LiveWire’s S4 Honcho Is an Electric Mini-Bike That Might Actually Make Sense

LiveWire just threw everyone a curveball – and we’re here definitely here for it. When Harley-Davidson originally spun off its electric motorcycle division and laid out plans for four product tiers, the S4 designation was supposed to represent heavyweight bikes. Instead, LiveWire just revealed the S4 Honcho – a 125cc-equivalent electric mini-bike that comes in Street and Trail versions, costs less than their other offerings, and might just be the smartest move the brand has made since launching.

Two Bikes, Different Missions

So what are the riding requirements for this bad boy? The S4 Honcho Street qualifies for A1 licenses in Europe (available to riders as young as 16) and requires a standard motorcycle endorsement in the U.S. It features all the street-legal necessities: headlight, taillights, turn signals, mirrors, license plate holder, TFT display, and left handlebar controls. Think urban commuter that’s small enough to park anywhere and quiet enough to not annoy your neighbors.

The Trail version strips away everything street-legal and doubles down on off-road capability. No headlight, mirrors, or instrumentation. Basically, just a number plate where the headlight would be, knobby tires, off-road suspension tuning, increased ground clearance, and here’s the kicker: reverse. Because nothing says “I thought this through” like giving an electric dirt bike reverse for tight trail situations.

The Trail doesn’t require a license to ride since it’s off-road only, which opens up use cases beyond typical motorcycling. LiveWire’s marketing photos shows hunters and fishermen using the Honcho to access remote locations quietly, which could actually be a clever application that takes advantage of electric power’s near-silent operation.

Simple Engineering, Smart Packaging

Both versions feature straightforward construction: tubular frame with the battery pack mounted underneath and the electric motor positioned below the battery. Power comes from two removable batteries accessed by flipping up the bench seat, which is a great feature for urban riders who can’t charge in a garage.

The batteries do appear suspiciously similar to KYMCO Ionex units, which makes sense given LiveWire’s partnership with the Taiwanese manufacturer. Which could definitely be a good thing due to better availability, easier servicing, and potentially lower costs.

The braking setup is interesting as well, with images showing only a single brake lever on the right handlebar with no visible foot brake. This suggests LiveWire might be deploying a Combined Braking System (CBS) to distribute braking force to both wheels from one lever.

The Numbers We Don’t Have Yet

Unsurprisingly, LiveWire is keeping the tech specs under wraps. No power figures, no torque numbers, no range estimates, no charging times, and most importantly, no pricing. They’re saving the full reveal for EICMA in Milan on November 4th.

What we do know is the bikes are 125cc-equivalent, which in electric terms typically means around 11-15 horsepower. Not much by motorcycle standards, but likely adequate for urban commuting and trail riding given the presumed light weight of these mini-bikes.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

LiveWire hasn’t announced pricing yet, though expectations are “well south of five figures” given the mini-bike format and entry-level positioning. Production begins spring 2026, with availability presumably following shortly after for U.S. and European markets.

Recap

LiveWire S4 Honcho Motorycle

LiveWire’s S4 Honcho is a 125cc-equivalent electric mini-bike available in Street and Trail versions with dual removable batteries, starting production spring 2026 as LiveWire pivots toward accessible entry-level electric motorcycles instead of premium heavyweight models.

Learn More: LiveWIre