If you’re going to take the Royal Enfield Slide School classes in England, it stands to reason you will have to ride a Royal Enfield. However, instead of using the big 650 Twin motor that we have grown accustomed to in the MotoAmerica Build.Train.Race series, Royal Enfield has something different in mind for the students—the Royal Enfield FT450.
Using the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 as a starting platform, a modest set of modifications turns the street bike into a dirt tracker.
All the lighting is removed, as you would expect—students are notoriously hard on bikes. To further reduce crash damage, a dirt track body kit is installed.
Wheels are next up, with the Royal Enfield FT450 getting 18-inch rims laces to custom hubs. Reise TourR tires are mounted—110/90 in the front and 130/70 rear.
More usable power is always a plus. So, the Sherpa engine used in the Guerrilla gets a FuelX fueling system for improved throttle response, while an AEW (Ashu Engineering Works) full-race exhaust system helps with breathing.
To further accent the appearance of the Royal Enfield FT450, a set of custom graphics inspired by the Slide School is installed on the tank and side covers.
Owners of a stock Guerrilla aren’t left out. Royal Enfield has put together a Flat Track GMA package. For £697, you get a bench seat, skid plate, radiator guards, and bar-end mirrors.
The Royal Enfield Slide School is run by London-based Dirt Craft, which Gary Birtwistle founded. Birtwistle won the 2019 UK and European Hooligan Flat Track Championships, while taking the Singles and Twins DTRA National Championships in 2022. The Slide School accommodates both rank beginners and experienced flat trackers. Slide School is in on July 27 and September 14 at Iwade Speedway in Kent, and August 9 at Leicester Speedway.
