Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450: The Roadster That’s All About the Ride

There are some motorcycles that make sense on paper, and then there are motorcycles that make sense the moment you actually ride them.

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 definitely falls into the second camp.

Here at CMS Motorcycles Exeter, we’ve had the chance to get to know the Guerrilla 450 range properly. Dale from the CMS team has taken one out on the road, and his verdict was pretty straightforward: it’s great fun.

And really, that sums up what the Guerrilla 450 is about. It’s a modern roadster designed to be enjoyable, approachable and easy to live with, whether you’re heading out for a Sunday ride, tackling your everyday commute or simply taking the long way home because the roads are too good not to.

Meet the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

At the heart of the Guerrilla 450 is Royal Enfield’s 452cc liquid-cooled Sherpa engine.

The Guerrilla has been designed around real-world road riding. Its upright riding position, approachable nature and responsive chassis make it a bike that doesn’t need to be complicated to be entertaining.

That’s something we particularly like about it at CMS.

You don’t always need huge power figures or a bike covered in unnecessary extras to have fun. Sometimes you just want to get on, head towards your favourite stretch of road and enjoy riding a motorcycle.

The Guerrilla 450 does exactly that.

A Guerrilla for Different Tastes

One of the great things about the Guerrilla range is the choice.

At CMS Exeter, the range includes some very different-looking colourways, so riders can choose a Guerrilla that suits their own style.

Current options include Playa Black, Shadow Ash Green and Brave Blue, alongside the sportier-looking Apex Red and Apex Black.

Some are understated, some are much bolder, but underneath you still have that recognisable Guerrilla character.

And then there’s the Apex.

What’s Different About the Guerrilla 450 Apex?

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex takes the familiar Guerrilla formula and gives it a noticeably sportier, more road-focused character.

The Apex uses the same 452cc Sherpa engine, but changes including lower handlebars and road-focused tyres give the bike a different stance and feel.

The lower bars move the rider into a slightly more forward position, while the road-biased setup complements the Apex’s sharper styling.

It means choosing between the standard Guerrilla and the Apex isn’t necessarily about one being “better” than the other.

It’s about deciding what sort of Guerrilla you want.

If you like the more upright, easygoing roadster feel, the standard Guerrilla 450 makes a lot of sense. If you want something with a sportier riding position and a sharper road-focused appearance, the Apex could be the one that catches your eye.

Built for Real Roads

This is where bikes like the Guerrilla 450 really come into their own.

The Guerrilla isn’t trying to be a race bike. It’s a roadster that’s designed to be ridden and enjoyed in the real world.

The riding position is approachable, the bike feels agile and the 452cc Sherpa engine gives it the character needed to make everyday riding entertaining.

It’s equally easy to imagine using one for commuting during the week and then disappearing onto the Devon roads at the weekend.

Dale certainly came back from his ride impressed by how much fun it was, and that's probably one of the best compliments you can give a motorcycle.

Sometimes fun matters more than anything else.

Which Guerrilla 450 Would We Choose?

That’s a difficult one, because the different versions give the Guerrilla quite different personalities visually.

Playa Black keeps things relatively classic and understated.

Shadow Ash Green gives the bike a more subtle, purposeful appearance.

Brave Blue stands out immediately with its blue detailing.

Then you have Apex Red, which gives the Guerrilla a much brighter, sportier presence, and Apex Black, with its darker finish, red graphics and red wheel detailing.

Our advice?

Come and see them.

Motorcycles can look completely different in person compared with looking at photographs on a screen, and sitting on one can tell you far more than reading a specification sheet ever will.

More Than Just the Bike

Choosing your new Royal Enfield is only part of the fun.

At CMS Motorcycles Exeter, we also stock and supply Royal Enfield accessories, so you can personalise your Guerrilla and make it work for the way you actually ride.

Whether you’re looking at the bike itself, comparing different models in the Royal Enfield range or wondering which accessories would work best for you, our team can help.

We know the Royal Enfield range, we know the bikes and, importantly, we actually enjoy talking about them.

Come and Meet the Guerrilla 450 at CMS Exeter

If the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has caught your attention, come and have a proper look.

Pop into CMS Motorcycles Exeter at Pinhoe Trading Estate, Venny Bridge, Exeter, EX4 8JJ and speak to one of our friendly team.

We can talk you through the Guerrilla 450 range, the Apex models, colour options, Royal Enfield accessories and the rest of the Royal Enfield line-up.

Sometimes the easiest way to decide whether a motorcycle is right for you is simply to see it, sit on it and have a chat with people who know the bikes.

And if Dale's ride is anything to go by, there’s a lot of fun waiting in the Guerrilla 450.