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I would love to test out a new battery if it was even something they are working on. Somehow I don't think that would happen, while they have answered all my questions and been reasonably helpful they have also been pretty dismissive of suggestions and things I have said.
You're an edge case, there is nothing like Western Australian sand, even in the Netherlands!
I thought it might be worth asking, they have a new 3D printer, they could easily make a prototype battery case with wider fins.
I do get a laugh when some people say they ride sand and then I see a picture or video of the track.
I guess it can't hurt to ask.
Maybe try contacting Mike Sleeter through his socials, he's Stark Australia and NZ manager (also vet national champ on the Varg).
As you say, it can't hurt.
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They are claming 20% increase with the new 7.2kw battery in the enduro model. Would like to think that battery would fit in the mx model. Be nice of they would make that an upgrade for us that have the mx bike.
I’m sure that’s something they’ve thought about. How much extra weight is that extra capacity? There’s a fine line for moto guys. Anything over 260 ready to ride feels like people will steer away.
It's only spec'd 4 lbs heavier than the mx model, but is equipped with side stand, lights, handguards, 18" rear wheel, and Metzlers instead of Pirellis, so minus those items it may actually be lighter than the current Varg MX.
For comparison, a KX250x is 2.6 lbs heavier than a KX250 with the only difference being the 18 and sidestand.
I would really like to speak to him but I asked the dealer that I bought the bike from if it was possible to talk to him directly but they wouldn't give me any contact details.
I don't have any social media either 🤦♂️
The bike feels like a 125 even at 260lbs. Only time you can tell is when putting it on the stand. I'd glady take a few lbs for more range.
I'm calling BS on the 20% increase, 6.5kw to 7.2kw is only 11%, unless im missing something.
I applaud stark for what they are doing. They have built a great product but some of there claims and marketing are a bit misleading.
Varg EX comes with 11% increase in battery capacity from 6.5 to 7.2 kWh)
Stark boasts about 20% increased range, logic dictates that part of this improvement is hardware and part is software, just like they've already did a couple of updates increasing range for the Varg.
Yeah I kinda guessed they would say it's to do with software updates and so on. But forgive me if im a bit sceptical of there claims ha ha.
I wouldn't be surprised if the put a lower final drive ratio on the enduro model to get more speed at a lower rpm. This should get you some more range as long as you aren't doing alot of hard acceleration on a high load surface, like in deep sand.
I'm not seeing a reduction to 2.7kw from 3.3kw. I have the latest software (I think) and it's charging at 3.3kw.
I agree that scale weight and how a bike fees when actually ridden don’t always align.
I don’t think everyone thinks this way though. To some the scale weight is a factor. Cool to see it only gained 4 # with the enduro package.
Lower gearing, rear wheel torque has increased from 938Nm to 1036Nm.
Molicel's INR-21700-M50B are 2g heavier than their INR-21700-P45B, so a total weight increase of 0.8kg (1.76lbs) for the battery pack.
https://www.molicel.com/inr-21700-p50b/
Yeah mine was still charging at 3.3kw up until the other day when I connected my phone to wifi and it changed. I suggest not connecting your phone to wifi ha ha. My app and bike were both up to date with the latest version but when it was connected to wifi and I was playing around in the Varg app I went into the charger settings and it just changed.
I emailed stark and they said they had to drop it back to 2.7kw in certain parts of the would because it was causing overheating issues with the powercord. I had been charging at 3.3kw since I've had the bike and it has never been a problem.
Pit Row
I willing to bet the 20% increase is a combination of the updated batteries and allowing for an increase in the charge/discharge voltage.
I was wondering if it could be going from 19" MX wheels to 18" Enduro wheels?
18 and 19 wheels have the same rolling diameter
I want to shift gears, work a clutch, hear the bike, the adrenaline rush, fumes. There’s something about the “machine” element and complexity of gas bike, the hours hanging out in the garage maintaining and tinkering. The mechanical knowledge from working on a bike with dad that you can’t get back.
Then don't buy a Stark, this will suit you more...
https://www.facebook.com/SevmxSoutheasternVintageMotocross/
Interesting. I'm in US so maybe that has something to do with it. I'll be annoyed if it gets limited to 2.7 - it's already too slow for my needs and this would certainly be moving things in the wrong direction.
I agree very much with your last sentence.
The bike itself and the riding experience are truly phenomenal. The build quality and innovation on the bike is quite impressive, I've been really pleased by the chassis itself.
However, I can't help but cringe at their marketing tactics. It started off weird with the turtleneck videos, and they haven't really smoothed out their image much other than aligning with racers. The claims they make on battery life are so subjective, and I believe they paint a better picture than reality.
I really like the bike, I prefer to ride it over my 450's and I am sure I will feel even stronger that way when I get my suspension back from Enzo. But I know that between battery life and potential issues, I will always need to bring a 450 to the track as a backup.
They're trying to position the bike as a ICE replacement, but they're a long ways out from that IMO. I keep telling everyone that asks that it's a fun toy to add to the fleet, but not a gas bike replacement.
I couldnt agree more with everything you said. That's exactly how I explain it to people that ask "a very fun toy to add to your fleet".
It is the most fun bike I've ever ridden but that fun is very short lived. I think they missed the mark by building the bike around the battery rather than designing it to have hot swap batteries. And I believe it is too integrated with the phone aswell. Yes you could still have a phone that connects to it if you want to change things but a simple screen with battery % and what map you are in on the bike is all you need.
I just hope electric technology gets to the point where they can be my main bike before im too old to enjoy it. Until then my 350 will be my main bike with the stark a cool toy in the shed to mix things up on.
You could add a beer belly, so you tire out before the battery!
They didn't actually tell me which countries and I have a friend with a stark here in Oz and his still charges at 3.3kw so I really dont believe too much of what stark tell me. I would just avoid connecting your phone to wifi if you can just incase.
I feel the same that the 3.3kw was already too slow and now for me at 2.7kw it makes it pretty much a deal breaker. Lucky I still love my 350 ha ha.
Yeah I've already got the beer belly covered, probably partly the reason the battery doesn't last very long. A fat man on deep sand is not the starks best friend 🤣
Just an update for anyone who was following this or anyone interested in some more real world feedback from the stark.
These past few days I got to ride my stark on some different mx tracks. First one was what I'd call absolute best case scenario for the stark, super hardpack almost like concrete and no hills at all. Second one had a bit of everything, a few softer sections some medium dirt and some hardpack. It also has a few hills.
On my personal sand track i get about 10-12 mins per 40% battery, that's running around 58hp and 40% regen. I never run the battery below 20% because it goes into limp mode and basically becomes useless.
So on the first hardpack track I was getting about 17-18mins per 40%, running around 50hp and 40% regen.
On the second track I was getting very similar numbers to my personal sand track, maybe just a smidge better. And that was running 58hp and 40% regen. I also still managed to get the battery to overheat on this track at around 30% battery.
So these times are far off some people claiming 1hr plus on hardpack tracks. My take is people are over claiming there speed a fair bit when they give there times or weight makes the most difference on battery range. I am 95kg and an honest Vet B speed.
For reference I had friend with a stark riding with me at both tracks, he is a bit lighter and a reasonable amount slower. When I was using 40% he was using around 25%.
On a positive note the Stark is still absolutely amazing to ride and im considering getting a second one so it can be my main ride.
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