French engineers can build more than just steel towers. We test the 2024 Sherco 300 SEF Factory.
It’s always an exciting time when a manufacturer releases a new model bike for us to play on and this time, it’s Sherco that has thrown their name in the mix. MY24 sees the French brand offer a brand new 2024 Sherco 300 SEF Factory four-stroke machine and boy are they excited about their work. Aimed at being the brands perfect all-round offroad machine, the 2024 Sherco 300 SEF Factory is their only mid-sized four-stroke.
They’re making these bikes for someone chasing a lightweight bike that still has plenty of power to keep them smiling every time they throw a leg over it. I think the word I’m actually looking for is that the 2024 Sherco 300 SEF Factory is the brand’s ‘fun’ bike. I don’t know about anyone else but the older I get, the more I just want to hop on a bike and have fun with my mates. The stopwatch doesn’t seem to come out as much anymore, but I still love to push hard, go fast and have fun. So, is the 2024 Sherco 300 SEF Factory that bike?
The 300 SEF has had a pretty successful racing year in 2023 with Tasmanian rider Jonte Reynders taking his 300 SEF to the outright win at the A4DE in WA as well as multiple rounds of the AORC series. It was an impressive showing from Jonte and there’s no doubt that with this new bike, he is set to be a stronger contender for the title in 2024. I have been fortunate to be a part of the Australian Sherco team effort a few years back and they were pushing hard back then to get to the top so it’s cool to see their hard work paying off. They’re super excited about this new bike and I couldn’t wipe the smile off team boss man Derek’s face when he first introduced me to the machine.
FASTER AND LIGHTER FOR 2024.
The engineers within the French brand have certainly been busy over the last few years and they have completely relaunched their 300 four-stroke motor platform. New everything is not an easy feat that’s for sure. On first glance, you can see that the new MY24 motor platform is much smaller and more compact than that of the MY23. The Sherco engineers have put a lot of time and energy focusing on not only making the engine faster, but more rideable and reliable for the customer.
They have updated the crankcases and cylinder head which they claim has a more compact construction that boasts a much-improved lubrication system as well to keep the new powerplant nice and cool. In order to boost up the bikes performance, they have beefed up the throttle body from 38.5mm to 42mm to give the 300 some more pep in its step and updated the titanium valves to cope with the higher performance engine, revving out now to 13,700rpm. A new gear position sensor has been added as well to ensure the perfect amount of power and torque for every gear change.
There is also redesigned clutch housing and a new engine counter balancer shaft inside the motor which is lighter than previous models which helps reduce vibration and engine braking. All up, Sherco are claiming an increase in power of between four to six horsepower which is awesome news for us riders.
In the handling department, Sherco have entrusted the good folks at KYB to keep their bikes steering straight and getting all that power from the new motor into the dirt. A KYB 48mm twin chamber fork is up front and they are known for being a super solid and predictable package. The 50mm KYB shock is also known for its predictability and rider friendly nature, so I’d say, riders are in good hands. It too has an upgraded 18mm shaft with dampening settings set for each size bike so it should be a bit more forgiving on those big hits.
I am also a big fan of the super clean and exotic Akrapovic exhaust system that comes standard on all Sherco four-strokes. Those things are at the top of the bling list and when they get hot and the titanium goes that factory blue colour, it’s enough to make any die-hard bike guy smile like a child.
The bike also has a new extruded aluminium swingarm as opposed to the previous models die cast swingarm and is 200g lighter and stronger as well. The wheels have been updated too and are the super strong Excel rims with Michelin tyres also claimed to be stronger and lighter than the 2023 models. It seems pretty obvious that Sherco have gone all out with this bike and I was super excited to get out and ride it.
OUT ON THE TRACK
Our test loop was a good one and had a mixture of everything. Fast straights, elevation, tight turns and there were a few fun ruts to tip the big 300 into. Throw in the fact that we had a big downpour in the morning and some steady rain during the day, and the track was primed and ready to go.
Sitting on the 300 SEF, the bike feels very small and sleek. I remember the old days when Sherco’s first started to hit Aussie shores and the bike could not have felt any more foreign. The bars were so high, and they had a weird rider triangle. Those days are long gone now thankfully.
The seat is flat but still very comfortable and the general riding position is very comfortable. I’m 181cm tall and I’d say the bike is a little on the compact side for me, but I really like that feel. The tank and shrouds are slim, and the bars are a flat bend which again makes the bike feel small and compact.
