Posts
645
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ, USA
Edited Date/Time
7/20/2022 8:08am
Looking for inputs from the Sherco crowd. I currently have a deposit on a 2023 KTM 300 XC, but I am intrigued by the Sherco 300 SE Factory. There is a dealer about 2 hours from me who has a couple 2022 models at a discounted price. I really like the bike, the suspension that it comes with, and all the parts it comes with stock. And it’s over $1800 cheaper OTD than the KTM, maybe more if I can get them to reduce or eliminate the setup and freight fees. Everything I’m seeing points to them being pretty good bikes, and seeing dudes like Cooper Abbott and Cody Webb on them gives me the warm fuzzy about the brand.
What keeps me from pulling the trigger is its an unknown quantity to me. There’s not a ton of info on them with regards to durability, reliability, parts availability, and resale value if I don’t like it, outside of a handful of YouTube videos. Looking for data from the forum, especially from those who were on any of the Austrian flavors and switched. My last 300 was a 2017 TX300, that I regret selling every single day.
What keeps me from pulling the trigger is its an unknown quantity to me. There’s not a ton of info on them with regards to durability, reliability, parts availability, and resale value if I don’t like it, outside of a handful of YouTube videos. Looking for data from the forum, especially from those who were on any of the Austrian flavors and switched. My last 300 was a 2017 TX300, that I regret selling every single day.
It felt good, nothing "weird" or "quirky" like some of these smaller brands used to have.
The motor signed off a little early on top but had way better throttle response and ran cleaner than any Injected 2-stroke I've ridden. Wouldn't be an ideal bike for an MX track but if you're buying a 300xc I doubt that's your goal anyway.
The forks were better than any air fork I've ridden for off road use. That's a huge plus for me.
I also like that they still have a Carb. I guess we'll see if the new version of the KTM can run consistent and good out of the box but based on how the TPI bikes run now (especially before being re-flashed) I tend to still lean toward a Carb on my 2 smokers.
For the savings, the forks and the carb....I say do it and let me know how you like it after 6 months!
I think a 38mm taper bored PWK with STIC and swapping the gnarly for a fatty would shift some power up top without losing too much bottom.
The suspension is the biggest selling point, and I like the idea of the electronic power valve and carb combo. I will never ride the bike on a track, but I do value stability over low speed turning ability. I’m wondering if I can set the chassis up to achieve this. This guy was going flat out on one in the open dez, so I think the answer is yes:
https://youtu.be/1nKRdCes9F0
I'm sure you can find a way to contact Josh Knight, he f'n rips so he probably has some good tips and tricks for sure.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
He said reliability-wise, he’s never seen one blown up, never seen a crank go bad, and most of them he gets in have 150-200 hours and just need a top end.
He said resale value is better than what you’d think because the volume isn’t there for brand new bikes and most people don’t want to drop $12k, but I don’t really put a whole lot of stock in that. Most people don’t even know what a Sherco is. This is my biggest hang up. If I used the hell out of it, I don’t really care if I take a hit price wise, but if I can’t move it at all, that’s a problem.
It's becoming more and more common to buy a bike hundreds of miles away and have it shipped to you.
Oh, and quads suck
I’ve never been very impressed with Shercos to tell you the truth. The castings are kind of rough, frame looks like it’s painted (vs powdercoat on KTMs), clutches are garbage, they’re heavy, and they have that euro rear-high feel.
Good suspension though.
The 22 motor is soft. They reduced the compression a bit on the 22. wrong direction I believe.
The Sherco KYB suspension doesn't have the same quality internals as the YZ kyb's do. They require upgraded parts and a revalve.
The 23 Sherco 300 Se will be an all new bike, according to the sherco rep I spoke to at the last National hard enduro I went to. So I'd wait...
Still, the Sherco - despite being kind of a cottage industry brand - is a rad bike. I put a Rekluse manual clutch in mine, had the suspension revalved (I have no idea where the comment about the KYB stuff being cheaper came from - mine basically has the pre-2019 KYB SSS forks that could be found on YZs, and has been phenomenal. Dick's Racing actually did a YZ250 spec offroad revalve on mine, and it's smooth like butter).
