INSIDE SHERCO’S FACTORY WEAPONRY

For 2023, Sherco has extended their factory racing program to include a dedicated hard-enduro team. Fortunately, the French have built a fantastic package in the Sherco 300SE Factory to start with; working from a strong base means the bike development for hard-enduro racing is more skewed towards protection and prevention rather than performance.

Let’s take a look at Chris Perry’s Sherco 300SE beast!

The team at Mojo Motorcycles, who import Sherco into Australia, look to minimise the possibility of damaged-induced DNFs by adding protection in key areas, most of which come from the P-Tech catalogue.

Their front disc guard is a hybrid design that features a billet alloy centre and a polycarbonate outer, the radiator braces are a full wrap design that also accommodates the standard radiator fan and louvers, and the billet 4-bolt case saver also doubles to protect the clutch slave cylinder. Fitted is a genuine Sherco/AXP ‘Xtreme’ 8mm bash plate, which also protects the bike’s linkage and an Enduro Hog 4mm polyethylene clutch cover that sits over the stock one for an extra layer of protection.

With the engine, the only changes the Sherco race team make are adding a flywheel weight from JWT Imports, a very trick Akrapovic titanium muffler, which is a genuine Sherco accessory available to the public and a TSP cylinder head with remapped ECU. Internally, the piston, porting etc, are all standard. Chris opts for a slightly leaner N8RH needle on the third clip with a 40 pilot jet and 170 main jet.

Motul oils and lubricants are used throughout the bike. 800 2T @ 50:1, Transoil Expert in the transmission and RBF 700 takes care of the hydraulic lines, used in both the brakes and the clutch.

The power is transferred through a genuine Sherco diaphragm clutch kit which is developed through a technical partnership with STM.

Chris runs a 13/52 gearing combo (team mate Anthony Solar runs 13/51), which is an extra two teeth on the rear from Jonte Reynder’s AORC setting (13/50) and four more teeth than the standard. The sprockets are matched with a 520EXW heaty-duty RK chain. Chris also runs a taller seat and, more recently, has run a customised Strike Seats ‘Desert’ seat to keep him locked into the bike when navigating tricky hill sections. The bike is also fitted with Sherco lift straps front and rear.

Chad’s Off-road Setups has developed a phenomenal hard-enduro setting for the KYB suspension, including Kashima-coated outer tubes, DLC inner tubes, and Merge rising-rate pressure springs.

Chris runs Sherco Racing X-Trig clamps (std offset) with PHDS bar mounts, Renthal 827 FatBars, half-waffle grips, and S3 footpegs.

Chris has chosen to run Metzeler’s newly released ‘Extra Soft’ 6 Days Extreme compound paired with a NitroMousse ‘Plushie’ mousse for maximum grip in the extreme conditions they encounter.

The Sherco race bikes are absolute works of art, but the parts fitted are more than just cosmetic features. They serve the crucial role of safeguarding the 300 two-strokes as they conquer the most challenging terrains, ensuring a solid finish and minimising the risk of a mechanical DNF.

Check out the 2024 Sherco range, by clicking here – we froth the all-new look!