Stark Orders and Payments

-MAVERICK-
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Ontario, CA
9/29/2023 12:11pm Edited Date/Time 9/29/2023 12:14pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:
Yeah, this is about in line with the higher range of expectations I have. Rides amazing, totally fine battery life for 95 percent of customers. I...

Yeah, this is about in line with the higher range of expectations I have. Rides amazing, totally fine battery life for 95 percent of customers.

I still want to see the battery on some deeper east coast tracks. I know it won't make it a full 30+2 in the hands of a pro at full HP in the sand, but for someone at a mid-pack B pace, 50-60 HP, I bet it can. I am also curious how well it handles in the sand.

Someone who is fast but not a pro take this thing to Lommel.

There's a 50+ vet on here that drained the battery in less than 30 minutes on a sand track. 

Edit: He's 47. 

Screenshot 20230929-151318

1
Beagle
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Location
Toulouse, FR
9/29/2023 12:22pm Edited Date/Time 9/29/2023 12:23pm

For those interested in a supermoto setup there are some great details here by the team who ran it in the last round of the french elite championship.

At this track 20 min session was using 20% battery and could be charged back fully in 20 min. Suspension setup, especially for the front was tricky and requires more tests. Riding the track part was not as easy as the dirt part where the rider felt immediately at ease. And be gentle with the throttle!

https://insane-parts.com/fr/?fc=module&module=prestablog&controller=blo…

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2
tek14
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Location
Vantaa, FI
9/29/2023 12:49pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:
Yeah, this is about in line with the higher range of expectations I have. Rides amazing, totally fine battery life for 95 percent of customers. I...

Yeah, this is about in line with the higher range of expectations I have. Rides amazing, totally fine battery life for 95 percent of customers.

I still want to see the battery on some deeper east coast tracks. I know it won't make it a full 30+2 in the hands of a pro at full HP in the sand, but for someone at a mid-pack B pace, 50-60 HP, I bet it can. I am also curious how well it handles in the sand.

Someone who is fast but not a pro take this thing to Lommel.

-MAVERICK- wrote:
There's a 50+ vet on here that drained the battery in less than 30 minutes on a sand track.  Edit: He's 47. 

There's a 50+ vet on here that drained the battery in less than 30 minutes on a sand track. 

Edit: He's 47. 

Screenshot 20230929-151318

I wound not say he is slow by any means and that GP track is proper sand. If there was Stark at shop foor I would pick up one and ride that track. 

MxAddic
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9/29/2023 12:56pm
MxAddic wrote:
Do I get any Candy for my left side profile?

Do I get any Candy for my left side profile?

stage.jpg?VersionId=qYc6NM4baAmGreNcW

JMR1976 wrote:

Does anybody know if this guy has a mental illness?

freeh wrote:

Does anyone think he doesn't at this point? 

What illness is indicated Dr. vitard?

1
7

The Shop

9/29/2023 1:20pm
JMR1976 wrote:

Does anybody know if this guy has a mental illness?

freeh wrote:

Does anyone think he doesn't at this point? 

MxAddic wrote:

What illness is indicated Dr. vitard?

Richard Craniumitus

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1
MxAddic
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9/29/2023 1:31pm

Richard Craniumitus

Maybe I am not the one with the illness.

1
5
Charper732
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Scottdale, GA, USA
9/29/2023 1:36pm Edited Date/Time 9/29/2023 1:41pm

Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far.

I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one on their end said a word until now. 

The Stark US sales manager called me a few hours ago. He was very down to earth and friendly. He said he just got the email chain between Stark and I. He said my bike is currently on the large shipment that was just sent out. (Which is what it should be according to the VIN, but it should have been produced wayyyy before the majority of people in Cali got theirs if you went by the actual order que- it still says ready for production on the website) He said I could still pay for the bike again or I could pass on it. My issue was the interest that came from them requiring payment 4 months ago. He recognized the issue and said he would work to come to a mutual resolution. 

He said Stark HQ in Spain was feeling the backlash from everyone. I didn't get into the issue of 3 bikes per dealer...but im sure its obvious by now that was the main contributor.  The bikes that were just sent out were done via AIR freight...which is insane to me as the cost of that is an order of magnitude greater than via the sea shipment. 

