nigel,

it says olle shock for 2004 in the sherco test in good ol tmx

and fully adjustable

olle no, sachs yes.

It say Olle shock in all the documentation, but one of the reviews on Shercousa.com says there was a move to Sachs for the 04 models.

I picked up an 04 290 last week and it has Sachs, but my mates lad has an 04 125 and it's got an Olle shocker.

We're just asking Rathmell at the moment. He's getting a little concerned that he has an 03 with 04 plastics etc.

Bikespace

It always was the 290's had the new bits from the off, 125,s etc didn't. this year I'm not sure if I have an 03 with 04 plastics, bit miffed.

If your son's bike is not a sherco "accadamy" bike, it won't have the upgarades. This is the impression I get from the press releases.

Seems a bit strange. The upgrades for the academy seem to be all the things that were standard on the 290 (and presumably the others). The reports I'd read so far (including the TMX one) suggested that the bikes were identical apart from the power house. It seems like they've decided its easier to make them all the same now. I'd be a bit miffed with a 'limited edition' inferior early 125.

Seem to be getting little bits of info from all over the place. I've just been looking through the German Sherco site and believe it or not it actually seems to make more sense than both the American and British versions.

They are announcing an Academy 125 AND 200. They also state in their spec sheets that the previous 125 and 200 have Olle shockers and the 250/290 have Sachs shockers.

"Oll

Nothing to it!! the smaller bore machines retail cheaper and aimed at younger riders and entry level riders, so made use of left over parts from the previous year of the top line model, usualy brakes, shocks, hubs, forks,

etc

I would say the old stock of shocks is all used up, so why pay the same for that style shock when the new shock will be about the same price?

All brands that sell smaller versions of their top line models do this, but if you put the bikes side by side the only difference is size of bore and related parts, do you think it costs more or less to produce the same looking bike? probably the same, but can take less to get rid of old stock parts.

Edited December 17, 200322 yr by ishy

This got me thinking about works bikes.

Most of you will know what blueprinting a engine is, but for those who don't a blueprinted engine is one that is built to the engine design blueprint spec and tolerances.

Manufacturing specs allow more tolerance because slight changes happen in the manufacturing process, a works bike will have more time spent on measuring and matching parts than a production bike, it all comes down to a matter of cost.

Thats why right out of the box or showroom floor, some bikes, cars, whatever, seem to run smoother and better than others, although they are the same model.

Edited December 17, 200322 yr by ishy