IT’S Sher class
By Team TMX on 16th Sep 15
THE Sherco brand only sprang into existence in 1999 and is the well-nurtured baby of French enthusiast and very successful businessman Marc Teissier.Marc kick-started Sherco by developing a trials bike range at a factory in (near) Barcelona, Spain, and established the brand as a solid force before moving into enduro in a totally separate factory in his native France.He doesnt rush things and he has developed Sherco steadily and carefully ever upwards over the years.
The trials models are of course well established and doing very nicely in a volatile industry had to establish Sherco against the leading factory, KTM (and later Husqvarna) and also the big four Japanese brands.
Proof that Tessier has done a fine job in this respect is the fact that last year Sherco produced some 3000 enduro bikes which are now sold into 60 countries.
Starting out with a matching pair of 250/300cc two-stroke models Sherco has since added state of the art 250/300 four-stroke versions and more recently introduced a 450cc model.
And with a 125cc two-stroke to be added to the range – and fuel injection planned for the two-strokes from 2017 – Sherco's total commitment to enduro is clear to see.
For 2016 Sherco has contented itself with minor updates to the range with the 450 model, introduced just last year, in volume production for the first time.
All current models share a conventional steel tube chassis which for 2016 features a new rear sub-frame. WP suspension is utilised at both ends, the rear shock operating through a conventional linkage.
The two-strokes have also been treated to a new silencer which provides a useful weight saving.All models also feature electric start which, even on the two-strokes, is a massive advantage on an enduro bike.
Sometimes it can mean the difference between a nasty crash and getting away with it as a stalled motor, while perched precariously on a steep hillside, can be ignited instantly.
TWO-STROKES
Climbing aboard the bikes the initial feeling is of sitting on top of, rather than ‘in' the bike which will suit some but maybe not others. There's nothing uncomfortable about the seating position, quite the opposite in fact, and the bikes feel firm and purposeful, which is good.
To say the 250 and 300 Sherco strokers are fast is an understatement but both bikes are more useable and friendly than the 2015 models and this is mainly due to the 'softer' mapping on the switchable ignition being softer than the previous model. Both models sport electronic control of their exhaust power valves and offer dual map ignition.
The dual mapping really does make a significant difference, the factory stating up to 8bhp difference, and the softer option is probably the default setting for most Clubman type riders.Hats off to the Sherco crew though because on the ‘'hard' setting they have produced two of the fastest two-stroke motorcycles this planet has ever seen.
To quantify this, on the gnarly rock hard terrain we had at our disposal at the test in southern France it was almost impossible to use the bikes in their full-power mode. The WP suspension on the two-strokes was set incredibly stiff for both the terrain and indeed for mere mortals.
The bikes skipped around on top of everything on the loop and the front wheel pinged off what felt like invisible objects. Last year the bikes were tested on varying terrain between hard, soft, rocks, roots, Endurocross and MX whereas this year we had only baked gnarly dirt with short sharp kicker bumps.
The suspension as set up could not react to the terrain as the level of stiffness from the WP units would not allow it in its stock form. The solution to make the bike more friendly was to back everything off on compression including high and low speed on the rear shock. I opened rebound all but three clicks out and tried again.
This brought a great reaction from the bike with traction, comfort and the ease of ride improved massively.
Both bikes were much easier to ride – using both power modes – and the steering feel was drastically improved as the front end would track rather than dance around.
In short, there is nothing at all wrong with the bikes – once the suspension is dialled in.
To sum up, these Sherco two-strokes are blindingly quick with a definite stiff feel to the chassis. In consequence the bikes feel very racy and if you are a hard-bitten two-stroke fan you definitely need to get out there and try one of these blue movers...they really are fast!
Four-strokes
SHERCO offers a total of three four-strokes in the 2016 MY range with a range-topping 450 having joined the established 250 and 300 models and they have now got pretty much all bases covered. To be honest, the surprise of the bunch is the 450 which, when tested last year was a bit of an animal.
Put simply it was just too much to handle for mere mortals but the Sherco crew have worked hard to tame their beast and come up with a much easier to ride machine. Admittedly, the softer power option was selected and this resulted in power delivery that was incredibly smooth and thus much more pleasant to ride. And after a good day's thrashing the brand new motor was running free and easy.
The suspension settings, allegedly the same for both two- and four-strokes, works much better with the weight and power delivery of the four-stroke. This is not all that surprising really and with just a couple of clicks off, the four-strokes were ready to give their best.
The smooth ride on the 450 was fun to say the least and on the terrain we were presented with and the 40 degree heat the bike worked with me rather than against me. The 2016 450 feels light and manoeuvrable and all in all is a much improved model.
The 300 model Sherco four-stroke is a well established Clubman favourite and this bike is right up there with the best.
When you drop the throttle right off, the motor responds superbly to allow you a good level of braking and rear wheel steering into the naughtiest of turns. I like this feeling as it provides fun and adds control of the bike as a unit.
The suspension again needed some slight softening to gain confidence on the terrain but as with all the bikes the brakes, control and gear shifting were flawless.
This bike produces fantastic controllable power which is on tap and ready for every situation you will ever encounter out on the course. The smallest capacity four-banger – the SEF-R 250 – is an incredible machine and one of my favourite bikes ever.
This little bike covers all the bases and is equally happy being ridden in full-on attack mode or being enjoyed on a cruising, confidence inspiring trail ride.
The fun is there ready to be unleashed with this bike and it felt like a factory bike in comparison to the stock feel of the rest of the range.
This 250 really does have it all. The chassis felt settled and right from the top drawer and the motor just seems to help you out whatever the siuation. I was able to cut loose on this bike with incredible confidence in the tight and fast sections of the test loop.
To my mind this bike can do no wrong and I am confident that when all the 2016 models have been put through the mill this will definitely be a real contender for the bike of the year...