That is all of the info I have for now. 

Oh, and the phone number associated with the Stark US business account is that guys cell phone...that's why I thought it was a fake number because it went to the voice mail of what I thought was some random dude...lol. Start-up woes I guess.

I don't envy that guys job. Stark doesn't have territory managers in the US. Its JUST him for the entire country. 

9
MxAddic
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9/29/2023 1:40pm
Charper732 wrote:
Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far. I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one...

Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far.

I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one on their end said a word until now. 

The Stark US sales manager called me a few hours ago. He was very down to earth and friendly. He said he just got the email chain between Stark and I. He said my bike is currently on the large shipment that was just sent out. (Which is what it should be according to the VIN, but it should have been produced wayyyy before the majority of people in Cali got theirs if you went by the actual order que- it still says ready for production on the website) He said I could still pay for the bike again or I could pass on it. My issue was the interest that came from them requiring payment 4 months ago. He recognized the issue and said he would work to come to a mutual resolution. 

He said Stark HQ in Spain was feeling the backlash from everyone. I didn't get into the issue of 3 bikes per dealer...but im sure its obvious by now that was the main contributor.  The bikes that were just sent out were done via AIR freight...which is insane to me as the cost of that is an order of magnitude greater than via the sea shipment. 

That is all of the info I have for now. 

Oh, and the phone number associated with the Stark US business account is that guys cell phone...that's why I thought it was a fake number because it went to the voice mail of what I thought was some random dude...lol. Start-up woes I guess.

I don't envy that guys job. Stark doesn't have territory managers in the US. Its JUST him for the entire country. 

Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

18
Charper732
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Scottdale, GA, USA
9/29/2023 1:46pm
MxAddic wrote:
Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated.

He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight up said the communication has been very poor from HQ and they just started implementing changes such as no one is able to pay until the bike is ready. - I can't verify that, but it seems reasonable and I guess we'll see. 

It could go either way from here, but I'll just keep commenting as I come across significant findings - not opinions. 

12
MxAddic
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9/29/2023 1:51pm
MxAddic wrote:
Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Charper732 wrote:
Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated. He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight...

Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated.

He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight up said the communication has been very poor from HQ and they just started implementing changes such as no one is able to pay until the bike is ready. - I can't verify that, but it seems reasonable and I guess we'll see. 

It could go either way from here, but I'll just keep commenting as I come across significant findings - not opinions. 

If you didn’t watch the video then it’s you who is uneducated. If you had you would know he was feeding you a line of crap.

25
RCMXracing
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N., TX, USA
9/29/2023 2:01pm

For you Stark order guys on the bike order set up page for your weight do they want naked or geared up weight?
Assumption would be naked accounting for 20lbs of gear, but since new company dunno.

9/29/2023 2:12pm
MxAddic wrote:
Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Obviously more lies from Stark. Who was the chap in the Swap video?

Charper732 wrote:
Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated. He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight...

Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated.

He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight up said the communication has been very poor from HQ and they just started implementing changes such as no one is able to pay until the bike is ready. - I can't verify that, but it seems reasonable and I guess we'll see. 

It could go either way from here, but I'll just keep commenting as I come across significant findings - not opinions. 

MxAddic wrote:
If you didn’t watch the video then it’s you who is uneducated. If you had you would know he was feeding you a line of crap.

If you didn’t watch the video then it’s you who is uneducated. If you had you would know he was feeding you a line of crap.

Dude, you obsess over every Stark vid and nitpick each comment. Get a life or just admit you're secretly a Stark groupie.

7
2
Beagle
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9/29/2023 2:16pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:

Thanks for the link, great informative video.

MxAddic
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9/29/2023 2:17pm Edited Date/Time 9/29/2023 2:18pm
Charper732 wrote:
Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated. He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight...

Making comments like that with no substance just makes you look uneducated.

He didn't come off as trying to cover anything or making excuses. He straight up said the communication has been very poor from HQ and they just started implementing changes such as no one is able to pay until the bike is ready. - I can't verify that, but it seems reasonable and I guess we'll see. 

It could go either way from here, but I'll just keep commenting as I come across significant findings - not opinions. 