Pit Row
Bring the Elsinore back!
- Parts are not a problem. I literally have an arsenal of spare bolts, regular wear items, etc. I obtained when I first got into them because of the unknowns. Totally for nothing since the dealers that represent them are generally very good and most can drop ship parts from the main Sherco warehouse in Texas.
- Many parts cross over between the orange brand. Not internals obviously, but things like levers, brake pads, certain electrical components, rear chain guide, etc. are the same. KTM wheels can be used with 60 dollar enduro engineering spacer setup and that further opens a window into KTM sprockets and rotors.
- Aftermarket support isn't as good as other brands, but it certainly isn't terrible. You just have to know where to look. I have purchased xtrig clamps, TM designworks skid plate / chain guide, radiator braces from several, an assortment of guards, rekluse clutch, samco sport rad hoses, guts seat covers, etc. all without trouble and that is just a small sampling of manufacturers.
- I have had zero reliability issues. When purchased, I greased all bearings, inspected and greased all electrical connections, torqued everything to spec, and have been riding / racing off road all year. Not even a loose bolt to date.
There are some things better on the KTMs (been riding thrm since 2003) like air filter access, readily accessible knowledge base, familiarity, but the Sherco is better in a lot of ways too. And the steps the brand has taken in terms of growth in the US over the past few years is remarkable. I'd buy another tomorrow if there was something different I needed. But for me, the 300F is a blast.
How does your Sherco perform overall? Also, how about flame-outs & the electric starter? The YZ will give up the ghost unexpectedly, and the starter requires a little prayer before hitting the button. I like the idea of 50 extra cc’d without the brute impact of larger-displacement.
When riding it up the street When I first got it I thought I made a mistake. Seemed slow. But on the trail it is deceivingly fast in the flowy stuff.
Replaced the OEM battery with a Shorai and it fires every time. Only quirk is you have to "wake" the ECU up which takes some practice on dead engine starts.
Honestly the only complaints I have are the chassis is a little twitchy, but full disclosure I increased the spring rates for my weight and am still playing around with preload, sag, clickers, etc. But when your in tight stuff its definitely an advantage. Also does not feel heavy at all. Fees no different than the KTM 150 I was riding before.
Other little things are some weird fastener sizes (i.e. linkage nuts are 18mm and there are some 7mm bolts thrown in a few places) but other than that no real issues. All the electrical connectors are waterproof superseal connectors, stator is massive if you want to run accessories, and in general its pretty easy to work on. It looked like it would be a nightmare to get to stuff at first because the chassis is pretty compact, but Ive had mine completely stripped with the motor out and putting it back together I learned a lot about the bike.
Things I liked:
-Engine - best 300 in the class IMO
-Throttle response
-I bought a spare OEM cylinder for less than the cost of a re-plate at millenium
-Brakes, levers, handguards from KTM all fit
-Looks of course
Things I hated:
-Suspension was not all that. I re-valved twice and still wasn't 100% comfortable.
-Stock clutch burned up pretty quickly (I am hard on clutches to be fair)
-Petcock placement
-Plastics fitment
-Chain adjusters (way off)
-Rear wheel hub was not actually round - rare defect but I was a lucky one who got one (chain would go tight and then slack as it rotated)
-Gas mileage - even with a smart carb I had to pack gas on most of our off road rides. Only large tank available was super expensive
-Some OEM parts were really expensive
Ultimately I went back to KTM because the ergos just fit me better. The cockpit is smaller on the Sherco and made me hunch over a lot, hurting my back. My posture is more to blame than the bike, but its easier for me to ride in a correct position on the KTM.
MotoXperts did the suspension on my yamaha (not a Sherco I know) but I've been super happy with it. I'm sure they could get you set up.
My brother just bought a 300 SEF from them, and he really likes it. I've ridden it, and felt comfortable enough that I'm going to consider it for my next bike (I really want a 350 four stroke, but don't want air forks...so this will have to due).
I also did a riding school with RideWithTheKnights...and it was awesome. Josh is an all around good dude! And crazy talented.
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