Straight off the showroom floor the 2023 Sherco 250 SE Factory is equipped with a long list of premium components. Here's how it goes.
Just when I thought all hope was lost for the 250cc two-stroke, I attended the 2023 Sherco launch and got to ride the 2023 Sherco 250 SE Factory.
Straight off the showroom floor the 2023 Sherco 250 SE Factory is loaded with impressive parts. New racing-inspired graphics kit with in-mould technology, class leading 48mm KYB closed-cartridge fork, 50mm KYB shock absorber with 18mm shaft and fully adjustable with model specific settings, robust SPES plated pipe with FES aluminium silencer, 36mm Keihin PWK carburettor with Vforce4R reed valve system, anti-vibration balancer, SBS electronically controlled power valve, radiator thermo fan with expansion tank , EXCEL Takasago rims, trick black-anodised billet triple clamps, heavy-duty 6mm AXP HDPE bash plate, grippy diamond-pattern Selle Dalla Valle seat and effective dual-map switch.
Jumping onto the 2023 Sherco 250 SE Factory it had the same ergonomic feel as the rest of the Sherco enduro models, as in the low bend OXIA handlebar, flat seat profile and flat foot-pegs. The exhaust note of this 250 two-stroke is quite unique and easily one of the best I have heard. Part of this is from the electronic controlled power valve and the way it helps the engine build revs at a very controlled rate. Our test area was the off-road section at Broadford Motorcycle complex and seeing it was at the end of summer, conditions were dry and slippery. It only took me a handful of corners to start gelling with this package.
The power that this engine produces is perfect for my 80kg body. It has really strong bottom-end power that was happily lugging at very low revs. In the mid-range the power definitely perks up and becomes a lot zippier and up top it felt quite at home being revved a lot. The overall feel of this engine was impressive as it runs so clean and is capable of building revs at a very smooth gradual pace or blasting out of a berm on a motocross track.
I played around with the hard/soft map settings, and it was cool to feel quite a noticeable difference in power between both. The more powerful hard map was ultimately my overall favourite. Another stand out feature on this engine is the clutch connection and feel, in technical terrain it gave perfect pinpoint feel when on and off the clutch.
SUSPENSION PACKAGE
Overall, the feel I got from both ends of the KYB suspension is firm and racy, as the faster I rode it the better both ends felt. It felt ready to go straight into an AORC race or even spin laps at your local MX track. The only time I would want to soften both ends up would be for a long day’s trail ride. Even with the firm feeling suspension package it was impressive and very confidence inspiring.
Both ends of the bike have a very planted and settled feeling even on slippery dusty terrain. Picking lines and railing turns was as good as it gets on this bike, thanks to it feeling very light in action which makes it very easy to change direction or turn a tight line. Just like all other Sherco’s I have ridden this one is also very stable in a straight line, it makes charging down bumpy straights a joy.
The standard Michelin enduro comp tyres provide great traction and feel in all conditions. I know standard FIM tyres have a bad reputation throughout the general riding population, but don’t expect these ones to provide anything but great traction and feel.
What can I say about the Brembo brakes other than perfect? This model of front and rear Brembo disc brakes have been, in my opinion, the best brake’s for a lot of years and they still are.
So, could this 250cc enduro bike be king again like the 250s of eras gone by?
You bet, but it has plenty of if’s and but’s. For example, in hard enduro the scene is currently dominated by 300cc two strokes, however if you put an 80kg or less rider on this 250 SE there is no reason it could not beat everything else.
The engine produces more than enough controllable bottom end power and torque to tackle the trickiest of terrain and hills. It produces minimal engine inertia making it feel super light and you can get carried away with your throttle hand without it wearing you out. If we compare it to the current mid-capacity four-strokes that seem to have taken over as top dog in the enduro scene on selected terrain, like hard pack and greasy shiny mud, you will definitely give away a bit of rear wheel traction and drive compared to the thumpers. On most other off-road terrain situations you can potentially take advantage of the 250 SE to keep out front.
The 250 SE may not be that much lighter than a thumper on the scales however, it feels a good 10kg lighter in action. This helps to keep fatigue at a minimum, meaning you can charge harder for longer. This also makes switching up lines on rough track easier and because it feels so light you can pull it up so much easier in hard braking situations.
Also a big positive in my opinion is the fact that this bike is still a carburettor fed engine and quite possibly one of the last we will see in production, seeing that most manufacturers are heading towards EFI versions. The upside of a carburettor fed engine is how simple they are to tune. Providing you know how to use a screwdriver, a 6mm socket and can read small numbers on a jet they are very easy to tune and work on. The carburettor is also very reliable and if you do happen to get any dirt in it you only need a screwdriver and socket to clean it and be back in action.
So providing you are not afraid to stray from the masses this bike could easily give you everything you need to run at the front of the pack in all kinds of off-road races. If riding is all about the fun factor for you, I’d suggest this bike, as I had a smile on my face every second that I rode it.
WHO DOES IT SUIT BEST?
As much as I think that this bike is one very impressive package and super capable in a wide variety of terrain, this will not be the same case for everyone else. If you are a racer who likes everything from hard enduro, enduro and local motocross this bike could easily be the one for you. My one bit of advice is that you should be under the 90kg mark on the scales.
As zippy as this engine is I don’t see a 90kg plus rider having as much fun on this 250cc as I do. The cool thing about these engines is providing you keep fresh air filters and gearbox oil up to them they will go forever. I witnessed this first hand with the 250 SE ADB long term test bike I had in 2021.
Specs
ENGINE
Type Single cylinder, two-stroke
Displacement 249.32cc
Bore & stroke 66.40mm x 72mm
Cooling Liquid cooled with radiator thermo fan and expansion tank
Compression ratio N/A
Fuel metering 36mm Keihin PWK carburettor
Tank capacity 10.4 litres
Transmission Six-speed sequential, primary gears and chain
Clutch Brembo hydraulic multi-disc in oil bath
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1480mm
Seat height 950mm
Ground clearance 355mm
Claimed Weight N/A
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm KYB closed-cartridge, fully adjustable
REAR 50mm KYB shock, fully adjustable with model specific settings
BRAKES
Front Brembo hydraulic 260mm Galfer disc
Rear Brembo hydraulic 220mm Galfer disc
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Oxia oversized
Front tyre Michelin enduro medium 90/90-21
Rear tyre Michelin enduro medium 140/80-18
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $14,999
BROWSER www.Sherco.com.au
BLOWER 03 83631600
Warranty 6 Months
Words | Ben Grabham