Valheru Rides!

Last August Royal Enfield snuck out that they would also produce a 450cc power cruiser based on the new Sherpa engined platform. While we’ve heard practically nothing since then, but as we have now seen what can be accomplished in the production of the Guerrilla 450, I think we’re probably in a better position to speculate on what will be capable with the new platform.

Obviously it’s just a design sketch, and a chap can dream……right?

Things I’d love to see.

• A decent sized fuel tank – minimum of 15L but 17L if we can without upsetting the balance. With an estimated mpg of 82, that would make a powerful and versatile cruiser with the range to match. I totally understand why the roadster only has a small tank, but that would be restrictive on a cruiser.
• Foot forward controls and a heel/toe shifter. Hopefully it will also be compatible with the current touring pegs, as the comfort increases once fitted are very noticeable. This combined with the swept back style of the bars would make this an absolute tour machine as well.
• A low centre of gravity – one of the great things about so many of the RE bikes is just how low the centre of gravity is, it’s confidence inspiring, makes for a great time when carving through traffic and gives much greater stability on poor road surfaces.
• Decent mud guards – on the basis I live in the middle of a field these are a personal preference of mine, the image doesn’t make it look like we can expect much in that department, hopefully it won’t be like that when it hits production.
• A good screen option – I get that a screen isn’t everyone’s cup of tea on a power cruiser, so probably an option of a shorter version like on the Himmy and a full sized version for those of us who like skulking behind it on the way into the office.
• In blue.

What I fear the most.

Honestly there are very few things that would potentially turn he off from being interested in it. One of the absolute deal breakers for me would if it was ugly, the design sketch evokes things like the Ducati Diavel or the Benelli 502C, both I find to be pretty damn ugly (The Duc more so). I really am of the option that when I walk away from a bike I should be overwhelmingly wanting to turn and admire it. I just can’t do that with either of those styles of power cruisers.

A small fuel tank, the Guerrilla only has 11L which, considering the fuel light can be a tad random sometimes, I really don’t want to get caught out mid commute, or when exploring. I think the range anxiety would be a killer for me.

Wrapping it all up.

While we can really only hope, dream and speculate right now, this has the potential to be a versatile go anywhere cruiser. I’ve got everything crossed!