Nick has taken ownership of the BikeReview Guerrilla 450, using it for the odd 200km return commute, running around town and some weekend fun. Here are his first impressions...
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 2 of the BikeReview Guerrilla 450.
After Simon Harris gave us the initial lowdown in Part 1 (read that here), the Guerrilla 450 long termer has now found its way into my shed. Simon’s off on another assignment, and I’ve taken the keys for a few months. Truth be told, I’ve been hanging out to get my hands on the Guerrilla ever since it was first revealed. There’s something about the it that grabbed my attention early on.
I couldn’t make the world launch in Spain, AJ covered that for BikeReview.com.au back in July 2024, and while I was wrapped to read his impressions, I was spewing I couldn’t throw a leg over it at the time, but now that it’s here in my garage, I finally get the chance to live with it and ride it day-in, day-out. And I’m genuinely stoked.
“So far, it’s been earning its keep as my go-to bike for day-to-day running around. It’s just so usable.”
So far, it’s been earning its keep as my go-to bike for day-to-day running around. It’s just so usable. Trips into town, last-minute runs to the bottle shop, picking up a few bits and pieces, it’s made even the most boring errands fun. There’s something about the Guerrilla’s personality that encourages me to take the long way, and the torquey, friendly engine makes short urban hops a bit more interesting.
The 452cc Sherpa-derived single is smooth and tractable, and it’s got a really usable spread of torque. For a learner-legal bike, it performs well, although I did expect a bit more snap when cracking the throttle. I wonder if the gearing is a touch too tall, particularly for urban use, it feels like there’s more in the motor than what’s being delivered at lower revs. Still, it chugs along happily from as low as 3000rpm and revs out nicely when pushed, so no real complaints there.
“For a learner-legal bike, it performs well, although I did expect a bit more snap when cracking the throttle”.
At 195cm tall, I’m definitely on the outer edge of the Guerrilla’s ergonomic comfort zone. It’s not cramped to the point of being a deal-breaker, but I wouldn’t mind a bit more legroom and ‘bar height. I feel like this would be an ideal fit for average-sized riders, and certainly smaller or newer riders will feel right at home. It’s light, un-intimidating, and pretty easy to manage in traffic or tight spaces.
Check out our World Launch Report and Tech Overview of the Guerrilla 450 here…
Braking performance is solid without being outstanding. The ByBre hardware is doing a good job and I haven’t had any fade or complaints under normal conditions. The suspension is fairly basic, with preload adjustment only on the rear, but it’s handling the rough and patchy roads of the Central Coast and Hunter region well enough. It doesn’t pogo or crash through bumps, and there’s just enough compliance for most surfaces. For general use, it’s well dialled-in.
Economy has also been impressive. I haven’t done a full fuel range test yet as I keep topping it up, mainly due to my addiction to servo Dare Iced Chocolate drinks, but it’s only just sipping fuel on shorter runs and I reckon over 260km per tank is realistic in real-world Aussie conditions. With only an 11L tank, that’s not bad, and the frugal nature of the engine definitely helps when fuel prices are punching above $2.00/L for good premium unleaded most days.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the Guerrilla handles extended sealed and unsealed road use.”
Unfortunately, my plans to stretch the Guerrilla’s legs on longer rides have been rained out. It’s been a wet few weeks across NSW and I haven’t been able to do the dirt-road loop I’d planned out to St Albans for a pub feed. That ride’s still high on the agenda, though, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Guerrilla handles extended sealed and unsealed road use when conditions improve.
Read Jacinta’s opinion of the Guerrilla 450 here…
In the meantime, it’s been detailed, admired, and treated to a quick oil and filter change. It’s the kind of bike you want to keep clean as it just looks so sharp when it’s fresh. The colour scheme, tank design, and block-pattern tyres definitely draw my attention anyway, and more than a few mates have been keen for a look and a sit, although the yellow is not for everyone…
Jacinta at the Moto Machine Sydney Guerrilla 450 launch. Jacinta spent some time riding the Guerrilla recently.
So far, the Guerrilla has impressed me as a solid, versatile, and characterful little bike. It may not be perfect, and for taller riders like me it’s not without compromise, but it delivers on its promise of urban fun with old-school flair and modern reliability, and won’t send you to the slammer like a supernaked will. Hopefully, the next few weeks dry out enough for me to get it properly dirty and maybe even see how that soft-road potential stacks up.
Stay tuned for Part 3, when I finally head 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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