Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 vs Bear 650 ‖ Which is better?

Having ridden both these bikes a couple of times now I wanted to break down which I think is best and which you should go for if in the market for one or the other...
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[@ianhalliwell8604]

I'm with you Sean it's the Guerilla every time. I'm sceptical how well the Bear will sell, a Royal Enfield for almost 7 grand puts it in new territory price wise. Its also much taller and considerably heavier which is a big consideration when you get older that's for sure.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Very astute comment Ian i agree with you, the bear at £7k is punchy for an Enfield. Will be hard to get people to commit when the Guerrilla is 4850 for some paint schemes

[@richardgitz2264]

Sean, you doing that Freddy Dobbs pose with the bikes cracks me up...leaning one hand on the handlebar and crossing your legs onto that one leg stance, you just need to be waving your arms around a LOT more during the video and you'll be there. Thanks for your presentation, always a treat. Take care.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

The top was a bit Freddie as well. Bought by Suzies sister for my birthday 😄. I'm not that fashionable usually

[@lipsee100]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Ha you call that fashion !! Ok I like the Bear ,,but 2 grand more..... I would buy a old 650 ,,put a tec exhaust on ,plus add the SS big bore kit ,then bobs your auntie.. you got a Scramblery kind of bike for alot less...

[@ianfutcher1518]

@@MindfulMotorcyclistdefinitely a Freddie Dobbs top 👍🏻

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Really is isn't it. Mind you I only have one top like that and Im not normally that bold 🤣🤣

[@paulshenton6527]

I obtained the Guerrilla. Never looked back. It's a great ride... Went in to my garage to sit along my scram and Meteor 350 / 650

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Good buy! Lovely bikes!

[@AMac71]

I PX’d my Hunter for the Guerrilla and for my needs it’s got everything I need in a bike. I do like the look of the Bear but the weight and seat height no thank you, and what swayed me against the Bear the most No centre stand !!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Good point about the centre stand! I forgot to mention that one 👍

[@lulupinkus5627]

Centre stands should be on more bikes, like they were in the 70's, 80's

[@ATIL1304]

Man,great shot on those bikes.That is a festival for the eyes.Thanks...

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you very much 👍😀

[@jon6343]

Guerrilla all day long 🏍

[@johnnybgood7812]

The Bear looks absolutely amazing! I love it! That said, I bought the Guerrilla in Playa black as it’s lighter and smaller which suits me better. Still a really good looking bike too I think?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Still really good looking and lighter!

[@larrywade9041]

First off. It was hard not to look constantly at that jacket that you were wearing ; what a beautiful item it was. Now for me, I would choose the guerilla for numerous reasons of which I will not go in to, Hope Suzie is doing great. Keep walking her up that hill on the hill. And keep making her to fetch!! (lol) Have a beautiful day! Cheers!! Illinois, USA

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Larry, this was actually bought for me by Suzies sister for my birthday and it's quite smart 👍. We are going for a walk today up the hill, I'll remember to take a pan of the countryside. Hope you have a nice weekend 😊

[@williamlylecameron9345]

Great video Sean and Suzie thanks. For me it would be safe 2K and enjoy the RE Guerrilla 450. Also, I would enjoy the saving on the extra MPG.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks William, yes the lightness goes a long way and is someone I think many people are looking for 👍

[@christyrer9530]

Bear in black 😀👍

[@jhbikingandpestcontrol70]

Great video. I have looked at both bikes. The bear as a replacement for my Interceptor. But I can't justify it as I love my 650. The guerilla as a 2nd bike to use for commuting more.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thats how i would position the bikes, Guerrilla as a light fun agile second bike for not much money especially as they are available secondhand now. The bear would be too close to the Interceptor imo to have both...

[@mauriceridesout]

If you can do some green laning/abr/light adv stuff on the bear easy choice for me. Bear. P.s otherwise for me would be which is more comfy being a taller rider. Both are fun!

[@radekknauer2891]

I'm not sure how worse Guerilla would be in green laning and light ADV in reality. On one hand 17" front instead of 19". On the other hand good 40kg lighter. Suspension wise they're both road bikes when it comes to chassis Guerilla has that Himalayan ADV frame while Bear is a taller Interceptor.

[@mauriceridesout]

@radekknauer2891 time will tell boyo! P.s same tyres?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Bear has marginally better rubber for green laning but then the G450 is lighter by a lot...

