I received the Stark Varg on Wednesday and now have about 3 hours on it. I've ridding at Owyhee Motorcycle Club (OMC in Boise, Idaho) watered practice on Wednesday and well as some desert-ish tracks closer to my home today. Desertish tracks were extremely dry, but with some nice sandy corners.
I'm coming of a 2023 KTM SX125 and the bike prior was 2019 KTM SX150. I'm only 155# and ride the RMX series (very deeply tilled, rutted prep) and OMC series (more normal local track prep). I'm mid pack over 40 amateur speed.
Initial thoughts : moto (rode mostly in 40 hp; 40 pct engine braking):
1. I have the rear hand brake. It took at least an hour for me to get comfortable with it. Some testers have said only a few laps, but I didn't learn that quickly. However, once you are used to it, I feel it's a game changer not having to move your feet to shift or apply rear brake.
2. Rutted corners. The bike is simply amazing in these corners. It lays down very easily and the power goes to the ground very smoothly. Requires way less throttle modulation than an ICE bike. I rode less than an hour on the Stark and got to near SX125 corner speed.
3. Small jumps. Bike jumps very well, but is a little more affected by throttle in the air. Just takes a little getting used to.
4. Large jumps. Didn't do any as I was getting some engine cut outs. More on that later.
5. Flat corners. Similar to an ICE bike I felt. Didn't have the huge advantage I felt in the rutted corners. Again, only an hour on the bike, so maybe I just need more time.
6. Straight aways/chop. In 40hp mode it easily pulls 125s. I think the power ratings are at the rear wheel not at the crank. In 40hp it's barely getting pulled by 450s. I feel the power just gets to the ground better with electric.
7. Starts. It will be an absolute hole shot king in 80 hp. I plan on starting in 80 HP and racing in 40 HP. Because I race vet class with open displacement, my 125 really sucked as I got very poor starts and constantly had to battle through the pack. It can be frustrating if I can't make quick passes in the first few laps.
Initial thoughts : desert-ish tracks (rode mostly in 40 hp; 40 pct engine braking)
1. My son's trainer has him do "stand up drills" that require riding the entire track standing. The Stark is light years ahead of other bikes doing this drill. I'm not going to be Jett Lawence anytime soon, but I'm certainly much closer to him on a Stark than my 125.
2. Difficult or tricky corners. One of the tracks we ride has a downhill to uphill tight S corner with ruts. I hit it properly about 1 out of every 5 attemps on a 125. On the Stark I'm 4 out of 5, and the one mistake is probably 90% as fast as the best time I can hit it on the 125. In these type of conditions the Stark is almost like cheating.
3. I was able to rode for longer sessions in the desert to test my endurance on the Stark vs 125. The Stark's power is so smooth, it doesn't tire me out nearly as much as the 125. Now, I'm riding in 40HP mode, so results may vary in 50-80 hp modes. Even for riders that want to rip 50-60 hp during races, that could easily tune it down to 40hp and bust out some long motos for fitness/fun.
Summary:
I think the Stark (and other electric bikes) will take over the majority of the market for amateur riders. They are simply much easier to ride fast for mid-pack riders. They are much easier to ride without making as many mistakes, which is key for all racers beginner to pro level.
They will be much easier to progress on for beginner riders, as they can focus on body/elbow position much easier without have to move feet, slip clutch, etc. My son's coach is excited to coach on them as he can talk to his riders through a SENA type device.
For pro/expert riders, I feel the Stark offers the smallest advantage. They already use the clutch/engine RPMs well and have proper body position. It will be an advantage as it's still easier/less tiring/less mistakes, but it's not nearly the differential as mid-pack riders.
Cut Out Issue:
I've not heard this issue with other reviews, expect for Electric Cycle Rider. However, my issue doesn't hard cut with any hard throttle application like his did. My bike hard cuts after it's ridden relatively hard for 5-10 minutes. I've been emailing support and I have an issue with my cooling system that cools the inverter. The advantage of the Stark is the phone has data cellular service and Stark support can see my logs. I'm confident I'll get it solved in the next few days. The error message on the phone:
So I went to order a new water pump from Stark's website. I noticed the electrical connector on the water pump. Went out to my bike and found out the electrical connector on my bike wasn't snapped in place. Pushed it until I hear a click. PROBLEM SOLVED!!
I will make a separate post, but on a Stark you should be able to hear an electric water pump running when you first turn on the bike. It runs enough that you can hear the water flowing. If not, you have a water pump issue. And the first thing to check is the electrical connector.
Count me as another person who is taking longer than anticpated to adapt to the hand brake. I "knew" I would immediately love a rear hand brake. But in reality, my 45 yr old brain taps a ghost pedal that isn't there still 2 hours in.
Good write up. I try to be very blunt with people about what I like but more importantly about what I don't like or what I would say is "equal" to the 300, 490, 250, 200, that is in the garage with it.
