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Sherco
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Sherco is a French motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorbikes. Sherco are best known for their extremely popular trials bikes, although they also make enduro and supermoto bikes.
Key Information
The company was founded in 1998, and currently has two production facilities. A factory in Caldes de Montbui, Spain, some 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Barcelona is where the company's trials bikes are manufactured. Enduro and supermoto bikes are built at a factory in Nîmes, France.[1]
The name, Sherco, derives from the amalgamation of two words, Bultaco and Sherpa, that harks back to the company's origins. The Barcelona factory, that was founded in 1998, specializes in the trial category, while the French factory, which was established in 2003, specializes in the rest of the production.
It was 1999 before the first trials bike rolled of the production line. It brought together all the best components from its rival manufacturers. So good in fact was the initial design, that the main chassis design was not changed until 2006; 7 years after its conception, and the engine was not drastically changed until 2011, which in the fast changing world of trials motorcycle evolution, is a long time.
The Sherco trials range is available in a wide range of engine sizes, including: 80cc (called the 0.8), 125cc (1.25), 200cc (2.0), 250cc (2.5), 272cc (called the 2.9 for marketing purposes) and 300cc (3.0 Cabestany replica of 2010) 2-stroke machines. Sherco also introduced a 320cc (3.2) 4-stroke engine in 2005. Sherco added the prefix initials ST to the engine range in 2009 to signify the trials motorcycle range, rather than the SE enduro and SU supermoto bikes now available.
In 2006, Sherco modified the tuning of the 2.9, 272cc, model; making a more mellow throttle response for better grip in wet conditions. This was done by increasing the volume of the cylinder head combustion chamber (lowering the compression ratio) and reducing the cross section area of the transfer ports. Other changes including the new chassis (now painted black rather than chrome plated), new gearbox ratios and a new front fork manufacturer. All these changes made the 2006 Sherco more usable for more riders. 2006 also saw the introduction of a Cabestany replica 2.9 model with limited edition graphics.
In 2009, Sherco introduced the Sherco R; a commercially available version of Albert Cabestany's works machine available in 2.9 (2-stroke) and 3.2 (4-stroke) models, which, among other modifications, included: a titanium exhaust front pipe, high compression cylinder head, keihin carburettor and numerous carbon fibre components.
2010 saw a Sherco radically change the look of their trials motorcycles by relocating some of the motorcycle's key components. This lateral thinking saw the fuel tank and the air inlet box swap places, allowing the weight of the fuel to be lower down, lowering and moving the centre of gravity down and further back, while the relocated air box meant a cleaner supply of air for the engine. 2010 also saw Sherco bring back the Cabestany replica; last seen in 2006. Based on the 2010 bike, the Cabestany replica now had a 300cc engine, which had never been commercially available before (works machines only), a new Dellorto VHST 28mm carburettor, a new blue frame colour scheme and a titanium front exhaust pipe.This motorcicyle make Michal Gavula v Petrovciach
Sherco Logo Meaning
[edit]The Sherco logo serves as a visual representation of the company's pillars: innovation, quality, and performance in the off-road motorbike industry. Its dynamic and robust visual identity resembles the characteristics embodied by Sherco's motorcycles—innovative, high-performing, and synonymous with excellence.[2]
Sherco Racing Factory Team
[edit]Emma Bristow From the Great Britain - Woman Trial GP. She won the FIM World Women's Trials Championship in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
Jeroni Fajardo From Spain - Men Trial GP. He was Member of TDN Winning Spanish Team in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019.
Mario Roman From Spain - Enduro Rider. His achievements include winning the EL INKA hard enduro 2019 - Peru, Hell's Gate Metzeler 2018, Alestrem 2018, Toyota Porto Extreme XL Lagares, in Portugal 2019, tenth edition of Sea to Sky and so on.
Wade Young From South Africa - Enduro Rider. His achievements include winning Hell's Gate 2016 in Italy, King Of The Hill 2017 in Romania, Roof of Africa 2017 in Lesotho, Extreme XL Lagares 2017 in Portugal, Wildwood Rock Extreme 2017 in Australia, Sea To Sky 2018 in Turkey, the Enduro de LicqAtherey 2018 in France, Red-Bull Megawatt 2018 in Poland, Red-Bull Romans 2018 in Romania, and Machete Hard Enduro 2018 in the Dominican Republic.
Lorenzo Santolino From Spain - Rally Rider. His achievements include 2021 6th Dakar Rally, 2015 3rd world Enduro championship E1 Class, 2010 Junior world enduro GP champion, 5 Times Spanish Enduro champion and so on.
