I swapped my Classic 350 for the Guerilla at the beginning of September and don't regret it! I loved the Classic ( and still do) but fancied the change. I still have the Meteor 350 Aurora though and will always have one in the fold. The Guerilla definitely improved from day 1 of picking it up. It now has 1500 miles on the clock and from day 1 it felt like it wanted to rev all the time. I think a combination of getting used to ride by wire throttle and the fact the engine was tight made liw speed running and town traffic quite difficult at times. When I had reached a 1,000 miles there was a massive improvement in the way the bike behaved and performed. Far less gear changing was needed at lower speeds and certainly more tractable in town riding situations. During the running in period I was up and down the gearbox all the time as the engine didn't like low revs in to high a gear - particularly around the 30mph speed where you needed to be in 4th gear or lower. That has now largely disappeared and I can use the higher gears much more. 6th gear is best used at 40mph plus. I get no vibration at all from mine other than characteristic single speed vibes but I'm used to riding single pot bikes anyway and I don't notice any. I'm like you Garry, I don't like the dash set up with the stupid joy stick arrangement that tells me lots of useless information that I don't need to know - keep it plain and simple for me. I also agree about the Indicator switch not feeling very tactile but other than these two minor dislikes I love mine. The build quality and thought that has gone into the bike is top notch particularly at its price point, it has been a sell out in the UK and there is concern in the dealer network that its going to kill Interceptor sales because the performance output of the Guerilla is equal to that of the Interceptor and it's also a much lighter bike. In summary, its a very comfortable, very nippy bike that's extremely well priced with excellent build quality that's fun to ride and can fulfill most riders requirements from a bike. I've had 200 mile days in the saddle without issue and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anybody. In my view its streets ahead of the Triumph 400 in every aspect. Hope to see you riding one soon.🤔
Thanks Jonathan. Great feedback from an owner's perspective ! I think I'll pin this comment in the hope that as many people as possible get to see it ! I am delighted to hear that you continue to own a Meteor and like me, it sounds as though you never wish to be without one. What an amazing, charming bike it is. In my experience there is nothing else like it ! Great to hear that the bottom end does improve over time. Himalayan 450 owners were reporting as much, so I was hopeful that it would. This engine's relatively weak bottom end power does make it harder work than my other two bikes but that's what appeals to me. Sometimes you want a bike that makes you work for it. You want a more engaging ride with lots of gear changing and heavy braking. But nonetheless, new, these engines do feel extremely anaemic low down and I can absolutely imagine that running one in is an absolute nightmare because you are trying not to use too many revs, thereby having a really narrow rev range to work in, i.e. from where it stops lugging up to 4000 rpm. If I get one, maybe I should put it on rollers in the garage with it in gear and with some revs on. Save myself some grief 😂 Anyway, now you've put that behind you and can enjoy the bike as it was intended and thanks to the improved bottom end power, ride a bit lazier whenever you feel like it. Great to hear Jonathan. I was wondering whether this bike could be ridden in a more lazy fashion at some point, you know, on days when you've had enough fun and just want a relaxing ride back home. It sounds like it will do that too, so that's reassuring. I'm guessing with that relatively small tank and desire for revs, fuel range is not going to be fantastic. Do you have a "mixed riding" odometer reading for when you start looking for a fill up ? Petrol stations here can be few and far between, so it is a slight concern for me ! Thanks Jonathan. Really good news that you are loving the Guerrilla and it helps push me towards possibly getting one myself 🤔 Most comparisons I have seen have put the Guerrilla ahead of the Triumph 400s, as you say. Also, it appears as though a lot of Triumph 400 owners have had QC issues to deal with, so I probably dodged a bullet there, was thinking of getting one when they first came out but the timing was just wrong for me ! This little hooligan with the usual RE quality is much more appealing ! All the best Jonathan, Garry & Ruby
@@economicalrides Hiya Gary, thanks for your comprehensive reply. Right, fuel consumption, the warning light comes on at around 150 miles and automatically triggers a read out of how many miles left in the fuel tank which is usually between 50 - 60 miles. I tend to refill around 160 miles and it takes between 8 - 9 litres to brim it. I have run it as low as a range of 10 miles and it seems the readout is accurate - if that makes sense?. The fuel consumption read out tells me that in my mixed riding journeys I'm averaging between 79 - 85 mpg which although won't be anywhere near the Meteor is still a healthy consumption given that the Guerilla has double the power output. It really is a different beast to ride when it hits that 1,000 mile mark and is a lot smoother to ride in traffic and at slow speeds. It's tractability is also a lot different, I suppose partly due to getting used to the bike but also with the engine loosening up. Yes, it can be a hooligan machine and ridden like it was stolen but it's performance at low speed vastly improves and can be ridden more sedated particularly when pottering around. It's never going to be a Meteor/Classic where it will pull from 30mph in top gear but on the other hand it was never designed to. Easy to potter around in 4th gear at 30mph and a little more before you can select 5th - again for pottering around with a light throttle opening. All in all, a fantastic bit of kit. I know it has been in development for the last 5 years and a lot of thought has gone into it, particularly little things like drain holes on the frame where water can potentially collect. Some people say it's a stripped back Himalayan but it's not. It was developed alongside the Himalayan as a project on its own and whilst there are parts common to both the Guerilla design focus was as an urban roadster. Any more questions Gary, do please ask and regards to Ruby also, long may the supply of Sausages continue particularly whilst she is on security duties when you are out riding!🤣🤣👍
@@jonathandeeley6276 Thanks again Jonathan. Really useful. So for me that would equate to filling up when I hit about 250 km which is the rule I use when riding the Himalayan. The Himalayan will go much further but the fuel gauge reads pessimistically once you get below half full and quickly goes to empty, which gives me the fear. It's nowhere near empty but as a rule of thumb, by about 250 km it starts to think that it's nearly empty and scares me into filling up. I think the Himalayan should easily do 350 km on a tankful but having the fuel gauge shouting at me that it's time for fuel, does freak me out somewhat. At the weekend, for the first time ever, I did calculate the fuel consumption of the Himalayan and it came out at 97 mpg on a day when there was actually a fair amount of motorway riding as well as the normal stuff. But you can probably discount that, bearing in mind that I found a truck doing about 95 kph and I sat in his slipstream on a very light throttle the whole time 😇 But anyway, 250 km safe range is more than sufficient, wouldn't be an issue, so that's great to know, thank you. Also good to hear that you can ride it a bit lazier when you've had your fun and just want a nice steady cruise home 👍 It's all starting to sound extremely tempting Jonathan 🤔 Ruby says "Fanks Jonafan!" and she did recently receive another "sossidge" donation, so I will have to buy her a couple of packets next time I go shopping ! 🐕 Cheers Jonathan, enjoy your Guerrilla ! Garry & Ruby
Having sold my Classic500 and I bought an Interceptor I took one on a test ride. It wasn't what I had expected, a bit over square and needed constant gear changes to keep the engine sweet. I have an E-Bike and have ridden several and it felt just like an E-Bike with a very punchy engine. I will stick with the interceptor with it's lovely torquey engine, a much smoother engine and you feel like you are riding a bike of substance and a great engine sound.
Hi Graham. I can't argue with any of that. It's the fact that this engine wants to be kept above 3000 rpm that makes it appeal to me. In the 411 and 350 I already have two typical RE luggers, with plenty of torque low down. This engine will pull out of a lug fairly easily but it always feels like it doesn't want to be down there. It wants you to work the gearbox and keep it in the 3-4k rpm range all of the time. So that makes it relatively hard work but of course also makes for a more engaging ride. Since it would be in addition to the other two bikes, it needs to deliver something different and that's exactly what it does. This isn't an engine for relaxed cruising, it's definitely designed for a more engaging ride than the twins or the previous singles. It will make you work a bit harder ! Before I test rode the 450 Himalayan I had seen that the torque curve showed that it had more torque everywhere, compared to the old 411. I must say that it never felt that way when riding it. I would say that it had more torque from the midrange onwards but below that it tended to lug and complain a lot more readily than the 411. I have subsequently heard that the low end grunt of the 450 engine does improve significantly as the engine gets run in, something I can believe because the 350 single was the same. As it gained more miles, it seemed to become less and less "asthmatic". So that probably explains why RE claim that the 450 has more torque everywhere than the 411 but of course only once it is fully run in. I imagine that you can ride this bike in a more relaxed fashion once the engine has loosened up a bit but to be honest, that wouldn't be what I would be buying it for 👹 Thanks for your input Graham. Clearly, coming from a Classic 500 and then a 650 twin, the engine in this bike is going to be completely different and not to everybody's liking. For me the difference is what makes it appealing ! Cheers Graham, Garry & Ruby
G’day Garry, Yep you rode it like you stole it 😂 That scenery reminds me of road runner and the coyote for some reason, I expect road runner to come up beside you and go Beep Beep! Before speeding off 😊 Cheers mate, love to Miss Ruby
😂 You're right, one of those mountains did remind me of a road runner cartoon ! Great observation ! Normally I wouldn't thrash even a demo bike, but for the One Ride they took it out of the crate, put oil in the engine and took it straight up to 130 kph on the motorway with us. To be honest, I don't think they expect anybody to baby their demo bikes, they expect them to be able to deal with it. I would still baby them normally, but if I were to get this bike, it would be to hoon about on and I really needed to get a feel for how it feels in that situation. So I made a rare exception and did mildly abuse a demo bike for once in my life. At least I didn't bend it like the previous tester evidently did ! I shall go off and give Ruby a big hug and tell her that it's from Cllive and Budders right away ! Cheers youz, us twoz !
