Eight months after the Sherpa 450 engine debuted in the Himalayan, Royal Enfield have launched the Sherpa powered Guerrilla 450 roadster. We head to Barcelona to test it at the global launch...
Barcelona was the destination for Royal Enfield to debut its latest model to the world, the Guerrilla 450. The second bike from the Indian manufacturer to feature the 452cc liquid-cooled Sherpa powerplant, after the launch of the Himalayan 450 late last year.
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 will be here late September, early October. Price TBA.
After flying for what seemed like an eternity, I arrived in Spain, a country that I had never visited before and was keen to explore, especially on two wheels…
But first official business beckoned and after checking in at our digs for the launch, we headed straight for the kick-off event where we would be introduced to the new model and hear directly form the design team headed by Mark Wells, on the inspiration and design philosophy of the Guerrilla 450.
Much like the Himalayan launch, the product immersion setup was well laid out with stations set up for the media to wander and learn about the bike’s unique components and accessories from subject matter experts in each specific discipline such as accessories, powerplant, suspension, technology etc.
After completing the tour of the new motorcycle, it was time for a few drinks, some good food and of course witnessing Spain win the Euro cup final before turning in for the evening and preparing for an early 5:30am start on the road…
“For yours truly the appearance is more striking as a retro roadster with its aesthetics reminiscent of past Ducati Monsters or even a Yamaha XSR”…
Suffering just a tad bit of jetlag we were up bright and early and ready to experience the spectacular roads around Barcelona on the Guerrilla 450. We headed down to the carpark to be greeted by dance music, bright lights and the star attraction of the show, the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450.
Royal Enfield describe their newest family member as a premium modern roadster that is designed to remind the world what roadsters were really meant to be… Visually the bike ticks a lot of those modern boxes, but for yours truly the appearance is more striking as a retro roadster with its aesthetics reminiscent of past Ducati Monsters or even a Yamaha XSR.
Dressed smartly and vibrantly the bike looks good in a modern array of bright colours including Playa Black, Gold Dip, Smoke Silver, Yellow Ribbon and Brava Blue. There has been no confirmation as yet whether we receive all colour options locally here in Australia.
There has been no confirmation as yet whether we receive all colour options locally here in Australia…
Like other models in the Royal Enfield lineup paint schemes will be divided into three categories which will define pricing, with the entry level variant only being available in Smoke Silver and receiving an analogue dash compared to the other variants receiving the upgraded TFT which features on the Himalayan. It seems purely a cost saving, probably for the Indian market to give options.
Personally, we would be headed straight for the model variants that feature the TFT dash for the additional functionality for what we expect to be minimal cost difference. The TFT is a simple 4-inch infotainment cluster that offers a relatively simple to use intuitive user interface which is also supported by the Royal Enfield app.
THE RIDE
Climbing aboard the Guerrilla 450, and even for a well-proportioned gent at 183cm and 95kg, it is a pleasant place to be. The ergonomic triangle works well, with a nice relaxed upright seating position that allows you to move around easily on the bike when riding a little more spiritedly or relax when cruising. The mid-set footpegs also allow plenty of room to tip the roadster towards the bitumen without tucking the rider up uncomfortably.
“The ergonomic triangle works well, with a nice relaxed upright seating position that allows you to move around easily on the bike when riding”…
As we departed our hotel and headed into early morning Barcelona traffic, I am quickly familiarised with the riding controls which are nice simple standard Royal Enfield issue, meaning everything is simple to locate and easy to engage – nothing over complicated.
I immediately notice how nimble the bike feels as we start to weave our way through the city traffic and head for the hills and the beautiful tarmac I have been told about. Lane filtering is a breeze, and I can imagine the Guerrilla 450 making a terrific little commuter back home in Sydney.
The Guerrilla 450 is easy and hassle free to launch from traffic lights and the slipper clutch is nice and light as you flick up and down through the slick six-speed gearbox. There is more than enough low-down grunt to pull away from a stationary stop in second gear which we found ourselves doing a lot of the time. Fuelling is smooth, even off idle. Soon enough and we were out of the city, and we found ourselves hitting the outskirts of town where the real excitement was to begin.
