“Absolute Blast” — Guerrilla 450 SM from Fast Glass Media…
In 2024, Royal Enfield released the Guerrilla 450 — a modern roadster with the liquid-cooled Sherpa engine from the Himalayan 450 adventure bike, starting at just $5299. While we may still think of Royal Enfields as old-school paint-shakers with air-cooled engines, twin shocks, and steel cradle frames, the brand has maintained those heritage models while stepping up their more contemporary offerings.
The Guerrilla 450 has a twin-spar tubular steel frame which uses the engine as a stressed member, a rising-rate linkage-type shock, and Royal Enfield’s first-ever liquid-cooled engine: the “Sherpa” 452cc DOHC 4-valve single, which offers a 6-speed gearbox, ride-by-wire, and about 40 brake horsepower. This is all packed into a naked roadster described thusly:
“An urban trailblazer…built for the urban jungle, the backroads, and anyone who’s not great at following directions.” -Nathan Kolbe, Royal Enfield North America
Royal Enfield might be the most supportive major manufacturer of the modern custom scene, regularly placing their models into the hands of builders and brand ambassadors for customization. Today we’re happy to present this Guerrilla 450 from Dustin Ishikura of Fast Glass Media, who works with motorcycle manufacturers, race teams, and other two-wheeled companies on media production, brand collaboration, and social media.
Dustin is also the Royal Enfield North America brand ambassador for the Guerrilla 450. Inspired by his love of supermotos, he decided to transform his bike into a Guerrilla 450 SM:
“The concept was simple: build a fun, functional, clean supermoto that almost anyone could recreate at home using mostly OEM and easily sourced aftermarket parts — minimal fabrication, maximum impact. I wanted it to look like it rolled off the factory floor that way.”
The entire front end was swapped for the beefier inverted forks and yokes from a Himalayan 450, as was the rear shock and linkage. The 17-inch mags were retained, but the brakes updated with a custom Accossato front caliper and master cylinder, as well as braided lines. Dustin thanks Casey Clark at NC’s Essex Moto for designing the brake setup.
The engine had been sharpened with a FuelX Pro+ tuner, modded airbox, DNA filter, and AEW decat pipe and silencer. Dustin estimates the bike now makes 42-45 hp, while a 48-tooth rear sprocket means the front wheel comes up quite faster than stock. Other highlights include a supermoto front fender and headlight setup, removal of the stock tail section and center stand, Renthal Fat Bars with Acerbis Factory X handguards, custom lighting, and more.
Many builders are satisfied with bikes that simply look the part. Not Dustin — he put his GRR450SM in the hands of a pro rider for testing.
“It’s an absolute blast. It’s fun and practical on the street, and it genuinely feels like a factory-built supermoto. I’ve tested it at a kart track in Florida with MotoAmerica Supersport and SuperHooligan racer Gus Rodio, and his feedback was extremely positive — especially regarding handling and braking performance.”
As you can see, Gus absolutely ripped the Guerrilla around the track, backing it into downhill corners, lifting the front wheel, and blasting past riders on traditional supermotos. Bravo!
We hope Royal Enfield will consider producing an SM model given the huge response to this bike — one of Dustin’s videos garnered more than 1.3 million likes on Instagram! It certainly looks like a hoot to ride, while remaining street-legal and much more practical than an MX-based motard. Well done, Dustin!
Below is our full interview with Dustin about the build, along with more images and a full build sheet.
Guerrilla 450 SM: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Dustin Ishikura, and I own Fast Glass Media, where we create high-quality content for
motorcycle manufacturers, race teams, and organizations.
I started riding motorcycles in 2018, was introduced to racing in 2022, and found my way to Royal Enfield in 2024 after attending the Himalayan 450 launch event. Since then, my involvement with the brand has grown significantly.
My workshop? Just a basic, slightly messy garage — proof that you don’t need a full race shop to build something special.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 (2025).
• Why was this bike built?
I’m the Royal Enfield North America brand ambassador for the Guerrilla 450, and I saw it as the perfect platform for a supermoto conversion. This build was both a personal passion project and a way to showcase the versatility of the platform.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The concept was simple: build a fun, functional, clean supermoto that almost anyone could recreate at home using mostly OEM and easily sourced aftermarket parts — minimal fabrication, maximum impact. I wanted it to look like it rolled off the factory floor that way.
What influenced the build the most? My love for supermotos — lightweight, aggressive, and built to be ridden hard. What influenced me the most in this build was my love of supermotos!
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The major front-end components were swapped using OEM Himalayan 450 triple clamps, bearings, and forks, along with the Himalayan rear shock and linkage.
Other modifications include:
• Off-the-shelf supermoto front fender
• Universal headlight/number plate
• Custom Accossato front brake setup (caliper & master cylinder)
• Steel braided brake lines (front and rear)
• Center stand removed
• Himalayan 450 kickstand installed
• Left passenger peg removed
• Full rear tail section removed
• Custom brake light with integrated turn signals
• Renthal Fat Bars
• Acerbis Factory X hand guards
• 45T aluminum rear sprocket
• Gold D.I.D. Superbike chain
• AEW decat pipe
• AEW silencer
• FuelX Pro+ tuner
• DNA air filter and airbox cap modification
The goal was clean, purposeful upgrades that improved performance and sharpened the supermoto aesthetic.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Guerrilla 450 SM – aka George.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
Horsepower is slightly higher than stock — likely in the 42–45 hp range. Estimated weight is approximately 390 lbs.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s an absolute blast. It’s fun and practical on the street, and it genuinely feels like a factory-built supermoto. I’ve tested it at a kart track in Florida with MotoAmerica Supersport and SuperHooligan racer Gus Rodio, and his feedback was extremely positive — especially regarding handling and braking performance.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
All of it. I’ve never done anything like this before, so seeing it come together — and seeing the response it’s received — has been incredibly rewarding.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
So many people made this possible:
- Wendy and Nathan at Royal Enfield North America for trusting me as the brand ambassador
- Michael Jones at Royal Enfield UK
- Casey Clark at Essex Moto for helping design and develop the Accossato brake setup
- Jeremy Pendergast at Baxter Cycle for sourcing and supplying key components
Follow the Builder
Website: Fast Glass Media
Instagram: @fastglass.media
Facebook: @fastglassmediallc
YouTube: @fastglassmedia
All photo and video credits: Fast Glass Media
Test Rider: Gus Rodio
Cool bike
The engine capacity is not the limit for the joy of creation and driving.