It is no secret that the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF Factory is a crowd favorite. ADB has had a long term test 2024 300 SEF Factory which has been put to work with Geoff Braico and has had nothing but positive feedback and plenty of fun. ADB was lucky enough to get the call up for the international launch of the 2025 Sherco range, We packed our bags before asking permission from the missus and headed over to France for the anticipated launch from the French manufacturer. There was a lot of hype around the 2025 launch as it was expected there would be some big developments in the two-stroke offerings as well as some major updates to the rest of the Sherco fleet.
We arrived to a picturesque location in the rolling hills outside of Lyon. A retired mental institution converted into a wedding and events venue nestled into the hills. It was surrounded by the most epic grass track you could hope to find along with a densely wooded hillside. It seemed pretty fitting, a bunch of nut job journos roaming the hills behind the old mental asylum.
When the covers were peeled off the enduro range the international journos were well impressed as we all got the run down on the major updates for the 2025 models. Unfortunately for the two-stroke lovers the fuel injection was omitted from the 2025 bikes, but there was a heap of updates and improvements for the entire range. Overnight we could take in the changes to the new bikes and prepare for the following day of riding the epic hillside grass track and the reasonably tame enduro test in the woods.
Overnight we had a consistent downpour which turned into a persistent drizzle throughout the morning and continued all day. A pretty fitting and somewhat iconic European experience. Although untouched and freshly bunted the track was looking more and more slippery as the morning continued and got closer to us hitting the trails.
Somehow as luck would have it the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF Factory was the first bike which was available for me and the first three or four laps had the most traction before the grass had been pushed to the side leaving a fairly slick mud/grass “race line” around the entire track. This quickly reaffirmed how good the 300 SEF is, right off the bat the bike feels comfortable, fast and tractable, with smooth power. Sure the 250 SEF is relatively smooth in similarities but it lacks that little bit extra and you have to work a little bit harder to achieve what the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF Factory does with ease.
We can get back to the riding and experience later in the wrap up, so what actually is new for 2025? Although the talking points from Sherco were not about a massive drop in weight for the overall bike, it was certainly a focus in every aspect of the bike.
Starting with the frame, 250g has been dropped from the overall weight of the frame which sports a lower tube geometry and lighter engine mount bolts. The steering head tube is also lighter and has improved front wheel feel due to the increase in flex. The triple clamps are now machined with a 5mm raised handle bar position, the steering head lock has been updated along with new and improved bearing seals with a new dampening system for the fuel tank.
A new subframe which is 254g lighter has been designed to allow a completely new air box with tool-less access and a slide in and out air filter. Also there’s a new shock mounting point along with a lower chain guide update. New Galfer brake discs along with Brembo calipers and master cylinders are fitted both front and rear.
On the power producing side of the things the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF Factory now revs to 14,000 RPM which is 300rpm higher than its predecessor and sings through an all new Akrapovic exhaust system. Feeding the 2025 engine is a 200g lighter fuel pump which is now more compact and gives better fuel regulation. A new tilt sensor has been fitted to the MY25 models and cuts the engine five seconds after a crash.
The wiring harness has been redesigned reducing weight by 210g, and allowing updated routing which means the battery and relays are now accessible via the side access to the air box. The cooling system has had an overhaul as well, is 157g lighter and the efficiencies of the radiators are increased by 15% with improved radiator grilles for both strength and air flow. The fan is now smaller, lighter and easier to remove.
Leaving the more obvious to last, new plastics and in-mould graphics freshen up the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF Factory along with new lights and side frame protectors, bigger hand and fork guards. There’s also a new dash arrangement, new linkage bolts which are lighter and only need one tool to remove them due to the new head design, a new skid plate with improved fixing points making it easier to remove and fit the skid plate, and lastly a new side stand which sports a larger base.
One thing that hasn’t changed significantly is the suspension. KYB is fitted front and rear, as with the previous model and is the reason for stability and predictability. KYB is used on a few enduro bikes and Sherco have adapted the settings specifically for their bikes, and they have done a good job at making them really good for any level of rider.
Ok, now getting back to how the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF performed in the tricky conditions. As mentioned earlier we were fortunate enough to enjoy the 300 SEF in the best possible conditions that the grass track offered on the day. The track had plenty of off camber tight and open corners scattered from start to finish with the odd chicane. The bike really felt solid under braking and changes of direction as the smooth characteristics of the engine really helped to keep good overall corner speed and traction.
The suspension offered really good feel in stock trim. We didn’t get to play too much with clickers as much as we would have liked, as track time on the grass track was cut short with the constant rain. Sherco were I believe, trying to keep the bikes in one piece as well as saving the track for the journalists testing on the following day. It turned out we might have had first crack at the new bikes, but we were not so fortunate to have the track in the prime conditions that they experienced on the following day to our test.
Getting back to the KYB fork, the initial part of the stroke is where the confidence is found. Braking and loading up the initial stroke of the fork really helped in the tricky and slippery conditions, to find that point of grip where there wasn’t too much grip to be found. It also meant that the bike gave you enough feedback before you eventually found the point where there was no longer any front end grip.
As mentioned the grass track was picturesque and didn’t feature any large holes or rougher sections. However there was a wooded section which was a mild enduro test loop which featured a number of fast climbs, straights and a short muddy downhill single track which proved to be more of a 200 metre slot car track. There were plenty of rocks, holes, roots, ruts and ever changing conditions in that short loop. The suspension we found worked just as well in the more unpredictable conditions as it did on the predictably slippery grass track. Overall the suspension was more confidence inspiring rather than leaving you wondering where your talent went.
Wrapping up, the 2025 Sherco 300 SEF is more of the same, but slightly better than the previous years’ model. The slight updates to the suspension and motor are not what you are going to be worried about.
The fact that there is a new air box design with tool-less access via the side panel is just the start of what will impress you as a Sherco owner. The updated bearings and seals, improved cooling system, new exhaust, ease of access to things like the skid plate etc. are all noteworthy. These are the things that Sherco have been focusing on and making the experience of owning a Sherco that much better. I mean just consider the air box, come on, who wants to have to take the whole seat off and squeeze a filter full of filter oil through the top of the subframe coated in dust and oil from 4 rides ago?
To sum it up you are getting more of what you like from the Sherco brand in the 300 SEF and with a better overall owning experience.
2025 SHERCO 300 SEF FACTORY
ENGINE
Type Single cylinder, four-stroke DOHC, four-valve
Displacement 303.68cc
Bore & Stroke 84mm x 54.8mm
Cooling Liquid-cooled with radiator thermo fan and expansion tank
Compression ratio NA
Fuel metering Synerject digital electronic fuel injection
Tank capacity 9.8 Litres
Transmission Six-speed
Clutch Brembo hydraulic, multi-disc in oil bath
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1480mm
Seat height 950mm
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 brake system with Galfer 260mm disc
Rear Brembo hydraulic brake system with Galfer 220mm disc
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar NA
Front tyre 21 inch Michelin Enduro Medium tyre
Rear tyre 18 inch Michelin Enduro Medium tyre
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $$17,490
BROWSER Sherco.com.au
BLOWER 03 83631600
Warranty 6 months
