Royal Enfield can seemingly do no wrong these days: the 350 range has been a massive hit here and around the world. The 650 twins are still selling well after five years on the market. New variants such as the excellent Shotgun have built on the beach head established initially by the Interceptor and Continental GT. The Himalayan has recently been heavily updated and is selling like the proverbial hot-cakes.
New and Rather Funky Addition
Building on the expanding and successful range is the new Guerrilla 450. Based on the same 40 bhp single cylinder engine as the new Himalayan, but in a much more overtly stylish and road orientated package. Like the Himalayan it is A2 compliant and just ducks under the £5000 mark in the UK (2024)
Andrew Reason has been lucky enough to enjoy an extended test ride on the new Guerrilla, let’s see how he got on:
All Feels So Natural
My first thoughts are, everything feels natural and neutral, no looking for foot pegs and levers. They fell naturally to hand. The mirrors are clear and give decent visibility. You will need to be at least 5ft 6 to get both feet flat on the floor I think. The seat is comfortable enough but slides me forward so I have to keep pushing back. Handle bars are trail-bike like high.
Thoroughly modern and very attractive
Slim, everything just falls to hand. Helps to manage slightly above class average weight
It’s nice to see that although Royal Enfield have built a thoroughly modern bike, things like fork gaiters, mudguard extension and centre stand are all fitted as standard. Finish is generally very good, but I did scratch the clock by wiping dust off of it.
Good to see practical features such as fork gaiters fitted
An Enfield with (a little) Tech!
Moving on to the tech. An Enfield with tech. Another new experience for me. Being honest I’m not a lover of tech myself: Most of it is pointless in my opinion. The engine has two modes: ECO and Performance. Once I found performance and it did help take off through 1st gear, but what’s the point on a 40bhp bike?
Tech has even found it’s way to Royal Enfield
Once under way the front brake feels ‘mushy’ in operation while the rear is almost viciously sharp. Cornering however is good; the bike goes where you put it. However I don’t like Ceat tyres and I am not experimenting on new semi-knobblies on the wet roads I was enduring on my ride.
Goes Well
Moving onto performance now: 1st gear will probably be alright if given a hand full, but pulling away from the shop, I had to cross 3 lanes of rush hour traffic on the notorious A12. It felt like I had no power initially: A 125 would have beaten me. Shifting up into 2nd gear and above things really improve and the Guerrilla feels pretty lively! Most unlike any other Enfield single I have ever ridden! I have to remember it’s only got 10 miles on the clock, so am trying to show some mechanical sympathy. It does take off well though, once you remember to use Performance mode!
450cc Water-cooled Twin cam single. A2 Compliant and neatly integrated exhaust
I do not like the fly by wire throttle, maintaining a steady trailing throttle is difficult. I have a feeling this probably will diminish with more saddle time.
I find the clock difficult to see as well, although rpm and speed are clear. However the ‘idiot-lights’ are too small for me. I was also looking for a neutral light, somehow I didn’t see the big green N in the centre.
One small detail that I liked: There is no separate rear light, instead the indicators are three way, indicators, brake lights and lights. Quite a tidy arrangement.
Initially Impressed and it Promises More
Overall I would give the Guerrilla a 7/10 right now. But I’ve only done around 50 miles on my regular commute. However I think if it had more miles on it and was my bike it could be a lot of fun. Therefore a more healthy 9/10 is a real possibility.
Thanks to my local dealer, East London Kawasaki, Bacon’s Motorcycles in Newbury Park for the loan of the Guerrilla. Can’t recommend them enough!
Words and Pictures: Andrew Reason
Introduction and editor: Tony Donnelly