“I can imagine the Guerrilla 450 making a terrific little commuter back home in Sydney”…
Tight twisty corners lay before us and even more exciting than that is the road surface. The roads here are nothing like Australia and apart from having to become quickly accustomed to riding on the wrong side of the road, the surface itself is free from any uneven bitumen, dreaded potholes, dare we say the road surface is almost perfect for motorbiking.
“Braking late into the apex and powering straight back out on full throttle the sherpa 452cc heart is willing”…
Now as a motorbiking enthusiast my eyes literally lit up as we pushed the Guerrilla 450 in and out of the twisting and winding tarmac as fast as we could following our lead rider with huge smiles on our faces. Braking late into the apex and powering straight back out on full throttle the sherpa 452cc heart is willing and if you get the revs in the sweet spot the Guerrilla rewards you with an increased soundtrack and more responsive throttle feel.
The Guerrilla 450 is fitted with 43mm telescopic front forks up front and in these near perfect road conditions the front suspension set-up did an admirable job.
As a bike reviewer though it left a lot of unanswered questions. The Guerrilla 450 is fitted with 43mm telescopic front forks up front and in these near perfect road conditions the front suspension set-up did an admirable job. The Spanish conditions did suit the front suspension of the Guerrilla 450 but I am very interested to see how the bike handles the less perfect conditions back home. The 1440mm wheelbase is a little shorter than that of the Himalayan and lends itself well to how well balanced the Guerrilla handles with its dry weight of 185kg.
“The Guerrilla 450 is fitted with 43mm telescopic front forks up front and in these near perfect road conditions the front suspension setup did an admirable job”…
Changing direction is a real highlight of the Guerrilla 450 package and the handlebar style and position matched to the seating position makes it nice and easy to get up over the front wheel as you push the roadster out of the corners while getting stuck into the throttle. The ByBre brakes are sufficient and give good feel and power up front, the rear brake also up to the task.
I couldn’t help but wonder if a more slick road/sport tyre would have been a better choice…
Riding on 17-inch front and rear tubeless CEAT tyres that seem to have a slightly all-terrain tread pattern similar to those you would find on a scrambler, I couldn’t help but wonder if a more slick road/sport tyre would have been a better choice considering any potential purchaser who was truly serious about heading off road was more than likely going to buy a Himalayan anyway.
“Believe it or not and market data probably will not support this statement, but not everyone wants an adventure bike”…
Soon enough it was time for lunch which offered an opportunity to reflect on the mornings riding and of course our introduction and getting to know you phase of riding the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. It was safe to say I was fairly impressed. One of my biggest fears coming to this launch was why would you want to buy this motorcycle when you could just buy a Himalayan. I was relieved that the Guerrilla had its own soul and character and most importantly was going to offer itself to a different Royal Enfield customer and was more road focussed than expected…
“The Guerrilla 450 will make a great commuter or a great weekend scratcher and wheelie machine!”
We headed off after lunch through the countryside where I again took the time to explore the 452cc Sherpa powerplant. Although it only produces a modest 29.5kW and 40Nm of torque, incidentally the same numbers as the Himalayan, it features a different engine and ignition mapping and final gearing to provide its own riding experience.
“Being Learner legal this is an accessible easy to ride motorcycle that has its own cool factor”…
As we head back through the city towards our last photoshoot of the day, the ease of navigating city traffic was again on show and a real feature of the Guerrilla. The roadster appealed to me on a variety of levels. Being Learner legal this is an accessible easy to ride motorcycle that has its own cool factor. Believe it or not and market data probably will not support this statement, but not everyone wants an adventure bike, and this is a very good alternative for those riders who like the Himalayan but do not want an adventure bike.
