wfopete
Well-known member
- Likes
- 65
- Location
- Land of NOD
The bike, warranty and customer service is great. But when that warranty is gone and the bike needs powertrain work (invertor/motor/battery/VCU) we are kind of screwed. On a ICE bike if a engine component fails (ignition, crankshaft, piston, gaskets, etc.) owners can go in and replace the failed component. ICE bikes have factory and owners manuals, videos and articles on how to go about almost any repair. Aftermarket parts are also readily available. If owners are not comfortable turning the wrenches they have factory dealerships and independent shops to take the a bike for repairs. OTOH, Stark owners have dealers only and my understanding is most dealers don't have any more resources than owners. I understand popping open a battery pack is not the same as a ICE but I haven't seen anyone go into a Varg powertrain and if/when something fails the only recourse owners have is to replace the failed part/s with expensive assemblies. It's like having worn piston rings and the only option is to buy a engine assembly. I shied away form modern four strokes due to the expense of rebuilding the engine after a few years of service. I really thought by this time in the game folks who are familiar with E-bikes would be producing videos on how to go about diagnosing and repairing components of these bikes. I also figured the aftermarket would be spooling up with some powertrain replacement parts.
I'm not concerned with chassis work but a charger is $800, a wiring harness $400, powertrain unit $3500 and battery $3000. I've heard it said the motor will outlive the chassis and the battery can be fully cycled 5000X (which is great as long as they don't fail) but some components Stark doesn't even show a replacement part for; like the VCU. Currently, you can't buy a motor or invertor separately and I don't know what's in the guts of the battery case but there is more to fail in there than just batteries. Like I said, I enjoy my Varg but if I don't see more parts/service and information available at the user level I may cut my losses and sell before the warranty expires. Is anyone else a bit concerned on their ability to repair or even pay for parts for their Stark?
I'm not concerned with chassis work but a charger is $800, a wiring harness $400, powertrain unit $3500 and battery $3000. I've heard it said the motor will outlive the chassis and the battery can be fully cycled 5000X (which is great as long as they don't fail) but some components Stark doesn't even show a replacement part for; like the VCU. Currently, you can't buy a motor or invertor separately and I don't know what's in the guts of the battery case but there is more to fail in there than just batteries. Like I said, I enjoy my Varg but if I don't see more parts/service and information available at the user level I may cut my losses and sell before the warranty expires. Is anyone else a bit concerned on their ability to repair or even pay for parts for their Stark?