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Sherco launches 2015 models

French manufacturer Sherco launched their 2015 model range this week at their Royal Hills test track near Realmont in the South of France. 

Sherco was founded in 1998,by Marc Teissier and the brand rapidly carved a niche in the trials market from it's manufacturing base in Caldes de Montbui, Spain

In 2002 Sherco acquired the HRD company and opening their second plant in Nimes devoted exclusively to the production of Enduro machines. Fired by a young company's energy and enthusiasm and backed by painstaking research and development, Sherco has created a range of products of proven quality and durability. They have propelled Graham Jarvis to the top of extreme enduros and - with Jeremy Tarroux and Fabian Planet - they are currently 3rd in the Enduro World Championship manufacturers standings.

The Royal Hills facility is superb location with woodland and MX tracks set back into the trees behind a beautiful rustic farmhouse that over looks a tranquil lake.

The launch was given a suitably thunderous ovation as an electrical storm swept the Midi Pyrenees the night before. It was as if the very forces of nature were required to salute the power of human ingenuity and the rain kept the dust down. 

After an 8.00am breakfast, the Sherco production team laid on a brief Powerpoint presentation outlining the developments they have made over the past year. 

Firstly, Didier Tirard - Enduro Plant Manager - explained that organisation changes within the plant have resulted in a 75% increase in output despite the integration of the new 450 engines and the updating of the 250 4 stroke motors to take the Synerject injection system.

Sherco 250 SE-R

Then Nicholas Lopez (2T Engineering Specialist) explained the new features of the 250/300 2T. The lightweight starting system has been lowered to drop the centre of gravity. Management of the electronic valves has been optimised with a new calibration. New valve springs increase the response in the low and mid ranges. New timing curve developed for the Kokusan Ignition System to provide more power at lower speeds and more responsiveness. An FMF team expansion chamber for the 250cc and 300cc racing versions. The chassis design, fork and yokes are similar to the 4T to optomise front wheel grip. 

Sherco 250 SEF-R

Bastien Bautheac highlighted the changes to the 4 stroke range. The Synerject injection system has been added to the 250cc to improve the response to sudden throttle applications, Synerject is the technical term for the "Help, get me out of here" application, A larger 30mm valve port will optomise cylinder filling and a redesigned camshaft delivers a wider range of power. The 300cc also benefits from a more forgiving cam and mapping. Across the range the teeth on the gear selector shaft have been given more bite. The rear frame and the footrest have been reinforced. Of course the new 450 was the star of the show with it's Synerject injection, Adler clutch, dual overhead camshafts and more compact engine design with a single cog connecting the cams.

Sherco 300 SEF-R

After the technical talk we kitted up and the machines were rolled out for testing. My first test was to find the kickstart and I failed miserably as all the Sherco bikes have electric starts. For a moment I was disappointed but the sense of achievement acquired by starting a machine with a kick paled into insignificance later in the morning when I was balanced precariously on top of a stack of wet logs with a stalled motor and my salvation was under my thumb. I have seen the future and it has a button.

Sherco 250 SE-R

With wet ground and no idea of what lay ahead I opted to begin the day on the 250 four stroke. At 5 foot 9 inches tall I am a giant in Wales but I sometimes struggle to throw my boot over an unfamiliar bike. I had no problem with the Sherco. We fitted together perfectly like kindred spirits - probably because we both share such a low centre of gravity. I pressed the start button and she fired up instantly. Sitting comfortably on the grippy seat I appreciated for the first time how elegantly slim the bike was and how expertly finished. The clutter on the bars of some bikes often appears to be contents of the old Quality Street tin in the garden shed. The Sherco flight deck has been paired down and beautifully crafted. I selected the soft mapping option by flicking the switch under the start button and fell into line.

450 SEF-R

The heavy overnight rain had lightly eroded the path to the top of the hill but the 250 four stroke motor lightly skipping over ruts. Within a couple of hundred yards I felt at home and by the time we had reached the test track my only disappointed was that this was not the start of a long day's trail ride that would have been a real pleasure on the burbling 250. 

The first challenge of the day was a circuit of wet logs. The competition success of Graham Jarvis and David Knight had left me with the irrational belief that the Sherco 300 should be left to the Experts but my namby pamby liberal hatred of prejudice forced me to confront my demons and I reached for the big smoker.  It was a good idea. The surprisingly soft sound emerging from the FMF pipe was accompanied by an equally smooth power delivery although I did not push my luck and the bike was light enough to ease forward off the sump. Jeremy Tarroux had no problems as he breezed passed me with the lightness of the Sirocco.

The next photo opportunity was a loose berm. I selected the 250 4 stroke again which by then had warmed up nicely. It was light and responsive as I planted my boot and spun the rear wheel. It wasn't until I returned the bike to the pack I spotted the 450 decals on the side panel. If you get the chance to ride the new 450 don't let it pass. It will change all your pre-conceptions about big bikes.

We then moved into the trees. The narrow naggery climbs were wet and whooped but the WP front end soaked up the bumps and the 105kg mass was easy to turn when the woodwork came perilously close. After an hour we stopped for lunch. Trundling down the hill my primary reflection on the day was how rideable these bikes had been. A month shy of my 64th birthday I had ridden 5 totally unfamiliar machines over challenging terrain and I had felt completely at ease. I doubt that Sherco are targeting the "grey euro" in their planning but the veteran class is growing and for my money the lean, mean machines from Nime are a great option.

Riding bikes and drinking wine - although not recommended together - have much in common. The ideal is to get the maximum of enjoyment without falling over and - with their new range of 2015 machines - Sherco have laid down an excellent vintage.

For more info and dealers contact http://www.mrsltd.co.uk/ 

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