Multiple weeks Hard Enduro trip, what to bring?

[Erwin P]

I will be looking into that app!

I've also found it very stupid that the app isn't a back-up for the handlebar switch. That switch is in a funerable position while breaking it will stop you. With a phone allready having connection i find it hard to see why there isn't an ''emergency'' tab where you can select your map, engage the bike and get back to the spare parts van.

Those guards look very good as well, but i hope our Xgrips will remain working.

 

[OpaTsupa]

Try contacting this guy about the app:

He's the mysterious creator of the that first e-clutch.

80€ for the switch. High price for what it is, but as you say it's a critical component.

Stark VARG Control Switch SMX1-HB-SW

Shop the Stark VARG Control Switch SMX1-HB-SW from STARK FUTURE at our specialized motorbike webshop. This high-quality off/on switch ensures peak performance and reliability for your motorbike. Click now to enhance your journey with the best electronic p

www.mxguards.com

 

[Erwin P]

I have a spare switch with me, but well it might as well have a redundancy feature in the app.

And as for the €80 price... Well it's a tad steep but in line with other handlebar switches from other OEM's. And i have to say this one is quite the premium in class. Only managed to destroy one due to sand in it. Was the first gen1 and got replaced by one with different tolerances and didn't have an issue in the 1,5+ years since.

 

[Erwin P]

Been a few days in Pascuet now and here is what i've found:

- Very durable. Crashed as much as the rest but far less broken parts. None actually.

- In really tough conditions, like fighting up a stream filled with big rocks it uses no power at all. 5 hours of that used less then 20%.
Faster stuff more, but i've found myself unable to drain more than 80% in a day so far.

- Hillclimbs are a blessing and much more fun.

- I will not stop ranting about how usefull the reverse is. Although i wish crawl mode both front and rear had a tad more power.

- The only time i miss a cluth is right after an obstacle top stop the rear wheel from spinning, but not locking. But having a hand rear brake is worth it.

 

[Beagle]

Been a few days in Pascuet now and here is what i've found:

- Very durable. Crashed as much as the rest but far less broken parts. None actually.

- In really tough conditions, like fighting up a stream filled with big rocks it uses no power at all. 5 hours of that used less then 20%.
Faster stuff more, but i've found myself unable to drain more than 80% in a day so far.

- Hillclimbs are a blessing and much more fun.

- I will not stop ranting about how usefull the reverse is. Although i wish crawl mode both front and rear had a tad more power.

- The only time i miss a cluth is right after an obstacle top stop the rear wheel from spinning, but not locking. But having a hand rear brake is worth it.

I demand some pictures!

 

[Erwin P]

Haha only video and that will come in a few weeks

 

[DaveAusNor]

Haha only video and that will come in a few weeks

Can't wait. I'll be watching your channel in anticipation. Thanks for the feedback so far. Enjoy!

 

[OpaTsupa]

Thanks for live reporting.
How's the weather?
Any signs of battery drain due to heat?

Nice playground.

 

[Erwin P]

Weather is in the 30-38C. I'm drinking 6L water per day and i drain my own battery 3x per day. The Stark battery has not been lower than 45% without charging during the day.

 

[Chaconne]

No not yet. I might take one since they're not too expensive and fit the EX.

My local dealer is looking into what spares he has. He offered that i could take them and return them if unused. Especially usefull for the handelbar switch and the throttle unit. Those are quite expensive and don't fit the EX i plan buying this winter or spring.

I would swap out the stock skid plate for something with more protection if you are going to be doing a lot of rocky terrain. Also skidding the linkage over rock, roots, and logs is not good for it and can induce crashes too.

I have broken fins off the battery with the stock plate in rocks. I use the AXP with the linkage extension. It is about 200.00 US but you might be able to get it for less in Europe as I think it is made in France. Also I think the battery venting is better for longer rides.

Maybe it is just me but in addition to what others have mentioned, on the control plane I would bring the extra power switch for sure...

Enjoy!!

 

[OpaTsupa]

There's a separate link guard that fits the (early models) skid plate.

Plastic Link Guard (Stark Varg MX and EX)

IMPORTENT: This model fits only to the very early productions of EX in April 2025 and MX from 2024 and before. We really recommend this link…

www.dowatek.de

Dowatek also makes a few other interesting protectors for the Varg.
They raced it in the Romaniacs so should have direct experience on what brakes.