MxAddic wrote:
If you didn’t watch the video then it’s you who is uneducated. If you had you would know he was feeding you a line of crap.

If you didn’t watch the video then it’s you who is uneducated. If you had you would know he was feeding you a line of crap.

Dude, you obsess over every Stark vid and nitpick each comment. Get a life or just admit you're secretly a Stark groupie.

I am glad you enjoy the propaganda videos so much. I am sure there will be plenty more in the future to keep you dangling. I will be right there to help point out the inconsistencies for you.

18
Beagle
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9/29/2023 2:26pm Edited Date/Time 9/29/2023 3:24pm
Charper732 wrote:
Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far. I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one...

Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far.

I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one on their end said a word until now. 

The Stark US sales manager called me a few hours ago. He was very down to earth and friendly. He said he just got the email chain between Stark and I. He said my bike is currently on the large shipment that was just sent out. (Which is what it should be according to the VIN, but it should have been produced wayyyy before the majority of people in Cali got theirs if you went by the actual order que- it still says ready for production on the website) He said I could still pay for the bike again or I could pass on it. My issue was the interest that came from them requiring payment 4 months ago. He recognized the issue and said he would work to come to a mutual resolution. 

He said Stark HQ in Spain was feeling the backlash from everyone. I didn't get into the issue of 3 bikes per dealer...but im sure its obvious by now that was the main contributor.  The bikes that were just sent out were done via AIR freight...which is insane to me as the cost of that is an order of magnitude greater than via the sea shipment. 

That is all of the info I have for now. 

Oh, and the phone number associated with the Stark US business account is that guys cell phone...that's why I thought it was a fake number because it went to the voice mail of what I thought was some random dude...lol. Start-up woes I guess.

I don't envy that guys job. Stark doesn't have territory managers in the US. Its JUST him for the entire country. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to share some informations you just got. The last videos Stark put out and the answers you got from them show that they felt the heat about in limbo fully paid orders, they do care about their customers and took corrective actions.

Improvement in production output has been crazy, let's hope they can follow that up with deliveries and better communications regarding the orders.

Please ignore the clowns and keep us posted, there have been some major bumps on the road but hopefully you'll soon be able to ride yours.

3
3
ns503
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Location
NS Toolies, CA
9/29/2023 4:24pm
Rosso391 wrote:
Actions speak louder that words. If they were shipping them normal, there wouldn't be any need to keep updating people so often with delaying shipping information...

Actions speak louder that words. If they were shipping them normal, there wouldn't be any need to keep updating people so often with delaying shipping information to save face for the sale of each bike. If they were shipping them like any normal manufacturer they'd already be with the customer and wouldn't have to make a "big deal" about shipments. No other manufacturer updates unit shipments like this because they make 10x as many bikes a month, with a true assembly line. No need to update when your bike is shipping when its already at your doorstep.

That's a lame take -  just how many other manufacturers are shipping right to the customer?

 

1
2
Josh422
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Joshougal, WA, USA
9/29/2023 4:45pm
 

 

9
2
9/29/2023 5:38pm
ksithumper wrote:
...and I STILL haven't seen a ride review that is anything other than overwhelmingly positive.  A pal has just had his delivery brought forward from Dec...

...and I STILL haven't seen a ride review that is anything other than overwhelmingly positive. 

A pal has just had his delivery brought forward from Dec to Nov - they are definitely cranking up production. An outstanding achievement.  

JM485 wrote:

I just checked and mine got bumped up to November as well, awesome!  I'm dying to get this thing, the time is near!

You need to do a ride report!

early
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University Heights, OH, USA
9/29/2023 6:32pm
Charper732 wrote:
Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far. I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one...

Ok - So this is about the most reliable information I've gotten so far.

I did a CC chargeback on Stark two weeks ago. No one on their end said a word until now. 

The Stark US sales manager called me a few hours ago. He was very down to earth and friendly. He said he just got the email chain between Stark and I. He said my bike is currently on the large shipment that was just sent out. (Which is what it should be according to the VIN, but it should have been produced wayyyy before the majority of people in Cali got theirs if you went by the actual order que- it still says ready for production on the website) He said I could still pay for the bike again or I could pass on it. My issue was the interest that came from them requiring payment 4 months ago. He recognized the issue and said he would work to come to a mutual resolution. 