[@michaelgilbert3311]

When i start looking at buying bikes the initial appearance is my first goal. Blimey that looks the business? Then i start to look at the specification of the bike, Weight/seat height/running costs/servicing /purchase price etc, At that point i make a decision. RE Guerrilla is my choice . Until the next time, Ride Safe. Mike Sunny Wales

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Seems many on here agree with you Mike! Guerrilla is the most popular by far

[@motorcyclingdownunder]

Thanks for this very interesting and informative comparison. Two bikes I definitely want to ride. :>)

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks for the kind comment and feedback 👍

[@motorcyclingdownunder]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist You're welcome :>)

[@Geekontourwheels]

Bwahahahahaa loved that Bullet passing by! Good to see RE get a real foothold in the UK now from just a decade back when they were looked at in scorn lol!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks

[@Lee-70ish]

I have to say having had a good peruse of both, and despite being more an air-cooled lover. The Guerilla is really well built and a great looking bike. It would be my pick between the two.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I agree 👍

[@leegreveson]

Guerilla all day long. Costs less to buy, less to run, less to tax and insure. Probably more agile due to weight and loving the blue colourway in natural daylight, not keen on the 249 option of the Bear anyway, prefer the teal green tank.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I agree Lee, great points 👍. Yes the petrol green is that the name is the one that no one mentions but it's a hidden gem in the Bear line up.

[@weemark67]

I like the look off both of these. The Guerrilla is spoiled with the black rear wheel rim. Should be blue like the front. ( just my opinion. Because of this I would go for the Playa black, if buying) Not fine having 27 inch inside leg, as when I sat on one, I was on very tip of tip toes.😢 The Bear…….i would need a scaffold.😂 Nice review Sean.😊

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

It was only today I noticed that Guerrilla has a different colour rim, I'd have to go for the yellow ribbon as its weird and wacky! I think a lot like gold dip and the black one with red and yellow...

[@richardyardley5127]

I'd go for The Bear because it's still very retro and I love the air/oil cooled engine. The Guerilla is a totally modern bike and RE have done a great job with it but it just doesn't float my boat because of this. Having chosen The Bear, I'd then choose a chrome tanked Interceptor over it because I really like the pure late 1960's retro beauty of the Interceptor, complete with its twin analogue clocks and twin exhausts.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Richard, nice to have a vote for the bear!

[@TheJamesvgnr]

Out of the two I would pick the Bear- (bit of a Steve Mcqueen vibe going on there),but I have a 2003 Fazer 1000,one of the greatest bikes of all Times,in my opinion, and I can't see myself parting from it any time soon!

[@chrisjonesbath]

The Bear is the best looking RE to date, though maybe the silencer lets it down slightly. Being cursed by punctures of late I'd only be interested if they produced one with tubeless tyres, I've really had enough of tubes!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you Chris 😊

[@thomaspetersen7073]

The Bear looks great, but.. the Guerrilla i have bought one month ago and now driven about 600 km ist more fun. Less weight, agil, the engine is a wonderful living one. Before I bought the Guerrilla, owned a Meteor 350 for two and a half Years and about 16.000 Kilometers. She was an Enfield of the old spirit, the Guerrilla 450 is the modern one. I love this fantastic and agil engine, this feeling of easy handling. The two-stoke- engine of the 650 feels to me in comparision a little bit boring.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I also had a Meteor 350 and loved it, I'd also go for Guerrilla out of the new line up 👍

[@thomaspetersen7073]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Mental brothers... :).

[@bobrayner6873]

The guerilla, the black one in the shop is mine, 😁still waiting for it to be registered 😩

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I had an admiring glace at your very bike then! Lovely in that colour 😀👍

[@henrysmith5604]

I’ve ridden the bear 650 I found the rider’s foot pegs are still in a awkward position when putting your feet down and the rear brake lever I found was set to high so while riding I had to position my foot out a bit to the right to stop riding with pressure on the brake lever not sure if there’s any adjustment for this? The Guerilla is great I’ve bought one now

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Congratulations on your new 450, such a nice bike 👍

[@chrisdowns3725]

A far bigger question is what is the better bike. Bear 650 or b65?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Nobody knows yet as they havent ridden the B65. I guess it will come down to single vs twin and pricing...

[@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555]

Nice vid. 👍 I like both but a new lnterceptor is £5k, so both of these at RRP look out of synch. I've sold my bike (hallelujah) & my only problem is choosing which RE, their current pricing madness doesn't help.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you for the comment. You could get a nice inty for 5k as well... a dark edition with the cast alloy wheels would be a bit different 🤔

[@0scartheCat]

Interestingly, in India the CB350, H'ness & RS all come with MRF tyres. BTW nobody has reviewed the Guerrilla with the taller seat? The Bear is as you say is a road bike & too heavy for off road with tyres not ideal for UK roads. some solid colours would look classic. The Guerrilla 450 in grey with the analogue speedo, ( not a fan of the Navigation systems), better road rubber, taller seat and an after market hugger to stop the dirt that is thrown up would be my choice.

