The historic name of Royal Enfield and all the iconic models they have produced over the years still has a cult following. Now, the brand has modern machines and attracts new owners seeking classic looks with up-to-date technology. Jeremy Webb casts an eye over the latest Guerrilla 450 and puts it to the test on the back roads of Wiltshire.
The 400/500 cc sector is awash with models from most manufacturers, keen to grab the cash of bikers who have passed their tests and can move up in power output. Triumph has its 400s, KTM its 390s, and even Aprillia has entered the frame with its 457 beauty.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has been in development for about five years, and although it looks different, it shares many components with the existing 2024-on Himalayan 450. The 452cc single-cylinder engine is shared, and the Guerrilla is due to arrive in the UK in August 2024, with prices starting at just £4850.
The engine produces under 40bhp, and Royal Enfield hopes the Guerrilla 450 will capture the younger audience. It will be available in five colours at varying price points, said to have been inspired by designs of the 1970s and 80s.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is almost £400 less than Triumph's new Speed 400, and the RE naked gets a full-colour TFT dash with mobile connectivity. You also get sat-nav, Showa forks, riding modes, decent pillion space, and more. Royal Enfield can offer these specifications at a price due to the company's popularity in their domestic Indian market, worth around 20 million new bikes sold annually across all manufacturers.
The chassis works well with the engine as a stressed member and is complimented by a set of composed front Showa forks and preload adjustable rear shock. It's an impressive motorcycle for the price, and the handling is surprisingly good and accurate. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 changes direction with agility, providing confidence when entering any bend. You can also stop well with a front, single-disc, dual-piston calliper, and a single-piston unit on the back equipped with conventional ABS.
The suspension is a non-adjustable set of conventional 43mm Showa forks, plus a preload adjustable rear shock, with the twin spar tubular steel chassis taken from the Himalayan 450.
Tyres are a set of fake knobblies explicitly produced for this model, and they gripped superbly. If you want to change them, replacement tyres are readily available in road-focussed and scrambler-styled tread patterns.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 feels decent to ride and provides a comfortable perch for your bum. Everything is easy to reach, and the riding position is pleasing.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has the same 452cc DOHC single-cylinder 'Sherpa' engine as the Himalayan 450. mechanically, they are identical, with the throttle maps slightly tweaked and the gearing changed to match the new 160/60x17 rear wheel. The engine is fed by an 11-litre fuel tank, down from 17 litres on the Himalayan.
Opening the throttle on a country road rewards the rider with a lovely induction noise, thanks to a new airbox. Barking like a small enduro bike encourages you to hang onto the revs and give it a big handful coming out of bends – safe in the knowledge that you're still unlikely to be on the wrong side of the speed limit.
The two power modes on this bike are controlled via the circular full-colour TFT dash, and whilst there are some noticeable changes, such as a softer early throttle pickup in Eco, neither will be intimidating to a newer rider.
With less than 40 bhp available, any real progress needs to be made with heavy gas applications, and even in Eco, the mapping will deliver the same peak power as in Performance once you've got past the gentler initial pickup.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a nicely finished bike featuring five colours inspired by bikes of the 1970s and 1980s. It is particularly evident in the red, yellow, and black 'Playa Black' livery, influenced by two-stroke Yamaha RD models of the time.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has quality touches, including a metal fuel tank with a flat profile. You also get pillion rails to grab and a roomy bench seat, which could be a viable option for short bursts of two-up travel. The switch gear feels solid and well-made, giving you confidence in the product.
For a motorcycle that starts at £4850, the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 offers a seriously impressive spec, including substantial 43mm forks from Showa, two riding modes, ABS at both ends and a neat full-colour TFT dash. The circular four-inch dash controls the 'Eco' and 'Performance' riding modes and can be connected to your mobile phone, allowing you to control your music, display satellite navigation, and more. To change the modes requires you to throttle back for 20 seconds. Although Eco's throttle response is softer, it's hard to tell any difference from the Performance setting, which provides perfectly manageable power for even the greenest of new riders.
The bike only weighs 184kg and has a standard seat height of 780mm, making riding the Guerrilla 450 straightforward. You have the controls within easy reach; they are light to the touch and feel solid enough to withstand much riding. The gearbox is smooth and despite no adjustment in the levers, they are easily operated. Nothing on the bike is a stretch to reach, meaning it would make an ideal introduction to bikes or something gentle for the weekend if you're looking to downsize. The Guerrilla 450 is a gentle, naked, upright, happy pottering around town and behaving exceptionally well when you leave the urban hubbub and get on to faster roads. When you get to the twisties, the bike gives you the confidence to enter them quickly. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is comfortably obtainable price-wise and has impressive handling, a strong engine, and easy dimensions. It's a genuinely affordable motorcycle that was only made possible by Royal Enfield's popularity in the Indian market.
