What is the most revolutionary trial bike of the moment like?
We get behind the wheel of the new Sherco and Scorpa electronic fuel injection, which incorporate much more than technology than you can imagine at first glance.
To make this comparison we have done something very sensible, which is to face two displacements, the 250cc and 300cc, each with a different dress: Sherco blue and Scorpa orange.
WHY TWO IDENTICAL BIKES?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, it’s interesting to contextualize the brands and models. Scorpa is a brand that this year celebrates 30 years of history and since its origins has specialized entirely in trials, although today it is starting a timid approach to offroad urban mobility motorcycles.
Sherco was born in 1999 under the name of Bultaco and it would not be until 2001 when the first unit baptized with the name Sherco was manufactured. Since then, the brand has established itself as a widespread benchmark in offroad, with a great presence in enduro and raids, as well as trial, which it has never abandoned.
In 2011 Scorpa presented a completely revamped model with a Sherco engine, after a few agonizing years with a Yamaha engine that needed a major change. Since then, the two brands have walked hand in hand, with Scorpa taking a major role in terms of technological innovation and technical capabilities. Until this 2023 edition, the differences basically focused on the chassis and bodywork.
In 2023 these paths have come together. Scorpa already has an important name in the sector and, in addition, it is a brand specialized in trials and there it can speak in the same language as other rival brands such as Vertigo, Montesa or TRS Motorcycles. Sherco, on the other hand, is a more global brand, like GASGAS or Beta. Basically, they are two ways of communicating and understanding the concept of offroad branding, with the advantage of having full synergies in the manufacture and distribution of these motorcycles.
COMPLETELY REDESIGNED 2023 RANGE
Sherco and Scorpa have been working on the launch of the new model for several years. This 2023 range is not a mere incorporation of electronic injection, but this technological change is associated with a deeper step, where more than 90% of the parts that make up the bike are completely new in design and concept.
Before we get into dynamic behavior, let’s take a look at these technical changes to better understand how they feel at your controls.
What does the new 2023 engine look like?
Let’s start with the bike’s engine. First of all, this is one of the lightest trial engines ever made, weighing only 16 kilos, which is 4.5 kilos less than its predecessor.
The most striking thing about the new block is that it is a 2-stroke engine powered by electronic injection, whose body houses Three Sensors that dynamically modify the engine parameters based on three aspects: atmospheric air pressure, air temperature and TPS, which measures the position of the throttle grip.
This Electronic system is powered by a lithium battery, which has two main functions: to assist the start of the motorcycle, since by simply touching the starter leg it starts the fuel pump, and on the other hand to guarantee perfect stability in the constant voltage of the electrical system.
The diaphragm clutch has three adjustment positions to modify the behavior of the diaphragm clutch and also its flexibility. The clutch cover is made of magnesium and has a sight glass to check the oil level, which is 450cc.
On the inside of the engine we have a new crankshaft, 13% lighter than the previous one, whose diameter is also larger, achieving greater engine inertia. The five-speed gearbox weighs just 500 grams.
The new cylinder now has 7 transfers, instead of 5 like the previous model, having improved its cooling by increasing the cooling surface by 24%.
The water pump is also completely new and is inverted so as not to create contact between the water and the magnesium, increasing its efficiency and reliability. Finally, the radiator is now 58% larger and grows to 19 cores to ensure perfect cooling.
New Concept of Chassis Part
The development of a new engine like the one we have explained was an excellent opportunity to complement it with a new chassis, thus giving a new look to the geometries of 2016 and allowing to unify, for the first time, the Sherco and Scorpa in all aspects.
Regarding the new frame, it has a lower center of gravity in search of greater stability and traction of the whole. As you can see in the images, it has magnificent finishes in its lowest area, with Wear protection in the stirrup area and a new concept of footpegs that rest on the chassis itself and therefore cannot be defeated over time. On the other hand, it is worth replacing the concept of screw and nut with that of a single screw threaded on the chassis itself.
We liked the detail of the seatposts, which in addition to being lighter, have the screws on the back, giving an image of greater cleanliness and quality.
Also interesting is the new linkage solution, which now has a single central one and not two as in the previous model, so that friction is reduced and the whole works more smoothly. A fact to which a new swingarm contributes, which lowers its axle by 21mm and receives structural modifications to gain flexibility.
The new chassis has also led to a rethink of the bodywork, which now offers up to 7% more air capacity and houses an air filter with more breathing as it is 11% larger than its predecessor.
