Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex review: The Lean Machine
Royal Enfield have carried out some changes to the Guerrilla 450 line for 2026 after taking some customer feedback into consideration, some of which in turn have culminated in the formation of a new variant in the Guerrilla line-up – the Apex.
Now the changes for the new Apex variant may not come across as being substantial at first – with the aforementioned changes being sportier cowls at the front and rear, a new aluminium handlebar that alters the ergonomics and new road-biased Vredestein tyres – but a ride through some fine twisties between Guwahati and Shillong in Assam, proved otherwise.
Now, if you are the sort who enjoys dialling up the pace and really attacking a set of corners with intent, this new Apex variant suddenly starts making a lot more sense than the base or Dash variant, because what Royal Enfield has done here is take the already capable Guerrilla 450 and nudge it decisively towards the tarmac, giving it a sharper, more road-biased personality that feels eager to play.
Mechanically, the bike remains the same as before, with the same underpinnings and dimensions carried forward from the earlier MY bike. The bike continues to get a slipper clutch, dual-channel ABS, two ride modes and an that vibrant 5-inch TFT screen which allows you to cast your map directly onto the display via the app. RE have updated the software to finally allow you to lock your phone while casting, which is great.
At the heart of it all remains the immensely likeable Sherpa 450 engine, which in this application feels like it has finally found an excuse to stretch its legs properly, because the Apex encourages you to dig deeper into the throttle, carry more corner speed, and generally ride it in a way that borders on mischievous, if not outright ballistic. Those tyres are just so impressive! The revised rider triangle now positions you lower and closer to the bar which is slightly more committed riding posture, but it seems to keep your bodyweight and the overall weight of the motorcycle more in check when you opt to ride a bit enthusiastically. The engine continues to make the same amount of power as well (40.2PS and 40 NM) while it comes mated to the same 6-speed gearbox.
Visually too, the Apex wears its intent rather confidently, because this is a motorcycle that looks sportier and more aggressive right from the get-go, thanks to the addition of those distinctive cowls that lend it a stance far removed from the more utilitarian vibe of the standard version, making it clear that this is the Guerrilla you pick when the streets are your playground.
Of course, the broader line-up still sticks to Royal Enfield's familiar strategy of offering flavours for different riders, because on one side you have the Dash variant, priced at around Rs 2.49 lakh, which now gets thoughtful updates for 2026 like knuckle guards, a headlight guard, and improved dual-purpose Ceat tyres that make it a better all-rounder with a slight off-road bias, while on the other side sits the Apex, which trades that versatility for a much more focused, road-hugging attitude.
What is particularly interesting, however, is how Royal Enfield has positioned the Apex from a pricing standpoint, because despite being a new and more specialised variant, it sits very close to the existing models, and that is largely down to the brand celebrating its 125-year milestone, with this being an introductory price that may not stay this tempting forever.
The end result is a motorcycle that feels like it has been designed for riders who have outgrown the idea of dabbling off the beaten path and instead want to exploit every ounce of performance the Guerrilla 450 platform has to offer on smooth paved surfaces, making the Apex less of an addition and more of a statement about how versatile this platform can truly be.
So the question really is quite simple, because would you pick the more rugged, dual-purpose charm of the Dash, or does the sharper, more road-focused attitude of the Apex speak to your inner corner-carver a little more loudly? You decide. For me, as of now, the Apex is definitely my pick of the two.