Royal Enfield just dropped something pretty special at the Wheels and Waves Festival 2025—a race-inspired Guerrilla 450 that looks like it means serious business on the track.
You know how sometimes custom builds can feel a bit… well, half-hearted? This isn’t one of those times. Italian wizard Pepo Rosell (the guy behind XTR Pepo) has taken Royal Enfield’s modern 450cc roadster and turned it into something that’ll make you do a double-take. And honestly? It’s got us wondering if RE’s been hiding the Guerrilla’s true potential all along.
Design Transformation
Here’s the thing—if someone showed you this bike without telling you what it was, you’d probably scratch your head trying to figure out it’s a Royal Enfield. Pepo’s gone and slapped on this gorgeous quarter fairing that completely changes the bike’s personality. It’s like watching Clark Kent turn into Superman, except with more carbon fiber and a lot more attitude.
The fuel tank? Still recognizably Guerrilla, but now it sits there looking purposeful rather than just pretty. And that custom subframe work—man, it’s clean. The tail section’s been chopped and channeled into something that wouldn’t look out of place on a proper race grid. That GRR 450 livery splashed across everything just adds to the whole “I’m here to win races” vibe.
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Ergonomics and Handling
Remember those comfy upright bars on the stock bike? Well, they’re history. Pepo’s fitted proper clip-ons that’ll have you leaning forward like you’re chasing lap times at Buddh International Circuit. Those Domino grips feel like they belong on something much more expensive, and somehow he’s managed to make the stock instrument cluster work with the new fairing setup—clever stuff.
But here’s where it gets really interesting. That rear end isn’t just for show—word is it’s running what looks like an Aprilia RS 660 swingarm. Now that’s not your typical bolt-on modification. This is proper engineering, the kind that actually makes a difference when you’re pushing hard through corners.
Suspension and Braking
Okay, this is where Pepo’s really shown his cards. Those Showa USD forks up front aren’t messing around—this is track-day hardware that costs serious money. Paired with what appears to be a custom Nitrox shock out back, the whole setup screams “I’m ready for some proper riding.”
It’s the kind of suspension work that makes you wonder why more manufacturers don’t just spec their bikes like this from the factory. Though let’s be honest, it’d probably double the price.
Engine and Performance
Now, Pepo hasn’t gone completely mad and torn apart the engine—the 452cc single still pumps out its standard 40 horses and 40 Nm of torque. But he hasn’t ignored performance either. That carbon fiber airbox is definitely not stock, and it should help the engine breathe a bit easier.
And can we talk about that titanium exhaust for a second? It’s not just about the weight savings (though every gram counts on track). The sound this thing must make… well, let’s just say it’s probably not going to help with noise regulations, but who cares when it sounds that good?