The age-old question of which motorcycle to choose, and why? In this review, we pit two compelling options against each other: a spirited roadster versus a versatile sport tourer, both priced similarly but delivering distinctly different experiences. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a fun, agile roadster built on the Sherpa 450 platform, sharing roots with the Himalayan 450. On the other side, the 2025 Bajaj Dominar 400 has been spruced up with fresh updates, continuing to impress as a capable touring machine.
Should you pick the Guerrilla 450 over the Dominar 400, if you’re in such a conundrum? Read on, as we break down what makes each bike stand out, helping you decide which ride fits your needs best.
The design and silhouette of the 2025 Bajaj Dominar 400 are the same as when it was first introduced almost a decade ago. However, if you pay closer attention, you will notice some thoughtful enhancements that emphasize its touring-oriented personality. It has a tall windscreen, standard knuckle guards, an engine guard, and a pillion backrest that is integrated into a standard luggage rack, making it ready for the road right out of the showroom. It is travel-ready even with built-in bungee straps, which are thoughtful additions. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 may share its DNA with the Himalayan 450, but it’s nothing like it in stance and proportions. It is road-ready thanks to its smaller 17-inch wheels, and anyone looking for a street bike will definitely be drawn to its sporty and aggressive stance, accessible seat height, and 780 mm height. Although it has a fuel tank capacity of 11 liters, it has a range disadvantage of 2 liters over the Dominar 400, despite having a kerb weight of 185 kg. The new colour LCD instrument console of the Dominar 400 is shared with the Pulsar NS400Z. It features a secondary dot matrix screen which displays turn-by-turn navigation, powered by Bluetooth connectivity, as well as the four ride modes – Road, Rain, Sport and Off-Road, powered by the new ride-by-wire system. The Dominar 400 has dual-channel ABS and traction control, which is a welcome addition to a motorcycle built for the long haul. The Dominar 400’s 373 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine loves being revved, and those seeking some thrill will appreciate Sport mode. In numbers, the engine is tuned to make 39 bhp at 8,800 rpm and 35 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. In Road mode, the engine feels somewhat docile, and Rain mode will further dial down power delivery. But to really unlock its potential, you’ll need to be in Sport mode and work the gearbox as well – the power band only comes alive above 5,000 rpm. Yes, there are some vibrations at higher revs, but the Dominar 400 can sit comfortably at triple digit speeds all day long.
The Guerrilla may share its DNA with the Himalayan but comes with longer gearing – a smaller 45-teeth rear sprocket to handle the fatter 160-section rear tyre. Its lighter weight makes it lively and quick to accelerate. With a bigger torquier engine than the Dominar 400, the Guerrilla 450 feel more alive and eager. Its throttle modulation has also been changed from its adventure sibling. A motorcycle that is fun, eager, and entertaining is the outcome. It’s quick and can handle high speeds, but the lack of wind protection makes it uncomfortable for long highway drives.
