Royal Enfield invited us to its North American headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to trip the brand new Guerrilla 450. There we have been within the coronary heart of American-made Huge Twin nation, cruising the streets on India-built 452cc single-cylinder roadsters that retail for simply $5,299. The distinction was hanging.
The Himalayan 450 launched final 12 months was the primary liquid-cooled bike in Royal Enfield’s lineup for the reason that firm was based in 1901, and the Guerrilla 450 is the second. Each bikes are constructed across the Sherpa DOHC 4-valve engine that makes a claimed 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 29.5 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm and makes use of throttle-by-wire (additionally a primary for Royal Enfield).
With fashions starting from 350cc to 650cc, Royal Enfield has turn into the world’s high midsize bike producer, with manufacturing skyrocketing from 300,000 items in 2015 to greater than 1 million in 2025. The lineup now consists of 14 fashions, every constructed with the identical spirit: bikes which are responsive, succesful, enjoyable, and adaptive to no matter terrain the trip brings.
“Guerilla” sometimes refers to a member of a small insurgent group that engages in irregular combating towards a extra formidable foe. With respect to the Guerrilla 450, it’s extra playful than rebellious, and just like the Himalayan 450, it’s extra trendy than different bikes in Royal Enfield’s lineup whereas retaining the model’s signature retro model and approachable character.
GEAR UP
Heritage fashions just like the Bullet 350 and Basic 350 put on nostalgia on their sleeves, however the Guerrilla appears and feels modern, city, and geared toward riders who’re generalists reasonably than specialists: new riders, younger riders, commuters, weekend warriors, and explorers who don’t want or need the largest, strongest, or most technologically superior bike you should purchase. A lot of as we speak’s bikes are overly sophisticated or sanitized to the purpose of uniformity. The Guerrilla gives one thing refreshingly easy and distinctive. No matter your driving abilities or expertise, this bike is simple to trip, enjoyable, peppy, and succesful in various driving situations.
Royal Enfield typically has enjoyable with its shade palette, and the Guerilla 450 isn’t any exception. It’s out there in Brava Blue with contrasting white, Playa Black, or Smoke Silver. After I noticed the Brava Blue model’s blue magazine entrance wheel and subframe, it instantly jogged my memory of a BMX bike I had after I was a child. These childhood reminiscences got here dashing again, and I simply stood there with a smile on my face. The blue entrance wheel is paired with a black rear wheel, like children who put on two completely different coloured footwear – hip and a bit quirky. Excellent for the Guerilla’s mission: younger, city, and funky with simply sufficient angle to make an announcement.
Measuring simply 56.7 inches between the axles, weighing 406 lb, and with a seat peak of solely 30.7 inches, the Guerrilla is compact but appears purposeful and muscular. The tank is sculpted however not cumbersome, the seat is low however not stubby, and the traces are cohesive however not boring. The design language offers a nod to the cafe racer and streetfighter scenes with out shedding its personal identification.
The Guerrilla 450’s beauty are complemented by the character of its engine, which is tuned for clean energy and a broad unfold of torque. Two trip modes – Efficiency and Eco – regulate throttle response. Eco Mode softens response simply sufficient for clean cruising, whereas Efficiency Mode sharpens the sting, giving the Guerrilla that “grrr” issue the title guarantees. In metropolis visitors, the engine doesn’t require fixed gear adjustments to remain within the candy spot – third gear will carry you from a crawl to city cruising speeds with out hesitation. Open it up, and the Guerrilla rewards you with a satisfying growl that made me smile and linear thrust that feels way more partaking than the spec sheet may counsel.
What impressed me most was the steadiness. It’s peppy with out being twitchy, clean with out being boring. Some Singles can really feel buzzy or strained at freeway speeds, however the Guerrilla holds 70 mph in sixth gear comfortably, with greater than sufficient energy in reserve for passing. The slip/help clutch provides reassurance, particularly when downshifting aggressively into corners.
Swinging a leg over the Guerrilla is inviting. The seat peak is low sufficient for shorter riders to really feel assured, but the bike doesn’t really feel cramped or small. I’m 5-foot-7, and the mid-set pegs and upright handlebar positioned me in a pure, relaxed place. The seat itself is agency however not punishing. After just a few hours of blended driving – metropolis streets, suburban stretches, a run alongside the Lake Michigan shoreline, after which into the open areas west of Pewaukee for smaller two-lane nation driving – I by no means as soon as felt the necessity to hop off and stretch.
At low speeds, the Guerrilla is maneuverable and light-weight, in a position to thread via visitors with out hesitation and responsive when pushed via tight backroad corners. But the bike additionally feels secure and planted at larger speeds due to its tubular-steel body that makes use of the engine as a harassed member and its Showa suspension. The 43mm nonadjustable fork with 5.5 inches of journey and the linkage-type, preload-adjustable rear shock with 5.9 inches of journey are primary in spec however well-balanced on the highway. The entrance finish feels communicative with out being harsh, absorbing Milwaukee’s less-than-perfect pavement, and the rear retains the bike composed even when pushed over tough patches mid-corner.
J.Juan brakes, with a 2-piston entrance caliper squeezing a 310mm disc and a 2-piston rear caliper squeezing a 270mm disc, are predictable, responsive, and simple to modulate throughout low-speed maneuvering. ABS is commonplace, and it intervenes easily when wanted with out chopping in too early. On a spirited stretch of nation highway, I intentionally braked late right into a collection of corners, and the Guerrilla by no means flinched. The suspension stored the bike secure, the brakes slowed issues easily, and the tires stayed planted.
Past the usual spec, the Guerrilla is obtainable with numerous upgrades, together with a 4-inch spherical TFT show with the Tripper Sprint, which integrates with Google Maps, music, and cellphone calls by way of Bluetooth. There’s additionally a full line of manufacturing unit equipment, together with a Flat Observe package that transforms the bike’s profile with a bench seat, a sump guard, bar-end mirrors, and different touches.
Whereas the Guerrilla is pitched primarily as an city roadster, if I owned one I’d load it with ADV baggage and level on the horizon. The ergonomics and stability encourage confidence for longer hauls, and the Sherpa engine has the legs to cruise comfortably all day. Wind safety is minimal, as you’d anticipate from a unadorned, however that’s a part of the attraction. Riders who need touring consolation may lean towards the Himalayan 450, however the Guerrilla makes a powerful case as a reasonable commuter or weekend escape machine.
After a full day within the saddle that included each dry and moist situations, I stepped off the Guerrilla 450 with a smile that lingered lengthy after my helmet got here off. This bike exemplifies what Royal Enfield does finest – delivering pure, unfiltered motorcycling. For a roadster priced at simply $5,299, the general bundle is nothing in need of spectacular, particularly since nothing feels low cost or performed as an afterthought. However the Guerrilla 450’s finest trait is its character, which inspires you to simply get on the market and have enjoyable.
2025 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Specs
- Base Value: $5,299
- Web site: RoyalEnfield.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., Unltd. mill
- Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse Single, DOHC w/ 4 valves
- Displacement: 452cc
- Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 81.5mm
- Horsepower: 39.5 hp @ 8,000 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Torque: 29.5 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Ultimate Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 56.7 in.
- Rake/Path: 21.8 levels/3.6 in.
- Seat Peak: 30.7 in.
- Moist Weight: 406 lb (manufacturing unit declare, 90% gasoline & oil)
- Gas Capability: 2.9 gal.