The suspensions do not vary conceptually, relying on two safe market values: a two-way Reiger at the rear and a Tech fork with 39mm aluminum bars. Brakes are also a market standard and are entrusted to Braktec’s top-of-the-range range.
Summary of news SHERCO - Scorpa 2023
Sherco SCR - Scorpa SCT 2023 mechanical novelties
- New engine block 28% lighter than the previous one (16Kg empty)
- New pre-compression system in the crankcases to improve performance
- New crankshaft 13% lighter and 116mm bore (110mm previous)
- Most compact, redesigned, five-speed gearbox on the market
- More compact and 28% lighter gear selector
- Diaphragm clutch system with 3 positions
- Revised pushpad and spring system for better comfort and more precision.
- Internal water pump with inverted position so as not to create contact between water and magnesium
- New cast iron cylinder with integrated design
- New thermodynamics 7 intake transfers, 5 in the past
- Improvement of the cooling circuit in the cylinder by developing contact surfaces for better heat exchange with +24% cooling surface.
- New reed box system to optimize gas flows (gasoline/air) in the intake
- New dedicated throttle box with integrated triple sensor ( Atmospheric Pressure / TPS Gas Position / Temperature
new Sherco STR - scorpa scT 2023 cycle news
- Weight of 67 kilos empty
- 2.2-litre fuel tank with fuel pump
- Completely new bodywork: filter box, rear fenders...
- 11% larger air filter and tool-free installation
- Light and map switching systems integrated into the front optics
- Steering plates with screws at the rear, 4% lighter
- New chassis geometries with a lower center of gravity
- Detachable frame tie rods for improved mechanical accessibility
- Ultra-compact fuel pump, designed by Scorpa
- Radiator with 58% more cores for improved cooling
- Detachable exhaust muffler with 35% larger interior volume
- Microcast footpegs resting on the chassis, with nutless attachment
- New TECH + REIGER suspension setup
- New linkage system, with one central linkage, instead of two of the previous one
- 21% lower swingarm and modified for flexibility
The best
- Quality of finishes
- Lightness
- Weight distribution
- Spectacular power and torque
To be improved
- Non-unified hardware (torx and allen)
- Starter lever design
- Too much power for amateurs at 300cc
- Heavily exposed wiring in the engine
Equipment of the trial rider in the SCORPA SCT 2023 test:
- Helmet: Hebo Zone4 Carbontech
- Boots: Gaerne Classic Trial Yellow
- Gloves: Hebo Nano PRO IV
- Protections: Hebo Defender H
- T-shirt: TW Brand DISCOVERY T-shirt
- Pants: TW Brand DISCOVERY Pants
- Socks: Gaerne COOLMAX socks
At the controls
At Trialworld we are an official Scorpa dealer and that allows us to have a deeper vision of what the new model represents. We started the dynamic tests in March and during those months we have tested the bike in different areas of terrain, also looking for how the new model behaves in the usual particularities or failures that can appear in the first series.
The first thing we highlight about the 2023 Sherco and Scorpa is the spectacular level of finishes. You can see in each of its corners that it is a balanced bike, very well thought out and with an outstanding manufacturing quality.
When we see an electronic injection trial bike , one of its rivals comes to mind, the Vertigo Nitro. If we compare them, the Scorpa is a less ostentatious bike in terms of details, perhaps the most appropriate words would be “simple and functional”. Everything is very well finished and thought out, especially on the right side of the engine block, where the inverted water pump leaves an overall cleaner look. On the left margin, where we see the injection body, there are too many cables in sight, although it is something that could be simplified by eliminating all the peripherals for the assembly of the MOT kit.
Aesthetically, it presents a more modern line. The filter box gives it that more futuristic air due to packaging and lines, highlighting the simplicity to access the air filter and disassemble it, since it requires only one screw to carry out the entire operation.
THE MOST POWERFUL ENGINE ON THE MARKET
Once you get behind the wheel of the 2023 Scorpa SCT 300 and drive for the first fifteen minutes, the first thing you notice is the extraordinary power of its engine. The engine pushes with a forcefulness unprecedented in trial production models from low revs, demonstrating a great ability to increase revs. This is one of the key points of electronic injection, which allows you to optimise the delivery of torque and power at all speeds of use, providing extra “low” and an over-rev that never ends.