Rui Goncalves From Portuguese - Rally Rider. His achievements include 2021 19th Dakar rally and 2020 21th Andalucia Rally.
References
[edit]- http://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/trials_magazine_july_august_2010_ezine_public/4, issue 22, July–August 2010, p. 6
- ^ "Company - Sherco". Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ Abish, Maria. "Sherco".
External links
[edit]
Sherco
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development
Sherco was founded in 1998 by Marc Teissier and Andreu Codina, both experienced former trials riders, with the primary motivation to develop high-performance off-road motorcycles centered on the trials discipline.[1][4] The company originated as a French enterprise, establishing its headquarters in Nîmes, France, to leverage the region's engineering expertise in motorcycle design.[5] From the outset, Teissier and Codina aimed to create bikes that addressed the specific needs of trials competitors, drawing directly from their own riding backgrounds to prioritize agility, balance, and rider control.[1] The brand name "Sherco" emerged from the founders' homage to historic Spanish motorcycle marques, combining "Sher" from the Bultaco Sherpa model and "Co" from Bultaco, reflecting influences from classic trials machinery that inspired their vision.[5] Initial production focused exclusively on trials motorcycles and began that same year at a dedicated facility in Caldes de Montbui, Spain, approximately 30 kilometers north of Barcelona, a location chosen for its proximity to established trials manufacturing traditions and skilled workforce.[1][5] In 1999, Sherco launched its debut model, the ST 2.5, a 250cc two-stroke trials motorcycle featuring a lightweight chassis and a five-speed transmission optimized for technical terrain navigation.[1] The first unit, numbered 0001, was sold at the Swiss Trial event, marking the brand's entry into competitive markets and quickly gaining attention for its responsive handling.[1] As a small-scale, family-run operation in its early years, Sherco operated with limited resources, relying heavily on direct input from riders and testers to refine designs and ensure real-world performance.[4] This hands-on approach helped the company navigate initial production hurdles while building a reputation for rider-centric innovation. By the early 2000s, Sherco began exploring diversification into enduro models to broaden its off-road portfolio.[5]Key Milestones and Expansions
In 2002, Sherco expanded its production beyond trials motorcycles by entering the enduro and supermoto segments, leveraging the acquisition of the HRD brand to launch 50cc and 125cc models at its newly established Nîmes factory in France.[1] This move marked the beginning of Sherco's diversification into broader off-road categories, with enduro production specifically ramping up that year to meet growing demand in the dirt bike market.[5] In 2009, Sherco acquired the French trials brand Scorpa, further strengthening its position in the trials market, and expanded into rally racing by entering the Dakar Rally with a full range of enduro bikes.[1] A significant technical milestone occurred in 2006 with a major chassis redesign across Sherco's lineup, featuring a lighter, more rigid frame constructed from chrome-molybdenum steel to enhance handling in demanding off-road conditions.[6] This update improved stability and maneuverability, particularly for trials and enduro models, without altering the core engine architecture that had proven reliable since inception.[7] Further innovations followed in 2010, when Sherco relocated the fuel tank and air box on its trials models to achieve better weight distribution, lowering the center of gravity and improving overall balance for riders.[8] Building on this, 2011 saw key engine updates for trials models, including redesigned crankcases that enhanced performance and prepared the design for potential future electronic fuel injection, while enduro models like the 4.5i continued to utilize EFI introduced in 2004.[9] To support increasing output, Sherco relocated and upgraded its Nîmes facility in 2017, expanding from 3,500 m² to a 12,000 m² modern plant that consolidated R&D, manufacturing, and assembly, boosting annual production capacity beyond 15,000 units.[1] This infrastructure investment facilitated Sherco's international growth, with subsidiaries like Sherco USA—operational since 1999 but significantly expanded for enduro distribution—and Sherco Australia established by the mid-2010s to serve key markets in North America and Oceania.[5] By then, Sherco's global presence had grown to over 70 countries, driven by these strategic expansions.[10]Products
Trials Motorcycles