Thanks Joker. Worryingly, should I get one, it will be my fifth RE in a row !!! 😱 I'm sure that the Guerrilla is quite a bit different to your other Royal Enfields but that is exactly why I am thinking of getting one. It would just be something so different to the other two ! Glad to hear of another happy Guerrilla owner and I continue to be very tempted by it, but still have my sensible head on at the moment ! Cheers mate, enjoy the little hooligan ! Garry
Great to hear your thoughts. Seems like another RE winner! I reckon we could see one on the channel next year 🎉 I'm really looking forward to trying one, I expect I'll like it as well. I'm wondering how they have sorted the vibes, it's got me very matter tingling..... Good job sir 🎉🎉
Thanks Steve. With regard to the vibes, maybe the Himalayan that I tried just happened to be particularly bad 🤷♂ Although the significantly reduced vibes through the bars could suggest that they've come up with a better way of mounting them or isolating them from the vibes. On the Himalayan the vibes through the bars were as bad as the vibes through the pegs. That's definitely not the case here. Certainly if I'd had a similar level of vibes as I had with the Himalayan, I wouldn't be considering getting a Guerrilla. For me that would have been an absolute deal breaker. Unfortunately the vibes were no issue for me on this bike, so that leaves me with a decision to make 🤔 Take care matey and love to you and the entire Exmouth Biker crew ❤ Jaques et Juliette
Thanks mate. The 450 engine will divide opinion because it feels nothing like the previous more traditional RE engines. The 450 engine feels much more modern and delivers a more engaging ride because it never feels truly happy if you let the revs drop below 3000 rpm or so. It will cope with that but it never feels happy down there. Sometimes you feel like a relaxed cruise and sometimes you feel like a sportier, more engaging ride. I think that the Guerrilla delivers the sportier, more engaging ride that many of us enjoy ( from time to time - not always of course ). So if I should buy one, it would be my bike for the days when I felt like riding a bike a bit harder and having a bit more work to do. The chassis on the Guerrilla feels fantastic. I'd love to have one of my own to really be able to begin to explore its limits ! Cheery my friend, thank you for your input ! Garry & Ruby
An enjoyable Part 2 Gary , seems a great bike and i do like that colour scheme . The Armco and concrete blocks at the side of the road were noticable on that road . it certainly had some go in it though . best to you and Ruby .
Thanks John. Yes, this engine is not really very ROYAL ENFIELD at all. It does lug a bit if you let the revs drop below 3000 rpm, although it does have the torque to pull itself back up again, it just feels like it doesn't enjoy being down there. But that's why I am interested. I already have two typical RE singles with all of their grunt down at the bottom. This bike feels more like a two stroke in the way it demands that you keep some revs on. It makes you work the gearbox to keep it on the cam. So it's harder work but it would make for a more engaging ride. I still can't decide if I have the time for a third bike. It's a dilemma and I really can't sell either of the other two at the moment. I'm hoping for a moment of clarity at some point which will enable me to make my final decision. Cheers you two. Stay safe and have fun. Garry & Ruby
Hi Martin, congratulations on another successful big trip, you really do make it look easy !!! For me it would be a logistical nightmare I'm sure ! Yes, definitely thrash a Guerrilla if you get the opportunity. It's nice to experience a ROYAL ENFIELD that is so un-Royal Enfield. It's a completely different animal to the REs we have come to know and love. But different is good. I don't want another bike if it delivers the same as a bike I already own. But I am leaning towards waiting and buying a nice second hand bike now, I think. New is fun and nice and all, but the depreciation is painful and particularly so if the bike doesn't get a lot of use. So thinking, as per my original plan at the beginning of the year, that my third bike will probably now be something second hand and something a bit different. We'll see. I haven't decided yet but feel myself leaning more in that direction from day to day. No snow here but pretty cold all of a sudden. Lots of rain. 9cm predicted for today ! It sucks for Ruby because neither of us want to go out in it ! Day one of Mojácar is already uploaded and will be out tomorrow evening. This week I will use the wet weather to try to get day two edited and uploaded asap. Then hopefully next week I can go out and film something again. Next week is looking drier, at least currently ! Cheers Martin and tummy tickles for Chloe ! Have you had a UK Mojito yet ? 😜 Garry & Ruby
Great thoughts on the bike. Looks like a winner. I sat on it few months back, and with my short 27 inch inside leg was on tip of tip toes, so for now will pass until maybe the low seat comes out. Having got the MT, I really need to sadly sell Rebelene. Bumble be my logical trading in bike for this. But, that ain’t gonna happen any time soon. What a lovely road Garry. Would be nice to see you re turn and do on, one of your bikes. Glad you enjoyed it😊😊😊
Hi Mark. No, you cannot sell Bumble, you've probably invested 4k in mods for him 😂 But seriously, you'd regret it if you did and Fireball Yellow is no longer available, so you might struggle to get another one, should you change your mind ! Although I am trying to keep my videos short these days, that road is worthy of being shown in its entirety some day. I think I will wait for some decent weather and then just film the whole road and maybe break it into two or three parts. It won't be everybody's cup of tea but I am sure some people will like it, particularly seeing some sunshine in the winter months. Duly noted Mark ! Cheers Mark. Good luck with the MT 👍 Garry & Ruby
Hi Gary. You'd better start drafting out your letter to Father Christmas. I probably said before but those CEAT chunky tread tires are well up to the job, I think you'd be scraping the mirrors before you found their limits. In fact, the bike's handling and composure is extremely good and reassuring. I've had mine for nearly 2 months now (1350 miles) and I enjoy it more with every ride. Well, that's Parts 1 & 2 done ....... I reckon Part 3 will be you picking up a new Guerrilla from the dealer 😁👍 Cheers for now, Phil (Somerset)
Evening Phil ! Oh, I wish it were that simple, I really do. I still haven't decided yet, which is indicative of how much I must like the bike, because normally I would have reached a verdict by now because the sensible decision is as clear as day. Like I said at the end, if I didn't have the other bikes and I had time to take care of yet another bike, then I would probably have ordered a silver one that day. I have to weigh up if the fun I will derive, will outweigh the expense and added workload and time constraints of having a third bike. It would be a lot easier if I could just trade in one of the other two bikes. But I can't really do that at the moment, Buddy and Norman are currently both looking like keepers. But please do keep telling me how much you are enjoying yours and you might just push me over the edge from sensible to impulsive 😜 Thanks Phil. I'm secretly hoping that one morning I will wake up and I will suddenly know what to do ! All the best from Spain and have fun on yours ! Garry & Ruby
@@economicalrides Well Gary, there's no rush, the Guerrillas will still be on sale next year and the year after. The decision was easier for me as I already had 3 bikes and was prepared to trade in my Hunter 350. The Hunter was a great bike and if I'd had the space and money, I'd certainly have kept it. The Hunter was ideal for local stuff but on longer runs I needed to find quieter routes where the bike was happiest which, in turn, limited where I could go on it. Although I do my best to avoid boring fast A roads and Motorways, the Guerrilla has ample power and high speed stability to deal with those occasions when they arise which is really good and it's still great on slower twisties! Rather than commit to buying the Guerrilla, why don't you just keep having test rides??? 😁 Anyway, you've currently got 2 excellent bikes that fit your needs extremely well so that's a hard act to follow. Also, for what it's worth, having test ridden the 411 and 452 Himalayans, I think you've got, by far, the best one for trail riding, the new one is better suited to faster speeds on tarmac, IMO. Cheers for now Gary, say hello to Ruby from me 😊 Phil
@@PAGallagher Thanks Phil. That all makes perfect sense. What with work, dog, housework, life in general, two cars, two bikes and making a video for the channel every week, I'm not sure where a third bike fits in. I'd definitely like one, as long as it offers something different, which the Guerrilla certainly does, but I'm not sure if it will cause me more stress than it's worth, whilst also knocking a dent in my bank balance. It's a tough call. I'm hoping that one morning I will just wake up, say "You only live once Garry" and just go out and do it ! Unfortunately sensible Garry keeps coming into the foreground 😂 Keep telling me how great yours is Phil, you could push me over the edge and I'd be fine with that 😛 Are you finding that the bottom end lugging is less pronounced as the engine has more miles on it ? It was pretty bad on this bike and also the Himalayan 450 I tested but the Himmy owners seem to be reporting that the bottom end gets stronger as the engine gets run in. Wouldn't surprise me because the 350s were the same. A bit gutless to begin with, but once run in, exactly as torquey as I would have hoped. Are you finding that you can be lazier with the gearbox now that the Guerrilla has done a bit ? That chugging noise this engine makes when it is lugging a bit is most unpleasant to my ears 😂 Cheers Phil, Garry
