Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 Debuts

The Sherpa FT Mk2, based on the Guerrilla 450, raced at the opening round of FIM Flat Track World Championship in Netherlands

Royal Enfield participated in its maiden FIM Flat Track World Championship at the opening round in Roden, Netherlands. It marked the debut of the Chennai-based two-wheeler brand in this prestigious racing competition. Royal Enfield rolled out the Sherpa FT Mk2, an all-new purpose-built motorcycle, which was ridden by Gary Birtwistle. Based on the 450cc Sherpa engine platform as the Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450, the complete technical specifications of the Sherpa FT Mk2 have not been disclosed yet.

Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 is likely to generate more power and torque than its road-legal counterparts. The 452cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine is at the helm of affairs. Gary Birtwistle, a two-time British national flat track champion and three-time Twins Championship winner, raced the Sherpa FT Mk2 in the FIM Flat Track World Championship.

In the opening round in Roden, Netherlands, Gary secured the 20th position overall after showing promising signs early on. However, he retired in one of the qualifying heats. The FIM Flat Track World Championship is a nine-part racing series and the season finale will take place in Argentina towards the end of October 2026. The Sherpa FT Mk2 succeeds the FT450 (MK1).

Armando Castagna said, “These are very exciting times for the FIM Flat Track World Championship, with growing interest from manufacturers, riders, and fans. The involvement of such a long-established and highly regarded manufacturer as Royal Enfield comes at a very opportune time and is yet further confirmation of the appeal of flat track racing.”

Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 rides on alloy wheels as compared to the wire spoke wheels of the preceding model. The fuel tank is also redesigned and highly purpose-built. For those asking, the MK1 was equipped with a stock fuel tank of the Guerrilla 450. The Sherpa FT Mk2 also gets a new exhaust pipe while the paintwork on the body is also fresh.

The Sherpa FT Mk2 ditches multiple unnecessary elements for reduction in weight such as the headlight and front assembly, ABS, and front brake assembly. It also has a relatively smaller fuel tank while the bodywork and swingarm seems to have carbon fibre for lighter weight. Royal Enfield could consider commercial production of the Sherpa FT Mk2 to rival Triumph Tracker 400.