Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex Variant: 3 Things We Like & 2 Things We Don't Like
Improved aesthetics, new colours, better tyres and much more
We rode the new Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex variant at its launch, in Guwahati, Assam. The brand took an already fun and engaging roadster, and sharpened it further with a more focussed, sporty approach. This Apex version aims to appeal to riders who want a more dynamic riding experience without losing the Guerrilla’s core character. Here’s a quick look at what we liked and what we didn't like about this update:
What We Liked
1. Striking Looks
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex truly stands out when it comes to design. The new colour options feel fresh, bold, and perfectly suited to its sporty personality. The addition of a headlight cowl gives the front end a more aggressive stance, while the neatly integrated seat cowl enhances its rear profile, making it look sharper and more purposeful.
The colours, graphics, and added elements don’t look like afterthoughts but rather a well-planned upgrade. The bike now carries a more premium and performance-oriented visual appeal.. It has that attention-grabbing presence that makes you want to turn back and admire it after parking.
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Top 5 Retro Bikes Under Rs 1.5 Lakh In India2. Improved Ergonomics
One of the most noticeable upgrades is the new aluminium handlebar, which sits 57mm lower and 56mm forward. This change transforms the riding posture significantly, giving it a much sportier and more engaging stance.
The rider now feels more connected to the front wheel, which inspires confidence, especially while cornering or riding aggressively. It feels quite sporty and makes you want to push harder and enjoy the twisty roads. Despite being more aggressive, the stance doesn’t feel overly committed, striking a nice balance between comfort and control for spirited riding.
3. New Tyres = Better Grip
The switch to Vredestein Centauro ST Plus tyres is a game-changer. These tyres offer significantly better road grip, especially when leaning into corners. Thanks to their slightly rounder profile, the bike feels more natural and predictable while turning. Changing directions quickly feels easier and secure, making it more fun on the mountain roads. This upgrade alone dramatically improves the bike’s overall riding dynamics and confidence levels.
What We Don’t Like
1. Suspension Still Feels Firm
The Apex variant continues with the same stiff rear suspension, as before. While this works well for spirited riding and stability at higher speeds, it compromises comfort, especially on uneven city roads. A slightly softer setup would have made daily commutes more forgiving and improved overall ride quality without sacrificing too much handling capability.
2. Missing Key Features
Despite it being positioned as a sporty offering from the brand, the Guerrilla 450 Apex misses out on features like traction control and a bidirectional quickshifter, both of which are increasingly common in this segment. While many riders might not feel the need for traction control in everyday riding, newer riders could benefit from the added safety net, especially given the bike’s performance. A quickshifter, on the other hand, would have perfectly complemented its sporty nature.
BikeDekho Says
The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex is a more focused and exciting version of an already likeable motorcycle with better ergonomics, improved tyres, and standout styling, it feels more engaging than before. However, a slightly more comfortable suspension setup and a few modern features would have made it a near-perfect package in 2026.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 User Reviews
Would recommend it one hundred percent as entry level bike for bike enthusiasts. The raw power it delivers oh my god. I can say this as it is my first bike. As far as I have driven this bike, I have never encountered any problems so far. Ten on ten.Read More
This is one of the best machines. So tuned and historical. Chain is a tight initially but later it's smooth. Power unmatched. Fully satisfied and colour are wonderful in quality. Great buy. Got help from the showroom and the build quality and parts are amazing. I am thrilled that there is no negative point. It's an achievement.Read More
Best bike in performance and pickup and also good for off-roading, VIP too. Looks different in world for real Aura. Engine is more refined, the handling is very nice, this is best bike in rider segment, biggest tyre in all range of RE like meteor, the sitting posture is much good for long ride. I love it.Read More
I had to many optoins when it comes to mid range cc segment and goes for the budget and this stole my eye with the colours, the glare its has some charm that i wanted to hold and drive and honestly, its been great. Its been hell of a ride and i give it the best bike the enfield ever released the bike, I mean i'm not a guy who has issues with mileage or maintaince, but if you are it might be troublesome except that runs like a butter. Of course, if youre someone who wants to have a classic bike with power torque and i quote an indian brand cause i'm proud as hell while riding this beauty and beast, it gives butterflies not exaggerated. Read More
An excellent bike with solid engine. It has that attractiveness to fall in love. Compact size, big blast. I choose to experience this machine for its style, liquid cooled engine, TFT display, suspension and everything. Long rides does not feel boring on this machine. It definitely give good comfort, mileage depends on situation, 17-22 in traffic and 23-27 on highway. The torque it generates is just fabulous. It has given me upper hand in drag races. Would definitely recommend this bike to teenagers and those riders who wants to experience the feeling of driving Himalayan. This machine is a segment killer, no other bike can pair with it except its big sister Himalayan 450.Read More