Royal Enfield launched the Gorilla 450 in 2024, and it has had quite an interesting journey since then. It debuted as a slightly unconventional product in the brand’s lineup, sharing its Sherpa 450 platform with the Himalayan, yet adopting a completely different approach in terms of design and intent. After that, the model initially saw steady growth. However, things slowed down after the GST revision. Now, Royal Enfield has decided to shake things up again. And before we begin, let me tell you that this initiative is in place. With the new Gorilla 450 Apexthe company has expanded the lineup, made it more accessible, and added some updates that truly change how the bike feels to ride. We also spent time with the Apex on go-kart tracks and on public roads in Assam, tackling everything from tight corners to sharp sweepers. Here’s what we feel about it.Gorilla has always been a bit different in the Royal Enfield family. It takes on muscle, but in a leaner, tighter form. If I were to explain it, I’d say it’s the one sibling who decided to skip the bulking season and instead focus on staying lean and athletic. The overall stance is aggressive, modern, and very much in line with what you’d expect from a roadster today.
With the Apex variant, there are some design enhancements. There is now a small cowl above the headlamp, as well as a rear cowl, giving the bike a touch sportier look. The front cowl, in particular, reminds me of the Scram 440. Now, design is subjective, and while it adds a fresh element to the lineup, I personally feel that the Gorilla looks plainer without it. It’s not that it looks out of place, it just feels like something the bike didn’t really need.The more significant updates aren’t cosmetic. New Vredestein Centauro ST tires replace the previous dual-purpose setup, and are clearly more road-biased. They also instantly change the visual stance of the bike.Then there is the revised ride triangle. The Apex gets a new aluminum handlebar, which has been moved 57mm forward and 56mm lower. The footpegs remain centered, but the overall ergonomics feel different. You now sit slightly forward, with a stance that feels more engaging, without being uncomfortable for everyday use.Mechanically, the Gorilla 450 Apex remains unchanged. It continues to use the same 452cc Sherpa engine, and that’s no bad thing. The motor feels strong and lively, with smooth power delivery that makes riding easy in most situations. The mid-range is the highlight here. Overtaking is fun.
In town, once you get past the initial crawl, the bike feels quick and responsive. On highways, it provides a comfortable cruise without feeling stressed. Refinement levels are better than other REs but not perfect. There are noticeable vibrations around the 4,000 to 5,000 rpm range, especially through the handlebars and footpegs. It’s not a deal breaker, but something you’ll be aware of on longer rides.The suspension setup continues with telescopic forks at the front and monoshock at the rear, offering 140mm and 145mm of travel respectively. It is made more for road use and performs admirably on typical Indian surfaces. Bad patches, small bumps, and uneven roads are handled without fuss. It is not too soft, nor too hard.Handling has always been one of the Gorilla’s strong points, and that continues here. The bike feels stable, predictable, and easy to ride. Braking performance is also solid.
Changes you really feel.
Now, while all of this holds true for the standard Gorilla, the Apex makes changes that are immediately noticeable once you start riding with intent.
Tires make the biggest difference. Switching to Vredestein Centauro STs changes the way the bike behaves around corners. On regular roads, especially through sharp turns and long sweeps, grip feels firm and predictable. You can lean more confidently, and the front end feels properly planted.The revised ride triangle complements this perfectly. With a slight forward lean, you feel more connected to the front tire. Turn-ins feel faster and more natural. The bike no longer feels comfortable at idle, it now feels anxious to change direction.At higher speeds, the tires continue to suffer. Even when you’re carrying speed into corners, there’s no sudden panic. Grips build up slowly. That’s exactly what I’d want on Indian roads where conditions can change mid-corner without warning. And yes, we encountered such incidents during our ride.
On the track, the improvement was even more evident. The wider 160-section rear tire provides better stability when exiting corners, while the 120-section front provides solid feedback during trail braking. You can bend harder and deeper with more confidence. What stands out most is consistency. Whether it’s quick changes in direction, tight corners, or long sweepers, the tires behave in a predictable manner. And that, more than absolute grasp, is what builds trust over time.
Pricing and Access
Another important point here is pricing. Royal Enfield, at least for now, is absorbing the impact of recent cost changes. The Apex variant starts at Rs 2,49,194 ex-showroom for the red shade and goes up to Rs 2,56,387 for the green and black. The Dash lineup also gets a new Twilight Blue variant priced at Rs 2,49,194.In the dash variant you also get additional bits like headlamp grill and knuckle guards.This pricing strategy comes at an important time for the brand, as Royal Enfield completes 125 years globally, along with the milestone of 1,25,000 motorcycles built on the Sherpa platform. With this limited-time pricing, the Gorilla 450 becomes an even more compelling option in its segment.
The decision
The Gorilla 450 Apex isn’t a complete overhaul, and it doesn’t try to be one. Instead, the folks at RE have focused on improving the areas that matter most to the roadster.Better tires, sharper ergonomics, and a more engaging ride experience have made a significant difference. The bike now feels more focused and more in tune with its intended purpose.It’s still practical, still usable every day, but now, it encourages you to push a little harder, lean in a little more, and enjoy the ride a lot more. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, the move is spot on given the introductory pricing.
