Sherco has had plenty to crow about over the last 26 years since their first bikes back in 1998 and the announcement and launch of their 2025 motorcycles is no different! In mid-June Sherco held the world launch for the 2025 Sherco Enduro Range at an amazing property not far from Lyon.
It is amazing what the Euros will use for a motorcycle launch. Le Hameau de Barboron, is a renovated former Cistercian farmhouse converted into a charming country inn and wedding/function venue set in the rolling hills near Lyon. It once was a place for those with a few screws loose dating back to the 1700s, although I could not confirm or deny this with the French speaking staff. This could have been a prank played by the Euro Journalists.
So the ex-mental asylum was fired back in commission for the media to participate in the international media launch. On the property, Sherco had made a quintessential European grass track test and a short “enduro” loop in the trees at the back of the property with a few short break outs.
The French manufacturer was excited to showcase the latest developments to the Sherco Enduro range. There were rumours leading into the big reveal that there would be an all new two-stroke engine with perhaps fuel injection thrown in to boot but 2025 is not the year we will see those developments made to the Sherco line up. Instead, what Sherco rolled out was an improvement on the whole range with a couple of significant upgrades to the previous year models. There is a long list of changes and improvements from the previous year’s model apart from the most obvious, which is the new bodywork with in-moulded graphics.
First up across the whole range the newly designed airbox and air filter. The tool-less air filter arrangement is larger and has a different fitment to the filter cage with these octopus legs securing it in place. It can be accessed from the side panel making it far easier to change and without tools.
Also of note is the larger air intake hole allowing the bike to breathe better. You would think this might allow mud and water in a lot easier also, but in the extremely damp conditions we had, the bikes did not seem to have much problem in this regard.
The next notable big ticket item (which only applies to the 250 SE) is the brand new gearbox which is manufactured in the new Sherco factory in Nimes (France) and features changes in the gear ratios from third to fifth. Riding the 300 SE and the 250 SE back to back was really interesting and the bike overall felt really strong, and the 250 SE seemed to shift a little nicer.
The four-stroke models sport an all new Akrapovic exhaust system with updated styling and performance as well, while still being compliant to FIM standards. The two-stroke models are fitted with an all new SPES exhaust system which has better ground clearance and tucks in under the bike a little better than the previous year models. The 250 SE sounds epic, really crisp and loads of power. Listening to the 250 SE in the French countryside was a real stand out and it had a solid note.
The 250 and 300 SEF have modifications to the cylinder head which is lighter and now have a reinforced camshaft bearing support which allows the engine to rev higher. The rev limiter on both bikes has moved from 13,700 to 14,000rpm. Not something that we were able to take too much notice of in the tricky, slippery conditions.
Across all the models the chassis has been redesigned which has allowed for weight savings in both the frame and the sub-frame. The main chassis is 250g lighter while the subframe is 254g lighter than the previous model. Situated on top of the chassis is the new damping system between frame and the fuel tank. New 7075 CNC Triple clamps have raised the handlebar position by 5mm adding to that roomier feeling of some of the earlier Shercos.
An entirely new cooling system has been utilized on the 2025 range coming in at 157g lighter improving cooling efficiency by 15%. Stiffer radiator grilles have improved airflow and protection coupled with a new radiator fan which is smaller, lighter and easier to remove.
The fuel pump is now far smaller than the previous generation with a significant weight reduction of 200g on the SEF range while a new fuel tap on the SE range allows for easier access.
Both the 450 and 500 SEF models receive a new swing arm which is 360g lighter and improves traction and feel. Both front and rear wheels receive upgrades to spokes, axles and hubs. The hubs been redesigned for better stiffness and reduced unsprung weight while a new spacer system and mud resistant flanges help protect against water and mud build up. The front wheel package is 650g lighter while the rear wheel package is 310g lighter.