 

[wfopete]

See if you can find someone on a Varg riding the same events and contact them.

AXP Skid Plate:

Xtrem skid plate Stark Future Varg ( 2023 – 2024 ) - Black

 

[Beagle]

Hey @Erwin P, good to see you had the time to hit some trails

Stark Future on Instagram: "Riding where the air gets thin… 🌎 @enduroknightryder #starkfuture #starkvarg #ontopoftheworld #mountains"

1,266 likes, 11 comments - stark__future on August 14, 2025: "Riding where the air gets thin… 🌎 @enduroknightryder #starkfuture #starkvarg #ontopoftheworld #mountains".

www.instagram.com

 

[Erwin P]

I demand some pictures!

If you insist...


Don't mind the blue engine cover. We spend some time at friends in France. He happened to have a powdercoat installation in his garage so we had to surrender some parts to him to play with

 

[Beagle]

If you insist...
View attachment 14528View attachment 14529

Don't mind the blue engine cover. We spend some time at friends in France. He happened to have a powdercoat installation in his garage so we had to surrender some parts to him to play with

Hey thanks
Where was this?

 

[Erwin P]

This is in Boade park (France). It's much more forrest and covered in little rocks than Pascuet.

We have some experience in Hard Enduro with the Stark vs 2 stroke now. Some is mentioned before, but this is more complete.

- The Stark doesn't suffer from altitude and heat. Our 200 2T is jetted for around 5-15C at sea level. Not 38C at 1500m. Had to rejet twice.
Heat is no issue for the Stark in Hard Enduro. Even rock crawling in a ditch without any wind at 42C did not overheat it.

- I really love having a reverse for 1001 reasons.

- The bike and it's plastics are more durable than any other OEM bike. Been crashing it at least as much as anybody else but with far less damage. So far 1 tiny bit bended bar, but those are consumables with us on any bike... I brought 2 extra.

- Hillclimbs with just 1 gear are perfect, no mid climb stalls or shifting. Nobody likes that, lets get over it.

- Did i tell you how much i love having a reverse in Hard Enduro?

- On a less positive note. The crawl mode forward needs a bit more ponies. In most crawl situations it won't turn the wheel.

- LHRB is the way to go downhill, having your feet free is a blessing.

- Suspension is a too hard. But it's the stock mid MX so no complaints there, just brought the wrong setup for the job. Turning the compression all soft and the rebound some softer than stock does the trick quite well. Better than the stock Sachs Beta setup.

- Battery lasts all day. Didn't get it below 35% although i could if it was less hot. Charging during lunch break would be more than enough.

- Did i mention how much i love the reverse?

 

[drehwurm68]

The crawl mode forward needs a bit more ponies.

I agree, especially considering that reverse crawl is much stronger

Michael

 

[Erwin P]

I agree, especially considering that reverse crawl is much stronger

Michael

Also noticed that. However could also be because using reverse lifting the rear and thus being easy'er to spin the wheel.
Also you don't climb as steep in reverse as when you are in need of the forward crawl mode.

Either way, it could do with more ponies.

Also the slightest bit of throttle doesn't allow you to go into crawl and back to gear, while a little might be needed to keep your bike from tumbling down and you would really, really, really like it to go into crawl so the rear wheel is locked while you're in the most weird and awkward positions even the people at Kamasutra never thought off.

I get how you don't want to go into gear with throttle half open, but allowing a few % or limiting the torque might be nice.

 

[drehwurm68]

Also the slightest bit of throttle doesn't allow you to go into crawl and back to gear, while a little might be needed to keep your bike from tumbling down and you would really, really, really like it to go into crawl so the rear wheel is locked while you're in the most weird and awkward positions even the people at Kamasutra never thought off.

That has bitten me as well, also the other way round. If you use crawl mode to lock the rear wheel and then have to turn it off under load with no throttle it will "unlock" pretty violently. So I do agree that should be an adjustable feature (percentage of throttle that still allows you to go into crawl mode) to be able to test what suits one best. Would be fun to go from 5% forward to instant lock rear crawl

Michael