@@economicalrides Hey Gary, I've a got a solution to your dilemma ........ sell one of your cars 😁🤣 Unfortunately, engines don't improve with miles, that's a bit of a myth, they start wearing out and losing power from day one. When an engine leaves the factory, it shouldn't be tight or too loose, all component clearances and tolerances should be at their optimum and generally speaking, they are these days. The feeling of improvement is really down to human perception, a very powerful and variable component indeed. The bike will seem to improve with time and miles but it's just subconscious fine tuning of your riding techniques that help get the best from the machine. Running in is the worst time because you are consciously and subconsciously holding back to be kind to the bike so when you finish running in and finally let go, mentally, the bike feels great!!!! 👍 That's the long answer to your question 😊😁The short answer is, no, the bottom end lugging is just the same as day one but it is no longer an issue as I've learnt how to avoid it and use the engine the way it prefers to be used. The Sherpa engine is great and depending on the riding scenario will work right down to just over 2000 rpm when engine braking, for example but generally it prefers to be nearer 3000 rpm or above and higher again when using a bigger handful of throttle. On the plus side, the engine feels very happy to play in the higher rev range. It's a very different animal to the other RE engines which are longer stroke and operate with perfect manners down low in the rev range, that's what I loved about the Hunter. Having said all that, I think the Guerrilla is a stonking bit of kit!!!! Feel free to weaken Gary and buy one but don't blame me 😁😂😋🤣👍
@@PAGallagher Interesting theory Phil but my 350s definitely improved at the bottom end with more miles on them. How can I tell ? Well because I ride the same hills frequently to get to and from my house and at a certain point in time, a fourth gear hill became a fifth gear hill. There is no way the Classic or Meteor would have made it over the big mountain in top gear when new, but after a couple of thousand miles they could. That happened with me riding the same way from beginning to end. It might not be a massive difference but it was enough to be able to take the same hill in a higher gear. ( fourth and fifth gear on those bikes of course being extremely close in ratio ! ). Because the chugging noise the 450 makes when lugging is so unpleasant to my ears, I will certainly be trying to stay above 3000 revs as much as possible. That engine certainly seems to want you to be in the right gear all of the time, which is part of the fun really. It gives it a bit of an old school two stroke character which combines well with a nice chassis for fun in the twisties. I will probably miss the rev counter more than I usually would. Unfortunately the analogue dash only has a speedo, which for me is the only downside. Then again, I never read the rev counter even when I have one. You tend to just ride by ear and feel anyway. Interesting to hear your thoughts Phil and I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the Guerrilla even after having experienced the joy that is that wonderful J Series engine. It's definitely VERY different, the Sherpa 450 engine, that's for sure. Amazing to me that they put it in a Himalayan to be honest. Like you said, it will be much harder work off-road than the trusty old 411. As soon as I felt the engine characteristics and the throttle response of the Himalayan 450, it was clear to me that I would be sticking with the 411 because I really only use it off-road, with rare exceptions in the summer, when I'm not allowed to take it off-road. Thanks Phil 👍 If I do get one, I think I'll try to get it delivered around Christmas time. It will be my Xmas gift to myself 😇 Oh yes, regarding your solution to my dilemma, that would be my ideal solution. I've had the SL up for sale for nearly a year now but I can't be dealing with idiots and time wasters. I really want to move that on because I have no time to use it, the money would be useful and I would prefer to replace it with another bike. But I'm not going to give it away because I don't HAVE to sell it. But that is the plan. Just have one car and then three ( or more 👹 ) bikes ! So you are spot on with that suggestion ! Cheers, Garry
Well, there IS something we disagree on about this bike and that is the display. IMHO the digital is way better and more in keeping with this bike😊 Everything else and we are pretty much as one. I'm going to try and get one on extended loan, so I can do a proper review. I'm much like you, I only really ride bikes I have an interest in. Shocking tho of the dealer to send you out on a bike that had been dropped😮 it could have had bent forks or frame. Chili who has had a poorly tummy recently sends a muted Woof! To Ruby. 🐶
Hi Andy. The dealer had no idea that it had been dropped until I pointed it out. I felt sorry for them. Can't believe that somebody would take out their brand new bike, drop it and return it without saying something. That sort of behaviour just discourages dealers from getting demo bikes in the first place. No, I absolutely hate the display and even in light mode it's not easy to see that you've left your indicators on. You can't beat good old fashioned LED idiot lights for that job. Evidently the outer screen of that display is also very easily scratched. Presumably if you take a Himalayan 450 off-road and the screen gets covered in dust, you are expected to blow it off without touching it. I didn't really mention it too much in the video but I am still surprised by how easily this engine begins to lug and make that horrible chugging sound. Just like the Himalayan 450. Despite RE's claims that this engine has more torque everywhere than the old 411, it never feels like it. From 3000 rpm onwards, yes, But below that, it just can't have ! Take care you two. Get well soon Chili. Ruby has a poorly leg but I think it's gradually healing, now that I can stop her from constantly licking it. Ruby says sossidges are good for your tummy Chili. Garry & Ruby
Morning Jamesworth ! Wee Mark has a 27" insider and he reckons that he is on tippy toes. But I believe that, like the Himalayan, there is a lower seat available for this bike. It has the same frame anyway, so I would imagine so. But yes, I think 28" would be fine. You'd probably end up between tippy toes and ball of foot somewhere, enough to get decent purchase on the ground. As with the Himalayan 450, this bike has a tendency to lug if you let the revs drop below 3k but it does have the power to pull out of it. It just doesn't feel comfortable down there, at least not when the engine is new. Himalayan owners report that the low end grunt does improve a lot as the engine gets run in, which we can relate to, because with the J Series 350 the same thing was very noticeable. So I think that ultimately you will be able to cruise a bit more with this bike once it is run in but I think for me it would always be the bike to take out for a sportier, more engaging ride, where you have to work a bit harder, stir the gearbox and keep the engine in its peppy zone. I'd have the other two bikes for relaxed cruising 🙂 So it's the fact that this engine is so different to the other two singles that makes it appealing to me. If I do end up with a third bike, it absolutely must deliver something different. And I think that the Guerrilla would do that. For you, maybe the combo Classic 350 and Guerrilla could work James ? You'd have a cruising bike and a hooligan bike 🙂 All the best James. Say hi to Mrs A from Ruby and me and of course, keep on spoiling her ! Garry & Ruby
I bought one!😂 eco mode flattens the power delivery, I found this made it an easy bike to ride on gravel in that mode but the rest of the time power is more fun but jerky.
Thanks for that. Yes, I think I'd stick it in performance mode the first day I got it and would never change it again 😂 Seems like a bit of an unnecessary gimmick to me but I suppose now that they have ride by wire, the RE engineers were keen to play with it a little bit. Thanks for your input ! 👍 Garry
Hey Brother! Looks like you're doin well. I just saw these vids pop up and I sure can't wait to see those in the States. I was thinking about a Super Meteor for the long haul aspect but I so love the thumpers. How do you think she'd run up at 110+ kph when it's all broken in? Of course I would have to dump some mods on it ASAP because nothing of mine is completely stock. Still lovin' my Classic. She just turned 2 yrs old and it's still probably the best bike I've ever owned. I think I told ya I did the Kent cam and I just got the Hunter throttle body to get rid of the speed limiter. Might have to throw on the 16t sprocket and take her out on the freeways. Anyhow cheers from SoCal 🏖
Hi buddy, good to hear from you again. The Guerrilla will do about 150 kph top speed but unfortunately it is no longer a thumper. It is a fairly short stroke, high revving, liquid cooled single. This 450 engine never feels happy below 3000 rpm. It will pull itself back up again if you give it enough throttle, but it makes that awful chugging sound that you can hear on a few occasions in these two videos. If you are looking for a thumper, this definitely isn't it. The biggest full on thumper RE makes would still be the 350 models, currently. At a pinch you could add anything that uses the old 411 engine. The 350s will just about hit 120 kph on the flat. The 411 should make 145 kph with the panniers off. I am considering this bike exactly because it is so different to the two that I already own. It will be a more engaging ride, it wants you to keep changing gears to keep it in its happy place. It's not an engine for lazy cruising at all, it demands that you work it. From time to time I enjoy riding a bike like that, hence why I am considering getting one. But it is a very, very different animal compared to your Classic 350 and not simply a larger capacity version, unfortunately ! I hope this helps Gramps. Cheers, Garry
@@economicalrides My local dealer still has a few Scrams leftover. I really need to get up and down the Pacific Coast comfortably. A good friend lives in Southern Oregon, about 700 miles away and we keep talking about riding together again some day. I still have my old '83 CX650-T Turbo but she hasn't seen the tarmac in almost 30 years. I just keeping it around because of the low serial number, 42. I loved that bike and put 30,000 miles on it. I also still have my '02 VFR800 Interceptor which was awesome for touring but it was totaled and I haven't got it back up. I rode almost 60,000 miles between the two of them. And I still have the CBR but it's just too fast as I age. Wish I had it 40 years ago when I had better reaction time. Just need something for a long ranger. Probably a nice stock Super Meteor might be the answer 🤷🏻♂️
@@GrampsD63 Oh and the Scram would probably just about do the job as well. The 411s will hit 140 kph with a bit of a run up. They can pretty much hold 120 kph anywhere but feel most comfortable at 100-110 kph 👍
@@economicalrides The dealer told me you can cruise solidly at 140 kph. That's what I need to do battle on the freeways out here. Probably go that direction.
As I understand eco mode affects only first 2-3 gears and then its buisines as usual. It helps in city with jerkieness. If you spend more time in higher gears you would not notice any difference as there is none.
