2018 Sherco 125SE Six Days

Clay has loaned me a 125 Six Days to evaluate. I will be writing a couple of articles on it for Trail Rider Magazine. I'm a long time small bore enduro rider, riding the Masters class. I've ridden mostly Italian built Huskys... 125, 144 and 165. The last few years have been on Austrian Huskys 125 and 150 bore and stroke conversion, and a KTM 200. My present bike is an '18 Husky TE150 electric start. I try to beg a ride on any woods 125/144, I come across at a ride or enduro. I ride trials on an '18 Scorpa 125 Factory.

When I took the bike out of the crate, the first thing I noticed is how striking the Six Days graphics are, and second was that... This will be easy get out of the crate, as they are shipped front wheel on! While it was still on the skid, I mounted the handlebars. I noticed the bar clamp bolts had a small amount of copper anti-seize on them. This kind of attention to detail in the assembly, would just continue to be apparent as I put it together. Next was putting the battery in after adding the acid and bringing it up to charge. The Dzus fastener on the rear of the seat, makes for easy air box access. I also removed the side number plates, as I wanted a good look at everything the first time. Once again the bolts had some copper anti-seize on them. Nice that the battery is at the bottom of the airbox, to keep the weight low on the bike. You have to pull the air filter to install the battery. It has a nice knurled aluminum knob on the retainer bolt and a "D" shape filter for simple alignment. I adjusted the steering stops all the way in and still had no contact with the radiators.

All together and checked over, so I put fuel in, rolled it outside, turned on the petcock, pulled the choke and she fired right up. I did two heat cycles, adjusted the idle and did a short ride around the yard. Once warmed up, bike ran well. It's 35-45F here and Clay said the bikes come a little fat, so about perfect until warmer temps arrive.

Next day I had other commitments, but at the end day I got out on friend's grass track for about an hour. It was very wet, as we are having an early thaw and 6" of wet snow had just melted.... Sort of sloppy!
The bike is just awesome.... Very good power for a 125 and in the slop, you can feel the difference with the map switch. Even with the Michelin FIM tires, it just hooks up and stays planted. It is so stable and turns really well. Super confidence inspiring! I'm 5'6" so the bike is a little tall stock for me. I always have Drew Smith at WER lower my bikes 1.5". Stock handle bar is a little wide for me too, but it's not about getting through tight stuff. I run 30" wide, even on my trials bike, as wider bars put a lot of pressure on my thumbs. Nothing odd or quirky in the handling or ergonomics to get used to, just ride and smile!

I'm going to be taking it into the woods next, into some tight and steep, to evaluate how this 125's power compares to my 150. They all feel good when it's open and flows, but my gut reaction so far is that it will be very good. I've had two Scorpa 125 trials bikes, which have a Sherco trials engine. Sherco knows how to build a really good 125.

Thanks again to Clay, for the chance to do this.

I took it into my short woods loop today. It has a little of everything, with some tight and flowing stuff, off camber and hills with no run up. Still very slick with lots of leaves and standing water and out right mud in spots. Bike runs really well stock. You can definitely feel that it's a 125, all be it a really good one in these conditions. The extra 19 cc's of a 150(144) really shine when it's like this. I'm going to add a tooth to the rear sprocket and see how it feels.

When I get on the off camber and trappy stuff, I wish it was lowered like my other bikes. WP suspension stock, is better than my '18 Husky's WP's. It turns and handles really well in the tight stuff. Goes really straight and sucks up the whoops on the 3/4 mile vintage MX track, that is part of the loop.


I swapped a pair of Flexx Bars on the bike, as these are my go to bars. I feel more comfortable with them. The bend is very similar to OEM Sherco bars. I will swap the FIM tires for some Kenda Washougals, which are a good all around tire for my area.

I just continue to be impressed with this bike!

Thanks for the write up. I'm anxious to try the new Beta 125

I need to ride my yz450 another year to get a little of the rebuild money out of it but after that I'm leaning toward a small bore... TM, Sherco and Beta are on my short list which also includes a yz125. The YZ125 with a re-valve and 134 kit is on the list because I'm debating whether I can make it better with the 2K difference in price... Also I have a huge box of trick Yamaha parts

I'm looking forward to comparisons over the next year. It's good to have so many good bikes to choose from.

That YZ was a really good bike.




10 years ago

Me too!

Ha Ha, and I was a good rider 35 years ago.

Where's the pics

Actually... I do get asked occasionally what bike I would recommend for either a beginner or somebody ready to move up from a beginner type bike and I always recommend a YZ125. They've been the same for over a decade, there's a pile of them around and they're a decent bike. I took a look at the specs lately and I was thinking that it would probably make a decent woods bike (I recall thinking that the last time I rode one) for me. I find most 125's too big in the woods (I'm short) and the YZ is the smallest of the 125's with decent low end power.

WHYYYYYY ZEEEEEEEE inch and a quarter!! CrMo chassis absolutely love mine, even rips with my tank 212 lb arse on board. That Sherco 125 is lovely for sure.
I know Ive posted this mega times and for sure no comparo with the 2018 machine...but heck the 125 formula is amazing.
more more more info Norm, weather permitting of course.

Err yz125 is the tallest of any bike(including yz250) at 992mm is it not?

Sherco's look nice. Could do with a more angular/stylish front fender though IMHO

Short (56"?) wheelbase.

It's also not as tall as my CR150. I can actually touch the ground on a YZ125

Short wheelbase is one reason why it's so good in the woods. In the previous post I was trying to make the point that as an old man I can't ride any of the new bikes to their full potential so I look at bang for the buck. I hear a lot that bikes are outdated but there are components on old bikes like the forks on a Yamaha that have been the best since 2006 and still preferred by most riders. The Older CR WR 125s were an awesome bargain when they were clearing them out for under 4k brand new. Many of you bought them and loved them, I almost bought one but went with the wr250 for an extra 1k and rode it for 7 years before I sold it. Currently If I went with a new bike I'm liking the TM 144 the best but $8,400 is a tough sell when a new 2017 yz125 can be had for $4,800. The Sherco is a sweet bike and Clay is an awesome guy to deal with but e-start with no kicker is it's biggest drawback for me. I realize I'm a bit off topic since this is a Sherco post, maybe a king of the small bore thread should be started.

Norm, I'm looking forward to more on the Sherco, how long do you get to keep it?

Posts on all small bores are welcome! I have the bike until the end of April. Hopefully if weather cooperates next month, I'm going to host a little small bore get together, with a bunch of the local D4 Enduro guys. We'll have a good bunch..... The Sherco, my '15 TE125/150 and '18 TE150, '15 TE125, a couple of various vintage YZ125's, '10 WR150, '02 WR125, '17 KTM 150, '13 KTM 150, KX125/200 and hopefully a '17 TM144.

Norm you need to find a TC to throw into the match up

I'm waiting to hear how the TM 144 stacks up