PRIMEUR TEST: Stark Varg
What new dirt bike was ever launched with as much hype and high expectations as the Stark Varg? That is precisely why I attended the worldwide launch of the Stark Varg with a good dose of Dutch sobriety, even with skepticism. The key question was whether an electric crosser can offer as much fun and performance as the 'regular' combustion engine?
Electric motocross bikes are no longer new. Attempts to market an electric dirt bike have been made before. In 2005, the Swiss Quantya came up with the FMX, the Italian Tacita changed course and at the end of 2011 KTM launched the Freeride-E, still the best-selling electric motorcycle.
Although Alta gave a glimpse of the potential of electric dirt bikes, the Americans had to throw in the towel in 2018. Ex-supercross rider - now social media phenomenon - Josh Hill played an important role for the Alta Redshift at the time. The same Hill was also a test driver for this Stark Varg, together with two-time world champion Sébastien Tortelli. The latter was also present when we were finally able to test the long-awaited Stark!
Healthy nervousness
Being one of the first outsiders to ride the Stark. That prospect doesn't leave you cold! After all, I felt a certain, healthy nervousness that morning. And I knew it was no different for my fellow test rider Tristan. Quite a few questions went through my head: How does the engine react in the air? How is the power delivery? Can you still correct mistakes with gas?
At Stark they pride themselves on doing things differently and we had noticed that before. The first videos, the look and feel of the brand and the swagger of founder and ex-24MX CEO Anton Wass. It was all reminiscent of a promising tech company instead of a new motorcycle manufacturer.
The way this test was arranged was also slightly different. To be fair, every brand always does its utmost to make journalist test riders happy. Stark, however, clearly went further. With just 5 riders who had access to the beautiful Golf MX circuit (just outside Barcelona), each rider's own engineer and mechanic and an extensive media team, the conditions were absolutely perfect. In addition, the entire management and development team was present to tell us more about their pride, the Varg.
Superior product
The ambitions of this Swedish-Spanish company are therefore not exactly modest. Stark Future, as the brand is called in full, wanted to create a premium product in order to make a change in the traditional motorcycle sector. From top to bottom, everyone within the company is there We are therefore convinced that with their first product they have built an engine that is superior to traditional combustion engines.
I am absolutely not a believer in electric vehicles. Simply because of the enormous investment that needs to be made in infrastructure and the burden on the environment due to the extraction of the heavy metals needed to manufacture high-performance batteries. It was clear that everything looked nice, but what would it be like to travel with such an electric cannon?
Because in addition to the sleek look of this bike, the technical specifications also immediately raised a lot of eyebrows. Judge for yourself: 80hp(!) for a weight of 110kg and here it is 938Nm of torque at the rear wheel. This would immediately wipe the floor with every classic dirt bike available. Moreover, the maximum range of 6 hours of driving time also sounded very impressive. Maybe too impressive?
Nice stuff
Little is visible from the outside of the ingenious electric motor, which weighs just 9kg and houses a lot of groundbreaking technology. The sleek plastic, eye-catching triple clamps, 3D printed, extremely light stainless steel footrests, Galfer brake discs in combination with Brembo brake calipers, shock-absorbing (!) skid plate, proven Pirelli MX32 tires, RK 520 Gold chain and speaking of gold... In the frame it is round Stark logo beautifully incorporated into the frame in 24 carat gold... It all exudes class and quality. Lovers of beautiful things will certainly get their money's worth with this groundbreaking machine.
First meters
After the introduction by the Stark team, it was time for action. I mainly ride Yamaha myself, so it took some getting used to when I sat on the Varg and noticed how slim the bike felt. After setting up the suspension I unleashed my red wolf (Varg is Swedish for wolf) on Golf MX. Remarkably, I felt relaxed on the bike quite quickly. Beforehand, each rider had indicated his or her favorite setup: brake lever or pedal for the rear brake. Also smart: when purchasing a Varg, you as a rider specify your weight. This way, the motorcycle comes standard with suspension that is adapted to your needs.
The Kayaba suspension, with 310mm of travel front and rear, felt very comfortable. Perhaps what was most striking was the way all that power was put to the ground. Instead of a fierce Viking on a plundering expedition, I was faced with a sporty but well-bred Scandinavian. It reminded me of a modern two-stroke. In terms of power, we did not get the “Full Monty” during this test. All engines were set to 60 hp, the standard power. I expected beforehand that I would miss the clutch and shifting, but I have to say that after two laps I didn't even think about it anymore. More than 25 years of MX habits can apparently change faster than you would think.
Actually, the whole experience is a mix of the familiar and the different. The absence of engine noise meant your attention was now more focused on the slap of the suspension and the wrenching of the tires. The narrower engine offers a lot of freedom of movement while riding, which makes it feel more like a large mountain bike than a 450cc dirt bike. After about 20 minutes I left the track to rest because my arms were quite pumped up from nerves, I must admit.
Comparative research
Although more and more brands are coming up with a smartphone application - think of the Yamaha Power Tuner app - Stark also goes much further in this. Whatever you think of it, you can set it to your preference using more than 100 different driving modes. From power delivery to traction settings, driving conditions, engine braking balance and the virtual flywheel effect. You can actually imitate the feeling of a 125cc two-stroke to a 450cc dirt bike or a mix of different properties.
This customization is done with your own shockproof and waterproof Android phone; the Stark VARG Phone. Clicked into the handlebar of the motorcycle it is a dashboard, when you detach it it is a full-fledged smartphone. Thanks to the VARG phone, you can also easily access your driving data: such as lap times, speeds, G-forces, consumption, etc. Not unimportantly, many of these extra gadgets are only accessible to those who opt for a premium subscription.
