We recently rode the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 for the first time and here are our thoughts on the retro roadster:

We recently rode the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 for the first time and here are our thoughts on the retro roadster:

29 Jul, 2024

Irfan Kabeer

Looks like proper roadster with the low stance — Gets the Himalayan 450’s LED headlight, centre and tail panels

LED headlight mounted lower than the ADV and doesn’t get a windshield — Fuel tank: shorter in height & flatter than the ADV

Gets funky colour schemes that accentuate the good looks — Playa Black colour looks the coolest

Gets 452cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor from the Himalayan 450 — Different throttle mapping and smaller 45-tooth rear sprocket = taller gearing

Engine offers aggressive performance and is very fun to ride — Taller gearing = good highway cruiser — Lighter kerb weight should make it quicker than the ADV

Some vibrations felt at lower rpm — Slight vibes felt at 5500-6500rpm but not a deal breaker

Rake angle pulled in by 4 degrees = 27mm shorter trail — Combined with shorter swingarm = 70mm shorter wheelbase than Himalayan 450

Feels very nimble to ride — Quick direction changes feel effortless — Provides lot of confidence when leaned over — Tyres offer adequate grip

Brakes offer decent feedback and great stopping power — Firm suspension setup = sporty but not harsh ride quality

780mm seat height makes it very approachable — Single-piece seat comfortable & spacious enough for all riders

Higher & more rear set footpegs along with lower handlebar = proper roadster riding posture — Committed enough for spirited + upright as well for city riding

Flash & Dash variants: Himalayan 450’s TFT instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity & Google Maps — Phone needs to be unlocked at all times for navigation

Analogue variant: Super Meteor 650’s semi-digital instrument console — Gets tripper navigation as optional — USB C charging port & two ride modes: Eco & Performance available
Based on the Himalayan 450, the Guerrilla 450 shares lots of components with the ADV but still gets differentiating factors to make it unique. So, is it the best retro roadster available right now?