With rounds five and six of the AEC now complete, I’m finally getting some decent seat time on the 2026 Sherco 300 SEF Factory and really starting to enjoy the bike both on and off the race track.

 

The latest rounds at QMP provided a great test for the bike and it really shone in the dusty, technical conditions we were given. Day one featured a tighter, more technical course with rocky sections, off-cambers and plenty of challenging terrain, while day two opened up a little more and flowed better. Both days still had their tricky sections, with dusty climbs, steep descents and the occasional fast straight thrown into the mix. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed with how well the Sherco handled it all.

 

One change I’m particularly happy with is the gearing. As mentioned in my last update, I was looking at moving from the stock 48-tooth rear sprocket to a 50-tooth rear, and after spending time racing with it, I’m confident it was the right move. The bike feels more at home in the tighter terrain and allows me to carry gears more effectively in the bush.

 

From a maintenance perspective, the bike continues to be incredibly easy to live with. I’m now up to my fourth oil change and have somewhere between 25 and 30 hours on the clock. The oil filter is positioned in a slightly awkward location and does allow a little oil to run down the engine during servicing, but it’s hardly a major issue. On the flip side, the side-access air filter remains one of my favourite features on the bike. Air filter changes are incredibly quick and easy, which is a huge positive when you’re riding and racing regularly.

 

I’ve also started spending some time riding in the sand. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure how the 300 would perform in those conditions, but I’ve come away extremely impressed. The amount of torque this engine produces is remarkable and it’s given me a lot of confidence heading into the next AEC round at Casterton. The bike carries itself really well and never feels like it’s lacking power, even in the deeper sand sections.

 

Aside from regular servicing and oil changes, there haven’t been any major changes to the bike this month. At this point, I’m simply enjoying the seat time and becoming more familiar with the package. The more time I spend on the Sherco, the more I appreciate it.

 

It’s genuinely an underrated motorcycle and I’m looking forward to putting even more hours on it over the coming months.