He said Stark HQ in Spain was feeling the backlash from everyone. I didn't get into the issue of 3 bikes per dealer...but im sure its obvious by now that was the main contributor.  The bikes that were just sent out were done via AIR freight...which is insane to me as the cost of that is an order of magnitude greater than via the sea shipment. 

That is all of the info I have for now. 

Oh, and the phone number associated with the Stark US business account is that guys cell phone...that's why I thought it was a fake number because it went to the voice mail of what I thought was some random dude...lol. Start-up woes I guess.

I don't envy that guys job. Stark doesn't have territory managers in the US. Its JUST him for the entire country. 

It seems possible that they ran into a production snag of some sort midsummer. Has the motorcycling community ever had such a magnifying glass on a brand new manufacturer? This is due to their pre-order approach, but still, it's an interesting case study to watch. 

It stinks you had you money tied up for so long, that wasn't right, hopefully that sort of thing is a blip on the radar. Prototyping and retail sales are 2 totally different animals each with their own challenges.

2
JM485
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Davis, CA, USA
9/30/2023 8:51am
ksithumper wrote:
...and I STILL haven't seen a ride review that is anything other than overwhelmingly positive.  A pal has just had his delivery brought forward from Dec...

...and I STILL haven't seen a ride review that is anything other than overwhelmingly positive. 

A pal has just had his delivery brought forward from Dec to Nov - they are definitely cranking up production. An outstanding achievement.  

JM485 wrote:

I just checked and mine got bumped up to November as well, awesome!  I'm dying to get this thing, the time is near!

You need to do a ride report!

I did a quick initial video about the bike when I rode it over in Spain earlier this year, I will do an updated one once I receive my personal bike though.  The first part of the video is mainly going over some of the design features, riding footage and initial takeaways start about half way through:

 

 

 

2
skidsteer16
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Lakewood, CO, USA
10/3/2023 8:42am Edited Date/Time 10/3/2023 2:23pm

I ordered mine on launch day within a few hours of release.   I can't remember the initial delivery date but most of this year it was saying August 31st.  In mid-July I got a call from a US regional sales guy saying I could expect an email requesting final payment soon and that the bike would ship within a month after payment was complete.   

After not getting the email over the next 4 weeks I emailed Stark and they responded that I would be getting the payment email very soon they were just working through some additional small delays and the bike would ship very soon.  

The sales manager had told me the bike would not be released for production until the final payment was made so at that point and after receiving a few similar responses from Stark through August, I just went ahead and paid in full on August 28th.  I had already set aside the money and if me completing payment kicked anything off or got mine into production one day earlier it was worth it to me. 

A few days later we all learned there were additional delays happening and in my case my ship date was moved back to November 15th per the website.  I emailed their support and they explained that paying in full confirmed my spot in the production timeline and "So from here it is not far until the bike is built, best case already end of this month, then after quality check we will book your shipment."

No doubt this is a good amount of money to have tied up without a defined date but it was very evident to me from the onset that Stark isn't some fly by the seat of the pants startup with an intangible product like so many truthers on this forum seem to think... so I wasn't worried or annoyed.   You just don't put years and years of R&D and that level of novel engineering & resources into something and then bait and switch customers and blow it all at the end.  I and many others safely assumed they were working the kinks out and getting their production manufacturing up and running while maintaining the quality that is oh so evident in the units that have been delivered.

Anyway, just wanted to share my timeline/experience and that I got my shipping confirmation email this morning, 10.3, and to await a call from the shipping forwarder.   Stoked!

What are others seeing from the time it ships from factory?   I'm in CO. 

6
Beagle
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Toulouse, FR
10/3/2023 11:56am

So you are that crazy dude who paid in full before receiving Stark request Laughing

I can feel your enthusiasm, happy for you to finally get your bike in a few days, enjoy!

