2008 Sherco Trials Bikes
Published: 13th February 2008
Author: Dan Clark Photos by Sutty
As Good as it Gets? - Modern trials bikes have been refined to the point where there’s hardly any room for improvement but for 2008 the Sherco boffins have managed a few tweaks and tickles…
Refined to the point where they can’t get much better (at least not without a ground-breaking redesign or the influx of alien technology), trials bikes are now generally so good it’s difficult to objectively test them without being overly picky. Gone are the days of terrible steering geometry that would tuck-in if you turned too tightly, poor jetting that created massive flat spots in the engine’s power delivery, irregular shaped sump guards – a real pet hate of mine – and pogo-like suspension that pinged off rocks in all directions bar the one you wanted.
Each and every trials bike manufacturer have done their darnedest to deliver a bike which is more or less perfect and Sherco aren’t any different. While the basic design hasn’t visually changed much in a good few years the entire range of Sherco trials irons still looks relatively fresh with a sleek minimalist design that’s both appealing to the eye and very, very functional (kinda like your hair cut, eh Clarky - AS).
At first sight the ’08 Shercos look like they have for the last five years or so but there are new funkier plastics with graphics to match – white with black, grey and blue for the smokers and white with black, grey and red for the four-popper – which certainly help improve the bikes’ image while a new FIM-legal front disc guard and lighter, tidier fitting kick-stand help finish off the look.
Peer closer still and you’ll see new kevlar wrapped Ceriani front forks are fitted as well as a dual stage ignition with settings for both dry and wet weather – although I can’t see the dry setting seeing much use this summer, or any other season for that matter.
I know I’m getting older and my hair’s getting a wee bit thinner but I seriously can’t remember the last time I tested a 125cc Sherco for DBR – it’s been a chuffing while anyway. So after slipping into something a little comfier – mmmm, lycra – I jumped on board the baby of the range to check it out.
Since the change in FIM rules that’s seen youth riders limited to 125cc machines all the manufacturers – well, those who still make a 125 smoker – have pulled out their collective fingers to get their eighth-litre bikes up to speed. Sherco have played a blinder with theirs and I’ve got to say that I think their 125 might just be the 125 of the year!
The footpegs feel higher than on most other brands of bike which felt a little strange and uncomfortable at first but I soon got used to it. This bike feels light and the frame’s geometry is like my favourite brand of flea powder – spot on – and makes for a great turning machine.
The suspension does have a tendency to feel a little wooden at times although it does absorb everything well. I can only assume this is something to do with the revised ‘anti-bottoming’ settings and I’m sure a little tweak will help bring both ends of the bike to life.
I can’t quite believe just how much low-end power and torque this 125 motor has. When I was a runny-nosed B Class rider, 125s always had horrible hit of peaky power and were a bit of a beast to ride (insert your own joke about a previous partner here) but this is a real treat and no mistake. I seriously wish we had 125s like this back in the day as I reckon we’d have learnt a lot more about riding a trials bike properly instead of jumping onto a 250 at 15 and relying on the abundance of power.
The ’08 2.5 Sherco is definitely my favourite of the range. The power can be rolled on to deliver really soft, nice drive which is great for finding grip in slippery situations but then there’s also a big burst when you need it to help you get up big rock steps, small buildings or even an elephant’s gigantic arse if you need to. While there is muchos power on tap it’s always possible to keep control which is totally important in my opinion. Sharing the same chassis and suspension as its kid brother, the 250 handles impeccably although there’s still that wooden feel from the boingers.
While it’s only 40ccs bigger – that’s roughly the same as a shot and a half from the top row of your local hostelry – the 2.9 packs way more punch than the 250 making it ideal for experts and the slightly more portly trials rider who perhaps spends way too much time drinking shots and eating pork scratchings at his own local. I reckon the extra power this super sized bike delivers could potentially give you more problems than benefit so I’d choose the 250 every single time.
I’ve not ridden a four-stroke Sherco before and was surprised by the noise this 320cc bike makes on full-bore – it’s awesome although perhaps a little more suitable for speedway than hopping about on rocks. The 3.2 feels super-light for a four-stroke – it’s probably the lightest feeling cam and valve train bike I’ve ridden and thanks to the styling it shares with it’s two-stroke brethren it’s one of the best looking too. Even with the extra three-and-a-half kilos the 3.2 packs the suspension is still slightly stiff and wooden feeling but everything else – the handling, brakes and general feel – is sweeter than honey.
Specs
1.25
Capacity: 124.7cc
Bore and stroke: 56mm x 50.7mm
Front suspension: 38mm Ceriani (185mm travel)
Rear suspension: Olle (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 145mm disc
Carburetor: Dell’Orto PHBL26
Wheelbase: 1322mm
Dry weight: 69.5kg
2.5
Capacity: 249.7cc
Bore and stroke: 72.8mm x 60mm
Front suspension: 38mm Ceriani (185mm travel)
Rear suspension: Olle (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 145mm disc
Carburetor: Dell’Orto PHBL26
Wheelbase: 1322mm
Dry weight: 69.5kg
2.9
Capacity: 272cc
Bore and stroke: 76mm x 60mm
Front suspension: 38mm Ceriani (185mm travel)
Rear suspension: Olle (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 145mm disc
Carburetor: Dell’Orto PHBL26
Wheelbase: 1322mm
Dry weight: 69.5kg
3.2
Capacity: 317cc
Bore and stroke: 82mm x 60mm
Front suspension: 38mm Ceriani (185mm travel)
Rear suspension: Olle (175mm travel)
Front brake: 185mm disc
Rear brake: 145mm disc
Carburetor: Keihin 28mm
Wheelbase: 1322mm
Dry weight: 73kg