ADB was among a small handful of journos to head over to France for the welcoming of the 2025 Sherco Enduro range, which of course included the 2025 Sherco 250 SEF Factory. The big reveal was held at a small village about an hour away from the heart of Lyon in what almost seems like a too-good-to-be-true location. It has the most epic grass-track test loop right next to a wooded enduro test loop which is a little on the tame side but is still mint.
So whats new?
The most obvious update is always the bodywork – the new shrouds and side panels are new with updated in-mould graphics, while the hand guards have been updated and are now larger for better protection. Upgraded fork protectors provide better protection against rocks from the sides, which is perfect for hard enduro as well as giving more clearance on the 90-100-21 tyre, while new grab handles on the rear guard are an improvement as is the new LED taillight.
The biggest update and all round improvement has to be the new tool-less side access air filter box, which not only makes changing the air filter a dream compared to the previous model – you had to remove the seat to access it through the top of subframe – but also improves engine efficiency. The filter now slides in from the side and there’s a large octopus-style arrangement on the filter cage which is held in with a single clip.
Another obvious update to the French enduro weapons is the new Akrapovic full exhaust system with updated styling, performance and noise reduction to meet the revised fun police and FIM standards.
Strip back the plastics and all the focus is on weight reduction, stability and rider comfort, with a new 250g lighter chrome-moly steel semi-perimeter frame, new lower tube geometry and revised steering pipe. There’s also a new forged shock absorber arch and steering lock, and a new lower chain guide with reduced rolling noise and weight. Changes to the frame don’t stop there, with a complete new aluminium subframe which saves further 254g; the subframe had to be redesigned to allow for the new tool-less side entry for the air box. Another update to the frame is the damping system between the frame and fuel tank.
Back at the front, the 250 SEF features a new 7075 CNC triple clamp with new 150g lighter steering column. There are improved steering head bearing seals and the handlebar position is raised by 5mm. The new dashboard support gives better damping and makes it easier to see over the older model.
The cooling system has had a make over as well; the new radiators are 157g lighter and provide a 15 per cent improvement in cooling efficiency. New stronger radiator grilles allow for better airflow and rigidity, which will no doubt help in minor impacts. The expansion tank is a little smaller and the new fan is more compact and lighter. The new fan is also far easier to remove than the larger, bulkier one on the previous model.
Look lower and you’ll see a new skid plate which is easier to fit and remove for servicing, while the sidestand also gets some love with a larger footprint. The linkage axle is now lighter and uses new flat-sided axle for ease of assembly and disassembly which means you only need one wrench or socket to loosen the bolts.
There’s more weight saving thanks to the updated electrical wiring harness, which is 210g lighter than before, and the layout has been updated and moved further to the rear of the bike in the new subframe. The fuel pump is now smaller and 200g lighter, and is claimed to provide improved fuel-pressure regulation for better efficiency and fuel delivery.
The 250 SEF also scores a new cylinder head and the lightened and reinforced camshaft bearing support allows for higher revs, increasing the rev ceiling from 13,700rpm to 14,000rpm, which is also a performance feature on the 300 SEF.
There are many carryover details as well, including the KYB 48mm closed-cartridge fork and KYB shock, six-speed transmission, hydraulic clutch, electric starter and 9.8L fuel tank. The wheel base sits at 1480mm, there’s 355mm of ground clearance and a seat height of 950mm.
What’s it like to ride?
Now we have banged on about all the nitty-gritty details, what the hell did we think of the 250 SEF on track? I know I mentioned the track was picturesque, set in the shallow hills of the French villages not far from Lyon, but we were treated to some of the most quintessential European weather, with rain that just seemed to have no end… until we finally finish riding in the late afternoon. I was lucky enough to get out on a still reasonably fresh track in the first 30 minutes along with the 12 other international journos before they cut the test session short due to the deteriorating conditions.
In the slick conditions the 250 SEF was the perfect bike – light, nimble and with usable power despite the tricky conditions, which highlighted how rider friendly the Sherco 250 SEF is. The bike is stable like the previous model and it’s easy to see why so many new bikes are running with KYB suspension. The bike tracks well and doesn’t really give you any WTF moments, it’s predictable and gives good feel even in slick conditions. After the first 45 minutes of riding there wasn’t much traction/grass left and even when tipping into downhill off-camber corners there was still reasonably good front-end feel. Despite the conditions, the track was fairly smooth with not much chatter or larger braking bumps, but the general feel of the bike was good front to back – it felt neutral.
The engine is certainly strong and the ability to switch between maps in the tricky conditions is welcome. However outside these types of conditions I don’t really see the need for a map switch on the 250 SEF, which was highlighted in the wooded enduro section we rode in the afternoon as it was a little more sheltered from the rain, but in some places was equally as tricky.
The ergos are really good and the 250 SEF doesn’t feel night and day different to the earlier models, especially the width of the bike, but moving front to back is easier and the riding position for a rider of my size (180cm tall) is generous, which tended to feel cramped on pre-2018 Shercos.
The Sherco 250 SEF is one of the more underrated bikes on the market. The engine is strong but its smooth power delivery makes it easy to ride over a long period of time. And the build quality is improving year on year. This is certainly a bike I would love to have in the garage and make some content around (hint hint). It would also be great to test the 2025 model in Australia and in some more favourable wether conditions. After riding it, it’s easy to see why Sherco riders are performing well on the world stage and here in Australia; it’s a great platform and something you could really build on without too much outlay, and it comes with so many good parts as standard features.