1
JM485
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Davis, CA, USA
10/3/2023 12:12pm

Got my shipment email as well today!  I'm guessing that they are probably shipping this large order by ocean so it will likely be a few weeks until any of us see our bikes, but damn am I excited!  Gonna order a new set of gear to match just so I can be "that guy" we all make fun of and look factory on the new bike Laughing

7
Charper732
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Scottdale, GA, USA
10/3/2023 1:20pm
JM485 wrote:
Got my shipment email as well today!  I'm guessing that they are probably shipping this large order by ocean so it will likely be a few...

Got my shipment email as well today!  I'm guessing that they are probably shipping this large order by ocean so it will likely be a few weeks until any of us see our bikes, but damn am I excited!  Gonna order a new set of gear to match just so I can be "that guy" we all make fun of and look factory on the new bike Laughing

I don't know if they are dividing up the shipment, but I recieved a call from the shipping delivery service. My bike was shipped via airfreight and just landed at Miami international airport. 

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JM485
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10/3/2023 4:46pm
Charper732 wrote:
I don't know if they are dividing up the shipment, but I recieved a call from the shipping delivery service. My bike was shipped via airfreight...

I don't know if they are dividing up the shipment, but I recieved a call from the shipping delivery service. My bike was shipped via airfreight and just landed at Miami international airport. 

Well damn that would be a welcomed surprise!  I’m bracing myself for another few weeks of waiting but if that works out on my end to I’ll be beyond stoked, thanks for the info.

ccstrebe
Posts
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Location
Yuma, AZ, USA
10/3/2023 8:33pm

I got my “bike has shipped” notice yesterday morning .  I sent an email asking if it was being shipped via ocean cargo and they replied back this morning saying that it was shipped air freight. 
 

I suspect that I should be receiving it within the next week and a half or so.  That would be 4 weeks ahead of schedule for my Nov. 15th delivery date. 

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10/4/2023 8:11am
Beagle wrote:
So far, with standard gearing and everything, the fastest top speed I've seen for the Varg is 85 mph (137 km/h) which would be way less...

So far, with standard gearing and everything, the fastest top speed I've seen for the Varg is 85 mph (137 km/h) which would be way less than the 120 mph you mention (is it for 450 Singles?) but on par or even better than 450 MX bikes.

I have had 108mph uphill on rough forest track my gps and the Varg was still accelerating but I had to slow for a corner as it’s my driveway 🤪🤣

3
10/4/2023 8:17am

Do you know what their current bottle neck is?

I can only say so much due to agreement with them on my visit but the battery pack is a part that requires lots of stages...

I can only say so much due to agreement with them on my visit but the battery pack is a part that requires lots of stages. Some of those are very difficult to automate. The new production lines going in will be the key to really boosting production numbers.

That's not surprising, I assume when everything is sorted, battery insertion or terminal connection will be the bottle neck, but if it's automated, it can run...

That's not surprising, I assume when everything is sorted, battery insertion or terminal connection will be the bottle neck, but if it's automated, it can run in the dark.

Doubt it, don’t think you could automate much more than already done. Certainly couldn’t be a “lights out” operation. 

JK BRO
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7/29/2021
Location
Oroville, CA, USA
Fantasy
10/4/2023 9:41am
I have had 108mph uphill on rough forest track my gps and the Varg was still accelerating but I had to slow for a corner as...

I have had 108mph uphill on rough forest track my gps and the Varg was still accelerating but I had to slow for a corner as it’s my driveway 🤪🤣

Look man, I'm pumped people are getting their bikes but...

"108mph uphill on a ROUGH forest track" is strait up bullshit. You're not that good, the bike isn't that good. Baja trucks hang around 90mph off road with tires being the limiting factor.

All I really need to say is video or it didn't happen.

4
2
JM485
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10/4/2023 10:25am
JK BRO wrote:
Look man, I'm pumped people are getting their bikes but... "108mph uphill on a ROUGH forest track" is strait up bullshit. You're not that good, the...

Look man, I'm pumped people are getting their bikes but...

"108mph uphill on a ROUGH forest track" is strait up bullshit. You're not that good, the bike isn't that good. Baja trucks hang around 90mph off road with tires being the limiting factor.

All I really need to say is video or it didn't happen.

I don't think they've fixed the kph to mph issue yet, 108 kph is around 70mph which is a lot more believable.  I have a feeling the bikes are displaying speed as mph, but are actually reading in kph so the numbers are off.  

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