American Honda has confirmed the return of a handful more of their two-wheel products for the 2023 and 2024 model years. Honda says a diverse range of categories is represented in the announcement, highlighting the company’s commitment to producing “high-quality machines for casual riders, nostalgia-driven customers and niche-focused enthusiasts.” Among the products announced are an upgraded retro-inspired Trail 125 miniMOTO, returning Ruckus and Metropolitan scooters, and two returning Montesa Cota 4RT trials bikes.
Related: Honda Announces More 2023 Returning Models
“Each of these models has a rich history and a loyal following, so we’re pleased to continue offering them for our customers,” said Brandon Wilson, American Honda Manager of Sports & Experiential. “From the affordable and user-friendly Trail 125, Ruckus, and Metropolitan to the highly specialized Montesa Cota 4RT models, Honda takes great pride in serving all types of two-wheel enthusiasts, regardless of how they choose to pursue their particular adventure.”
2023 Honda Trail 125
Inspired by the original Honda CT models of the 1960s, the Trail125 has what Honda says is “an authentic, vintage look, evoking the ‘You Meet the Nicest People On a Honda’ ethos for which the brand has always been known.”
Related: 2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS | First Ride Review
The 2023 Trail 125 has a new bore and stroke, contributing to a bigger air-cooled 125cc 4-stroke SOHC Single with a 4-speed no-clutch semi-automatic transmission. It has a 27mm telescopic front fork with 4.3 inches of travel and twin shocks in the rear with 3.4 inches of travel. Braking comes from single hydraulic discs front and back (220mm/190mm front/rear) and front-wheel ABS. The Trail 125 comes standard with a luggage rack, a 1.4-gal. fuel tank, and has a curb weight of 256 lb.
For off-road exploring purposes, the 2023 Trail 125 has three additional teeth on the rear sprocket over the Honda Cub for better hill-climbing ability, upswept intake and exhaust (with a heat shield on the exhaust), 6.5 inches of clearance, a skid plate, and a pair of front brush-guard tubes.
The 2023 Honda Trail 125 comes in a new Pearl Organic Green color and starts at $3,999.
2024 Honda Ruckus
The Honda Ruckus, a scooter that Honda says many riders choose to customize to their desired look and application, returns for 2024 with new colors. The scooter still has a liquid-cooled 49cc 4-stroke Single with a carburetor and 1-speed automatic transmission.
The scooter’s exposed frame with plenty of storage space, dual round headlights, and fat tires (120/90-10 front, 130/90-10 rear) give the Ruckus a unique look, and it gets a claimed 114 mpg fuel economy.
The 2024 Honda Ruckus comes in Black and Beige, starting at $2,899.
2024 Honda Metropolitan
The Honda Metropolitan also returns for 2024. The European-inspired scooter has sleek, rounded bodywork but also comes with utility-focused features such as 22 liters of underseat storage, as well as in-dash storage and a hook for securing a bag.
The Metropolitan has a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 49cc Single with 1-speed automatic transmission. The scooter has cable-actuated drum brakes front and back and a combined braking system that adds front braking when the rear brake is activated.
The 2024 Honda Metropolitan will be available in May in Matte Armored Green Metallic or Blue Metallic starting at $2,649.
2023 Honda Montesa Cota
Following up on the last season of FIM World Trials competition in which Repsol Honda’s Toni Bou captured his record 32nd world title (16 indoor, 16 outdoor), Honda announced the return of the Montesa Cota 4RT260R (259cc) and the standard 4RT301 and race replica 4RT301RR (298cc), for which Bou reportedly played a significant role in developing.
Designed, developed and produced in Barcelona, Spain — the unofficial capital of trials, and the home of the factory for Montesa (a subsidiary of Honda) — the Cota models offer options for both casual trials riders and those looking to take it to the next level.
The 2023 Montesa Cota 4RT260R has a liquid-cooled 259cc mated to a close-ratio 5-speed transmission and chain final drive.
MSRP/Colors
- 2023 Montesa Cota 4RT260R: $9,299, Red
- 2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301: $11,899, Blue Metallic
- 2023 Montesa Cota 4RT301RR: $11,899, White
That Metropolitan probably still has the 50cc engine. Pathetic. Skip it and go for a Vino 125. Much quicker acceleration.
In much of the US, a “motorcycle” under 50cc doesn’t require registration or insurance, or a driver’s license. Which means the fool who lost his driver’s license because of DUIs can get one. Basically, the <50cc market exists because of gov't regulations, or more accurately in this case, the LACK of gov't regulations.
I always wished they would have a 125 Ruckus.
125 would be nice
I would like to see Honda/Montesa bring the 4 Ride to the USA. Now that would be fun!
Love our ruckus around the farm here in TN