[@jonathandeeley6276]

I agree with you about the dash/speedo on the Guerilla, I've had my Playa Black since September and covered over 3,000 miles to date, I still haven't got to grips with all the dash functions and how they work! Had the grey version been available at launch with the Analogue speedo etc I would have chosen that model. I understand that RE have now discontinued the Analogue version on the 2025 year build models - sadly.☹️👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Man I agree with this so much. A cheaper analogue Guerrilla with some sport attack 4s (or similar) could be something special 😄

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

For Jonathan it looks like you picked the right bike, 95% of these comments are pro Guerrilla

[@jonathandeeley6276]

Just to note the Guerilla also has Shoa forks fitted as standard.👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Jonathan 👍

[@SteveTheBikingGrandad]

That Option 249 Bear is a lovely looking thing. If I was in the market for a bike now and didn't already own an Interceptor, I'd probably have chosen that over the Interceptor that I ended up buying (in 2021) - BUT, I don't think I'd swap my Interceptor for a Bear now, if that makes sense?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Makes perfect sense as the bear is quite close in how it rides to the Interceptor, you might not get a good part ex value so you'd be paying a lot to have a similar experience.

[@SteveTheBikingGrandad]

@MindfulMotorcyclist oh yeah absolutely agree about the part ex value. I guess that's the downside of buying a more "budget" bike in the first place, their resale value drops much faster than more premium brands. But I've always tended to keep my vehicles for a decent length of time so I never really worry too much about that. By the time I actually do get rid of my Interceptor (I'll have had it 4 years in July), I'll have had my money's worth out of it anyway 🙂👍

[@henrysmith5604]

Thankyou

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you for the comment 👍

[@abhigyansinha7924]

Comparing apples to oranges? I mean parallel twin 650 vs single cylinder 450? Anyway the video is great btw…love from India

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you 😊

[@kepa504]

I do wish Royal Enfield would fit tubless tyres a standard on the bear

[@malcolmpatton9314]

Hi Sean I have tried the bear found not as refined as my Honda 500x however I have not tried the 450 bikes as the salesman said it would be no different to my Honda I think that’s rubbish and I will try all the 450 singles and would probably buy the road version guerrilla

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Well the Honda is a twin with 47hp and the Guerrilla is a single with 40. The Guerrilla is lighter tho. I think it would be quite different. Thanks Malcolm 👍

[@Chris78pl]

As a grown man i prefer back end of gorilla to bear lol just add spoke wheels dual tyres and its a beauty

[@matusknives]

The Guerilla looks like a cool bike, the sound is not really getting under my skin though.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

That's fair, especially when you lug the engine at low rpm

[@mattdog1982]

Such a tough choice…. I think the price just tips me over to the guerilla. However the traditional 650 interceptor can be picked up for around 5k brand new and there are some absolute bargains on the second hand market. So many options now in the middleweight to lower cc market from all the manufacturers.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

It's a brilliant time to be a motorcycle enthusiast! The sub 650cc and even sub 400cc market is very buoyant right now

[@FrankLow-q7r]

No mention in your review of servicing costs. The Bear will likely be a lot cheaper in the long run, particularly due to the ease of valve clearance checks/ adjustment on the 650 engine.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

This isn't a review so we've not mentioned a lot, I generally don't cover these things but there are lots of channels that do the technical and detail oriented review. Cheers.

[@shaarodmahanta2473]

For real?? 👀

[@paulblackfield473]

I'd buy a Guerilla tomorrow if only it had a real-world fuel tank capacity.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Fair enough, Himmy then?

[@Brettmotorcycles]

Triumph 400x better than both. Have super meteor with the same engine isn’t it the same experience with Bear? Testing it in am but leaning with 400x lighter and and better scrambler

[@NoFrictionZone]

Guerrilla vs Triumph Speed 400?

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Guerrilla - more stable at speed, more comfy, rising rate rear shock, nicer display. Triumph - better suspension by far, smoother engine, better tyres stock.

[@TheAgalmic]

The Guerrilla is nicer looking, lighter and less expensive.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Andy!

[@LumpyCarbs]

Both very competent bikes in there glass but not the Goldilocks bike for me. One has too tall a seat hight and 2 cylinders and the other is too small and no bench seat. I wonder if there is a 650 single with a lower bench seat that’s just the right size? 😂 seriously if I was adding to the stable I’d probably go for the Himalayan secondhand as a winter hack.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Haha you're more of a Goldstar man than me Lumpy... gutted about the new release delay 😳

[@richard2951960]

nice jacket mate 😏

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Birthday present from last year 👍

[@aidens04]

I wouldn't recommend the guerrilla to someone coming back into biking. I'd recommend the bear. He'll be very bored very quickly with the guerrilla and it's lack of power. The bear isn't going to rip his arms off but will keep him happy for longer. Plus it looks so much better imo

[@vitorvilasboas9330]

🤔 Quero a Guerrilla 😍😍💘 Tem 'melhor peso potência' em 0,5kg p/HP 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Agreed 👍

[@blondiejoe]

Bear for me. Go anywhere bike.

[@HunterVlog350cc]

the new scram 440 is more fun than these 2 , trust me

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Does it ride much different to the 411? The power is not that much better? We don't get the 440 here sadly

[@HunterVlog350cc]

@ it is all about the initial pull that is better than 411

[@wozza59]

Guerrilla for me. I part ex’d my Interceptor for the Guerrilla.

[@C-L-D-H]

Naahhh.... RE isbatleast overpriced by 1000 GBP, because it's not that reliable to be 7000 GBP