.