Thanks. Makes sense. I didn't find the Guerrilla jerky in city traffic in either mode but then again, I've developed a very sensitive right wrist over the years. My Street Triple R had a very direct throttle response and I was jerky with that until I got a feel for it. In that case, I could just leave the bike in performance mode because where I ride I never have to deal with traffic 😇 Thanks for your input, much appreciated 👍 Garry & Ruby
'tis on the shopping list i reckon 🤔 It wouldn't necessarily have to be a 3rd bike as i would think it could fill the shoes of both of the others? Ask Ruby what she thinks of another ubiquitous R/E coming to live with you! 😜 👍
I can't sell Buddy or Norman unfortunately Ken. They are both here for the long haul. So unfortunately it would have to be a third bike. Besides, I think the Guerrilla would be a bit rubbish off-road to be honest. The 411 engine would be much easier to deal with off-road. But it's true, adding a third bike would indeed make REs ubiquitous in my household 😂 I still can't predict which way I'll decide. I know what would be the sensible decision but I haven't quite got to that point with it. Knowing me, I'll probably be sensible eventually but I can't rule out doing something impulsive when it comes to this bike 😜 Hoping that one day I will wake up and will have decided in my sleep, then I'll just go with that decision 😂 Cheers Ken, Garry & Ruby
Evening Garry it’s either the clear air in Spain or your camera or perhaps my cateract op was a fantastic result but on 5hat road mate the scenery is epic and the road and those bends must be utter joy, can you imagine how much fun it would be run in and loosened up with some Michelins on ? 😬 😂😂😂😂 chilli sends her love to Ruby, ….that lot in Normandie 🇫🇷 ps 5 mice in 3 days latest at 05.55 🙁🤬🥱 but we have sunshine 😎
@@WilliamAndrewPhilipBodie 🙄cos I’m a idiot and don’t pay attention on these things + I’m trying to watch the WSBK last race of the season while trying to get another mouse off our cat, sorry bud 🙄😳🥴…. Pete🇫🇷
You probably imagined the vibes on the Himmy 450 😂😂 .. Speaking about clocks .. If you ask me, I would go the middle road - LCD dash with the speedo in numbers.
I think RE may have found a few ways to isolate the bars from the vibes on this model Stefan. The vibes through the bars were greatly reduced, compared to the Himmy 450 and I'm not the only person reporting this. I expect we will eventually find out where the difference lies. This TFT display certainly seems very easy to damage, so I think fitting a screen protector would be an absolute must, should anyone buy one with the Tripper dash. The same applies to the Himalayan 450 I suppose. The outer screen doesn't seem to be very scratch resistant at all. And the fancy dash is bound to be expensive to replace. I'll miss the rev counter but the analogue dash with ACTUAL idiot lights for the indicators etc. seems much better to me. Cheers Stefan, Garry & Ruby
Probably the engine on that Guerrilla is tweaked and improved from the engine that was on the Himalayan you rode. @ 7:41 you're on a bus route I assume as the trees are neatly cut back giving them a mullet look🤗
Hi Simon. The throttle response is certainly more linear on this one. On the Himalayan it is probably deliberately less responsive at the bottom and more linear at the top, to make it easier for off-road riding. Some people in the UK are reporting that the Guerrilla throttle is actually TOO LINEAR for UK roads because every time they go over a bump in the road, they find themselves jerking the throttle. I didn't have that problem but I can imagine that on a bumpy bend the direct throttle response COULD become an issue. It's something you get used to though. I had a similar issue with my Street Triple R when I first got it but soon managed to get the hang of it. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that RE have also found a better way of mounting the bars for this model. The vibes through the bars are massively reduced compared to the Himalayan 450 I tested. Which is bad news for me because it does mean that the Guerrilla is still a genuine contender for me. I was secretly hoping that it would turn my hands numb after five minutes and I could quickly reject it 😂 Now I have a problem 🤔 Cheers Simon, Garry and Ruby P.S. Hadn't noticed that about the trees, but now that you've mentioned it, yes, it does look like they've been cropped to allow clearance for single deck buses 👍
@@economicalrides A nice problem to have. RE the trees the busses will clear the trees without the need for cropping as they drive along the routes they take.
Hi Bob. Great question and I don't yet have an answer for you. My answer is still changing from day to day. The sensible thing to do would be to stick with what I have, because a third bike will mean more time spent with servicing, maintenance and cleaning of vehicles. Time I currently do not have. So adding a bike also adds workload, which I can ill afford. But it also adds excitement and fun and I'm trying to figure out whether the fun outweighs the added hassle of another vehicle to take care of. 🤔 I stand by my conclusion at the end of this video. If I had no other bikes or had time for yet another bike, I would have ordered a Guerrilla that day. As it is, I am having to think about things and weigh up the pros and cons. But viewed in isolation, I would buy this bike, 100%. I think I would really enjoy it on our local roads. I'm either going to be sensible ( boring ! ) or I am going to do something reckless and spontaneous. I am just waiting for that to resolve itself. Cheers Bob 🙂 Garry & Ruby
It's a demo bike Peter. Ride it like you stole it. And drop it if you like and then just don't tell anyone ( apparently ! ). Well, it needed to be done because I would want it for that sort of thing. It's not the sort of bike you'd buy for cruising about on. It's definitely a bit of a hooligan 😛 I still can't decide what to do. I suppose that is indicative of how much fun this bike is. Normally I would have decided by now ! Cheers Peter, love from Spain, Garry and Ruby. P.S. Martin is a lovely guy and he's definitely up for anything. I think he probably has more stamina than I do, to be honest. I really enjoyed my time with him !
@@economicalrides Bit late replying here Garry, so my apologies. Yes I can see that with your 'track record' (dreadful - sorry again) of riding at high speeds where everyone rides in the same direction, you were sorely tempted with the Guerilla. I had to look away as it was more than my nerves could stand, so was pleased when you handed it back with yourself and the bike in one piece. Probably the camera exaggerated it all 🤣. Yes one can tell from Martin's videos what a lovely chap he is and I'm so pleased you got out for the rides together and that we'll be able to take part in them. Love to Ruby and yourself from Morecambe
sounds more like a loaded truck than a bike ;;; it does seem to want to make you ride faster , ';;; which is entertaining --- but detracts from the channel norm ;; also a power button on a moderate 450 single is a bit of a gimmick ; ,, if i was in the market at this price range -- this looks tops ;;; have sent ruby a sausage coffee ;
Thank you Simon, I've just seen the sossidge donation. Ruby sends lots of fluffy kisses and says "Fanks Simon !". It's the fact that this engine wants to be kept above 3000 rpm that makes it appeal to me. In the 411 and 350 I already have two typical RE luggers, with plenty of torque low down. This engine will pull out of a lug fairly easily but it always feels like it doesn't want to be down there. It wants you to work the gearbox and keep it in the 3-4k rpm range all the time. So that makes it relatively hard work but of course also makes for a more engaging ride. If this engine wasn't so different to the two that already have, I probably wouldn't be interested. This would definitely be my bike for the days when I am feeling "on it" and looking for a sportier, more engaging ride. But as I get older, those days do seem to get fewer and fewer 😂 Cheers Simon and thanks again for the sossidges, they will be greatly appreciated ! Garry and Ruby ❤🐕
@@johnrocker2986 Yes. When it starts to lug it makes a most unpleasant chugging sound ! The Himalayan 450 was the same. Doesn't sound happy at all. It rReally encourages you to keep the revs above 3000 rpm that sound does ! Horrible noise. It will recover with a bit of throttle but it sounds pretty terrible until it gets there, I agree. Definitely an engine which sounds happiest with some revs on, and if I were to get one, I would make a great effort to keep it in its happy place in the rev range at all times ! Ride it like a two stroke would probably be the way to go 😂 Cheers John, Garry
@@johnrocker2986 yes most bikes that style do , with nearly 40 bhp to make it [ and others ] are tuned differently to the lower powered meteor's e.t.c. -- so you have a longer cam chain and twin cams with more valves , so these need to spin to get them to smooth out , -- this is a rough idea only ;;; as motors vary as too whether they are balanced or not , also a lighter flywheel will help them spin up quicker - but the motor may then shake a bit more , a heavier flywheel will deaden the pick up - but reduce the rattle - sometimes ;;
@@simongilbert2704 I did ride one about a month ago and felt it a youngsters machine and did notice it has virtually no flywheel effect and need working constantly.
I swapped my Classic 350 for the Guerilla at the beginning of September and don't regret it! I loved the Classic ( and still do) but fancied the change. I still have the Meteor 350 Aurora though and will always have one in the fold.
The Guerilla definitely improved from day 1 of picking it up. It now has 1500 miles on the clock and from day 1 it felt like it wanted to rev all the time. I think a combination of getting used to ride by wire throttle and the fact the engine was tight made liw speed running and town traffic quite difficult at times. When I had reached a 1,000 miles there was a massive improvement in the way the bike behaved and performed. Far less gear changing was needed at lower speeds and certainly more tractable in town riding situations. During the running in period I was up and down the gearbox all the time as the engine didn't like low revs in to high a gear - particularly around the 30mph speed where you needed to be in 4th gear or lower. That has now largely disappeared and I can use the higher gears much more. 6th gear is best used at 40mph plus.
