Harley-Davidson has built its reputation on big American motorcycles. Heavy, loud, and unapologetic, they’ve always been about the rumble of a V-Twin and the presence that comes with it. For a lot of riders, that’s what a Harley is supposed to be. Now along comes LiveWire, Harley’s electric spinoff, and it just filed a trademark for what looks like its first heavyweight EV cruiser, the S4 Honcho.
If you’re picturing something closer to an electric Road King or Street Glide rather than a small bike like the X440, you’re probably on the right track. And for some riders, the idea of a Harley bagger that doesn’t roar but hums quietly is about as close to sacrilege as it gets.
But first, a little context.
LiveWire became its own brand back in 2021. At first, it leaned on the original Harley LiveWire, later renamed the LiveWire One. But the company quickly rolled out its own platform, called Arrow, which underpins the S2 lineup that includes the Del Mar and Mulholland. Those bikes cover the middleweight slot in the family, more or less where the Sportster once sat. The upcoming S3 bikes, developed with Kymco, will go even lighter with 125cc-equivalent commuters. That leaves the S4 range to carry the heavyweight flag, which is where the Honcho comes in.
The trademark itself is pretty simple. It’s for motorcycles and structural parts, so we’re not talking about scooters or small commuters here. LiveWire has always said the S4 range would be reserved for heavyweight models with bigger batteries, more range, and faster charging. If the S2 Del Mar already manages about 110 miles in the city, then the Honcho has to go much further to make sense. We’re talking about a machine capable of touring, not just carving up side streets.
The real question is how Harley’s loyal fanbase will take it. Riders who live for the sound and feel of a Milwaukee V-Twin might see an electric bagger as an insult to everything they hold sacred. The idea of rolling down the highway on a quiet Road King equivalent is enough to make purists wince and blurt out profanities uncontrollably.
But for others, the thought of a full-size electric Harley is actually pretty exciting. Instant torque, modern tech, zero emissions—there’s a whole new audience of riders who might never have considered Harley before but could be pulled in by a heavyweight EV cruiser. And quite frankly, this shift in consumer preference might just be what keeps the company afloat.
That being said, the timing makes it clear this won’t be an overnight development. LiveWire already confirmed that the lightweight S3 bikes and Kymco-built maxi-scooters are due in 2026, which means the Honcho or any other S4 model likely won’t arrive before 2027. We might get a concept preview at EICMA to whet appetites, but production is still years away.
Meanwhile, Harley and LiveWire have been focused on cutting costs, moving operations back to Wisconsin, and extending the S2 lineup rather than pouring money into brand-new platforms. Still, the Honcho trademark and LiveWire’s recent approval to raise $50 million in stock sales suggest they’re not done thinking big.
That’s what makes the Honcho so interesting. It’s not just another addition to the lineup. It’s Harley’s attempt to electrify the very thing it’s known best for: the heavyweight cruiser. To some, that’ll never feel right. To others, it might be the first time they look at Harley and see a future they want to be part of. When the S4 Honcho finally rolls out, it won’t just be another electric bike. It’ll be the most controversial and important statement Harley has made, probably ever.
Sources: Motorcycle.com, Electrek, US Patent and Trademark Office