Firing the beast up, the Akro exhaust is quiet and again, the older I get, the more I appreciate this trait. The new motor seems to run very freely, and the bike has a distinctive whistle in the motor that’s kind of unique. I set off on the loop and I immediately noticed the new motor has less engine braking and more power on tap than before. The motor is actually quite strong, and I think because the exhaust is quiet that I was feeling like I wasn’t going that fast.
However, once I started getting to know the track and the bike a bit more with each passing lap, I realized that this new motor platform is a deceptively fast. It likes to be revved and seems to respond better to being ridden more on the aggressive side.
Don’t worry if you’re a short shift kind of guy though, the 300SEF will happily do that. The bottom end power is solid, but the mid-range is where the bike is in its element. It’s super rider friendly too and I found myself cutting lap after lap without getting too tired. I think that is why this size motorcycle is such a welcoming bike for riders who are chasing the fun side of it all.
I could ride at 75-80% pace comfortably and not really get that tired. The bike is light on the trail and the power it produces is linear and easy to manage. There is a map switch on the right side of the bars that has a race and mud map and for me, it was race map all day long. Set that the switch to the right and go for gold.
I was also impressed with the tractability of the motor even when revving it right out it seemed to not wheel spin or do anything out of the ordinary. I was really happy with the Akro exhaust when on song too.
YAY OR NAY ON THE KYB?
For me, I’m a big yay on the KYB. Something about how the feel of a KYB equipped bike seems to breed confidence and the 300 SEF is no exception. The overall feel of the bike is firm, possibly a little firm for some riders, but for what I’m chasing in a bike, I was stoked. The 48mm twin chamber KYB fork is firm yet progressive and seems to handle just about everything I threw at it with ease.
Smaller bumps, rocks and roots kind of go unnoticed and I had no trouble tipping into corners with plenty of confidence. I did slide the fork through a little bit to make the bike a bit longer as I found it was steering in a little into ruts but once I slid the forks through, I had no problems.
As I said earlier, the bike feels small under you and just like Sherco have claimed it to have, I feel like I can flick the thing around like a mountain bike through some sections. Standing up and transferring my weight from side to side felt easy and again, I had lots of confidence in the front end. The KYB rear shock also seems to have the same traits as the fork and just does things right. It gets awesome traction and puts all 300cc of newly made power and torque through the rear nicely.
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed when riding a bigger bore bike like a 450 or 500, you’ll have a few moments here and there where the extra power and weight can lead the bike to kind of step out or be unsettled. Not the 300 SEF, between the rider friendly motor and the KYB package, I felt like the bike never got out of shape or did anything scary. I was impressed.
As expected, the Brembo brakes stop on a dime and have amazing feel. Damn, I wish all bikes had these brakes. Air filter access is through a dzus clip in the seat and the air filter is tool-less however, you still must unscrew the cage which can be a little painful. The tank is clear and a whopping 9.7L which is awesome because the bike seemed to use hardly any fuel during the day. The quality of the build seems very solid and top shelf with its trick black billet triple clamps, chunky baseplate, Michelin tyres, gripper seat, thermo fan and in-mould graphics.
It’s also worth noting that Sherco only do the Factory version now, they have stopped doing the ‘standard’ editions. I think it’s pretty awesome that these bikes come standard with Akro exhaust and good KYB suspension and they are pretty reasonably priced at $15,749RRP for what’s included.
FINAL THOUGHT
I thoroughly enjoyed riding this bike. I enjoyed it a few years ago when they first started producing the 300 but this new motor platform and KYB suspension is night and day better than the previous model and definitely fits the bill of an all-round FUN offroad machine. If you someone out there looking for a change in machinery and want something that won’t wear you out and you can ride all day, the Sherco 300 SEF is something you should consider for sure. It’s light, it’s got great power, is super playful out on the track, has great suspension and most importantly, will make you smile.
2024 SHERCO 300 SEF
ENGINE
Type Single-cylinder, four-stroke, DOHC, four valve
Displacement 303.68cc
Bore & Stroke 84mm x 54.8mm
Cooling Liquid-cooled, radiator thermo fan, expansion tank
Compression ratio NA
Fuel metering Synerject digital electronic fuel injection
Tank capacity 9.7L
Transmission Six-speed
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, 300mm travel
REAR 50mm KYB shock, 18mm shaft, fully adjustable, 330mm travel
BRAKES
Front Brembo hydraulics, Galfer 260mm disc
Rear Brembo hydraulics, Galfer 220mm disc
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Oxia
Front tyre 21” Michelin Enduro Medium
Rear tyre 18” Michelin Enduro Medium
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $15,749RRP plus delivery charges
BROWSER sherco.com.au/
WARRANTY 12 months parts and labour
WORDS | GEOFF BRAICO
PHOTOS | MITCH LEES