LiveWire and Gas Monkey Garage Reunite to Build Custom S4 Honcho Trail Motorcycle Ahead of New Flat Track Racing Class
LiveWire a leading innovator in the electric motorcycle industry, has announced a renewed collaboration with renowned custom vehicle builder Richard Rawlings and his Gas Monkey Garage team. The partnership will focus on creating a one-of-a-kind custom S4 Honcho™ Trail motorcycle, further strengthening the relationship between the electric motorcycle manufacturer and one of the most recognizable names in custom vehicle design.
The project marks the second collaboration between LiveWire and Gas Monkey Garage after the pair successfully introduced a custom-built S2 Alpinista at the 2026 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show. Their latest effort aims to blend cutting-edge electric mobility with handcrafted motorcycle customization while showcasing the growing role of electric motorcycles in motorsports and motorcycle culture.
The custom S4 Honcho Trail motorcycle will make its competitive debut at Flat Out Friday in February 2027 before appearing publicly at the 2027 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The motorcycle will compete in the newly established S4 Honcho Race Class, a category created exclusively for LiveWire’s upcoming mini-moto platform.
Building on a Successful Partnership
The partnership between LiveWire and Gas Monkey Garage reflects a shared vision of combining innovation with creativity. Their first collaborative project, the custom S2 Alpinista, generated considerable excitement among motorcycle enthusiasts, attracting attention from builders, riders, and custom bike fans during the 2026 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show.
Following that success, both organizations agreed to collaborate once again, this time focusing on LiveWire’s latest mini-moto platform, the S4 Honcho Trail.
Rather than simply modifying an existing motorcycle, the project is designed to demonstrate what is possible when advanced electric motorcycle technology meets the craftsmanship of experienced custom builders.
Richard Rawlings and the Gas Monkey Garage team have earned an international reputation for transforming ordinary vehicles into eye-catching custom creations. Bringing that expertise into the electric motorcycle segment provides an opportunity to inspire riders who may be considering electric motorcycles while also appealing to long-time motorcycle enthusiasts.
Custom Motorcycle to Debut in Competitive Racing
Unlike many custom motorcycle projects that are built solely for exhibitions, the new S4 Honcho Trail will first prove itself on the racetrack.
The motorcycle will compete in the inaugural S4 Honcho Race Class during Flat Out Friday on February 19, 2027.
Flat Out Friday has become one of the most entertaining motorcycle racing events in the United States, attracting racers and spectators through its unique indoor flat-track competition. The addition of a dedicated electric motorcycle category represents another important step toward integrating electric motorcycles into mainstream racing events.
Immediately following its racing debut, the custom motorcycle will be showcased at the 2027 Mama Tried Motorcycle Show, one of America’s premier custom motorcycle exhibitions.
The combination of racing and public exhibition highlights the motorcycle’s dual purpose—serving as both a competitive machine and a showcase of innovative design.
New S4 Honcho Race Class Opens Electric Racing Opportunities
One of the most significant announcements accompanying the collaboration is the launch of the S4 Honcho Race Class.
Developed jointly by LiveWire, Flat Out Friday, and the organizers of Mama Tried, the new racing category has been created specifically for the S4 Honcho platform.
The class is expected to feature an exciting mix of:
- Professional builders
- Motorcycle industry personalities
- Content creators
- Motorcycle enthusiasts
- Experienced racers
- Everyday S4 Honcho owners
Several participants have already confirmed their involvement.
Among them are Richard Rawlings and the Gas Monkey Garage team, Jeff G. Holt from V-Twin Visionary, and members of both the Mama Tried and Flat Out Friday founding teams.
Additional riders and builders are expected to be announced as the event approaches.
Unlike celebrity-only racing exhibitions, LiveWire intends for the class to remain accessible to the broader riding community.
Owners of the S4 Honcho motorcycle will have the opportunity to enter the race, providing a unique platform for amateur riders to compete alongside well-known motorcycle personalities.
This open participation model reflects LiveWire’s broader objective of making electric motorcycle racing approachable and engaging.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Marks the Beginning
The customization project officially begins during the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in the world.
During the rally, Richard Rawlings will take delivery of his own S4 Honcho Trail motorcycle, which will become the foundation for the custom build.
Over the coming months, the Gas Monkey Garage team will transform the motorcycle into a distinctive racing machine designed specifically for the new race class.
The customization process is expected to feature unique styling, performance-oriented modifications, and signature Gas Monkey craftsmanship while retaining the innovative characteristics of LiveWire’s electric platform.
Motorcycle enthusiasts will be able to follow the build’s progress leading up to its racing debut in 2027.
