Varg EX has different sound to Varg MX. EX howls more and is significantly louder

[FYR]

Just ordered the oil. How are you getting the oil out, suction pump?

Besides frequently changing this gear oil and keeping the chain clean and lubed, anything else I need to worry about?

As others have mentioned, there's a small drain plug and it also has a copper crush washer. They recommend a new washer whenever replacing the plug, but I've re-used mine several times and have no leaking or seeping issue. Stark does a great job with their service videos, it's worth it to go into your account and search for the one that pertains to your particular need, or you can search YouTube -

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The oil change process is best done with removal of the skid pan and that's also a good opportunity to clean all the dirt and debris that's been trapped in it. Pay attention to the torque spec's and use the great tools that came with your bike. The whole process can be done in very little time if you have all the bits needed.

 

[WoodsWeapon]

You can anneal the copper washer by heating it with a torch and letting it cool to room temp. Probably overkill but that’s the correct process aside from replacing it.

 

[Theo]

You can anneal the copper washer by heating it with a torch and letting it cool to room temp. Probably overkill but that’s the correct process aside from replacing it.

I haven’t done it to the oil plug washer of the Varg, but when I did it to other washers, I hung them on a screwdriver and utilized a gas kitchen stove with the kitchen lights off, in order to notice their glow right away. As soon as they glew, I moved them away from the flame and put them back on the flame right away when they became dark again, keeping them hot for a couple of minutes. Then, I cleaned the washers with some sandpaper to remove the oxides.
They were noticeably more malleable.

 

[Erwin P]

Didn't the EX come with very short gearing?
I believe i heard as low as 12-50 stock although that might be off. That would add significant RPM's and thus sound.

I do hate they take speed from the motor itself. Changing the gearing or wheels would greatly affect ground speed. If only they put an option in the phone to add gearing and wheel dimensions that would be mostly solved.

 

[DaveAusNor]

12-48. Yes, I agree, being able to change how the bike measures speed is a no-brainer.

 

[Erwin P]

Yeah i believe the MX is 14-50. That would make an 11% gap in speed per rpm.

 

[AL_V]

Yeah i believe the MX is 14-50. That would make an 11% gap in speed per rpm.

I got my MX in May 2024, with an 18" rear tire.
It came with 13-47 sprockets and 114 link chain.

 

[Erwin P]

Checked it. 14-48 the MX later got. So an even bigger gap.

 

[FYR]

14/47 is what came stock on my 2024 Varg Alpha MX with 18" rear wheel.

 

[Theo]

I do hate they take speed from the motor itself.

In a review of the Ducati 450 MX by Motocross Action Magazine, they said that the AMA doesn't allow to have speed sensors on the rear wheel but they allow to have them on the countershaft and that's where the Ducatis have them.

Changing the gearing or wheels would greatly affect ground speed. If only they put an option in the phone to add gearing and wheel dimensions that would be mostly solved.

Nice idea!

 

[JJ2]

It is impossible that the gear ratio is the reason, because I have both Stark MX and EX geared with 13-47.
The MX is 14-47 original in Europe and the EX is 12-48. Even pitches with 114 chain links are not good for wear, so I always use odd pitches. And 12 teeth on the sprocket is not enough because of the polygon effect, 11 teeth is definitely not enough. Anything goes, but with this combination 13-47 or even 13-49 I find the Stark the best for my driving.
The whine and howling on the EX is strongest at constant speed around 6,000-8,000 rpm and during recuperation. Sometimes it also smells slightly burnt.
I have sent videos to Stark and am waiting for an answer.

 

[AbnormalWrench]

Now that I've actually ridden my EX on the freeway, I thought it was very reasonable noise level. I'm curious if perhaps there is a wide range of noise levels between bikes? It would be interesting to have a get together and see if there is a notable difference

 

[DaveAusNor]

Yea I wouldn't consider my EX loud at all. I hear the knobbies slapping on the road more than the motor.

 

[Bernardo]

I have the same experiance.
The EX is significantly loud. screaming like a T-REX when accelerating and there
are some resonance spots.
I had a ZERO FX with a belt. Asolutely silent in comaprison.
pedestrian did not hear me approaching and i installed a bike- bell on it.
Now with the EX people look back in 50m distance.

 

[Erwin P]

Belt wouldn't work on a serious competition bike though. Especially one that snaps as easy as the DS/FX one. Landing a jump with a tad of throttle will do that. I went through a couple of them.

 

[AbnormalWrench]

I have the same experiance.
The EX is significantly loud. screaming like a T-REX when accelerating and there
are some resonance spots.
I had a ZERO FX with a belt. Asolutely silent in comaprison.
pedestrian did not hear me approaching and i installed a bike- bell on it.
Now with the EX people look back in 50m distance.

I also have a Zero FX and let me tell you, if you plan on doing off roading with it, you will have to do the chain conversion, and the EX is 90% quieter than the FX with a chain. It is physically painful to the ears to take a chained FX on the freeway.

The belt is great if you never plan on going off road.

 

[Erwin P]

I also have a Zero FX and let me tell you, if you plan on doing off roading with it, you will have to do the chain conversion, and the EX is 90% quieter than the FX with a chain. It is physically painful to the ears to take a chained FX on the freeway.

The belt is great if you never plan on going off road.

It's great for some gravel riding. Actually everything low pace relaxed riding that bike shines.
Everything you would do with a CRF-L is it's comfort zone.

 

[AbnormalWrench]

It's great for some gravel riding. Actually everything low pace relaxed riding that bike shines.
Everything you would do with a CRF-L is it's comfort zone.

Yes, it is great tooling along on some lazy gravel roads. I don't consider that "off road", but I guess everyone can define that differently. Perhaps you shouldn't expect a top-rated race bike to be as comfortable and friendly in a street environment?

 

[kailua808]

I have the same experiance.
The EX is significantly loud. screaming like a T-REX when accelerating and there
are some resonance spots.
I had a ZERO FX with a belt. Asolutely silent in comaprison.
pedestrian did not hear me approaching and i installed a bike- bell on it.
Now with the EX people look back in 50m distance.

I have the same issue with the EX and set several videos and decibel readings to Stark on the concern. They said this is "normal" but far from the stealth that they claim the bike runs. On single-track technical riding it is not noticeable. However, at speed (30+) on the road the screaming is ear piercing. Following is my message to Stark and their response.

Hi Sam. I have installed the chain slider and rode 25 miles in technical trails. No issues in the slow trail riding but on the street traveling to the site the bike still screems at speed (25-35mph) at 1/4 to 3/4 throttle. I'll take a video this weekend when I ride again. Thanks for following up. BTW the ride in the trails is amazing.


Hi Scott,

Thank you for sharing.
We’ve reviewed the bike’s data and haven’t identified any issues at this time. Please keep in mind that noises and perceptions while riding can vary and don’t always indicate a problem.

Please let us know if there’s anything else we can assist you with.
Best regards,
Stark Future Team

 

[FYR]

My MX with SM wheels has a somewhat loud whine at road/freeway speed. Is it obnoxious? No, not even close. I live in California and we split lanes here for commuting. Cage pilots (car drivers) DO NOT hear me coming on the Varg and that's something that I need to be consciously be aware of. On my SXV 550, SuperDuke, 500 EXC, Dorsoduro, R1, (blah, blah, blah... too many to list) all I do is pull in the clutch and blip the throttle a few times and wake up the sleepers or annoy the haters enough to force then to move away enough to make the pass. On the Varg there's no such luxury. If, that's such a thing.