The electric motorcycle market has been steadily evolving, and Harley-Davidson’s spin-off brand 

LiveWire is preparing to make a bold new move with the upcoming Honcho. 



Scheduled to arrive this summer, 

the Honcho represents a significant departure from the company’s earlier offerings, 

aiming to capture the entry-level segment with a design that blends practicality, 

Americana-inspired lifestyle branding, and accessible performance.

LiveWire’s journey has been rocky. Despite initial excitement around its electric motorcycles, 

sales quickly faltered due to high prices, limited range, 

weak charging infrastructure, and a disconnect from Harley-Davidson’s traditional identity. 

Designed for backroads, campsites, and lake houses — the Honcho is built for fun.  


The Honcho is being positioned as a potential redemption story. 

Unlike previous models, it is lightweight, compact, 

and designed to appeal to riders who prioritize fun, accessibility, and everyday usability over raw performance. 

In fact, its styling and marketing lean heavily into Americana, with imagery of flannel shirts, pickup trucks, dusty backroads, 

and tailgate bonfires. 

This lifestyle-driven approach signals a shift from selling technical specifications to selling an experience.

Technically, the Honcho is expected to fall into the 125cc-equivalent class, delivering around 15 horsepower (10 kW). 

It will be the lightest LiveWire yet, equipped with two swappable batteries for convenience. 

Chunky tires and upright stance give the Honcho a pit-bike personality with electric flair.  

Early testing suggested a top speed of 53 mph (85 km/h), a range of about 100 miles (160 km),

and a 0–60 mph time of three seconds — impressive numbers for a small-format electric motorcycle. 

Built on the S4 version of LiveWire’s Arrow platform, 

the Honcho emphasizes agility and practicality rather than superbike performance. 

Its chunky tires and upright stance give it a playful, pit-bike-like silhouette, 

making it suitable for recreational use at campsites, lake houses, or backroads adventures.

Compact, playful, and powerful — a new kind of ride for everyday adventures.  

The entry-level electric motorcycle market is one of the few segments showing consistent growth, 

with younger riders gravitating toward compact, affordable e-bikes from brands like Segway, SurRon, and Zero.

Legacy manufacturers have largely overlooked this space, but LiveWire’s Honcho could mark a turning point. 

Success will depend on pricing, real-world usability, 

and the strength of LiveWire’s dealer and service network — areas where the brand has struggled in the past. 

Previous models such as the LiveWire One and S2 Del Mar offered premium performance but 

failed to gain traction due to limited demand and weak support infrastructure.

The LiveWire Honcho brings Americana style to the electric motorcycle world.  

The Honcho, however, is not about chasing superbike enthusiasts. 

It is about capturing a new generation of riders who want approachable, fun, and lifestyle-driven electric motorcycles. 

By leaning into Americana aesthetics and focusing on accessibility, 

LiveWire is attempting to carve out a niche in a growing market. 

Whether this strategy will finally give the brand the momentum it needs remains to be seen, 

but the Honcho represents a fresh, daring attempt to redefine what an American electric motorcycle can be.


Source: New Atlas