Cycle News Staff | November 4, 2022
We spend quality time with the 2023 Sherco 300 SE Factory two-stroke.
We are in the golden age of two-stroke off-road bikes right now and the Sherco 300 SE can hold its own among the best of those options. It has a great motor, KYB suspension and comes with high-quality items that are options on other bikes.
By Cycle News Staff | Photography by Duane Cabot, Beau Law & Jesse Ziegler
If you follow trials or hard enduro racing, you are probably familiar with Sherco motorcycles. Pat Smage just won his 13th U.S. Trials Championship on a Sherco and the French manufacturer has a strong U.S. off-road team that includes Cody Webb, Cooper Abbott, Keith Curtis and Louise Forsley. On the international scene, Spain’s Mario Roman earned a win and multiple podiums en route to second overall in the 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship aboard a Sherco 300 SE Factory two-stroke. And in the U.S., Curtis took a win and Abbott earned a couple of podium finishes in the AMA Hard Enduro Championship on that same model. So, the small but potent brand has proven its carbureted two-strokes can compete with the fuel-injected KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas bikes from Austria in extreme off-road racing, but how does it perform for a normal-skill-level off-road rider? We got to spend several weeks riding one to find out.
A look at the entry lists at any U.S. or international hard-enduro event shows that two-strokes are alive and well, with around 90 percent of competitors choosing to use premix. KTM dominates the entries with around 40 percent and sister brands Husqvarna and GasGas add another 20 percent for the Austrian-made bikes. That adds up to about 60 percent for fuel-injected TPI bikes. While the fuel-injected Austrian bikes are great motorcycles, some riders still prefer carbureted bikes or just want an alternative to the popular choice. Sherco joins Beta, TM and Yamaha in the alternative carbureted camp.
Most people agree that the Shercos are great-looking bikes and the performance is also good.
The 2023 Sherco 300 SE Factory edition is virtually unchanged from the 2022 model with updated graphics completing the list of changes. But that is not a bad thing, as it is a proven platform that comes with high-quality equipment including KYB suspension, FMF exhaust, AXP skid plate, Polisport handguards, Selle Dalla Valle seat, radiator fan, Brembo brakes and hydraulic clutch. The bike weighed in at 257 pounds with a full fuel tank, ready to ride, on our scales. That is about 10 pounds more than we have seen for a KTM 300 XC-W with a skid plate and aftermarket fan installed.
The motor is the standout feature on the 300 SE. It rips when you want it to but has amazing traction and tractability when you need it, especially when you use the alternative soft-map setting via the handlebar-mounted switch. Unlike many other bikes with alternative maps, the difference is very noticeable on the 300 SE. If you ever rode 500cc two-strokes, this is about as close as you can get to that type of power with a current production motorcycle. The counter-balancer reduces the vibration significantly from older generation two-strokes, but it is not quite as vibration free as the Austrian two-strokes.
We felt that the stock 13/48 gearing is a little tall for tight and technical trails, as it seemed that we needed to use first gear in places we would like to use second. So, we asked the U.S. FactoryOne Sherco team manager Cody Richelderfer what they use for their AMA Hard Enduro race bikes, and he said that they typically use 12/50 or 51. So that is something to keep in mind if you like the tight stuff. The stock gearing is good for more open trails.
The Sherco really shines on faster, more open trails. The aggressive map option provides exciting performance and the suspension is a tuned a bit stiffer than many other off-road bikes with headlights.
The jetting on the 36mm Keihin carburetor was a little rich for the places we rode the bike in Moab, Utah and Northern Arizona, which are 4000 and 5000 feet in elevation, respectively, so we dropped the needle one clip position and were happy with the improvement, but it felt like it could use a little finer tuning. Unlike the TPI fuel-injected Austrian bikes and Beta RR models that have oil-injection systems, the Sherco 300 SE requires that you premix the fuel with oil. This may not be a big deal for some people, but it is kind of a pain when you have multiple bikes in a group or need to fill up in a remote location, as we did on one of our longer rides (we carried some oil). The latest-generation 2023 KTM XC fuel-injected two-strokes (closed-course off-road models) have already reverted back to premix and we expect that the 2024 KTM 300 XC-W will also require you to premix your fuel (the Husqvarna TE and GasGas EC models will probably follow suit) so this will likely become less of a differentiating factor for 2024 models.
While we are talking about fuel, the range varies greatly depending on the terrain and how hard you ride, but we found that we got a little less range out of the Sherco than we did with several TPI two-stroke bikes that we rode with. We got as little as 65 miles out of the 2.75-gallon tank before hitting reserve on one ride with a lot of difficult terrain. Some of that fuel was likely lost via the overflow lines when the bike was tipped in awkward angles, which doesn’t happen with closed-loop fuel-injection systems. The stock tank is translucent, so it is easy to keep an eye on the fuel level. The same can’t be said for reaching the fuel-tank petcock, which is buried deep under the tank, making it difficult to reach or see.
