Royal Enfield recently introduced a new flagship variant of the Guerrilla 450, called the Apex. Positioned at the top of the lineup, the company invited us to Guwahati to experience it first-hand. The big question on my mind was simple: should you pick the Apex or stick with the standard Guerrilla? The answer, however, isn’t that straightforward.
What Royal Enfield has done with the Apex is make the motorcycle feel noticeably more aggressive, primarily by altering the rider’s posture. This comes courtesy of a new aluminium handlebar, which now sits 56 mm lower and 57 mm further away. The result is a more hunched and committed riding stance.
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This setup does improve front-end feel and control, especially when attacking corners. You feel more connected to the bike, which translates into greater confidence when pushing harder. The trade-off, though, is comfort. On longer rides, this forward-leaning posture could put additional strain on the rider’s palms. Interestingly, Royal Enfield hasn’t altered the footpeg position, so while the upper body feels sportier, the overall riding triangle stops short of being fully aggressive. A more committed setup would have enhanced the character further, but it may have also reduced everyday usability.
{{/usCountry}}This setup does improve front-end feel and control, especially when attacking corners. You feel more connected to the bike, which translates into greater confidence when pushing harder. The trade-off, though, is comfort. On longer rides, this forward-leaning posture could put additional strain on the rider’s palms. Interestingly, Royal Enfield hasn’t altered the footpeg position, so while the upper body feels sportier, the overall riding triangle stops short of being fully aggressive. A more committed setup would have enhanced the character further, but it may have also reduced everyday usability.
{{/usCountry}}On the cosmetic front, the Apex gets three colour options: Apex Red, Apex Black, and Apex Green. There’s also a short flyscreen at the front and a rear cowl. The flyscreen feels more aesthetic than functional, and not everyone will appreciate its design. The rear cowl, however, is a nice touch and can be removed when riding with a pillion.
The most significant upgrade, though, comes in the form of tyres. The Apex replaces the Ceat units with Vredestein Centauro ST+ tyres. These are road-biased and a clear step up in terms of grip and feedback. The difference is immediately noticeable. You can push harder into corners, braking feels more assured, and the overall confidence level goes up significantly. Even in situations where I entered a corner a bit too hot and had to brake mid-corner, the tyres communicated well and regained composure as soon as brake pressure was eased. That level of feedback makes a big difference.
So, who should buy the Guerrilla 450 Apex?
This is where things get a bit tricky. Despite being the top-spec variant, the Apex is currently the most affordable one. If you’re someone who prefers a sharper, more aggressive riding experience, the Apex makes a lot of sense.
However, if you prefer a more upright and relaxed riding posture, the Dash and Flash variants might suit you better, even though they are priced higher. That said, the new Twilight Blue colour on the Dash variant is currently priced at par with the Apex at ₹2.49 lakh (ex-showroom), making it a compelling alternative. It also comes with added accessories like knuckle guards and a headlight grille. The only downside is that it continues with Ceat tyres, albeit with an improved compound. Personally, I’d still consider upgrading those tyres after delivery or once they wear out.
It’s also worth noting that these are introductory, ex-showroom prices. Royal Enfield is currently celebrating its 125-year anniversary, which is reflected in the pricing.