Motorcycle Irbis GR 250: photos, technical characteristics, pros and cons, reviews

For an inexperienced person, motorcycles belonging to the same class and more or less equal in cost are almost identical to each other. To some extent, this is true, since manufacturers prefer to use time-tested and inexpensive technological solutions rather than reinvent the wheel. The Irbis GR 250 motorcycle was no exception to the rule - an elegant and simple road bike with a modern and quite aggressive design that sets it apart from many competitors.

Description of the motorcycle

The motorcycle has a modern appearance, although it is reminiscent of many Japanese bikes of the same category, which is especially noticeable from the photo. The Irbis GR 250 has an undoubted advantage - a thoughtful and attractive design, thanks to which it looks much more interesting than its small-capacity counterparts.

The technical component is quite expected: an engine with an air-cooling system, a steel frame, a five-speed transmission and a carburetor - no innovative or extraordinary solutions.

The advantage of the engine is its excellent balance with a power of 16 horsepower and a torque of 17 Nm. Of course, with such technical characteristics, the Irbis GR 250 will not turn into a rocket even taking into account its light weight, but it allows the owner to confidently navigate city traffic.

A bike is the best option for learning. It is maneuverable, lightweight and very convenient for daily use. The fuel tank with a volume of 14.7 liters is enough for 300 kilometers without refueling thanks to its low consumption - from 2.5 to 4 liters, depending on driving style.

The maximum speed is 140 km/h, but the acceleration dynamics leave much to be desired. The Irbis GR 250 transmission is distinguished by short gear ratios and good dynamics, but the driver has to work quite actively with the gear shift foot. Acceleration to 140 km/h after reaching 110 km/h becomes difficult: the engine loses its traction.

A look from the outside and from the inside

The appearance of the Chinese motorcycle Irbis GR 250 is truly modern, although vaguely reminiscent of many Japanese bikes. However, the thoughtful design can easily be considered one of the advantages of this model - it looks really more interesting than most other small-sized “Chinese” models comparable in price. As for the technical side of the issue, everything is quite expected. Steel frame, air-cooled engine, 5-speed gearbox and carburetor - nothing extraordinary. The engine, by the way, is excellently balanced, producing 16.3 hp. and 17 nM of torque. This, of course, does not turn a light bike into a rocket, but allows its owner to feel quite confident in city traffic.

At the same time, the bike is well suited for training, and just as a first bike. Lightweight and maneuverable (dry weight is only 130 kg), it is comfortable enough for everyday driving. A 14.8-liter gas tank will be enough for 300 kilometers, if not more - the fuel consumption of the Irbis GR 250 ranges from 2.5 to 4 liters of AI-92, depending on driving style. The stated maximum speed of the GR 250 is 140 km/h, and it honestly picks it up, albeit with difficulty. Thanks to the short gear ratios in the transmission, this motorcycle is very dynamic, but you will have to actively work with the gear shifter. However, after reaching a speed of 100-110 km/h, the enthusiasm disappears, and you will have to be patient to see the coveted 140 km/h on the speedometer.

Characteristics of Irbis GR 250

The motorcycle is built on the basis of a diagonal tubular frame, on which a durable and high-quality plastic body kit and large lighting equipment are mounted. The sporty design of the bike is emphasized by original brand decals, an exhaust system created specifically for racing motorcycles, and a sports seat with a comfortable fit.

The height of the Irbis GR 250 is 1050 millimeters, length - 1950 millimeters, width - 740 millimeters. The curb weight of the bike without fuel is 130 kilograms. The Russian motorcycle is equipped with a 250 cc four-stroke engine, built on the basis of a Japanese power unit. The cooling system is classic air, the engine is equipped with an electric starter and carburetor power.

The engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission with a multi-plate clutch immersed in an oil bath. Peak power is 16.5 horsepower, maximum torque of 17 Nm is achieved at around 7500 rpm. The Irbis GR 250 can be accelerated to 140 km/h.

Advantages of a motorcycle

• Affordable price. A brand new bike will cost at least 60 thousand rubles. It is very difficult to purchase a Japanese or Chinese equivalent in good condition for the same amount.
• Large fuel tank volume, providing good autonomy and a large power reserve.
• Easy to maintain and undemanding to fuel quality. The simple design of the Irbis GR 250 engine allows the use of gasoline of questionable quality, but this is by no means a reason to test the engine’s strength.
• For a 250 cc bike, the Irbis has excellent dynamics, and technical characteristics are sufficient for daily use.
• Reliability and high quality of components and assembly.

Advantages of the budget "Chinese"

• Affordable price. For the amount that dealers are asking for a brand new Irbis 250 GR, any Japanese bike will be either incredibly old or very weak. And also, by the way, far from new.
• A spacious gas tank gives the motorcycle a solid power reserve, which can be the envy of even many much more expensive models.
• Undemanding to fuel quality. In Russia, gasoline, alas, cannot be called good everywhere, but the simple GR 250 engine easily digests gasoline even of dubious quality. Although this, of course, is not a reason to test its strength by filling the tank with fuel at a gas station with the self-explanatory name “Gasoline”.
• Not bad dynamics for a 250 cc bike. The technical characteristics of the Irbis GR 250 are not that impressive, no, but they are quite enough for a comfortable ride every day.

