The term “roadster” has been in the news quite often recently mostly due to the fact of so many new models adhering to this segment of motorcycles. For the uninitiated, “roadster” is a bike or a car which has a sporty intent but the use case is largely limited to urban confines. Mash it up with some neo-retro styling and voila! You have a perfect recipe of success.
Many motorcycle manufacturers have tried this formula in the past few years. While some of them have managed to taste success, others have fallen flat on their face. But success doesn’t only mean the number of units sold on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. It takes a lot of effort to make a good product, from research and development to manufacturing.
In this article, we look at two middleweight roadsters— Royal Enfield Guerilla and Hero Mavrick. Both bikes have a similar engine displacement to go with similar output but more importantly both machines adopt a neo-retro design but are completely distinct in their appeal. We find out which one is a better motorcycle of the two by diving deep into their looks, specifications, and real-world performance.
The 450 platform is shared by the Guerrilla 450 and Himalayan | Image: Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield Guerrilla vs Hero Mavrick: The better looks
Yes, design is purely a subjective matter and everybody has got their own opinion. Both bikes adhere to the contemporary neo-retro styling and yet are completely different from each other. The Mavrick looks a bit more rounded and butch while the Guerilla looks leaner and taut. Neither of them has an intimidating appearance yet both have a decent road presence.
A round headlamp, a muscular fuel tank, a single-piece saddle, and spoke alloy wheels with knobby tyres are some of the common visual elements in both the roadsters but in no sense they look or feel similar. That said, the Enfield is built slightly better than the Hero even though the latter is a stark improvement over its other brethren donning the American badge.
Hero Mavrick 440 (Image: Hero MotoCorp)
When it comes to dimensions, both bikes weigh around the same ballpark and have a similar wheelbase. The Mavrick is wider but the Guerrilla is taller. Interestingly, the Guerrilla offers a lower seat height of 780mm as compared to the 803mm saddle offered in the Mavrick on paper,
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