No doubt that is a long list of changes/improvements, but how do they all mount up in the initial ADB test in the hills of the French countryside? There is no way to get around the fact that conditions for the initial test were difficult to say the least and that is what makes it good for getting first impressions of the new motorcycles. Rain fell overnight on the absolutely prime grass track which would have made for some epic dust free conditions, however the rain never quite stopped throughout the day of testing until late in the afternoon.
The grass track which we had the pleasure of using for the morning got slicker and slicker the more we tore the grass from the hillside, which really gave a good idea for front end feel on the off-camber corners. We paused the test from the late morning until the early afternoon, giving the weather the opportunity to play ball and hopefully do miracles. We hoped it would dry out slightly before hitting the trails in the woods at the back of the property but it wasn’t to be and it continued to rain into the afternoon. After flying halfway around the world to ride some dirt bikes, we were not about to pass up the privilege to ride even in the trickier conditions.
The enduro loop was mostly made up of fire trails with a slick single-track test and another downhill single-track. Conditions improved the more laps we rode but it certainly had the same traction as a jelly wrestling pool, well maybe a little more.
So what are the overall thoughts on the 2025 Sherco range? Sherco have been on the come-up for the last 10 or more years. Each year the bikes are revised and improved and with so many great components you can see why they’ve had success on the World Enduro scene along with great results at home in Australia in the AORC and 2023 A4DE!
Overall the entire Sherco range is a blast. There is not a bike in the range you step off and refuse to get back on or would not be stoked to have at home in your own garage. The motors are really strong no matter which size you step on.
Obviously KYB doesn’t mess around and there is a good reason why their suspension features on so many other brands. The front end feel (something that really stood out in the slick and difficult conditions) was exceptional for a stock set up. I wouldn’t say the conditions or track allowed for a large spectrum of rough conditions but the predictability of the front end on the grass track and in the rocky fire trails was really noticeable.
The MY25 range is evidence that the French motorcycle brand continues to move forward year on year, producing quality machinery that is putting their racers at the front of the enduro field in Europe and in Australia.
WHAT WE LIKED
The ergonomics were nice but not a stand-out or a detraction from the bikes. The stand-out components of the entire Sherco range starting with the most obvious are, the exhaust on both two and four-stroke bikes which are solid. KYB suspension goes without saying but the real stand-outs were the motors on the 300 SEF and 250 SE. Which with the use of the mapping switch are both absolutely perfect. We loved the tool free ease of access to the air filter with the new air box.
WHAT WE DID NOT LIKE SO MUCH?
It’s a short list, and I’m not really sure that they are worth too much of a mention, but maybe an observation. Firstly, the FIM rear tyre was not really the right tool for the job in the slippery grass track conditions. The new location for the fuel pump on the four-stroke models seems to be a little exposed, I wonder if there is an aftermarket part that could help protect this in the near future?
I mentioned the new air box, but I’m not sure if changing a filthy air filter may cause problems similar to the 2024 KX450 or not? At the test the air box was quite easy to use but the slide in feature of the filter seems to be problematic, although I would love to get the opportunity to try it out in “real world conditions”.
SO WHAT WOULD WE BE TAKING HOME?
The first time I had the opportunity to ride a Sherco was back in 2015 and the pick of the bunch was the 300 SEF and my opinion is still the same, although the bike has changed so much in that time. The 300 SEF is still the all-round stand out for me. Maybe it was the conditions we had during the test but the bike is enough.
That statement might be underwhelming but overall the bike does everything so well. What it lacks in grunt in power of the 450 and 500 it makes up in spades with handling, traction and the ability to get the power to the ground.
Having said that, I am fond of the 250 SE for similar reasons to the 300 SEF. The power delivery is strong but not overbearing. The exhaust sound is amazing, but the real stand out is the light handling and good feel from the KYB suspension.
KYB suspension features on so many bikes these days and for good reason. Obviously the settings are different between manufacturers but Sherco has adapted the settings well to their range. Although I feel the suspension worked better on the four-stroke range on this day, but the lighter two-stoke 250 and 300 SE seemed a little skatier on the front end tipping into slick off camber turns.
WORDS | GUY STREETER
