The carb’d 2024 Sherco 300 SE Factory smoker is just the thing for hard enduro. We get our Enduro Editor Geoff Braico to swing a leg over it.
Fine-tuning was the name of the game for the 2024 Sherco 300 SE Factory two-stroke and realistically, it’s not a bad thing. The brands flagship two-stroke enduro weapon has been an extremely popular bike among riders all over the world and for 2024, they’ve made a bunch of small updates with the intentions of making the ride more compliant and more comfortable for the rider. With the 300 two-strokes making so much power, it’s very important that they are rideable and over the years, Sherco have done a great job in developing this bike and achieving this and it’s obvious that they have got the hard enduro side of things dialled in because you see this bike conquering those kinds of events all over the place.
As far as updates go, the new grey and blue colour scheme is a winner for me and coupled with the new frame colour, updated headlight and front mudguard designs, I reckon the 2024 models are the best looking Sherco’s ever. They’ve also shaved a bit of weight of each bike in the range with a lighter swingarm and wheelset. And finally, the 250/300 two-stroke bikes receive new engine mounts which are claimed to reduce engine vibration which is always a good thing on these big bore machines.
OUT ON THE TRACK
I don’t know how many times I’ve said this in the past, but I think one of the reasons I enjoy riding this bike as much as I do is the sound. I’m not sure how they do it, but the exhaust note of the 300 SE in stock trim is about as good as it gets. It’s hard to explain but the best I can do is that it sounds exactly how a two-stroke should.
The bike fires up immediately at the touch of the button and being one of the few brands to still have a carburetted 300 two-stroke, the Sherco Australia guys had the jetting spot on. The bike was running clean and crisp right through the rev range and that makes me happy.
I set off on our loop and with the weather not being kind to us on the day of riding, the track was slick and waterlogged. That didn’t seem to faze the 300 SE as it happily made its way around the track with no issues and honestly, it was a pleasure to ride. The motor on this bike is extremely fast yet it does its best work at low rpm, and I was incredibly impressed with the ability to crawl over the obstacles with little to no effort and with no worry that the bike would ever stall.
I was reminded of why these bikes are so popular among the hard enduro crowd, as they eat up the technical terrain. I tried to stall the bike and I played around on logs and off camber stuff for a while and made it out of each situation with ease. The bike also has very little, if none at all, vibration thanks to the internal balancer and new engine mounts.
The Sherco powerplant is strong and grunty and the 36mm Keihen carb combined with the electronically controlled power valve unit offers an incredibly clean running and smooth power delivery. I have heard whispers of an injected Sherco two-stroke in the works, but fingers crossed they keep the trusty Keihen on there, it’s just that nice to ride. The traction that this bike gets at low rpm is awesome and as I mentioned above, makes it fun to just play ride around on the thing.
While it’s great in the slow and technical stuff, I found that 2nd and 3rd gear single line stuff is where this bike is right at home too. The motor has no problem is riding in 3rd gear in and out of corners and the power is linear enough to not wear you out. Don’t worry, if you’re chasing some high-speed thrills, there’s plenty up top too. The bike revs out as clean as you want, and the motor keeps pulling and pulling. It’s a seriously fast bit of gear and like I said, the sound is delightful.
As with all of the Sherco range, KYB suspension is at the helm, and we all know how good they are. I believe that these bikes have grown and evolved with the change to KYB in a big way. The 48mm closed cartridge fork is super plush and forgiving and while they are on the firmer side of the spectrum, I really like the feel that they offer.
They give me the confidence to ride the bike at a faster pace, yet they don’t beat you up after a long day in the saddle. I really like this front end and I feel like I can put the bike wherever I want, whenever I want. It happily tips into ruts and even in the slick testing conditions, I found that I could trust the front through all the sections.
The KYB rear works well and offers a comfortable ride and like the forks, feels firm but doesn’t beat you up. It has no trouble assisting in delivery all of the 300cc into the dirt and gets incredible drive out of corners. I was very impressed with the bike’s traction in the muddy conditions and the KYB seems to just work with this bike.
The ergos of the bike are actually very comfortable and the whole bike feels super narrow and small between the legs. I think that’s a big part as to what makes this bike feel so easy to ride in the technical stuff and so easy to move around on the track.
Sherco also have the mud/race map switch on the bars and being muddy, I played around between the two and the difference in power delivery is surprisingly noticeable. I can see why certain riders would choose the mud map but for me, even with the slick trails, I still preferred the race map. I am also a huge fan of the Brembo brakes. Of course, I am yet to meet someone who isn’t a fan of the incredible feel and power that they offer but with the bike being as fast as it is it’s nice to know that you can stop on a dime.
The fit and finish of the ’24 Sherco’s is pretty awesome too with Michelin tyres, billet alloy clamps, AXP bash plate, gripper seat and a massive 10.4L clear fuel tank so you can hear the sweet sound all day!
FINAL THOUGHT
Sherco have an awesome machine in their 300 SE and with the small refinements they’ve made for 2024, it keeps getting better. The bike is extremely easy to ride, and the motor gives you confidence to tackle anything the ride throws at you, even the gnarliest hill climb. I really like how clean this bike ran and I hope that we never lose that torquey feel that a carby 300 two-stroke offers. The KYB suspension is a standout for these bikes and just like the motor, the action of the forks and shock offers a comfortable and confidence inspiring ride that will keep you smiling all day.
2024 SHERCO 300 SE FACTORY
ENGINE
Type Single-cylinder, two-stroke with anti-vibration balancer and SBS electronically-controlled exhaust valve
Displacement 293.14cc
Bore & Stroke 72mm x 72mm
Cooling Liquid-cooled with radiator thermo fan and expansion tank
Fuel metering 36mm Keihin PWK carburettor with VForce4R reed valve system
Tank capacity 10.4 litres
Transmission Six-speed sequential gearbox
Clutch Brembo hydraulic multi-disc in oil bath
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1480mm
Seat height 950mm (930mm with optional low seat
Ground clearance 355mm
Claimed weight NA
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm KYB closed-cartridge fork, fully adjustable with model-specific settings, 300mm travel
REAR 50mm KYB shock absorber, 18mm shaft, fully adjustable with model-specific settings, 330mm travel
BRAKES
Front Brembo hydraulic, 260mm Galfer disc
Rear Brembo hydraulic, 220mm Galfer solid rear disc
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Oxia
Front tyre Michelin Enduro Medium
Rear tyre Michelin Enduro Medium
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $15,249
BROWSER sherco.com.au
BLOWER 03 83631600
Warranty 6 months
WORDS | GEOFF BRAICO
PHOTOS | MITCH LEES