The Guerrilla 450 will make a great commuter or a great weekend scratcher and wheelie machine! It is quite stylish, easy to ride and not overcomplicated and matched with what we expect the pricing to be, offers a very affordable cost of ownership. At this stage there is no confirmed pricing for Australia, however we do expect it to be priced cheaper than the Himalayan. What we do know though is that the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is expected to arrive locally in late September, early October this year.
“The Guerrilla 450 is a great entry point into motorcycling and has a lot to offer riders who are seeking a small to mid-capacity naked that is sharply priced”…
Are Royal Enfield on a winner with the Guerrilla 450? Personally, I don’t believe it will move the same sales volumes as the Himalayan, however I do think it will be successful for Royal Enfield even though it will be up against some stiff competition from the likes of the Triumph 400 range among others. The Guerrilla 450 is a great entry point into motorcycling and has a lot to offer riders who are seeking a small to mid-capacity naked that is sharply priced.
We will get the bike on test here in Australia later in the year for a full comprehensive performance road test in our Down Under conditions. Stay tuned!
TECH TALK – 2024 ROYAL ENFIELD GUERRILLA 450
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 colours L to R: Yellow Ribbon, Brava Blue, Playa Black, Smoke, Gold Dip.
Sharing the 452cc Sherpa engine with the Himalayan 450 but re-mapped for street use, with a 42mm throttle-body, RbW throttle and 84mm x 81.5mm bore x stroke, the Guerrilla run an 11.5:1 compression ratio and makes a learner legal friendly 29.44kW@8000rpm and 40Nm@5500rpm. It also features a slipper clutch (cable actuation) and a six-speed gearbox.
Chassis-wise, the steel tubular frame uses the engine as a stressed member. The swingarm is steel and runs a linkage-type SHOWA monoshock and offers 150mm of travel, while up the front 43mm conventional SHOWA forks are covered with fork gators and give 140mm travel. Wheels are 17in cast alloy with 120/70 – 17in and 160/60 – 17in on-road/off-road 50/50 CEAT GrippXL tyres.
Braking is taken care off by ByBre (By Brembo) with a 310mm front rotor with two-piston sliding caliper and a 270mm rear rotor with a single-piston caliper, and dual channel ABS is a feature too. The front master-cylinder is of the conventional type with integrated fluid reservoir, and the brake lines are braided stainless-steel for added feel and power.
The Guerrilla is 2090mm long, with a wheelbase of 1440mm and a seat height of 780mm. It is 833mm wide and 1125mm tall without mirrors, and ground clearance is 169mm. Weight comes in at 191kg wet and ready to ride, or 174kg dry.
ByBre brakes front and rear and ABS feature on the Guerrilla 450 shown here on Gold Dip colours.
The fuel tank capacity is just 11L, so expect plenty of fuel stops here in Australia, with an estimated fuel range of 300km between filling up a best case scenario to bone dry, we estimate it will be closer to a range of 250-260km between fill-ups.
Electronics include the ABS, and two Ride Modes, Economy and Performance. The TFT dash is Tripper enabled should you wish to add it and it can also Blutooth to your mobile. The lighting is LED and the engine is of course electric start. No anti-theft immobiliser or traction control. Guerrilla 450 colours are Brava Blue, Yellow Ribbon, Gold Dip, Playa Black and Smoke.
Pricing has been announced for some International markets (it’s under $5000 AUD in India but don’t expect that here), we predict it will be somewhere around the price of the Himalayan, perhaps a little less, so $9,000 – ish Ride Away, but nothing official is available on price here in Australia. There are three variants, one with a basic analogue dash and two with the TFT dash.
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Specifications
Price & Availability: Available from late 2024, Price TBC
Colours:Brava Blue, Yellow Ribbon, Gold Dip, Playa Black and Smoke.
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.
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
Royal Enfield 2024 Guerrilla 450 Gallery
Ratings | Bike Review | Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Test
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Eight months after the Sherpa 450 engine debuted in the Himalayan, Royal Enfield have launched the Guerrilla 450 roadster. We head to Barcelona to test it at the global launch… Here are our results.
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