Public Celebration During Sturgis
To commemorate the new collaboration, LiveWire and Gas Monkey Garage are hosting a public event during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The S4 Honcho Party will take place at the Gas Monkey Garage Bar & Grill in Sturgis on August 9, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Visitors attending the rally will have the opportunity to:
- View the new S4 Honcho platform up close
- Learn more about the upcoming customization project
- Meet members of the LiveWire and Gas Monkey teams
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments
- Participate in giveaways
- Experience the newest electric mini-moto platform firsthand
The event is open to motorcycle enthusiasts, existing riders, and members of the public interested in learning more about LiveWire’s latest products.
LiveWire Highlights Shared Vision
Jon Bekefy, Head of Commercial at LiveWire, praised the success of the company’s first collaboration with Gas Monkey Garage and expressed confidence in the new project.
According to Bekefy, the enthusiasm generated by the custom S2 Alpinista exceeded expectations among riders and custom builders alike.
He noted that Gas Monkey Garage brought exceptional creativity and craftsmanship to the original collaboration, making the decision to work together again an easy one.
LiveWire believes that partnerships with influential custom builders help broaden awareness of electric motorcycles while demonstrating that electric platforms can be just as expressive and customizable as traditional motorcycles.
Richard Rawlings Embraces New Challenge
Richard Rawlings, founder of Gas Monkey Garage, described the previous collaboration on the S2 Alpinista as both enjoyable and rewarding.
He explained that the new S4 Honcho Trail provides an entirely different creative opportunity.
With its compact dimensions and unique electric platform, the motorcycle presents a fresh canvas for the Gas Monkey team to explore bold design concepts.
Rawlings indicated that his team already has ambitious ideas for transforming the motorcycle into a standout race machine capable of attracting attention both on and off the track.
Known through the immensely popular Gas Monkey Garage YouTube channel and numerous television appearances, Rawlings has spent years building customized vehicles that combine performance with visual appeal.
His involvement brings additional visibility to LiveWire’s expanding electric motorcycle lineup.
Introducing the S4 Honcho Platform
The S4 Honcho represents LiveWire’s first entry into the growing mini-moto segment.
The motorcycle has been designed to offer an approachable, lightweight, and practical riding experience while maintaining the instant torque and responsive performance associated with electric motorcycles.
Two versions are available:
- S4 Honcho Street
- S4 Honcho Trail
Both models share several advanced features, including:
- Dual removable and swappable battery packs
- Reverse function
- Multiple selectable ride modes
- Compact 12-inch wheels
- Lightweight construction
- Flexible charging capability
The motorcycles weigh approximately 250 pounds with batteries installed, making them significantly lighter than many conventional motorcycles.
They are capable of reaching speeds of up to 59 mph, offering sufficient performance for urban commuting, recreational riding, and organized racing events.
The Street version is optimized for pavement and city riding, while the Trail variant is designed for mixed terrain and off-road-inspired adventures.
Affordable Entry Into Electric Motorcycling
LiveWire has positioned the S4 Honcho lineup as one of its most accessible products.
The Trail model starts at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,999, while the Street model begins at $5,499.
These competitive price points are intended to attract a wider range of riders, including first-time motorcycle owners and younger enthusiasts interested in entering the electric motorcycle market.
Production of the S4 Honcho lineup is already underway, with dealer deliveries scheduled to begin during August.
The company believes the platform will play an important role in expanding electric motorcycle adoption by combining affordability, ease of use, and versatility.
Electric Motorcycles Continue Entering Mainstream Culture
The renewed collaboration with Gas Monkey Garage reflects a broader shift occurring across the motorcycle industry.
Electric motorcycles are increasingly becoming part of mainstream motorcycle culture rather than existing as a separate niche.
Custom builders, racing organizers, influencers, and enthusiasts are beginning to embrace electric platforms as legitimate foundations for creative projects and competitive events.
By partnering with respected builders like Richard Rawlings, LiveWire is demonstrating that electric motorcycles can deliver not only advanced technology but also individuality and customization opportunities traditionally associated with gasoline-powered machines.
The company’s involvement in racing events such as Flat Out Friday further illustrates its commitment to making electric motorcycles an active part of motorcycle entertainment and competition.
As production of the S4 Honcho continues and customer deliveries begin, LiveWire is preparing for one of its most ambitious promotional initiatives to date.
The custom S4 Honcho Trail project will serve as both a showcase of innovative design and a demonstration of the motorcycle’s capabilities in real-world competition.
With Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage bringing their signature creativity to the build, motorcycle enthusiasts can expect a unique machine that blends custom craftsmanship with modern electric performance.
The motorcycle’s debut at Flat Out Friday and subsequent appearance at the Mama Tried Motorcycle Show are expected to generate significant attention within both the custom motorcycle community and the rapidly expanding electric motorcycle market.
By continuing to collaborate with influential builders, racing organizations, and motorcycle events, LiveWire is reinforcing its commitment to advancing electric motorcycling while preserving the creativity, individuality, and passion that define motorcycle culture.
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