Stark ex vs mx for true mix riding

deadlo
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Harker heights, TX, USA

Anyone around 155lbs and riding an ex on both motocross tracks and enduro stuff? I’m struggling with the decision of getting the 1.2 mx or the ex. I’m on Oahu and will be riding the one harder pack mx track here and then enduro trails which seem somewhat gnarly with rocks and steep slippery dirt. I’ve never actually ridden enduro stuff (I’m from Florida and mainly rode tracks), but that’s what there is to offer here. 

Stark told me even at 155lbs (without gear) the hard enduro suspension will still feel soft for mx tracks, but should be rideable. The added benefit of street legal could be cool, but it also looks a little silly on an mx track to me with the headlight and stuff. I’m imagining I’ll truly be 50:50 track and trail and I know there will be a compromise either way. 

Anyone with experience on both? Should I just go soft mx 1.2 or hard ex model?

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9/13/2026 10:27pm

The stark MX suspension is hard, much harder than the KTM mx bike suspension. I haven't ridden a Stark EX though, but if I was doing both that is what I would get. 

15 years ago MX suspension was softer stock than it is now. I have a 2007 CR250 that I ride occasionally, the suspension has been rebuilt recently to standard spec. Before and after the rebuild It feels like a farm bike compared to my KTM EXC 350.

Looking at the springs spec'd in the Stark EX I would guess it is more similar to the KTM SXF.

willbilly
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Corpus Christi, TX, USA
9/15/2026 5:54pm

If you are riding Kahuku and some enduro cross I think the EX would be better. The range is better and the suspension will not be too soft for 155lbs.

dfr136
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USA
9/15/2026 5:59pm

I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do the suspension was really good, on mx tracks it is a tad soft. I ended up going from a 4.8 shock spring to a 5.2 and that helped a lot. Forks feel pretty good I have gone way in on compression,  but do not have the bottoming resistance my Yamaha forks have. I might add a little oil this winter when I service them. I am happy enough with how I have it setup now that I don’t think I will revalve them. It was a tough decision for me on which bike to get but I wanted the street legal option to go and explore local spots. 

1
early
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10116
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2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH, USA
10/30/2026 10:31am
dfr136 wrote:
I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do...

I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do the suspension was really good, on mx tracks it is a tad soft. I ended up going from a 4.8 shock spring to a 5.2 and that helped a lot. Forks feel pretty good I have gone way in on compression,  but do not have the bottoming resistance my Yamaha forks have. I might add a little oil this winter when I service them. I am happy enough with how I have it setup now that I don’t think I will revalve them. It was a tough decision for me on which bike to get but I wanted the street legal option to go and explore local spots. 

Was there any issues getting the EX played?

The Shop

dfr136
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232
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8/25/2019
Location
USA
10/30/2026 12:04pm
dfr136 wrote:
I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do...

I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do the suspension was really good, on mx tracks it is a tad soft. I ended up going from a 4.8 shock spring to a 5.2 and that helped a lot. Forks feel pretty good I have gone way in on compression,  but do not have the bottoming resistance my Yamaha forks have. I might add a little oil this winter when I service them. I am happy enough with how I have it setup now that I don’t think I will revalve them. It was a tough decision for me on which bike to get but I wanted the street legal option to go and explore local spots. 

early wrote:

Was there any issues getting the EX played?

No, I bought mine from stark and they took care of everything through ekho and then a video call with a notary. Got my title and plates within a few weeks 

early
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10116
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH, USA
10/30/2026 1:29pm
dfr136 wrote:
I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do...

I bought an ex to do everything, I’m 140lbs without gear and ordered the ex-hard but I got the ex-medium. In the woods riding I do the suspension was really good, on mx tracks it is a tad soft. I ended up going from a 4.8 shock spring to a 5.2 and that helped a lot. Forks feel pretty good I have gone way in on compression,  but do not have the bottoming resistance my Yamaha forks have. I might add a little oil this winter when I service them. I am happy enough with how I have it setup now that I don’t think I will revalve them. It was a tough decision for me on which bike to get but I wanted the street legal option to go and explore local spots. 

early wrote:

Was there any issues getting the EX played?

dfr136 wrote:
No, I bought mine from stark and they took care of everything through ekho and then a video call with a notary. Got my title and...

No, I bought mine from stark and they took care of everything through ekho and then a video call with a notary. Got my title and plates within a few weeks 

Nice, how does it do on the road, what kind of range do you get?

deadlo
Posts
536
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8/29/2017
Location
Harker heights, TX, USA
10/30/2026 1:59pm

Just to update here. I got the ex with MX suspension. Made it street legal here so I can ride it on the road (rarely do except to go see buddies occasionally). This bike is the most fun I’ve had on any dirtbike. It’s insane. Happy I went with the mx suspension on it as that’s what I personally prioritize. 

1
dfr136
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232
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8/25/2019
Location
USA
10/30/2026 2:07pm
early wrote:

Nice, how does it do on the road, what kind of range do you get?

its ok on the street, i try to stay on more in town roads to get to the couple riding spots i have.  the one spot i go is about 10 miles round trip. ill do another 10 miles messing around on some hills and single track and i wind up using 30% battery. i ride michigan 50" and motorcycle trails quite a bit and i can do 40-50 miles at a medium pace with my wife no problem. on a mx track i can do about three 15 min motos and im under 20%. moto seems to drain it faster then any of the other riding i do.

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