I get no vibration at all from mine other than characteristic single speed vibes but I'm used to riding single pot bikes anyway and I don't notice any. I'm like you Garry, I don't like the dash set up with the stupid joy stick arrangement that tells me lots of useless information that I don't need to know - keep it plain and simple for me. I also agree about the Indicator switch not feeling very tactile but other than these two minor dislikes I love mine.
The build quality and thought that has gone into the bike is top notch particularly at its price point, it has been a sell out in the UK and there is concern in the dealer network that its going to kill Interceptor sales because the performance output of the Guerilla is equal to that of the Interceptor and it's also a much lighter bike.
In summary, its a very comfortable, very nippy bike that's extremely well priced with excellent build quality that's fun to ride and can fulfill most riders requirements from a bike. I've had 200 mile days in the saddle without issue and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anybody. In my view its streets ahead of the Triumph 400 in every aspect. Hope to see you riding one soon.🤔
Thanks Jonathan. Great feedback from an owner's perspective ! I think I'll pin this comment in the hope that as many people as possible get to see it !
I am delighted to hear that you continue to own a Meteor and like me, it sounds as though you never wish to be without one. What an amazing, charming bike it is. In my experience there is nothing else like it !
Great to hear that the bottom end does improve over time. Himalayan 450 owners were reporting as much, so I was hopeful that it would.
This engine's relatively weak bottom end power does make it harder work than my other two bikes but that's what appeals to me. Sometimes you want a bike that makes you work for it. You want a more engaging ride with lots of gear changing and heavy braking. But nonetheless, new, these engines do feel extremely anaemic low down and I can absolutely imagine that running one in is an absolute nightmare because you are trying not to use too many revs, thereby having a really narrow rev range to work in, i.e. from where it stops lugging up to 4000 rpm. If I get one, maybe I should put it on rollers in the garage with it in gear and with some revs on. Save myself some grief 😂
Anyway, now you've put that behind you and can enjoy the bike as it was intended and thanks to the improved bottom end power, ride a bit lazier whenever you feel like it. Great to hear Jonathan. I was wondering whether this bike could be ridden in a more lazy fashion at some point, you know, on days when you've had enough fun and just want a relaxing ride back home. It sounds like it will do that too, so that's reassuring.
I'm guessing with that relatively small tank and desire for revs, fuel range is not going to be fantastic. Do you have a "mixed riding" odometer reading for when you start looking for a fill up ?
Petrol stations here can be few and far between, so it is a slight concern for me !
Thanks Jonathan. Really good news that you are loving the Guerrilla and it helps push me towards possibly getting one myself 🤔
Most comparisons I have seen have put the Guerrilla ahead of the Triumph 400s, as you say. Also, it appears as though a lot of Triumph 400 owners have had QC issues to deal with, so I probably dodged a bullet there, was thinking of getting one when they first came out but the timing was just wrong for me !
This little hooligan with the usual RE quality is much more appealing !
All the best Jonathan,
Garry & Ruby
@@economicalrides Hiya Gary, thanks for your comprehensive reply. Right, fuel consumption, the warning light comes on at around 150 miles and automatically triggers a read out of how many miles left in the fuel tank which is usually between 50 - 60 miles. I tend to refill around 160 miles and it takes between 8 - 9 litres to brim it. I have run it as low as a range of 10 miles and it seems the readout is accurate - if that makes sense?. The fuel consumption read out tells me that in my mixed riding journeys I'm averaging between 79 - 85 mpg which although won't be anywhere near the Meteor is still a healthy consumption given that the Guerilla has double the power output.
It really is a different beast to ride when it hits that 1,000 mile mark and is a lot smoother to ride in traffic and at slow speeds. It's tractability is also a lot different, I suppose partly due to getting used to the bike but also with the engine loosening up. Yes, it can be a hooligan machine and ridden like it was stolen but it's performance at low speed vastly improves and can be ridden more sedated particularly when pottering around. It's never going to be a Meteor/Classic where it will pull from 30mph in top gear but on the other hand it was never designed to. Easy to potter around in 4th gear at 30mph and a little more before you can select 5th - again for pottering around with a light throttle opening.
All in all, a fantastic bit of kit. I know it has been in development for the last 5 years and a lot of thought has gone into it, particularly little things like drain holes on the frame where water can potentially collect. Some people say it's a stripped back Himalayan but it's not. It was developed alongside the Himalayan as a project on its own and whilst there are parts common to both the Guerilla design focus was as an urban roadster. Any more questions Gary, do please ask and regards to Ruby also, long may the supply of Sausages continue particularly whilst she is on security duties when you are out riding!🤣🤣👍
@@jonathandeeley6276 Thanks again Jonathan. Really useful. So for me that would equate to filling up when I hit about 250 km which is the rule I use when riding the Himalayan. The Himalayan will go much further but the fuel gauge reads pessimistically once you get below half full and quickly goes to empty, which gives me the fear. It's nowhere near empty but as a rule of thumb, by about 250 km it starts to think that it's nearly empty and scares me into filling up. I think the Himalayan should easily do 350 km on a tankful but having the fuel gauge shouting at me that it's time for fuel, does freak me out somewhat.
At the weekend, for the first time ever, I did calculate the fuel consumption of the Himalayan and it came out at 97 mpg on a day when there was actually a fair amount of motorway riding as well as the normal stuff. But you can probably discount that, bearing in mind that I found a truck doing about 95 kph and I sat in his slipstream on a very light throttle the whole time 😇
But anyway, 250 km safe range is more than sufficient, wouldn't be an issue, so that's great to know, thank you.
Also good to hear that you can ride it a bit lazier when you've had your fun and just want a nice steady cruise home 👍
It's all starting to sound extremely tempting Jonathan 🤔
Ruby says "Fanks Jonafan!" and she did recently receive another "sossidge" donation, so I will have to buy her a couple of packets next time I go shopping ! 🐕
Cheers Jonathan, enjoy your Guerrilla !
Garry & Ruby
Having sold my Classic500 and I bought an Interceptor I took one on a test ride. It wasn't what I had expected, a bit over square and needed constant gear changes to keep the engine sweet. I have an E-Bike and have ridden several and it felt just like an E-Bike with a very punchy engine. I will stick with the interceptor with it's lovely torquey engine, a much smoother engine and you feel like you are riding a bike of substance and a great engine sound.
Hi Graham. I can't argue with any of that.
It's the fact that this engine wants to be kept above 3000 rpm that makes it appeal to me.
In the 411 and 350 I already have two typical RE luggers, with plenty of torque low down.
This engine will pull out of a lug fairly easily but it always feels like it doesn't want to be down there.
It wants you to work the gearbox and keep it in the 3-4k rpm range all of the time. So that makes it relatively hard work but of course also makes for a more engaging ride. Since it would be in addition to the other two bikes, it needs to deliver something different and that's exactly what it does. This isn't an engine for relaxed cruising, it's definitely designed for a more engaging ride than the twins or the previous singles. It will make you work a bit harder !
Before I test rode the 450 Himalayan I had seen that the torque curve showed that it had more torque everywhere, compared to the old 411.
I must say that it never felt that way when riding it. I would say that it had more torque from the midrange onwards but below that it tended to lug and complain a lot more readily than the 411.
I have subsequently heard that the low end grunt of the 450 engine does improve significantly as the engine gets run in, something I can believe because the 350 single was the same. As it gained more miles, it seemed to become less and less "asthmatic". So that probably explains why RE claim that the 450 has more torque everywhere than the 411 but of course only once it is fully run in. I imagine that you can ride this bike in a more relaxed fashion once the engine has loosened up a bit but to be honest, that wouldn't be what I would be buying it for 👹
Thanks for your input Graham. Clearly, coming from a Classic 500 and then a 650 twin, the engine in this bike is going to be completely different and not to everybody's liking.
For me the difference is what makes it appealing !
Cheers Graham,
Garry & Ruby
G’day Garry, Yep you rode it like you stole it 😂
That scenery reminds me of road runner and the coyote for some reason, I expect road runner to come up beside you and go Beep Beep! Before speeding off 😊
Cheers mate, love to Miss Ruby
😂
You're right, one of those mountains did remind me of a road runner cartoon ! Great observation !
Normally I wouldn't thrash even a demo bike, but for the One Ride they took it out of the crate, put oil in the engine and took it straight up to 130 kph on the motorway with us. To be honest, I don't think they expect anybody to baby their demo bikes, they expect them to be able to deal with it.
I would still baby them normally, but if I were to get this bike, it would be to hoon about on and I really needed to get a feel for how it feels in that situation. So I made a rare exception and did mildly abuse a demo bike for once in my life. At least I didn't bend it like the previous tester evidently did !
I shall go off and give Ruby a big hug and tell her that it's from Cllive and Budders right away !
Cheers youz,
us twoz !
Thanks for the video. Have already purchased it, it is my third Royal Enfield. Whit great satisfaction.🤩
Thanks Joker.
Worryingly, should I get one, it will be my fifth RE in a row !!! 😱
I'm sure that the Guerrilla is quite a bit different to your other Royal Enfields but that is exactly why I am thinking of getting one.
It would just be something so different to the other two !
Glad to hear of another happy Guerrilla owner and I continue to be very tempted by it, but still have my sensible head on at the moment !
