LiveWire's smallest electric motorcycle, the S4 Honcho, has been approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for use in rider training courses. That means new riders can now earn a motorcycle endorsement on a bike with no clutch lever or gearbox — just twist the throttle and go. The 125cc-equivalent machine weighs 266 lb, has a seat height under 30 inches, and includes speed-limited modes that mimic first- and second-gear training environments at 18 mph and 28 mph.
The bike's swappable battery system is another practical advantage for training schools, allowing continuous use without waiting for recharges. LiveWire says the Honcho's range is rated at 53 miles under the WMTC standard, which is ample for a full day of parking-lot exercises. The company also sees the move as a bridge for riders coming from e-bikes, who may find a conventional gas motorcycle's manual transmission an unnecessary barrier.
MSF's Director of Rider Education Expansion, Corey Eastman, said the Honcho will join the training demo fleet at the MSF RiderCoach Tour, letting coaches and training providers evaluate it. It remains unclear which specific MSF programs will adopt the bike, but the S4 Honcho starts at $4,999, making it an affordable option for riders who want to continue on the same machine after getting licensed.