Sherco, with almost two decades behind it manufacturing trial bikes, faces one of its most important years in 2018. From a sporting point of view, it is the first season without Albert Cabestany, their great ambassador since 2004, and on the technical side, one of the architects of the brand, Josep Rovira Paxau, will not be there either. The market context does not make things easy for the Spanish-French brand either, as brands such as Gas Gas are gaining momentum, while others such as TRS and Vertigo are consolidating themselves in the market as great rivals. Not to disparage, of course, electric alternatives for adults.
Ever since
Albert Cabestany
joined Sherco’s ranks, there has always been a more prepared variant in the
Sherco
catalogue. It has gone through different nomenclatures, such as Cabestany Replica, R or more recently baptized as Factory. In any case, this is a “vitaminized” model, both partly cycle and mechanical, which is based on the
Sherco ST 2018 range
.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE SHERCO FACTORY 2018?
Mechanically we find a new ignition coil in search of better performance in the low rev range. A new cylinder head with interchangeable combustion chamber and an exhaust with progressive geometry are also incorporated.
In the cycle part there are more novelties. It basically affects the suspension system, entrusted to a Tech fork with double adjustment at the front and a two-way Reiger shock absorber at the rear.
It has also sought to gain grams on the scales. This has been achieved with new steering plates, a lightened sump plate and a different crown. This Factory version is completed by Galfer brake discs and a special decoration tailored to this model.
The 2018 Sherco ST Factory is priced at €7,412 and is available in 125, 250 and 300cc displacements.
Trial Sherco Spare Parts
at
Trialworld Store
AT THE CONTROLS OF THE SHERCO FACTORY 2018
Before we get into flour we put ourselves in the situation. The year 2010 is key for Sherco, as its evolutionary line gives way to a disruptive version, housing the tank at the rear and incorporating the filter box under the head tube. Theoretically, this should concentrate the weight of the fuel in the bike’s centre of gravity and bring cooler air to the engine. In practice, more problems than joys. In 2015 its sister, the Scorpa, reappeared on the market with the Twenty model after several years with a variant that returned the tank to its original place. A year later, Sherco reneged on the path started in 2010 and inherited the configuration of the
Scorpa Twenty
.
2017 was another important year. Finally, the diaphragm clutch was incorporated, giving an already very complete engine the virtue that the pilot was able to administer the power more accurately and progressively. The Sherco has always distinguished itself by being an intuitive and easy to squeeze bike.
It seems sensible that the 2018 Factory does not incorporate major mechanical modifications compared to the standard version, whose features are more than enough for an amateur of any level. Therefore, what is really important is the work done on the chassis part, where the two-way Reiger shock absorber stands out. This component provides, above all, greater absorption capacity in large impacts, more stability and also the possibility of customizing the behavior thanks to its double regulation.
The Tech fork with aluminum bars brings extra poise and precision to the front end. In other words, it gives you that extra performance that the most demanding riders will especially value. In short, this suspension system provides more rigidity compared to the standard version; A rigidity translated into sensations, more stability and poise in any area of demand. At this point, Sherco’s line is in line with the rest of the rival brands.
Otherwise, the STF is a well-finished bike, with top-of-the-line components and aesthetically aggressive, but with a touch of elegance. Aspects such as braking or mechanical accessibility pass with flying colors in this model.
With the collaboration of Guillermo Rodríguez and Motos Alfa
IN FIRST PERSON
I personally had the opportunity to own a Scorpa Twenty for a full season. A bike that laid the foundations of the Sherco that we see in this test and that reminds me of the unequivocal values that characterize the motorcycles manufactured by Sherco with the Paxau seal: good engine, with a lot of torque and great bass, but easy to ride.
The Sherco is that bike that when you get on you have the feeling that everything is in its place and works in perfect harmony. The Factory’s suspension bonus is almost mandatory if you have a relatively important level, as the differences with the R16V are wide in a context of high demand.
On the other hand, and this is a very personal opinion, I feel that the Sherco is a great bike, but it doesn’t end up moving me. You have the feeling that everything is going well and it’s even hard to fault it. However, if you are like us, who tested all the bikes on the market, I find the Sherco to be a very complete bike, but it does not stand out with any specific virtue compared to the bulk of its rivals.
Sherco probably didn’t know how to take advantage of the years when Gas
Gas
was buried with the assembly lines, Ossa was collapsing and brands such as
TRS
or Vertigo still didn’t have enough credibility in the market to conquer the general public. Now that all of them, except
Beta
, Jotagas and
Montesa
, have got their act together and offer ranges of the highest level, it is more complicated for a brand as balanced and conservative as Sherco to be the pretty girl of the market.
However, because it is constructive, the Sherco is still a safe bet with proven reliability. Of course, recommended and a great alternative, especially for the more conservative.