Cheers mate, enjoy the little hooligan !
Garry
Great to hear your thoughts. Seems like another RE winner!
I reckon we could see one on the channel next year 🎉
I'm really looking forward to trying one, I expect I'll like it as well.
I'm wondering how they have sorted the vibes, it's got me very matter tingling.....
Good job sir 🎉🎉
Thanks Steve. With regard to the vibes, maybe the Himalayan that I tried just happened to be particularly bad 🤷♂
Although the significantly reduced vibes through the bars could suggest that they've come up with a better way of mounting them or isolating them from the vibes.
On the Himalayan the vibes through the bars were as bad as the vibes through the pegs. That's definitely not the case here.
Certainly if I'd had a similar level of vibes as I had with the Himalayan, I wouldn't be considering getting a Guerrilla. For me that would have been an absolute deal breaker.
Unfortunately the vibes were no issue for me on this bike, so that leaves me with a decision to make 🤔
Take care matey and love to you and the entire Exmouth Biker crew ❤
Jaques et Juliette
This bike is a game changer for RE. The most stable from RE line-up! I’d say post 500 miles the engine is well seasoned for its full potential...
Thanks mate. The 450 engine will divide opinion because it feels nothing like the previous more traditional RE engines. The 450 engine feels much more modern and delivers a more engaging ride because it never feels truly happy if you let the revs drop below 3000 rpm or so. It will cope with that but it never feels happy down there.
Sometimes you feel like a relaxed cruise and sometimes you feel like a sportier, more engaging ride. I think that the Guerrilla delivers the sportier, more engaging ride that many of us enjoy ( from time to time - not always of course ).
So if I should buy one, it would be my bike for the days when I felt like riding a bike a bit harder and having a bit more work to do.
The chassis on the Guerrilla feels fantastic. I'd love to have one of my own to really be able to begin to explore its limits !
Cheery my friend, thank you for your input !
Garry & Ruby
An enjoyable Part 2 Gary , seems a great bike and i do like that colour scheme . The Armco and concrete blocks at the side of the road were noticable on that road . it certainly had some go in it though . best to you and Ruby .
Thanks John. Yes, this engine is not really very ROYAL ENFIELD at all. It does lug a bit if you let the revs drop below 3000 rpm, although it does have the torque to pull itself back up again, it just feels like it doesn't enjoy being down there.
But that's why I am interested. I already have two typical RE singles with all of their grunt down at the bottom. This bike feels more like a two stroke in the way it demands that you keep some revs on. It makes you work the gearbox to keep it on the cam. So it's harder work but it would make for a more engaging ride. I still can't decide if I have the time for a third bike. It's a dilemma and I really can't sell either of the other two at the moment.
I'm hoping for a moment of clarity at some point which will enable me to make my final decision.
Cheers you two. Stay safe and have fun.
Garry & Ruby
@@economicalrides you too ,thanks .
Great to reminisce on those roads Garry, definitely going to grab a test ride on the Guerrilla though asap. How're you doing with the snow btw?
Hi Martin,
congratulations on another successful big trip, you really do make it look easy !!!
For me it would be a logistical nightmare I'm sure !
Yes, definitely thrash a Guerrilla if you get the opportunity. It's nice to experience a ROYAL ENFIELD that is so un-Royal Enfield. It's a completely different animal to the REs we have come to know and love. But different is good. I don't want another bike if it delivers the same as a bike I already own. But I am leaning towards waiting and buying a nice second hand bike now, I think. New is fun and nice and all, but the depreciation is painful and particularly so if the bike doesn't get a lot of use. So thinking, as per my original plan at the beginning of the year, that my third bike will probably now be something second hand and something a bit different. We'll see. I haven't decided yet but feel myself leaning more in that direction from day to day.
No snow here but pretty cold all of a sudden. Lots of rain. 9cm predicted for today ! It sucks for Ruby because neither of us want to go out in it !
Day one of Mojácar is already uploaded and will be out tomorrow evening. This week I will use the wet weather to try to get day two edited and uploaded asap. Then hopefully next week I can go out and film something again. Next week is looking drier, at least currently !
Cheers Martin and tummy tickles for Chloe !
Have you had a UK Mojito yet ? 😜
Garry & Ruby
Great thoughts on the bike. Looks like a winner. I sat on it few months back, and with my short 27 inch inside leg was on tip of tip toes, so for now will pass until maybe the low seat comes out.
Having got the MT, I really need to sadly sell Rebelene.
Bumble be my logical trading in bike for this. But, that ain’t gonna happen any time soon.
What a lovely road Garry. Would be nice to see you re turn and do on, one of your bikes.
Glad you enjoyed it😊😊😊
Hi Mark. No, you cannot sell Bumble, you've probably invested 4k in mods for him 😂
But seriously, you'd regret it if you did and Fireball Yellow is no longer available, so you might struggle to get another one, should you change your mind !
Although I am trying to keep my videos short these days, that road is worthy of being shown in its entirety some day. I think I will wait for some decent weather and then just film the whole road and maybe break it into two or three parts. It won't be everybody's cup of tea but I am sure some people will like it, particularly seeing some sunshine in the winter months. Duly noted Mark !
Cheers Mark. Good luck with the MT 👍
Garry & Ruby
Hi Gary. You'd better start drafting out your letter to Father Christmas. I probably said before but those CEAT chunky tread tires are well up to the job, I think you'd be scraping the mirrors before you found their limits. In fact, the bike's handling and composure is extremely good and reassuring. I've had mine for nearly 2 months now (1350 miles) and I enjoy it more with every ride. Well, that's Parts 1 & 2 done ....... I reckon Part 3 will be you picking up a new Guerrilla from the dealer 😁👍 Cheers for now, Phil (Somerset)
Evening Phil !
Oh, I wish it were that simple, I really do.
I still haven't decided yet, which is indicative of how much I must like the bike, because normally I would have reached a verdict by now because the sensible decision is as clear as day.
Like I said at the end, if I didn't have the other bikes and I had time to take care of yet another bike, then I would probably have ordered a silver one that day.
I have to weigh up if the fun I will derive, will outweigh the expense and added workload and time constraints of having a third bike.
It would be a lot easier if I could just trade in one of the other two bikes. But I can't really do that at the moment, Buddy and Norman are currently both looking like keepers.
But please do keep telling me how much you are enjoying yours and you might just push me over the edge from sensible to impulsive 😜
Thanks Phil. I'm secretly hoping that one morning I will wake up and I will suddenly know what to do !
All the best from Spain and have fun on yours !
Garry & Ruby
@@economicalrides Well Gary, there's no rush, the Guerrillas will still be on sale next year and the year after. The decision was easier for me as I already had 3 bikes and was prepared to trade in my Hunter 350. The Hunter was a great bike and if I'd had the space and money, I'd certainly have kept it. The Hunter was ideal for local stuff but on longer runs I needed to find quieter routes where the bike was happiest which, in turn, limited where I could go on it. Although I do my best to avoid boring fast A roads and Motorways, the Guerrilla has ample power and high speed stability to deal with those occasions when they arise which is really good and it's still great on slower twisties! Rather than commit to buying the Guerrilla, why don't you just keep having test rides??? 😁 Anyway, you've currently got 2 excellent bikes that fit your needs extremely well so that's a hard act to follow. Also, for what it's worth, having test ridden the 411 and 452 Himalayans, I think you've got, by far, the best one for trail riding, the new one is better suited to faster speeds on tarmac, IMO. Cheers for now Gary, say hello to Ruby from me 😊 Phil
@@PAGallagher Thanks Phil. That all makes perfect sense.
What with work, dog, housework, life in general, two cars, two bikes and making a video for the channel every week, I'm not sure where a third bike fits in.
I'd definitely like one, as long as it offers something different, which the Guerrilla certainly does, but I'm not sure if it will cause me more stress than it's worth, whilst also knocking a dent in my bank balance. It's a tough call. I'm hoping that one morning I will just wake up, say "You only live once Garry" and just go out and do it !
