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

FYR · Jun 2, 2025

Vega said:
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 -

.

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 · Jun 2, 2025

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 · Jun 2, 2025

WoodsWeapon said:
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 · Jun 4, 2025

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 · Jun 5, 2025

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

Erwin P · Jun 5, 2025

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

AL_V · Jun 5, 2025

Erwin P said:
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 · Jun 5, 2025

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

FYR · Jun 5, 2025

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

Theo · Jun 5, 2025

Erwin P said:
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.

Erwin P said:
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 · Jun 5, 2025

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 · Jun 9, 2025

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 · Jun 9, 2025

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

Bernardo · 2025-07-20T11:31:19-0700

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 · 2025-07-20T11:56:12-0700

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 · 2025-07-20T12:08:20-0700

Bernardo said:
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 · 2025-07-20T12:41:59-0700

AbnormalWrench said:
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 · 2025-07-20T12:48:20-0700

Erwin P said:
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?

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

FYR

Well-known member

WoodsWeapon

Well-known member

Theo

Well-known member

Erwin P

Well-known member

DaveAusNor

Well-known member

Erwin P

Well-known member

AL_V

Well-known member

Erwin P

Well-known member

FYR

Well-known member

Theo

Well-known member

JJ2

Member

AbnormalWrench

Member

DaveAusNor

Well-known member

Bernardo

New member

Erwin P

Well-known member

AbnormalWrench

Member

Erwin P

Well-known member

AbnormalWrench

Member

Similar threads