This year saw the introduction of a
new contender for the V8 title and
that is the Sherco 500SEF-R (and SEF
Factory edition). Designed and built
for the Australian market, the $13,990
SEF-R is the bike that Sherco
Australia has been waiting for. Using
the same motor platform as the 450,
the 500 gets its own cylinder, bigger
piston, stronger clutch and, to top it
off, a custom ignition setting.
The French also have updated the
chassis and triple-clamps to save
almost 500g. Sherco has high hopes
for this model and I believe it is
already running well ahead of sales
expectations. So, what’s it like to ride?
Well, as soon as you sit on the bike,it feels small, smaller than the other
bikes and that is due to the fact that it
is has the lowest handlebar-to-seat
distance. The handlebar has a very
low bend and our taller testers found
this hard to get used to. Me being the
Special Test bandit that I am was all
about the low ’bar. Like the Beta, it
has a dual map switch and again, all
the riders preferred the aggressive
map, as the mud map zapped to much
power.
Engine-wise, the Sherco feels racey
and revs up quickly. This is due to the
fact that technically, this bike is a
478cc machine like the Beta, not a
true 500. Still, the bottom-end power
of the Sherco is very strong and itSHERCO 500SEF-R
54 | MAY 2019 http://www.adbmag.com.au
2019 SHOOTOUT #4 | 500cc ENDURO
The quick-revving engine felt really racey Grabbo felt the pipe held the torque back