Dilemma for a new biker: Royal enfield Guerrilla 450 vs Shotgun 650

The Triumph 400x was comfortable, had good braking was smooth and tamed. Still, had to move on because "I did not find love"

BHPian ShreyashSays recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Let's start with some context.

I am new to the riding scene (Actually, not even into it). I have always been a car guy, to an extent where i could have probably watched every single car review video on youtube, from powerdrift to carwow.

Talking about cars, we'll get to talking about them on TeamBHP soon.

Chapter : How Bikes?

Well, i have all different kinds of experience with cars, but not much with bikes. have done some friendly short rides, but nothing serious. The longest 2 wheeler ride would be around 60kms (one way) on an Access 125 or the Jupiter. I have had moments during these rides, at around 80kmph, where, everything just fades away. The feeling explained very well in this dialogue "...The machine becomes weightless. Just disappears. And all that's left is a body moving through space and time" from Ford vs Ferrari.

A feeling that hit me on one of the rides, but stayed inside.

Sometimes life pushes you hard, you fall, you get up alone. It all finally clicks, the feeling of knowing that you are enough. This is exactly where I started to miss the moment I had on the bike.

There onwards, the drama begin. Its been 2 years and I still don't own a bike.

Chapter: My Knack for machines

The auto nerd in me made me learn a geared bike when i was probably in or 11th, probably 16 year old. This only happened because of the two FZ-S's, black, that were brought home. An adventure a sneaking a splendour out at 4am, learing a geared y 6 am and dissapearing with the FZ's by 8am. I love that day.

(A little backgroud - My Grandfather is a mechanic, so i knew all my car theories. Being a Goan, my house is full of taxis and rent a bikes, so all access pass to a lot of cars. Riding a non geared was game from the day could pick it on my feet.)

By this time, i have had my journey of joyrides from 150cc bikes to even an R6. As we all know, first love is first love, i've always had my heart stuck on naked or Royal Enfields. Another thing, i am an abolute Hooligan when i ride. It started off as a kid, and it still sticks. I respect all opinions on riding, but i also value the smile on my face. Which meant I exactly knew where to start.

Chapter: Understanding Character of bikes

I knew i wanted a bike that could put a smile on my face. It had to start from 300cc+, and because i value my life, and accecpt the fact that i need to learn a lot more, it surely needed to be below 500cc. (Only reference to power. Okay with a 650 RE but not a 600 Kawasaki)

It started with the "Triumph Speed 400", naked with a retro look. Mix of the two things that i like.

I am a person who doesn't think much. I walked in the showroom with a though that i would get this. Rode it, popped a wheelie and realised soon, i could die in this. That bike, is like a feather. Somehow, i felt i couldn't control it on the brakes, but for the 5ft5 me, i had decided, "i will learn".

Plot Twist - I had taken a friend with me, a GT650 Fan. A person who had been convincing me for a GT650, but the cocky me found the GT650 old school. He advised me to try the other Triumph 400x. After that ride, i realised, "what if miss all the good parts because i haven't tried it?". 400x was comfortable, better braking, smooth and tamed. Still, time to move on because "i did not find love"

Chapter: Journey of Test-rides

I had a clear list. I wanted to fall in love.

The thoughts below are my thought before the testride.

1. KTM 390 - I knew it was sexy, but i the looks deterred me.

She gets the hooligan out of me. Absolutely crazy. I cant find a single flaw in this bike. Somehow, i feel, i will never grow up if i get this or i would die. I still love it. I don't know, she is the one that i wouldn't want to talk about.

2. Svartpilen 401 - I liked the looks, but was unsure.

Nah. I rode this after the KTM. My thought, if people test ride this bike after the KTM or even with the KTM, its very unlikely the the Husky will sell. You either need to be in love with the looks of the Husky or you really need to hate he orange on the KTM. The 390 was a notch better at every singe thing, from tech, control, braking to even the thrill.