But enough phone calls now. Via the Varg app I opted for low engine braking in the next session. The suspension was made a bit softer at the start so that I could tackle the dusty short bends a bit more quickly. What's called. Pay attention because now it gets really bizarre! At Stark they are so confident that they made all current competitors, the 2022 450cc motocross bikes from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, GasGas and Husqvarna, available to the press to compare with the Varg!
Sharper than sharp
I got on the YZ450F myself, the bike I know best. A few laps on my own machine are a revelation. Compared to combustion engines, the Varg steers much sharper. I feel like the movement of the crankshaft automatically pushes you forward more than around the corner. Where with the Varg I really had the two-stroke feeling with which you could steer sharply and still get out of the corner with 450 power.
Because it had been quite dry and warm in Spain, the track was covered with a fine layer of dust. That ensured that the hanging bends in particular were very smooth. In direct comparison I have to say that the Varg performed well here. I was able to keep short lines and still jump long tables without worrying about whether I had enough drive. It is just as nice that you can also steer the motorcycle with the rear wheel. The low weight, excellent suspension and the V-shape of the battery, which guarantee an optimized center of gravity, together lead to very precise and pleasant driving behavior.
The interplay between the mass and the very high-performance chromolybdenum frame is a point where this Varg excels. The world's lightest motocross frame - less than 6kg - provides a predictable and comfortable feeling that offers a lot of confidence. You can correct in the air without any problems.
Check it out
After an extensive Spanish lunch we still had 2 hours to test the Varg version.
What I noticed is that I got used to the engine more and more quickly and the lack of noise that you are so used to. As a result, I was now better able to communicate what the suspension was doing, which resulted in a top driving experience after the necessary adjustments. Also striking was the use of panic rev if you went too far forward on a ramp. One blip of the throttle was enough to bring the engine back into balance. I found this to work faster and more effectively than with a combustion engine.
Because I only completed a few laps on a track that was new to me with the Yam, the comparison in terms of lap times was not one-to-one. But on a bike that was completely new, I was at least as fast on the same track, even a few seconds faster per lap. Without pushing, without taking any risks.
The final session arrived and I decided to simulate a competition situation. I went onto the track with a not fully charged battery and an indicated driving time of 35 minutes. At a capacity of 17% I suddenly noticed a loss of power. I thought it was a flat tire at first. Ultimately it turned out to be about the security that was activated, as my Stark engineer for the day explained. As I understood, this security was set to very safe margins for the occasion and could normally be driven at full speed up to 10% capacity.
This brings us to an important topic that is difficult to estimate for the time being: battery capacity. Between each session the 6kWh battery was charged on the stand with an integrated charger. Stark claims a Varg could easily complete a full MXGP round. That would be an immense improvement compared to, for example, the KTM Freeride E, which with its 3,9 kWh battery is good for about 12 to 14 minutes of racing speed. However, the Stark is much more powerful, weighs more and has 'only' 53,8% more capacity. Mathematics was never my strongest subject, but we would like to come back to this later. For example in Lommel or Lierop!
Final conclusion
Progressive insight seems to be a popular term that I have to agree with. I've gone from skeptic to optimist regarding electric dirt bikes.
I don't see it happening immediately whether cross/enduro motorcycles such as the Stark Varg will replace the current crossers. But I do see opportunities for enduro and for competitions at locations in a city, for example. That is also the concept that the new FIM E-Xplorer World Cup aims to achieve. Electric motorcycles are therefore an opportunity to bring our sport to a larger audience. And thus attract more sponsors so that we can continue to invest in our talents and facilities.
I think the Varg will be very strong, especially on the hard tracks and supercross tracks. The level of competitiveness on the sandy tracks in Northern Europe is an open question. This will probably require some further development before reaching the same level as the current generation of combustion engines. Behind the scenes, however, Stark is lobbying hard to allow the Varg into as many competitions as possible.
The FFM, ACU and Motorcycling Australia have already adjusted their rules. And the Italian FMI has already promised a wildcard for the last Italian Prestige competition in Gallarate. Now we have to wait and see when the MXGP and the AMA will also get the axe.
To order?
One thing is certain. Whether you are a rider or an off-road fan, exciting times await us with many changes. We also notice very well that this electric revolution raises many questions and controversy. On the other hand, there are already many riders who believe in this new chapter. Without having driven the Varg, some 9.000 buyers signed up for their Stark. Provided a down payment from 100€.
It shows how much persuasiveness this new manufacturer has shown. Those interested can sign up for their Stark Varg online or through selected dealers. This exceptional motorcycle is yours for €12.900. At the moment we can only call that price very reasonable for what is offered. Disadvantage: anyone who buys now must be patient until the end of July 2023.
Tekst: Ricardo Loos
Photos: Stark
Also to read
Competing for the MX AIR TIME 2024 prize pool? Subscribe …
A new edition of MX AIR TIME will be held on Sunday, May 19. Place to be is the Dutch municipality of Beckum. Register now via Motoinside and who knows...Gallery: MXGP Portugal 2024 XXL from NiekFotografie
The riders and mechanics had a hard time in Agueda. This also applies to the photographers because the weather conditions were harsh! Yet our #NiekFotografie made this XXL gallery...Jorge Prado in Simon Laengenfelder over Agueda
The Grand Prix of Portugal will be remembered for a long time and may be one for the history books. The heavy rain that descended on Agueda made this 2024 edition a rush…Danee Gelissen on stage in Italy
During the second match of the Italian Women's Championship, Danee Gelissen was allowed to climb onto the podium. The Limburg rider finished second behind Kiara Fontanesi in both heats in Lovolo. The Ceres71 driver starts…
Your reactions