Going fast on the Sherco is easier than it seems. The smoothest power delivery of our test and a super-comfortable suspension/ergonomic combo makes the 4.5i deceptively fast. It won't win any drag races but the Spanish bike can easily keep pace on the trail.
Spanish Sandbagger
Not really knowing what to expect from the Spanish offering, there wasn't a single one among us that wasn't utterly surprised with the performance of this bike. Unbelievably smooth, its power delivery is electric, without a glitch or surge anywhere across the powerband. If you were to hop on this bike after riding the Honda, it would certainly feel tame, but the
Sherco is anything but slow. With 37.6 horsepower on tap, the Sherco doesn't yank your arms out, but it is deceptively fast even if slightly down on overall power.
Kenny was no different than the rest of us in that he too couldn't resist the 4.5i's sneaky appeal. "Surprise! The Sherco is an amazing machine that is perfectly suited to woods riding," he says. "The seat-to-bar relationship is excellent and, like the KTM, I felt good as soon as I was on it."
A 46mm Paioli/Kayaba fork and Paioli shock offer 11.6 and 11.8 inches of travel, respectively. Riding the Sherco is like riding on air, with the suspension offering plush action without as much as a hint of sponginess. However, as speeds pick up, the bike moves through its stoke fairly quickly and bottoms on only moderate-sized jumps.
Some riders love hydraulic clutches and some hate them. Unfortunately the Sherco exhibited the traits that usually lead to more complaints than praise. While offering a smooth, effortless pull, the clutch would lose feel quickly. And after only a minimal amount of hard use, it began to howl mercilessly when engaged. On the up side, it didn't slip once the bike was in motion, but the lurching take-offs and lack of adjustability had all of our testers wishing for a substitute. Thankfully, the tranny was much better and gave precise shifts through all six gears. Up-shifting was consistent throughout, but several riders found neutral when dropping down from second to first. The gap between first and second gears was a bit larger than, say, the Honda or KTM.
The Paioli/Kayaba suspension gobbled up everything in its path without transferring a single jarring impact to the rider. That is, unless you decide to freestyle on it, in which case the soft suspension gets overwhelmed by big hits.
With the ATK playing a role in this comparison, Sherco wasn't alone it the fuel injection category. The Sherc's electronic system isn't as impervious to high-pressure cleaning as a regular carburetor, so make sure not to get too close with a pressure washer. Don't ask us how we know.
If you're looking for a racer then the Sherco might leave you slightly disappointed, but this could actually be the ultimate trail bike in the 450 class. Its fuel-injected motor produces smooth, usable power, a super-plush chassis/suspension combination, and the best overall brake package in our test left us pleased with our first Sherco experience. You can ride the bike longer and harder than any of the others. If not for our families, jobs, etcetera, we'd ride all day, every day, and the Sherco is perfect for doing just that. Throw in the fact that it needs only a license plate to be turned street-legal where its six-speed tranny would be right at home, and the attractiveness of this Spanish steed only increases.
Sherco Notes:
- Water infiltrated the fuel injection/electronics.
- Spring-loaded kickstand.
- EFI is ahead of the game. Watch for others to follow suit.
- MSRP: $7,698
It's cool to test these European imports against the common Japanese fare. The guys at Bike Barn made it all possible, so show 'em the love by checking out their site, www.bikebarnmc.com.