3. Himalyan 450 - Just because i could ride it. Thats it. I knew, it isnt the one for me.

This happened on my visit to the RE showroom, and i can describe the Himalya 450 in short. "She is the queen". Perfect balance. All i could wish for would be cruise control, thats it. You just can't stop riding it.

I need a bike for the Goan roads, day tto day commute. This is not for a short guy like me FOR NOW. I will have such a ride in my garage one day.

4. 650 Twins - My Friend. His requested.

Mind blown. I understood the love that my friend has for the GT650. That smooth engine. uffff.

I am still not a fan of the looks, but, i was in love with the engine. After this moment, it took me 3 months to convince that it isnt a practical ride for me.

After that convincing, i waited for the Guerilla to launch and also for Shotgun test rides to open.

Chapter - New Biker Dilemma

5. Guerilla 450 - I had been waiting for this launch.

Finally, i got this.

The first test drive happened with Saini Motors RE in Vasco Da Gama. Now, I had test ridden the other RE's with them too. The catch, a wierd test ride policy. They won't let you test ride the bikes solo.

Now, it didnt affect me much when i rode the Himalyan or the 650. They are perfect. This did when i rode the Guerilla.

The Guerilla is fun, but doubted it because i could not experience it alone. It pulls for sure. I touch 130kmph with a piillion, but i missed character. I did not blame the bike here, i blamed the policy. So, i moved on the another showroom.

Guerilla 450, Take 2 with RE Garage Cafe in Calangute. They gave me 10 mins to experience the bike alone. Trust me, the bike is crazy. I love the looks and the hoolligan that i could be on it. I think a different set of tyres would bring a lot more confidence to the ride.
(I'll try and share a review post soon.)

I had fun, clicked some photos, and headed back. I felt this could be the bike for me. A bike where i could start my riding journey. Somthing that i could ride to the market or somewhere far. Versatile enough for some rough roads and also ready to take some rides on some smooth roads.

I thought i found my love, imagining my future, just like ALI from Dhoom.

Exactly at this moment, i saw the Shotgun650 available for a test ride.

6. Shotgun - Utter Beauty & the engine.

Modern yet old school. The purr of that 650 twin. Glossy engine with the matt dual exhausts. Finally, the sound. You feel your heartbeat as soon as the engine starts. It makes you feel alive.

The ride was crazy, with the widest smile on my face. Its agile and the tyres stick. Its an absolute joy. No way practical with the low ground clearance and the uncomfortable seat, but it makes me look so damn amazing when i am on it. A bike, that has got me confused.

Chapter - The Confusion

The things that are running in my mind.

1. Should i really push my budget for a Shotgun?

2. Will it really make me happy as I live with it?

3. Does the Guerilla 450 make a good start to the riding world?

4. Which bike will help me grow as a rider?

I don't know!!!

I am in no hurry for a bike, but I really wish for one. I am sure there is going to be a day soon in the next two to three months, where I would walk in the showroom and book one for sure. Till then,

To get into biking, I will let this dilemma eat me alive, Guerilla 450 or The Shotgun 650?

What you think?.

Here's what BHPian aargee had to say on the matter:

1. Not sure, perhaps I can quantify saying if the cost of motorcycle is no more than 10-20% of bank balance then yes; reason being even if you do not like it later & want to sell, you don't lose much

2. May or may not; from my experience of owning Rx, CBR 250R & Interceptor 650, I still ache for Tiger or Striple; new motorcycles are just novelty, brings happiness for sometimes only to fade away later. However, what still keeps happiness is: The ride, the road, the wind, the riding experience, blasting past the cars & ofcourse tinkering with motorcycles, be it Rx or Interceptor or perhaps even Activa - It's the experience that keeps the happiness, not the materialistic possessions

3. Any motorcycle that you're inexperienced with helps to accomplish a good start

4. You'll outgrow any motorcycle that you keep riding

Good luck on your journey & welcome to motorcycling

Here's what BHPian nishsingh had to say on the matter:

You don't buy a bike for the future.

You buy a bike for the present, to feel alive and to create the connection between this world and your soul.

So let your smiles while riding the test bikes decide which one you want to see in your garage every morning.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.