ADB Tech Ed Mat Boyd tells us what to look out for when buying a 2020 - 2023 Sherco 300 SEF Factory second hand.
The 2020 – 2023 Sherco 300 SEF Factory is a bike that sits well with the Australian racing fans after fellow Aussie Matthew Phillips won the world title on one back in 2016. Since then the bike has gone through some refinements. They are a great mid-sized trail bike that is easy to ride and nimble on the trail. They are a small revvy engine much like the 250 but with more horsepower and torque.
They are not as heavy to ride as a 450 as there is not as much rotating mass in the engine controlling your direction when you are trying to turn. Equally the entire motorcycle is lighter so if you need to pick it up and manoeuvre the bike on the trail, then you don’t need a 200kg back squat in you to do so. The biggest difference is when it comes to changing gears. A 450 will lug through the bush in almost any gear whereas you need to be a little more precise with your gear changes on the 300 to keep it in the right rev range.
The 2020 – 2023 Sherco 300 SEF Factory comes with KYB suspension which is a step above the older WP suspension on the racing models. The WP suspension is set up more on the plush side so sand whoops or rough race tracks aren’t kind to it. If you are a bigger rider or someone looking to go racing then you would have to spend some money on upgrading the suspension to handle it. The KYB suspension is forgiving on the small bumps but progresses through the stroke nicely to handle the bigger bumps without blowing through. Overall the KYB suspension is much more predictable and a better overall setup.
There are more Sherco dealers around now than in the past so finding a dealer and spare parts is easier than it has ever been, especially considering there is now online ordering and you can have the parts shipped to your door. The Sherco is mechanically built well and the family owned company takes pride in building reliable bikes to the best of their ability. They have over the years upgraded the linkage bearings and seals to prolong the service life as well as changed the crankshaft bearings to improve the longevity of the crankshaft.
When looking at a second hand Sherco be sure to do all the same checks you would with any of the other brands. Make sure the bike starts quickly and easily without blowing excessive smoke and make sure the starter clutch does not slip. Make sure the engine does not have any rattles or serious oil leaks. Ask if the bike has any service or repair history and ask if there is any record of how many hours the bike has done.
Any owner who has taken pride in their bike and cared for it should easily be able to run you through the maintenance regime and proof of any repairs. Check all the wheel and frame bearings, check the forks and shock for leaks and ride the bike to make sure the clutch doesn’t slip and the gearbox selects all gears without slipping or jumping out of any gears. Gear box repairs can be costly and so can any major crankshaft or main bearing repairs.
New
2020 $15,390
2021 $15,490
2022 $15,799
2023 $15,999
Second Hand
2020 $10,600 – $12,550
2021 $10,850 – $12,900
2022 $11,500 – $13,650
2023 $11,600 – $13,800
Market Equivalents
20-23 Beta 350 RR Racing
$9,350 – $13,800
20-23 Husqvarna FE 350
$8,800 – $15,450
20-23 Yamaha WR 450F
$9,150 – $14,450
20-23 KTM 350 EXC-F
$9,800 – $16,000