City to Canyon

The First 4 Upgrades Every Guerrilla 450 Owner Should Make

The Guerrilla 450 is one of the most exciting bikes Royal Enfield has ever built. Light, punchy, and equally at home carving city streets or chasing a canyon road on a Sunday morning, it has quickly become the naked bike riders recommend to their friends. Built on the same Sherpa 450 platform as the Himalayan, it goes toe to toe with machines like the Kawasaki Z 500 and Honda CB500F, bringing modern liquid-cooled performance, ride-by-wire throttle, and real character to a class that can feel a little anonymous. Add an approachable seat height and a price that leaves room in the budget for gear, and it is easy to see why it has become the default recommendation for riders stepping up to their first serious motorcycle.

It is also a bike that begs to be made your own. If you have just picked one up, here are the four upgrades we would add first.

1. A flyscreen for the ride to work

The Guerrilla's naked stance looks fantastic, but a little wind management goes a long way on the commute. The Tinted Flyscreen (KXA00473, $139.99) adds attitude to the front end and takes the edge off highway wind. It is the kind of upgrade you feel on every single ride.

2. Protection for the inevitable

New riders drop bikes. Experienced riders drop bikes. It is part of the deal, so protect your investment early. A set of Compact Engine Guards (KXA00476, $149.99) and a Black Sumpguard (KXA00491, $119.99) mean a low-speed tip-over costs you nothing but a story. If you want maximum coverage, the Large Engine Guards (KXA00437, $219.99) wrap the bike more fully, and a Radiator Guard (KXA00493, $84.99) stops stones reaching the one part you really do not want to replace.

3. Somewhere to put your stuff

A bike you cannot carry anything on is a bike you leave at home. The Rear Rack (KXA00481, $139.99) gives you a mounting point for a bag or a top box, and when you are ready to travel, the Modern Soft Panniers (1990278, $269.99) on a set of Soft Pannier Rails (KXA00478, $149.99) turn the Guerrilla into a genuine weekend explorer. Very few bikes in this class go from city commuter to loaded tourer this easily.

4. Make it yours

The best part of a Guerrilla is how personal it becomes. Swap to a Black Urban Seat (KXA00474, $179.99) or a Bench Seat (KXA00464, $164.99) to change the ride feel, add Bar End Mirror Mounts (KXA00485, $29.99) for mounting the Black Round Bar End Mirrors (KXA00461, $174.99) for a cleaner front end, or finish the cockpit with the Halcyon Black Painted Instrument Cowl (KXA00472, $99.99). A Headlight Grill (KXA00444, $89.99) adds a scrambler edge. Small touches, big personality.

The starter checklist

• Wind: tinted flyscreen
• Protection: engine guards, sumpguard, radiator guard
• Carrying: rear rack, soft panniers and rails
• Personal: seat, mirrors, instrument cowl, headlight grill