Glad that connector was an easy fix.
Hope that was the issue and its resolved now, you should let Stark know about the issue and fix.
Enjoy the bike sounds like a blast.
"7. Starts. It will be an absolute hole shot king in 80 hp. I plan on starting in 80 HP and racing in 40 HP. Because I race vet class with open displacement, my 125 really sucked as I got very poor starts and constantly had to battle through the pack. It can be frustrating if I can't make quick passes in the first few laps."
How easy is it to switch power modes? Do you have to fiddle with a touch screen or is there a way to have it automatically go down to 40 after one launch?
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Does every guy who finally gets a Stark's ego actually require his own new topic?
It's very easy to switch power modes. There is a map switch near your left thumb. You simply tap it once to switch modes. No need to mess with the phone at all.
If you want to "re-program" the power modes, that's when the phone is required. However, that would all be done back at the truck. I feel that many riders will get their 5 power modes figured out pretty quickly.
I may race in 40 HP, but have a map saved for 50 HP (I can't get around this guy, I need some help) map.
And maybe a 30 HP map for a torrential downpour or slimy track. Who knows...
Great job being a dick!!
I wrote a ride report because many people are curious about the Stark, especially since many reports/reviews are by high level riders. I thought a more "normal" person report would be nice.
In the future, I would suggest scanning the subjects of threads before you click into them a read them. If I see a thread I don't care about, I simply don't read it. However, I may try clicking into them and leaving a dickish comment in the future... you've set such a great example
Do you go into every Stark thread to be a dbag?
Yes. Yes you do
Honestly in my opinion, even not being a fan of these bikes really, it’s no different than the “Spoke with my wallet” threads. Multiple guys buying the same bike and talking about their experiences with it. Nothing wrong with it in my eyes
Most of us enjoyed your review and ride report, especially the part about the water pump issue I’ll be checking that on mine just in case. There are a handful of pathetic losers who have nothing better to do with their time then go into every Stark thread and troll, just ignore them and they’ll stop.
Glad that AgileMike found such a simple problem to fix. My guess would be, once connected, (I've watched the SV videos showing Motor and Battery removal and fitting - in my search of the Frame / battery / motor mount details) I assume such fittings need no dielectric greasing. Just full fitment.
I guess checking the Connectors when you get the bike is analogous to what a lot of people do with a brand new bike - many going as far as 'framing'.
I've 'framed' a fair few bikes over the years, but mostly checked all bolts and nuts, greased brgs and linkages, AND, dielectric greased electrical fittings, and checked all earths / grounds.
So, checking the various major electrical connections is a good idea.
I recently fitted high quality , Waterproof connectors for my Radiator Fans, and other E joints, hoicking the mostly Bullet Connectors I had on them for so bloody long on my CRE. Job Done! But no, drongo that I am, one I'd not pushed together to get the 'click' of the locking mechanism, so, Fans didn't come on - bike became a Kettle. Can't help being a complete Noodle, at times.
Thanks for your detailed first impressions and troubleshooting.
Your feelings echo what Stark and journos reported, amateurs will improve much more on the Varg than pros, it just makes it easier to have fun on a dirtbike.
Don't pay attention to grumpy trolls, first they were complaining there were not enough regular joes getting their Varg, now they are complaining there are too many.
Bottom line there are just too many guys enjoying their electric bikes for their taste. Nobody is forcing them to like the Varg but they can't stand that other people do like them and even worse, that people are having fun riding them.
I’ve not owned a bike in 10 years now, I still find these reports of the electric bikes fascinating to read. I don’t know if I’m ever going to own another bike again but if I do it looks like it might be electric. I’m enjoying reading these posts as the sport is on the brink of being changed so much. Thank you for writing
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Doing what you suggest is getting difficult since there are these f***ing Stark topics litteraly everywhere.
Thanks for putting up another new one on your mechanicals, btw.
Funny, I have a feeling the "pathetic losers" these days are all going "Look 'ma, I got a new electric toy that's gonna save both the sport and the world, and it's fast, too!"...
As soon as I saw this thread I knew this dipshit was gonna have something great to add. Dude get a life already. We are all very well aware you don't care for the bike.
Oh, and by the way, "moto related", lol...
No clutch, no gears, no pipe, no air filter, but instant insults if you don't join the cult.
Some things never change.
Pit Row
How much time do you think you can get out of a single charge if you ride it at 40hp on a relatively deeply tilled moto track?
I haven't rode on a deeply tilled moto track yet, but on a more normal local track prep we were using about 2% per 2:00 min lap time, which would equate to about 100 minutes total ride time. Electric batteries and their % charge display isn't 100% linear however, so I'll have to actually ride for the 40 min for a accurate report.
I won't be able to ride a deeply tilled track until February 2024 when RMX series starts again. None of the local tracks rip it super deep.
Excellent report!
Coming from a 125/150 it must feel like a rocket on a massive voltage booster .
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