• 
  High reliability. Reviews from the owners of this model unanimously state that if you pay due attention to your motorcycle, there are no problems with it. Of course, no one hopes for Chinese quality, but, as you know, the simpler the more reliable, and from a design point of view, the Irbis GR 250 motorcycle is really simple.

• The engine installed on the Irbis GR 250 gives the bike good dynamics - at least sufficient for urban conditions.

Flaws

• Primitive suspension design and lack of any adjustments. The average parameters are not suitable for everyone, but they are sufficient for driving within the city. When carrying a passenger, the motorcycle sags significantly.
• Side winds blow the bike off the road, which is especially noticeable when riding in open spaces.
• At speeds over 80-90 km/h it is difficult to predict overtaking due to insufficient dynamics.
• The compact dimensions of the bike allow only a driver of average build to fit comfortably on it; tall pilots and two people will find it uncomfortable.

Disadvantages of the model

• Primitive pendants. For the city they are quite enough, but they do not have any adjustments at all, and these average parameters are not suitable for everyone. And if there is a passenger, the motorcycle immediately “sags” noticeably.
• The bike is sensitive to side winds. This is especially felt when driving outside the city, in open spaces.
• The lack of dynamics makes it very accurate to predict overtaking, especially at speeds of 80-90 km/h and above. But in general, we can say that the characteristics of the Irbis GR 250 fully correspond to its price.
• For two people, the motorcycle is noticeably cramped, and it may not be very comfortable for a single, but tall biker.

Owner reviews

Motorists in reviews of the Irbis GR 250 note its unpretentiousness and affordable price. In terms of characteristics and qualities, the bike completely justifies the money spent on it. Irbis GR 250 is an ideal compact and lightweight motorcycle for beginners. Of course, it also has its shortcomings, but they are not as serious as one would expect.

Used GR 250 models with high mileage require chain replacement and can then travel several tens of thousands of kilometers.

Reviews from real owners

The decision was made when I looked at the review of Irbis, which is a road bike GR 250, and read what those who drove it wrote about it. In general, everything is on point - an ordinary cheap spendthrift, but not fragile or capricious. Well worth the money. Oleg, Kostroma, 2016

A normal moped for a beginner. There are, of course, disadvantages, but who doesn’t have them, especially since these are Chinese motorcycles, that is, a priori cheap. But if you put your hands to it, it runs without problems. Alexander, St. Petersburg, '2016

I took the motorcycle from my hands, but the mileage was for children, 8 thousand. I installed a topcase, changed the chain to a Japanese one, drove another 10 thousand, and changed the bike, since it was already boring to ride on this one, and tuning the Irbis 250 GR, in principle, makes no sense, since it still won’t return when sold, but 250 cc get bored within a season at most. But for a beginner it’s just the thing. Sergey, Krasnoznamensk, '2015 release.

Manufacturer

Irbis motorcycles are considered by most motorcycle enthusiasts to be Chinese technology, although in reality this is far from the case. The Irbis brand was created in 2001 by a group of young people from Vladivostok, who set themselves the task of creating motor vehicles that would be accessible to a wide range of buyers and capable of competing with European and Japanese counterparts. As a result, the brand's first scooter was released - Irbis Z50R.

The company began to actively develop, and in 2005 the first official office for the sale of motorcycles was opened in Moscow. The dealer network began to be created in 2006, and today it includes over two thousand centers from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad, the range of which includes 30 models of Irbis motorcycles and more than five thousand types of accessories, spare parts and equipment.

Irbis motorcycles are an ideal vehicle for both experienced riders and beginners just learning to ride. The vehicles produced by the company are adapted to difficult Russian conditions and have proven their reliability in practice. It is worth noting that the latest models of Irbis motor vehicles are produced in full accordance with the wishes of customers: feedback from customers is very important for developers.

Main competitors of the GR 250

• Stels 300 Benelli and Benelli 600. Chinese-made road bike with excellent technical characteristics and a modern design with aggressive notes. The Irbis is inferior in price - the Russian bike is several times cheaper than its competitor from China.
• Genata YZF 250. A Chinese motorcycle that belongs to the class of sport bikes, but is not one: from a technical point of view, it can safely be classified as a road bike.
• Honda CB 250F Hornet. One of the most popular small-capacity bikes with a high-powered engine, which, coupled with its low weight, provides unsurpassed dynamics. Despite excellent reviews, the short service life of the engine and the considerable age of the model affect the technical condition, which significantly complicates the search for models on the secondary market in at least acceptable condition.

Main competitors

• Stels 300 Benelli or Benelli 600. This Chinese road bike has decent technical characteristics and an aggressive modern design, but it costs significantly more than the GR 250.
• Genata YZF 250. Its one comes from China, trying to seem like a sportbike. True, it inherited only general appearance features from the sportbike, but from a technical point of view it is a fairly typical road motorcycle. However, it is not easy to find on the secondary market.
• Honda CB 250 F Hornet. This small-capacity bike is equipped with a forced engine, which, combined with its modest weight, gives it truly insane acceleration dynamics. Unfortunately, due to the advanced age of most copies and the low service life of the forced small-capacity engine, it is not easy to find this model in decent technical condition.

Specifications