The Sherco off-road bikes come fitted with a radiator fan and coolant catch tank. This really comes in handy if you like to tackle tight and technical trails.
The Shercos use closed-cartridge KYB forks and a KYB shock with linkage. The settings are more aggressive than a KTM XC-W (or sister Husqvarna TE and GasGas EC 300 models) so aggressive riders will likely be more comfortable with this setup but those that prefer plush suspension may not be as happy with this direction. Our test bike was brand new when we got it, and we found it broke in and felt more compliant on the small stuff after about six hours of riding time. As we have noted before for Sherco and Beta bikes that come with the Michelin Medium Enduro tires, those tires have extremely stiff carcasses that make the suspension feel stiff and that was the case on this bike, especially in the sharp-edged rocks in Moab. The more we rode the 300 SE, the more we liked the suspension, especially on more flowing trails. It gives up some plushness in favor of better high-speed performance. We found that the bike was very predictable in corners in all types of terrain.
The ergonomics are comfortable for most riders although a few did not like the stock grips that are dimpled all the way around rather than a more common half-waffle design. Luckily, this is an easy and inexpensive fix if you are picky about your grips. The bodywork and junctions with the frame and fuel tank are smooth and comfortable to grip without any snags. The stock seat is very comfortable and grippy. The stock headlight is sufficient to get you back when you stay out past dark but like most stock lights, it is not enough to ride at a high pace at night. The computer provides the necessary information with two trip meters, an odometer, speedo and clock. The Brembo brakes and hydraulic clutch performed very well in all conditions. The brakes are powerful and easy to modulate.
A 6mm thick AXP plastic skid plate comes standard on the Sherco off-road bikes. They are extremely durable and would set you back about $150 as an aftermarket item.
Sherco deserves kudos for including a 6mm AXP skid plate and radiator fan as standard equipment. We put both to heavy use. The stock Polisport handguards are also appreciated and adequate for most off-road riding.
Working on the 300 SE was straightforward. The air filter is easily accessible via the toolless removal of the seat. We did notice that some bolts vibrated loose, including the rear skid-plate mount and countershaft sprocket guard, so we got into the habit of checking bolts.
So how much will one of these beauties cost? The suggested retail price is $11,849, which is about $500 less than a 2023 KTM XC-W 300 TPI at $12,349. The standard radiator fan and AXP skid plate on the Sherco make that price a little more palatable.
We spent several days riding the Sherco 300 SE in California, Utah and Northern Arizona. We adjusted the jetting and played with the shock clickers a bit, but it does not need much to provide a lot of performance and fun.
Several great rides with multiple riders spending time in the saddle provided very positive feedback from everyone on the Sherco 300 SE Factory. The performance of the motor, especially the very different characters of the two-map switch got the most thumbs up. The more aggressive map provides some thrilling power, and riders that like snappy response will love this setting, while the soft map provides nearly perfect power for technical trails. The standard fan, skid plate, comfortable ergonomics and quality brake performance also got a lot of praise. If you are looking for an alternative to the Austrian two-strokes, the Sherco is a great choice. CN
VIDEO | 2023 Sherco 300 SE Factory First Ride
2023 Sherco 300 SE Factory Specifications
| MSRP: |
$11,849 |
| Engine Type: |
2-stroke, single, electronic power-valve |
| Cooling System: |
Liquid |
| Displacement: |
293.1cc |
| Bore x Stroke: |
72 x 72mm |
| Starting System: |
Electric |
| Lubrication: |
Premix |
| Fueling: |
Keihin PWK 36mm |
| Transmission: |
6-speed |
| Clutch: |
Wet multi-disc with hydraulic actuation |
| Frame: |
Semi-perimeter chrome-molybdenum steel |
| Front Suspension: |
48mm KYB closed-cartridge fork |
| Rear Suspension: |
KYB 50 Shock |
| Front-Wheel Travel: |
11.8 in. |
| Rear-Wheel Travel: |
13.0 in. |
| Front Wheel: |
21 in. |
| Rear Wheel: |
18 in. |
| Front Tire: |
90/90 x 21 Michelin Enduro Medium |
| Rear Tire: |
140/80 x 18 Michelin Enduro Medium |
| Front Brake: |
260mm, Brembo master cylinder and caliper |
| Rear Brake: |
220mm, Brembo master cylinder and caliper |
| Seat Height: |
37.4 in. |
| Ground Clearance: |
13.9 in. |
| Wheelbase: |
58.27 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: |
2.75 gal. |
| Weight (wet, full fuel): |
257 lbs. |