As this will look like, we are recommending the placement of a slower accelerator rod to smooth out these reactions and make it easier to squeeze. However, after the first wave of builds, we are already incorporating new power maps that are improving this “very racing” aspect of the bike. That’s the great thing about electronics.
In terms of feel and precision, its five-speed gearbox is perfect. The clutch, which has three positions, can be graduated according to the rider’s taste, coming as standard parameterized in a very logical way, with a preload suitable for all levels and good speed to fire the engine at revs.
If you are a rider or amateur who usually practices zone trials, in the Scorpa you have a bike with very wide technical possibilities. Once you understand the engine’s response and adapt to it, you find that it allows you to play around with the gearbox a lot, using higher gears if you need to, because there’s always power available.
If excursions and adventure are your thing, this bike fits like a glove. It is precisely this low-end capability that allows for high recoveries from low revs without the need to constantly fiddle with the gearbox. In addition, the electronic injection moulding is able to understand air pressure and temperature values, constantly adapting to deliver balanced performance. As a comparison, it would be equivalent to making a precise carburetion at all times when on our route we cross environments with relatively radical variations in altitude or pressure.
ENGINE INJECTION: 250CC VS 300CC
As usual with Sherco, the “big” displacements are limited to 250cc and 300cc. That is, there is no 280cc. In our comparison we had one engine of each, which helped us to better understand the response of each one in the zones and routes.
The conclusion of the team is that, without a doubt, for basic and even medium levels, the ideal displacement is the 250cc due to smoothness in the delivery of power and ability to predict reactions. In addition, it is a bike less tired to ride and does not lack power, you just have to go for it a little higher in the rev range.
On the 300cc engine we recommend mounting the long or slow throttle rod, as the response is much more logical. As we said before, it is the perfect mechanic for lovers of excursions, adventure , those who like to ride with a lot of torque and bass, as well as high-level enthusiasts.
CHASSIS & SUSPENSIONS
Without a doubt, the chassis is one of the strong points of the bike. The weight distribution is practically perfect and this is a bike with a great balance between poise and lightness.
With an unladen weight of around 66 kilos, you don’t feel that the bike has a tendency to trace imprecisely or that it feels heavy in any of its trains. Quite the opposite. The fact that we have worked on the centre of gravity, looking for a lower point, makes the bike fit the terrain very well.
At the rear, we remind you that the damping system incorporates a single linkage, causing less friction and friction than usual, translating into greater fluidity and traction, something that is also helped by its swingarm, which is also lower than its predecessor.
CONCLUSIONS SHERCO VS SCORPA TEST
This is one of the best motorcycles on the market in terms of technological development, power, lightness and quality. A bike very well thought out in all areas where no effort has been made to take advantage of previous components, having studied everything with depth and criteria.
It is a bike that is born with an existing technology, such as injection, it is a great moment of maturity. It shares a supplier with Vertigo (Athena – GET) and the years of work are noticeable in the performance and tuning capacity, something that does not cease and will allow the user himself to work on the power maps to adapt them to his liking.
Throughout these months we have seen small aspects that can be improved, as a result of moving a prototype to large production, having taken note of the brand to rectify them in the production chain and guarantees of the models delivered. We are referring to details such as a batch of defective starting axles, already modified in production, to the first set ups of power maps, which made the bike somewhat dry, which are now updated, and small marks that with the passage of time remain on the starter lever when marked against the footrest.
Another detail is that there are several screws that are Torx head and others are Allen, which is uncomfortable when moving tools. It would have been interesting to unify.
Therefore, we are talking about a highly recommended bike that will be a benchmark in years to come. It is worth applauding the brand’s effort in terms of innovation and rethinking its trial range in such a small and niche sector.
Between the Sherco and the Scorpa there is only a chromatic and body difference with the headlights, which are both LED, but with a different design. Choosing one or the other is more a matter of taste, service from the nearby dealer or identity with the brand, than of performance itself, since they are identical.
The recommended retail price of both the Sherco STR and the Scorpa SCT is €8,650 including VAT and is fully approved for registration.
You can request a dynamic test and more information about the Scorpa SCT in the Trialworld Store.
SCORPA SCR PHOTOS 2023
- Price SHERCO STR 250 2023: 8.650€
- SHERCO STR 300 2023 Price: 8.650€
- SCORPA SCT 250 2023 Price: 8.650€
- SCORPA SCT 300 2023 Price: 8.650€
