If we are to believe Royal Enfield, roadsters and roads will never look the same again from today. The Indian Brits have launched the Guerrilla 450, the second model of the new 450 platform that is supposed to be built for ‘sensational responsiveness, raw instinct and pure intuitiveness. An all-roadster that defies the prevailing norms.
According to Enfield, the Guerrilla 450 is a motorcycle that embodies character, depth and rebellion and fits perfectly with the unique mission of the Indian manufacturer, which has already moved its headquarters and R&D department to England some time ago, to build motorcycles that stand out from the crowd.
The latter is definitely the case, in terms of styling the Guerrilla 450 is unlike anything else on the market. According to Enfield the Guerrilla 450 is an important new addition to the long and rich history of Enfield roadsters that have set the tone in many categories.
“The Guerrilla 450 is our interpretation of a modern roadster and we are delighted with the result. It is spirited mechanically, superbly refined and combines performance, versatility and confidence-inspiring handling. Based on the same platform as the Himalayan but tuned for roadster performance, it feels exciting and distinctly different to ride. The Guerrilla does what roadsters were always meant to do. It is incredibly responsive and a joy to ride at normal speeds as well as when you are flat out and revving the engine. The engine, chassis, riding position and superb handling of the bike all come together to create a beautiful whole that is more than the sum of its parts.”
Enfield categorises the Guerrilla 450 as a premium roadster designed for all types of tarmac. “With its spirited 452cc Sherpa engine tuned for thrilling road performance, a twin-spar tubular steel frame and a dynamic riding position that allows you to sit upright or lean slightly forward in a sporty manner, the Guerrilla 450 embodies the essence of what a roadster was always meant to be,” the press release reads.
“The dynamic ergonomics and punchy performance make it incredibly versatile, responsive and a joy to ride. Whether you’re hunched over and tearing through corners at full throttle, zipping through busy city streets full of chaotic traffic, taking a leisurely Sunday morning ride or cruising long distances at the weekend, the Guerrilla can do it all and leave you wanting more. And that’s what makes it the ultimate ‘all-roadster’.”
“The Guerrilla 450 is a beautiful roadster that is a game changer. When we started working on the Sherpa 450 platform, we envisioned a top-of-the-range adventure tourer and roadster that would be quintessentially Royal Enfield. The Guerrilla 450 is exactly that – a confidence-inspiring roadster with character. Developed in parallel with the Himalayan, the Guerrilla is perfectly tuned for city riding and weekend rides on winding roads. It handles superbly on the road and delivers controllable power. The excellent chassis dynamics add even more character to the bike, delivering great performance, stability and controllability. It has been a joy to test and ride this bike all over the world. It really does behave like an extension of yourself, inspiring confidence in you as a rider.”
These are strong words from Royal Enfield, but what exactly is it? As mentioned, the Guerrilla 450 is the second model from the new 450 platform, following the Himalayan 450 launched earlier this year. The beating heart of the Guerrilla is the new liquid-cooled (a first for Enfield) 452 cc Sherpa DOHC single-cylinder, good for a peak power of 40 hp at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm, with more than 85% of the torque available from 3,000 rpm. These are enormous achievements by Enfield standards.
The liquid-cooled system features an integrated water pump, dual-circulation radiator and internal bypass for optimum temperature control and top performance under all conditions. The six-speed transmission with slip assist clutch increases comfort at high speeds and provides additional safety.
In the press release, Enfield emphasizes (more than once) that the Guerrilla 450 is a pure bike, a bike with all the bells and whistles removed, developed with authenticity and purpose. A tribute to real roadsters. Only to mention a little later that the Sherpa single-cylinder is equipped with an Engine Management System (EMS) with electronic throttle control and – yes, here it comes – two riding modes: Performance and Eco. If you’re going for pure, then delete those riding modes that beat like pliers on a drum set at 40 hp.
Okay, what else do we know? Enfield says the Guerrilla 450’s ergonomics have been designed to work in harmony with different riding styles, meaning you should be able to handle everything from fast open-road riding to tight corner manoeuvres. The chassis, Enfield says, has been developed for agility and quick handling, stable yet easy to manoeuvre and with a light feel. Up front there’s a 43mm telescopic fork, with a monoshock at the rear. 17” tubeless tyres front and rear and a 1,440mm wheelbase.
The Guerrilla 450 comes in 3 variants – Analogue, Dash and Flash, the first of which is not available from us. Dash is available in Playa Black and Gold Dip, for €6,799, while the Flash version in Yellow Ribbon and Brava Blue goes over the counter for €6,899. Available from August 2024.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.