Driven by a cult following in Japan, enthusiasm for the Honda Ruckus is driving one of the latest tuning movements in the US—and it’s continuing to build momentum.
The Honda Ruckus scooter is affordable (around $2,000 to $2,500 USD) and, thanks to an established scene in Japan, has hundreds of parts with which to personalize or customize. There are now several US retailers offering a wide array of performance parts and accessories(from turbo kits, to cold air intakes and high-flow exhausts), many offering installation and customization services, and the number of local owners groups for the Honda Ruckus continues to rise.
Enthusiasts say these 30 to 35 mph scooters get about 100 miles per gallon stock, and a tuned Honda Ruckus can easily hit 70+ mph and beat or keep up with sport bikes off the line with some simple, bolt-on modifications.
The trend of chopping, stretching and tuning the Honda Ruckus hasn’t gone unnoticed by the automotive industry either—the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas has created a home for them in the Powersports section to showcase the coolest mods from the US and Japan.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Personalized Scooter Culture
- The growing trend of personalizing scooters like the Honda Ruckus presents opportunities for customization shops and aftermarket retailers to offer unique and customized parts and accessories.
- High-performance Scooter Tuning
- The rising popularity of tuning the Honda Ruckus for speed and performance creates opportunities for companies to develop and market performance upgrade kits and modifications specifically designed for scooters.
- Scooter-focused Events and Communities
- The increasing number of local owners groups and the presence of scooters at automotive exhibitions like the SEMA Show highlight the potential for event organizers and scooter manufacturers to tap into the growing scooter enthusiast community.
Sectors Adopting This
- Customization Services
- Companies specializing in customization services have an opportunity to cater to the demand for personalized scooter modifications, offering unique and creative customization options.
- Aftermarket Parts and Accessories
- The market for aftermarket parts and accessories for scooters like the Honda Ruckus is growing, providing opportunities for retailers to offer a wide range of performance upgrades and customization options.
- Event Management and Exhibition Services
- Event organizers and exhibition services can capitalize on the growing popularity of scooters by creating dedicated events and exhibitions that cater to the scooter enthusiast community.