Sherco's trials motorcycles form the cornerstone of the company's product offerings, emphasizing precision engineering for observed trials competitions where riders navigate static obstacles requiring exceptional balance and control. Since the brand's founding, the lineup has centered on two-stroke engines ranging from 80cc to 300cc, with earlier models including a four-stroke 320cc variant introduced in 2005 for enhanced low-end torque suitable for technical sections.[7] Current production focuses on 125cc, 250cc, and 300cc two-stroke configurations, available in Factory and Access variants, all designed with a low center of gravity to optimize rider positioning and maneuverability.[11] Key features across the trials range include lightweight aluminum frames, which provide rigidity while minimizing weight—typically around 70-75 kg dry—to facilitate agile handling over uneven terrain. Pre-2011 models relied on Keihin carburetors for reliable fuel delivery, but subsequent evolutions transitioned to electronic management systems (EMS) with fuel injection and dual-spark ignition, improving throttle response, reducing emissions, and ensuring smoother power delivery at low speeds. The ST series, Sherco's flagship trials line, underwent a major redesign in 2023, introducing a new chassis with forged aluminum side plates and polymer protectors for durability, alongside an optimized engine mapping that enhances progression from idle to full power.[12][13] The evolution of the ST series reflects Sherco's commitment to iterative refinement, with the 2023 introduction of injected models like the ST 300 featuring EMS for better combustion efficiency and reduced environmental impact compared to carbureted predecessors. Updates in 2024 and 2025 further refined the lineup, incorporating a redesigned exhaust valve for lighter weight and quicker response, along with a new front sprocket system for easier maintenance, while maintaining the core design philosophy of prioritizing rider control through balanced weight distribution and intuitive ergonomics. These motorcycles share foundational engine technology with Sherco's enduro models, adapted specifically for the demands of trials riding.[13][14] Trials motorcycles are produced at Sherco's facility in Nîmes, France, where specialized assembly lines ensure precision in components like the hydraulic clutch and suspension tuned for obstacle navigation, contributing to an annual output of approximately 15,000 units across the brand's range. This focused manufacturing process underscores the bikes' reputation for reliability in competitive environments, where subtle adjustments in geometry and power characteristics can determine success in observed trials events.[1]Enduro and Supermoto Motorcycles
Sherco entered the enduro motorcycle market in 2003 with a lineup of both two-stroke and four-stroke models ranging from 125cc to 500cc, specifically engineered for the demands of long-distance off-road racing and endurance events.[5][10] These bikes emphasized agile handling and power delivery suited to varied terrains, drawing briefly from the company's trials heritage for lightweight frame construction while prioritizing higher speeds and sustained performance over precision balancing.[15] Key features across Sherco's enduro and supermoto models include advanced suspension systems, such as KYB components for adjustable damping and progressive response; hydraulic disc brakes from Brembo for reliable stopping power in rugged conditions; and electric start mechanisms for quick ignition in competitive scenarios.[16][17] Supermoto variants further incorporate street-legal lighting kits for road compliance, along with elevated ground clearance—typically around 320 mm—to handle urban obstacles and track jumps effectively.[18] Representative enduro models include the 300 SE Factory, powered by a 293.2cc two-stroke engine with electronic exhaust valve and a Keihin PWK 36 carburetor, and the 300 SEF Factory, powered by a 303.68 cc four-stroke engine DOHC fuel-injected, both offering capabilities for technical enduro, extreme enduro, and XC/harescramble racing with model-specific tuning for performance and rider comfort.[19][17][20] In the supermoto category, the 500 SM Factory, with its 478cc four-stroke engine, balances track agility and urban versatility, featuring 17-inch wheels and a six-speed transmission for versatile use in both racing circuits and street environments. Current supermoto offerings as of 2025 include the 125cc two-stroke SM Factory and the 500 SM Factory.[21] Post-2020 models have evolved with integrated electronic mapping switches offering dual power modes for adaptable throttle response in varying conditions, alongside compatibility with GPS systems for navigation during competitive enduro events.[22] These updates enhance rider control and strategic planning without compromising the core durability of the chassis.[23] 300 SEF Factory (four-stroke) Sherco's four-stroke enduro lineup includes the 300 SEF Factory, a 303.68 cc (approximately 304 cc) DOHC fuel-injected liquid-cooled single-cylinder model. For 2025, updates include a revised cylinder head allowing higher revs up to 14,000 rpm (an increase of 300 rpm over previous models), a lighter frame (reduced by approximately 250 g with optimized geometry), model-specific KYB closed-cartridge suspension settings, and an Akrapovič exhaust system. Key specifications (2025 model):- Seat height: 950 mm (37.4 in)
- Ground clearance: 355 mm (14 in)
- Dry weight: approximately 102 kg
- Fuel capacity: 9.8 L (2.6 gal)
- Wheelbase: 1480 mm