Unfortunately sensible Garry keeps coming into the foreground 😂
Keep telling me how great yours is Phil, you could push me over the edge and I'd be fine with that 😛
Are you finding that the bottom end lugging is less pronounced as the engine has more miles on it ? It was pretty bad on this bike and also the Himalayan 450 I tested but the Himmy owners seem to be reporting that the bottom end gets stronger as the engine gets run in. Wouldn't surprise me because the 350s were the same. A bit gutless to begin with, but once run in, exactly as torquey as I would have hoped. Are you finding that you can be lazier with the gearbox now that the Guerrilla has done a bit ? That chugging noise this engine makes when it is lugging a bit is most unpleasant to my ears 😂
Cheers Phil,
Garry
@@economicalrides Hey Gary, I've a got a solution to your dilemma ........ sell one of your cars 😁🤣 Unfortunately, engines don't improve with miles, that's a bit of a myth, they start wearing out and losing power from day one. When an engine leaves the factory, it shouldn't be tight or too loose, all component clearances and tolerances should be at their optimum and generally speaking, they are these days. The feeling of improvement is really down to human perception, a very powerful and variable component indeed. The bike will seem to improve with time and miles but it's just subconscious fine tuning of your riding techniques that help get the best from the machine. Running in is the worst time because you are consciously and subconsciously holding back to be kind to the bike so when you finish running in and finally let go, mentally, the bike feels great!!!! 👍 That's the long answer to your question 😊😁The short answer is, no, the bottom end lugging is just the same as day one but it is no longer an issue as I've learnt how to avoid it and use the engine the way it prefers to be used. The Sherpa engine is great and depending on the riding scenario will work right down to just over 2000 rpm when engine braking, for example but generally it prefers to be nearer 3000 rpm or above and higher again when using a bigger handful of throttle. On the plus side, the engine feels very happy to play in the higher rev range. It's a very different animal to the other RE engines which are longer stroke and operate with perfect manners down low in the rev range, that's what I loved about the Hunter. Having said all that, I think the Guerrilla is a stonking bit of kit!!!! Feel free to weaken Gary and buy one but don't blame me 😁😂😋🤣👍
@@PAGallagher Interesting theory Phil but my 350s definitely improved at the bottom end with more miles on them. How can I tell ? Well because I ride the same hills frequently to get to and from my house and at a certain point in time, a fourth gear hill became a fifth gear hill. There is no way the Classic or Meteor would have made it over the big mountain in top gear when new, but after a couple of thousand miles they could. That happened with me riding the same way from beginning to end. It might not be a massive difference but it was enough to be able to take the same hill in a higher gear. ( fourth and fifth gear on those bikes of course being extremely close in ratio ! ).
Because the chugging noise the 450 makes when lugging is so unpleasant to my ears, I will certainly be trying to stay above 3000 revs as much as possible. That engine certainly seems to want you to be in the right gear all of the time, which is part of the fun really. It gives it a bit of an old school two stroke character which combines well with a nice chassis for fun in the twisties. I will probably miss the rev counter more than I usually would. Unfortunately the analogue dash only has a speedo, which for me is the only downside.
Then again, I never read the rev counter even when I have one. You tend to just ride by ear and feel anyway.
Interesting to hear your thoughts Phil and I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the Guerrilla even after having experienced the joy that is that wonderful J Series engine.
It's definitely VERY different, the Sherpa 450 engine, that's for sure. Amazing to me that they put it in a Himalayan to be honest. Like you said, it will be much harder work off-road than the trusty old 411. As soon as I felt the engine characteristics and the throttle response of the Himalayan 450, it was clear to me that I would be sticking with the 411 because I really only use it off-road, with rare exceptions in the summer, when I'm not allowed to take it off-road.
Thanks Phil 👍
If I do get one, I think I'll try to get it delivered around Christmas time. It will be my Xmas gift to myself 😇
Oh yes, regarding your solution to my dilemma, that would be my ideal solution. I've had the SL up for sale for nearly a year now but I can't be dealing with idiots and time wasters. I really want to move that on because I have no time to use it, the money would be useful and I would prefer to replace it with another bike. But I'm not going to give it away because I don't HAVE to sell it.
But that is the plan. Just have one car and then three ( or more 👹 ) bikes ! So you are spot on with that suggestion !
Cheers,
Garry
Well, there IS something we disagree on about this bike and that is the display. IMHO the digital is way better and more in keeping with this bike😊 Everything else and we are pretty much as one. I'm going to try and get one on extended loan, so I can do a proper review. I'm much like you, I only really ride bikes I have an interest in. Shocking tho of the dealer to send you out on a bike that had been dropped😮 it could have had bent forks or frame. Chili who has had a poorly tummy recently sends a muted Woof! To Ruby. 🐶
Hi Andy.
The dealer had no idea that it had been dropped until I pointed it out. I felt sorry for them. Can't believe that somebody would take out their brand new bike, drop it and return it without saying something. That sort of behaviour just discourages dealers from getting demo bikes in the first place.
No, I absolutely hate the display and even in light mode it's not easy to see that you've left your indicators on. You can't beat good old fashioned LED idiot lights for that job.
Evidently the outer screen of that display is also very easily scratched. Presumably if you take a Himalayan 450 off-road and the screen gets covered in dust, you are expected to blow it off without touching it.
I didn't really mention it too much in the video but I am still surprised by how easily this engine begins to lug and make that horrible chugging sound. Just like the Himalayan 450. Despite RE's claims that this engine has more torque everywhere than the old 411, it never feels like it. From 3000 rpm onwards, yes, But below that, it just can't have !
Take care you two. Get well soon Chili. Ruby has a poorly leg but I think it's gradually healing, now that I can stop her from constantly licking it.
Ruby says sossidges are good for your tummy Chili.
Garry & Ruby
Morning R&G 😊 I'm a 28" inside leg, so yes, fits me, I have sat on one, and one is definitely on my list of future bikes 👍
Morning Jamesworth !
Wee Mark has a 27" insider and he reckons that he is on tippy toes. But I believe that, like the Himalayan, there is a lower seat available for this bike. It has the same frame anyway, so I would imagine so.
But yes, I think 28" would be fine. You'd probably end up between tippy toes and ball of foot somewhere, enough to get decent purchase on the ground.
As with the Himalayan 450, this bike has a tendency to lug if you let the revs drop below 3k but it does have the power to pull out of it. It just doesn't feel comfortable down there, at least not when the engine is new. Himalayan owners report that the low end grunt does improve a lot as the engine gets run in, which we can relate to, because with the J Series 350 the same thing was very noticeable.
So I think that ultimately you will be able to cruise a bit more with this bike once it is run in but I think for me it would always be the bike to take out for a sportier, more engaging ride, where you have to work a bit harder, stir the gearbox and keep the engine in its peppy zone. I'd have the other two bikes for relaxed cruising 🙂 So it's the fact that this engine is so different to the other two singles that makes it appealing to me. If I do end up with a third bike, it absolutely must deliver something different. And I think that the Guerrilla would do that.
For you, maybe the combo Classic 350 and Guerrilla could work James ? You'd have a cruising bike and a hooligan bike 🙂
All the best James. Say hi to Mrs A from Ruby and me and of course, keep on spoiling her !
Garry & Ruby
I bought one!😂 eco mode flattens the power delivery, I found this made it an easy bike to ride on gravel in that mode but the rest of the time power is more fun but jerky.
Thanks for that. Yes, I think I'd stick it in performance mode the first day I got it and would never change it again 😂
Seems like a bit of an unnecessary gimmick to me but I suppose now that they have ride by wire, the RE engineers were keen to play with it a little bit.
Thanks for your input ! 👍
Garry
Hey Brother! Looks like you're doin well. I just saw these vids pop up and I sure can't wait to see those in the States. I was thinking about a Super Meteor for the long haul aspect but I so love the thumpers. How do you think she'd run up at 110+ kph when it's all broken in? Of course I would have to dump some mods on it ASAP because nothing of mine is completely stock. Still lovin' my Classic. She just turned 2 yrs old and it's still probably the best bike I've ever owned. I think I told ya I did the Kent cam and I just got the Hunter throttle body to get rid of the speed limiter. Might have to throw on the 16t sprocket and take her out on the freeways. Anyhow cheers from SoCal 🏖
Hi buddy, good to hear from you again.
The Guerrilla will do about 150 kph top speed but unfortunately it is no longer a thumper. It is a fairly short stroke, high revving, liquid cooled single.
This 450 engine never feels happy below 3000 rpm. It will pull itself back up again if you give it enough throttle, but it makes that awful chugging sound that you can hear on a few occasions in these two videos. If you are looking for a thumper, this definitely isn't it. The biggest full on thumper RE makes would still be the 350 models, currently. At a pinch you could add anything that uses the old 411 engine. The 350s will just about hit 120 kph on the flat. The 411 should make 145 kph with the panniers off.
I am considering this bike exactly because it is so different to the two that I already own. It will be a more engaging ride, it wants you to keep changing gears to keep it in its happy place. It's not an engine for lazy cruising at all, it demands that you work it. From time to time I enjoy riding a bike like that, hence why I am considering getting one.
But it is a very, very different animal compared to your Classic 350 and not simply a larger capacity version, unfortunately !
I hope this helps Gramps.
Cheers,
Garry
@@economicalrides My local dealer still has a few Scrams leftover. I really need to get up and down the Pacific Coast comfortably. A good friend lives in Southern Oregon, about 700 miles away and we keep talking about riding together again some day. I still have my old '83 CX650-T Turbo but she hasn't seen the tarmac in almost 30 years. I just keeping it around because of the low serial number, 42. I loved that bike and put 30,000 miles on it. I also still have my '02 VFR800 Interceptor which was awesome for touring but it was totaled and I haven't got it back up. I rode almost 60,000 miles between the two of them. And I still have the CBR but it's just too fast as I age. Wish I had it 40 years ago when I had better reaction time.
Just need something for a long ranger. Probably a nice stock Super Meteor might be the answer 🤷🏻♂️
@@GrampsD63 The Super Meteor is a very good shout ! 👍 Could be perfect for you !
@@GrampsD63 Oh and the Scram would probably just about do the job as well. The 411s will hit 140 kph with a bit of a run up. They can pretty much hold 120 kph anywhere but feel most comfortable at 100-110 kph 👍
@@economicalrides The dealer told me you can cruise solidly at 140 kph. That's what I need to do battle on the freeways out here. Probably go that direction.
As I understand eco mode affects only first 2-3 gears and then its buisines as usual. It helps in city with jerkieness. If you spend more time in higher gears you would not notice any difference as there is none.
