We've clocked up 2500km on our long term Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 so it was time for some love, an oil and filter, plus a service and a detail... Here is our third update on our much-loved Sherpa powered daily ride...
In July 2024 AJ headed to Spain to the global launch of the Guerrilla 450. In December we had the chance to hit the road at the Aussie launch to see how it performed on our bumpy roads, and now we have one for a long term test. Here is Part 3 of the BikeReview Guerrilla 450.
Originally a long termer for Simon Harris, who has now gone travelling for the year, the BikeReview Guerrilla 450 then went to Nick, who used it as a daily before handing it back to Jeff, who serviced it and passed it on the Adam Cranstone!
While injured and unable to ride, I figured it was time to show the BikeReview Guerrilla 450 some love and attention, and give the little weapon a service and detail, before I handed over to Adam Cranstone for a while until I can ride again. As we speak, Adam is using the Guerrilla as a daily rider and on the weekend, he took it touring through some countryside on some gravel roads and light trails, and will report back on that for Part 4, in the next few weeks… Meanwhile, here’s a bit of a tech update…
With 2500km on the clock it was time for a second service on the Guerrilla 450. It would not normally be due yet, but as this bike has done the Aussie launch, then the rounds of the Aussie media for independent testing, then came over to us for a long termer, we figured we better do an extra service, and we are glad we did as the oil was pretty black, the chain loose and the cables and pivots dry.
We are using Motul products to look after our beloved Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 long termer, plus a genuine oil filter.
Before we go too far, I will let you know that I am a licensed motorcycle mechanic and the BikeReview HQ shed is a licensed repair premises. I did my apprenticeship in the 1990s, and although I left the trade in 1999, I have maintained my qualifications and workshop licence, for insurance and safety reasons related to my journo work – so I can legally do stuff like this without effecting warranties or insurances and so forth. In saying that, this is really basic work that many people can do safely.
The first job was to warm the beast up, then drain the engine oil. There are two drain plugs on the Sherpa 450 motor, both located on the left side of the engine. This ensures all of the old oil is drained from the gearbox and sump area as well as any residue oil around the crankshaft at the front of the crankcases. Once the oil has fully drained out, refit the drain plugs (with new copper washers if you have some), and torque them to specification.
Refill the Sherpa 450 motor with good quality engine oil. We chose to use Motul 3000 Plus 4T 10W40 Semi Synthetic ($69.90) for the second service. We will switch to full synthetic at the next service when the engine is fully loosened up.
The Sherpa 450 engine will take 2.1L on a regular oil change, 2.4L from fully dry or somewhere in between with a filter change. We added 2.3L of Motul 3000 Plus 4T 10W40 Semi Synthetic ($69.90 4L) and went off the sight glass with the bike on the centre-stand. It is important to run the engine up, then let it settle for a few minutes before final levels. We will switch to full synthetic next service, which is something I do with all of my bikes, I start with mineral oil, then go semi synthetic, then full synthetic, and this has always given me engines that have good power and are smooth and free revving.
The next job was to lubricate all of the main pivot points outside of the steering head, axles and swingarm pivot, which will be done in a major service later. Using Motul MC Care P4 E.Z Lube I lubricated the front brake lever pivot, clutch lever pivot and clutch cable, throttle tube, footpeg pivots, side-stand and centre-stand pivots, clutch actuation arm pivot, seat lock, ignition switch, petrol cap pivot and lock, rear brake pedal pivot, seat latch pivot and spray a bit on the battery terminals as well.
A check of the chassis is next, first of all I grab 19, 17, 14, 12, 10 and 8mm spanners and then I go over the chassis from front to back, making sure there are no loose fasteners. Under the seat, there is a tool for the front axle, using this I check that the front axle is tight and while there, that the wheel spins freely and the caliper is tight, and a quick look at the front brake pads. Tyre pressures are also set (32/36 psi front and rear), and I check side-to-side play of the swingarm pivot and the tension of the steering-head bearings. A quick look confirms that the brake fluid levels are OK both ends, too.
With that done, and there were no issues, I have a quick look at the shock and then move to lubing and adjusting the chain. I was going to use the Motul Road Chain Pack and do a full clean and lube, but the chain was already clean, so we will do that next service. A wipe over then a lube with Motul C2 Chain Lube (Road, $27.95 RRP), is followed by adjusting the chain to the recommended tension of 36 – 40mm freeplay. This is easy on the Guerrilla 450, as it has well designed Allen head draw bolts.
We don’t need to check the airfilter yet as the bike has not been off-road, and this requires a fuel tank removal, so next service we will replace that. So, with the service complete, it was outside for a soaking in truck wash, then a hose down and blow-off with the trusty leaf blower. Once the bike was dry, I gave it a good clean over with Motul MC Care E10 Shine & Go Spray ($24.95 RRP) followed by a polish of the bodywork with the excellent Motul MC Care E9 Wash & Wax spray ($19.95 RRP).
After the job was done, I parked the bike out in the sun ready for Adam to come and pick it up, cracked a can of cold amber liquid, and admired the shiny, freshly serviced BikeReview Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 in all of its glory. Sadly, it pissed rain shortly afterwards, then Adam took the bike riding on dirt roads. I guess next month we will be detailing it again!
The final thing to do after the service and clean was to fit this awesome Carpuride W702 Pro + TPS CarPlay system to the bike, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We’ve been using it for two months, and we have a full review coming up so keep an eye out for it…
The excellent Carpuride W702 Pro + TP fitted up in minutes and has been brilliant, paired to my Shoei with SENA comms system. We have a full review on this system on the way, so keep an eye out for that.
Check out our World Launch Report and Tech Overview of the Guerrilla 450 here…
Read Jacinta’s opinion of the Guerrilla 450 here…
Stay tuned for Part 4, when Adam Cranstone heads bush and give the Guerrilla a proper shakedown on some gravel backroads… And if you are interested in a Guerrilla 450 test ride, click the dealer locator here.
2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Specifications
Price & Availability: $8590 Ride Away (Playa Black)
Colours: Brava Blue (+$100), Yellow Ribbon (+$100), Playa Black, Smoke Silver (.
Claimed Power: 29.44kW(40.2hp)@8000rpm
Claimed Torque: 40Nm@5500rpm
Claimed Fuel Consumption: N/A
Claimed Fuel Range: N/A
Wet Weight: 191kg
Fuel capacity: 11L
Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder four-stroke, four-valve head, 84mm x 81.5mm bore x stroke, 452cc, 11.5:1 compression ratio, EFI with 42mm throttle-body, semi dry sump, wet multi-plate slipper clutch, six-speed gearbox
Chassis: Steel tubular frame and sub-frame, steel swingarm.
Rake: N/A mm Trail: N/A mm
Suspension: SHOWA 43mm forks, 140mm travel (f), SHOWA monoshock, 150mm travel (r).
Brakes: Single semi-floating 310mm brake rotor, two-piston caliper (f),
Single 270mm rotor, single-piston caliper (r). Dual Channel switchable ABS.
Wheels & Tyres: 120/70 – 17 (f) 160/60 – 17 (r) CEAT GrippXL tyres.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1440mm
Seat height: 780mm
Ground clearance: 161mm
Overall width: 833mm
Overall Length: 2090mm
Overall height: 1125 no mirrors
Instruments & Equipment: Ride Modes, TFT dash, ABS.
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