Royal Enfield Has A Peculiar Name For Its New 450cc Motorcycle

Aug 30, 2023

Royal Enfield's upcoming 450cc scrambler could have a unique name inspired by militants

The folks at Royal Enfield have a lot coming our way in the future. Not only do we have confirmed launches like the new Bullet 350 or the highly anticipated Himalayan 450, but there’s also plenty of exciting stuff being prepped behind closed doors. One such project has now come to light, as the company has trademarked a peculiar name in its homeland, India.

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The leaked trademark is for the moniker ‘Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450’, filed for all motorcycle-related bits–the motorcycle itself, accessories, and OEM parts. The filing reveals no noteworthy detail besides this, which leaves us a bit high and dry. However, the inclusion of 450 means the upcoming motorcycle will be built around RE’s first liquid-cooled powerhouse, about to debut on the Himalayan 450 in a couple of months. Add to this the company’s previous leaked investor meeting data, and we can get a good idea about what the Guerrilla will be.

According to the previous leak, RE’s 450cc lineup will comprise five motorcycles. Two of these–the Himalayan 450 and Hunter 450–will serve as the ‘lead models’ that will later spawn three other motorcycles. The silhouettes of the latter showed a scrambler, a faired cafe racer, and an enduro-type ADV.

Out of these, we think the Guerrilla moniker best fits the scrambler. After all, the word refers to small militant groups that usually stay in jungles (aka rough terrain). Yes, the enduro fits the bill as well, but the motorcycle’s shape mimics proper rally bikes–a subtle hint it could be RE’s entrant in the auspicious Dakar Rally. And we all know Dakar bikes don’t exactly need fancy names.

Based on these points, the Guerrilla 450 will probably be RE’s 450cc scrambler. It will employ a 449cc, single-cylinder engine (borrowed from you know who) to produce near-40 horsepower. This would put it right in the ballpark of the new Honda SCL500 and the rumored Kawasaki Eliminator-based scrambler. A six-speed gearbox and slipper clutch will round off the engine package.

The leaked silhouette also reveals a handful of proper scrambler elements. These include a high MX-like front fender, a tall handlebar, and, our favorite, an upswept exhaust. We also expect USD forks (Showa units, similar to the Himalayan 450), which will make it more modern than the Honda. Take these with a pinch of salt, though, as the final product could be different from RE’s early plans.

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Last but not least, we expect the Guerrilla 450 to break cover in the latter half of 2024. That’s because several Royal Enfield test mules have been spied, but none of these looked like the 450cc scrambler. So it’s likely RE is keeping this one for later. You should also know trusted Indian sources suggest the brand even has a 450cc cruiser in the works.

Punya is an avid motorcyclist who's always up for a ride to the canyons or the racetrack. He insists his riding skills are better than his writing skills, even though he's worked with some world-renowned automotive websites.