Royal Enfield Unveils the Guerrilla 450

Royal Enfield has finally taken the wraps off its much-anticipated Guerrilla 450, a motorcycle positioned as a sportier and more agile alternative to their popular Himalayan adventure bike. After a social media campaign filled with playful jabs at competitors, the Guerrilla 450 arrives in showrooms with a starting price of Rs 2.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai).

Shared DNA with a Performance Twist

While the Guerrilla 450 shares some of its DNA with the Himalayan, it brings a distinct character to the table. The core lies in the same liquid-cooled, 452cc engine – the ‘Sherpa 450’ – but Royal Enfield has tweaked the tuning and gearing to suit the Guerrilla’s more performance-oriented nature. Royal Enfield claims 40hp at 8,000rpm and 40Nm at 5,500rpm, promising a thrilling ride.

Lighter Chassis, Different Suspension Setup

The chassis also bears a resemblance to the Himalayan, with the engine continuing its role as a stressed member of the main frame. However, the Guerrilla sheds some weight by opting for a subframe different from its adventure sibling. Suspension duties are handled by a monoshock at the rear, but the Guerrilla trades the Himalayan’s USD fork for a more traditional gaitered telescopic unit upfront. Braking power comes from disc brakes at both ends – a 310mm disc at the front and a 270mm disc at the rear – with the safety net of dual-channel ABS. Interestingly, the front disc is slightly smaller on the Guerrilla compared to the Himalayan, while the rear disc remains the same size.

Royal Enfield has managed to shave off a significant 11kg from the Himalayan’s weight, bringing the Guerrilla 450 in at 185kg. This weight reduction can be attributed to the smaller 11-litre fuel tank and the switch to lighter 17-inch alloy wheels shod with tubeless tires. Notably, these CEAT tires – sized 120/70 R17 (front) and 160/60 R17 (rear) – are the widest ever seen on a motorcycle manufactured in India.

Three Variants for Diverse Preferences

The Guerrilla 450 caters to a range of rider preferences with three distinct variants: Analogue, Dash, and Flash. The base Analogue variant offers a more subdued color palette of grey and black with just a hint of vibrancy. In contrast, the Dash and Flash variants embrace a flashier aesthetic with a wider selection of five color options.

The most significant differentiation between the variants lies in the instrument cluster. The Analogue variant features a digi-analogue display similar to the one seen on the Super Meteor 650, accompanied by a Tripper navigation pod for route guidance. Stepping up the tech game, the higher-spec Dash and Flash variants boast a full-fledged TFT dash, identical to the one on the Himalayan, and come equipped with all the connectivity features Royal Enfield offers on their adventure bike.

Royal Enfield, true to their tradition, will spoil Guerrilla 450 owners with a plethora of official accessories, allowing riders to personalize their machines to their taste.

A Contender in the 400cc Segment

The Guerrilla 450 is poised to stir things up in the Indian motorcycle market, entering a ring already occupied by some established players. It will face competition from the likes of the Triumph Speed 400 (Rs 2.34 lakh), Honda CB300R (Rs 2.40 lakh), and the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (Rs 2.92 lakh). With its competitive pricing, peppier performance, and distinctive looks, the Guerrilla 450 has the potential to carve out a niche for itself in the exciting 400cc segment.