Thanks. Makes sense. I didn't find the Guerrilla jerky in city traffic in either mode but then again, I've developed a very sensitive right wrist over the years. My Street Triple R had a very direct throttle response and I was jerky with that until I got a feel for it.
In that case, I could just leave the bike in performance mode because where I ride I never have to deal with traffic 😇
Thanks for your input, much appreciated 👍
Garry & Ruby
'tis on the shopping list i reckon 🤔 It wouldn't necessarily have to be a 3rd bike as i would think it could fill the shoes of both of the others? Ask Ruby what she thinks of another ubiquitous R/E coming to live with you! 😜 👍
I can't sell Buddy or Norman unfortunately Ken. They are both here for the long haul. So unfortunately it would have to be a third bike. Besides, I think the Guerrilla would be a bit rubbish off-road to be honest. The 411 engine would be much easier to deal with off-road. But it's true, adding a third bike would indeed make REs ubiquitous in my household 😂
I still can't predict which way I'll decide. I know what would be the sensible decision but I haven't quite got to that point with it. Knowing me, I'll probably be sensible eventually but I can't rule out doing something impulsive when it comes to this bike 😜
Hoping that one day I will wake up and will have decided in my sleep, then I'll just go with that decision 😂
Cheers Ken,
Garry & Ruby
I hope you will review the Kawasaki W230 or the Kawasaki Meguro S1 next year 😀
Thank you very much for this lovely review.
Cheers to Ruby & Garry 🍻
Ps: You live in Spain now. and got a white van infront of you. just like in the UK 😅😂🤣
Evening Garry it’s either the clear air in Spain or your camera or perhaps my cateract op was a fantastic result but on 5hat road mate the scenery is epic and the road and those bends must be utter joy, can you imagine how much fun it would be run in and loosened up with some Michelins on ? 😬 😂😂😂😂 chilli sends her love to Ruby, ….that lot in Normandie 🇫🇷
ps 5 mice in 3 days latest at 05.55 🙁🤬🥱 but we have sunshine 😎
Sorry mate my comments in the replies 🙄🤬
@@PeterHolland-mu7yn Yeah. what are you doing in me Comments !!! 😅😂🤣
@@WilliamAndrewPhilipBodie 🙄cos I’m a idiot and don’t pay attention on these things + I’m trying to watch the WSBK last race of the season while trying to get another mouse off our cat, sorry bud 🙄😳🥴…. Pete🇫🇷
You probably imagined the vibes on the Himmy 450 😂😂 .. Speaking about clocks .. If you ask me, I would go the middle road - LCD dash with the speedo in numbers.
I think RE may have found a few ways to isolate the bars from the vibes on this model Stefan. The vibes through the bars were greatly reduced, compared to the Himmy 450 and I'm not the only person reporting this. I expect we will eventually find out where the difference lies.
This TFT display certainly seems very easy to damage, so I think fitting a screen protector would be an absolute must, should anyone buy one with the Tripper dash. The same applies to the Himalayan 450 I suppose. The outer screen doesn't seem to be very scratch resistant at all. And the fancy dash is bound to be expensive to replace.
I'll miss the rev counter but the analogue dash with ACTUAL idiot lights for the indicators etc. seems much better to me.
Cheers Stefan,
Garry & Ruby
Probably the engine on that Guerrilla is tweaked and improved from the engine that was on the Himalayan you rode.
@ 7:41 you're on a bus route I assume as the trees are neatly cut back giving them a mullet look🤗
Hi Simon. The throttle response is certainly more linear on this one. On the Himalayan it is probably deliberately less responsive at the bottom and more linear at the top, to make it easier for off-road riding. Some people in the UK are reporting that the Guerrilla throttle is actually TOO LINEAR for UK roads because every time they go over a bump in the road, they find themselves jerking the throttle. I didn't have that problem but I can imagine that on a bumpy bend the direct throttle response COULD become an issue. It's something you get used to though. I had a similar issue with my Street Triple R when I first got it but soon managed to get the hang of it.
It wouldn't surprise me to hear that RE have also found a better way of mounting the bars for this model. The vibes through the bars are massively reduced compared to the Himalayan 450 I tested. Which is bad news for me because it does mean that the Guerrilla is still a genuine contender for me. I was secretly hoping that it would turn my hands numb after five minutes and I could quickly reject it 😂 Now I have a problem 🤔
Cheers Simon,
Garry and Ruby
P.S. Hadn't noticed that about the trees, but now that you've mentioned it, yes, it does look like they've been cropped to allow clearance for single deck buses 👍
@@economicalrides A nice problem to have. RE the trees the busses will clear the trees without the need for cropping as they drive along the routes they take.
🤔Since you did the ride a few weeks ago🤔 how are you leaning on getting one🫣
Hi Bob. Great question and I don't yet have an answer for you.
My answer is still changing from day to day. The sensible thing to do would be to stick with what I have, because a third bike will mean more time spent with servicing, maintenance and cleaning of vehicles. Time I currently do not have. So adding a bike also adds workload, which I can ill afford. But it also adds excitement and fun and I'm trying to figure out whether the fun outweighs the added hassle of another vehicle to take care of. 🤔
I stand by my conclusion at the end of this video. If I had no other bikes or had time for yet another bike, I would have ordered a Guerrilla that day.
As it is, I am having to think about things and weigh up the pros and cons.
But viewed in isolation, I would buy this bike, 100%. I think I would really enjoy it on our local roads.
I'm either going to be sensible ( boring ! ) or I am going to do something reckless and spontaneous. I am just waiting for that to resolve itself.
Cheers Bob 🙂
Garry & Ruby
Lummee Garry you're winding it on there 🙈
It's a demo bike Peter. Ride it like you stole it. And drop it if you like and then just don't tell anyone ( apparently ! ).
Well, it needed to be done because I would want it for that sort of thing. It's not the sort of bike you'd buy for cruising about on. It's definitely a bit of a hooligan 😛
I still can't decide what to do. I suppose that is indicative of how much fun this bike is. Normally I would have decided by now !
Cheers Peter, love from Spain,
Garry and Ruby.
P.S. Martin is a lovely guy and he's definitely up for anything. I think he probably has more stamina than I do, to be honest. I really enjoyed my time with him !
@@economicalrides Bit late replying here Garry, so my apologies. Yes I can see that with your 'track record' (dreadful - sorry again) of riding at high speeds where everyone rides in the same direction, you were sorely tempted with the Guerilla. I had to look away as it was more than my nerves could stand, so was pleased when you handed it back with yourself and the bike in one piece. Probably the camera exaggerated it all 🤣.
Yes one can tell from Martin's videos what a lovely chap he is and I'm so pleased you got out for the rides together and that we'll be able to take part in them.
Love to Ruby and yourself from Morecambe
@@Lanes-Explorer5733 Thanks Peter.
Have a lovely evening 🙂
sounds more like a loaded truck than a bike ;;; it does seem to want to make you ride faster , ';;; which is entertaining --- but detracts from the channel norm ;; also a power button on a moderate 450 single is a bit of a gimmick ; ,, if i was in the market at this price range -- this looks tops ;;; have sent ruby a sausage coffee ;
Thank you Simon, I've just seen the sossidge donation. Ruby sends lots of fluffy kisses and says "Fanks Simon !".
It's the fact that this engine wants to be kept above 3000 rpm that makes it appeal to me.
In the 411 and 350 I already have two typical RE luggers, with plenty of torque low down.
This engine will pull out of a lug fairly easily but it always feels like it doesn't want to be down there.
It wants you to work the gearbox and keep it in the 3-4k rpm range all the time. So that makes it relatively hard work but of course also makes for a more engaging ride.
If this engine wasn't so different to the two that already have, I probably wouldn't be interested.
This would definitely be my bike for the days when I am feeling "on it" and looking for a sportier, more engaging ride. But as I get older, those days do seem to get fewer and fewer 😂
Cheers Simon and thanks again for the sossidges, they will be greatly appreciated !
Garry and Ruby ❤🐕
Am I right but that 450 sounds rough pulling from low rpm, actually it sounds better reving than lugging.
@@johnrocker2986 Yes. When it starts to lug it makes a most unpleasant chugging sound ! The Himalayan 450 was the same. Doesn't sound happy at all.
It rReally encourages you to keep the revs above 3000 rpm that sound does !
Horrible noise.
It will recover with a bit of throttle but it sounds pretty terrible until it gets there, I agree.
Definitely an engine which sounds happiest with some revs on, and if I were to get one, I would make a great effort to keep it in its happy place in the rev range at all times !
Ride it like a two stroke would probably be the way to go 😂
Cheers John,
Garry
@@johnrocker2986 yes most bikes that style do , with nearly 40 bhp to make it [ and others ] are tuned differently to the lower powered meteor's e.t.c. -- so you have a longer cam chain and twin cams with more valves , so these need to spin to get them to smooth out , -- this is a rough idea only ;;; as motors vary as too whether they are balanced or not , also a lighter flywheel will help them spin up quicker - but the motor may then shake a bit more , a heavier flywheel will deaden the pick up - but reduce the rattle - sometimes ;;
@@simongilbert2704 I did ride one about a month ago and felt it a youngsters machine and did notice it has virtually no flywheel effect and need working constantly.