Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 ' Flying Flea ' By Ben Purvis
As a brand that until recently was a bitpart player in a minor niche of the global market , Royal Enfield ' s renaissance over the last few years has been remarkable . With the new Guerrilla 450 , the company takes another huge step into the mainstream with an affordable , modern roadster that rivals machines like Triumph ' s Speed 400 . The Guerrilla is based on the same platform as the new-for-2024 Himalayan 450 , sharing Royal Enfield ' s new ' Sherpa ' single-cylinder engine , which marks multiple firsts for the company . It ' s the first liquid-cooled Enfield engine , and the first with double overhead camshafts , as well as debuting ride-by-wire throttle technology into the company ' s range . In short , the 452 cc single is a completely modern design , unlike the 1950s and 1960s throwbacks normally associated with the company . With 39.5 hp ( 40 PS / 29.44 kW ) and 40 Nm of torque , power is on a par with the Triumph Speed 400 , but the Royal Enfield has more torque thanks to a 54 cc capacity advantage , and the Royal Enfield undercuts the Triumph ' s price , though not by a wide margin . The two bikes have more in common than their general layouts , too , as both carry traditional British brand names and play on their heritage but are actually manufactured in India . Like the Himalayan , the Guerilla has a six-speed gearbox - a number that ' s still unusual for a Royal Enfield , since most of the brand ' s bikes use five-speed boxes - and the main frame is identical . There ' s a new seat subframe , though , and different suspension to make the Guerrilla a road-only bike without the Himalayan ' s off-tarmac abilities . Right-way-up , non-adjustable forks that are shorter than the Himalayan ' s upside-downers , along with a 17-inch front wheel , help shorten the wheelbase and steepen the rake , and by swapping from a 17-liter fuel tank to an 11-liter design , the Guerrilla ' s weight is also reduced by 7 kg to 184 kg wet . The seat height is 780 mm . Although lacking the endless functions of some modern bikes , there ' s some useful technology on the Guerrilla ' s small , circular TFT dash , including mapbased navigation using Google Maps when linked to a smartphone . For the first time on a Royal Enfield , there ' s also a choice of riding modes - ' eco ' or ' performance .'
More Royal Enfields incoming
The Guerrilla isn ' t the only new Royal Enfield on the way as design registrations have emerged showing two further models - a 650 cc twincylinder scrambler and a lightweight electric bike . The scrambler is based on the Interceptor 650 and expected to carry the name ' Interceptor Bear 650 ' - a
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
Tens of thousands of motorcyclists from around the United States ( from around the world in fact ) gathered at the Mid- Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington , Ohio , July 26-28 for the 2024 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha to help the American Motorcyclist Association ( AMA ) mark its 100th anniversary . One of the largest single-weekend events in all of motorcycling , including North America ' s largest motorcycle swap meet , the annual event raises funds for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation , a 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit that helps fund the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame ' s mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of motorcycling in America . " Every year , the AMA takes great pride in organizing AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days ," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman , " and this year was even more special as the AMA celebrated its 100th anniversary . The weekend gives motorcyclists a chance to celebrate vintage bikes while spending time with family and friends , enjoying the
10 AMD - OCTOBER 2024
freedom of two wheels with likeminded enthusiasts . " This event wouldn ' t be possible without a long list of partners , supporters and volunteers . We appreciate them all , as well as everyone who attended the record-breaking event , which enables us to raise money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame ." The Grand Marshal for the event was AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and sixtime AMA National Champion Broc Glover - whose weekend duties included leading the Lap of History aboard a Ténéré 700 , kindly provided by Yamaha as presenting sponsor of the event . AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula thanked the many companies who supported the event financially . " A huge thank you to Permco , who was our Title Sponsor for the second year in a row ," Kula said . " We also appreciate Yamaha , who was the event ' s Presenting Sponsor ." Other sponsors included State Farm , Royal Enfield , B ' laster , SSR Motorsports , Motozilli Powersports , Biltwell , Kenda Tire , American Motor Drome Company , Classic British Motorcycle Club , Iron Pony , STACYC , Mimi & Moto , Moto Motion , Skidmark Garage , Motorcycles and Coffee , Vintage Rides , Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club , Angel Boy by Boozy , Big Ear Inc ., DC Dirt Camp , Legends and Heroes Moto Museum , Liquid Lab & Studio , Red Bull , Ryvid Inc ., Smart Massage , Thrive Medical Center , National Cycle , Brakecrafters , Cometic title that ' s been trademarked already in multiple countries alongside a stylized graphic showing the silhouette of a bear . It shares the frame and the aircooled 650 cc twin engine with the Interceptor , along with the twin-shock rear suspension setup , but gains upside-down forks and new bodywork . Wide , flat bars give a scrambler riding position , and the Interceptor ' s twin exhausts are swapped for a lowmounted two-into-one system with a silencer on the right-hand-side . The twin instruments of the Interceptor are swapped for a single circular unit that appears to be identical to the TFT screen used on the latest Himalayan and the Guerrilla 450 . The lightweight electric model is similar to an unreleased concept bike , the electriK01 , which was partially revealed in a leaked photo back in 2022 . It ' s a lightweight , retro-styled single-seater with a girder fork , matching the electriK01 design , but the new design registrations show a different , finned battery pack and changes to the frame . Royal Enfield ' s owner Eicher has filed several trademark applications around the world for the name ' Flying Flea ' - a reference to the lightweight WW2 miliary bike used by paratroopers , which shares some notable design similarities with the new electric model , including the single saddle and the girder forks .
Gasket and Klotz Lubricants . Highlights included the VMD swap meet , which was bigger than ever this year with more than 825 vendor spaces all sold out . AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter expressed appreciation for Mid- Ohio Sports Car Course , " the AMA ' s most important operational partner . The course offers one of the few facilities in the country able to accommodate the many activities that make AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days what it is . This wouldn ' t be possible without the professional and experienced team running the track ." VintageMotorcycleDays . com
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