Brand New Stark Varg EX Won’t Start — No LED, No Charging, No Bluetooth, No Response

[AL_V]

I'm pretty sure the button on the right handlebar is just a kill switch. Necessary for U.S. street legal regs.

Several EX owners have reported that the right red button works the same as the left red button.
And at least one was able to turn his bike on ONLY with the right red button, because the left red button wasn't working.\
EDIT: However, I think only US bikes came with the right red button.

 

[Marshall G]

Several EX owners have reported that the right red button works the same as the left red button.
And at least one was able to turn his bike on ONLY with the right red button, because the left red button wasn't working.\
EDIT: However, I think only US bikes came with the right red button.

My bad. I just went and tired it. It does indeed start and stop.

 

[Jake]

Interesting. Was the switch just sticky or did it get dirt invasion?

Just sticky, the bike has 4 hours on it and has not been down. It was the first time I had tried the “kill switch” on the throttle side

 

[MotoBoy6996]

My Stark Varg EX has been dead with what they eventually diagnosed as a bad throttle since the first time I rode it about a month ago.
They eventually did a live diagnostic session after 2 weeks of back and forth emails telling me to reseat connections and wasting my time with a day or two between each email.
It's now a full 2 weeks since they said they were shipping one with no progress...
Support has been ghosting me since then.
The only means of contact AFAIK is via email and their stupid AI.
A pitiful experience thus far - I'm considering pursuing a return & refund at this point.

 

[Marshall G]

My Stark Varg EX has been dead with what they eventually diagnosed as a bad throttle since the first time I rode it about a month ago.
They eventually did a live diagnostic session after 2 weeks of back and forth emails telling me to reseat connections and wasting my time with a day or two between each email.
It's now a full 2 weeks since they said they were shipping one with no progress...
Support has been ghosting me since then.
The only means of contact AFAIK is via email and their stupid AI.
A pitiful experience thus far - I'm considering pursuing a return & refund at this point.

That blows! They need to step up their customer service. Luckily, other than a phone that can't keep track of mileage (something one might consider important on an electric bike with limited range) mine's been good. Hope you get resolution soon. Maybe take it to local dealer if there's one nearby?

 

[Chaconne]

My Stark Varg EX has been dead with what they eventually diagnosed as a bad throttle since the first time I rode it about a month ago.
They eventually did a live diagnostic session after 2 weeks of back and forth emails telling me to reseat connections and wasting my time with a day or two between each email.
It's now a full 2 weeks since they said they were shipping one with no progress...
Support has been ghosting me since then.
The only means of contact AFAIK is via email and their stupid AI.
A pitiful experience thus far - I'm considering pursuing a return & refund at this point.

Can you go to their website and see if the throttle is same on the MX and EX? If so, I might have an extra one I could FedEx to you. BTW the throttle does not come with the grip so no matter where you get it you will probably need a new one.

 

[Chaconne]

That blows! They need to step up their customer service. Luckily, other than a phone that can't keep track of mileage (something one might consider important on an electric bike with limited range) mine's been good. Hope you get resolution soon. Maybe take it to local dealer if there's one nearby?

Good point. @MotoBoy6996 did you get your bike from a dealer?

 

[AL_V]

Can you go to their website and see if the throttle is same on the MX and EX? If so, I might have an extra one I could FedEx to you. BTW the throttle does not come with the grip so no matter where you get it you will probably need a new one.

The throttle for the EX has a different part number.
I assume it's only because the electrical connector is different.

 

[UKLee]

My Stark Varg EX has been dead with what they eventually diagnosed as a bad throttle since the first time I rode it about a month ago.
They eventually did a live diagnostic session after 2 weeks of back and forth emails telling me to reseat connections and wasting my time with a day or two between each email.
It's now a full 2 weeks since they said they were shipping one with no progress...
Support has been ghosting me since then.
The only means of contact AFAIK is via email and their stupid AI.
A pitiful experience thus far - I'm considering pursuing a return & refund at this point.

I have had this for most of the 19 months of MX ownership stark are clearly stalling in a big way, the way they see it is longer it takes to get fixed the longer before the next problem. Amazed they are still using the same design of actual buttons on the EX those have been an issue from the start, I was many times promised there was going to be a re design then get told you have to strip it down and clean it out as part of the maintance

You are not allowed to say bad things about stark on here only good, anton wass's marketing skills clearly extend to influencing what gets said about his products on the internet.

 

[drehwurm68]

The throttle for the EX has a different part number.
I assume it's only because the electrical connector is different.

Yes, I can confirm that. Actually it is the same throttle with just an adapter added to match the new connectors on the EX. Unfortunately the adapter cannot be easily removed to use an MX throttle on the EX. In one of his interviews Anton mentioned that he is not happy with the Hirschmann throttle so I assume we will sooner or later see a Varg specific version with hopefully lock-on grips as well.

Michael

 

[OpaTsupa]

Yes, I can confirm that. Actually it is the same throttle with just an adapter added to match the new connectors on the EX. Unfortunately the adapter cannot be easily removed to use an MX throttle on the EX. In one of his interviews Anton mentioned that he is not happy with the Hirschmann throttle so I assume we will sooner or later see a Varg specific version with hopefully lock-on grips as well.

Michael

This is from some Facebook group, so take it for what it is.

 

[Chaconne]

I have had this for most of the 19 months of MX ownership stark are clearly stalling in a big way, the way they see it is longer it takes to get fixed the longer before the next problem. Amazed they are still using the same design of actual buttons on the EX those have been an issue from the start, I was many times promised there was going to be a re design then get told you have to strip it down and clean it out as part of the maintance

You are not allowed to say bad things about stark on here only good, anton wass's marketing skills clearly extend to influencing what gets said about his products on the internet.

I wouldn't bother with stripping the button assembly down I have just bought new ones. I have posted many times about the buttons. I am guessing those button are made or at least designed in Europe. Buttons on 10 year old Japanese and Chinese bikes have booting systems to protect them from the elements.

As we have talked about before, many of us have had great experiences with our Starks myself included. I know that isn't your case and I understand. But comparing my Stark to my KTM 300 2T and WR450f the Stark is way better for me.

TBH I don't really care what Anton Wass says. All CEOs are selling it look at KTM or listen to Elon Musk --we would have cities on Mars by now according to him.

 

[drehwurm68]

This is from some Facebook group, so take it for what it is.

That would be great. I already have the ODI universal lock-on (left side lock on, throttle side glue on) and it works pretty well. Would like to have a full lock on setup as I do change my grips regularly.

Michael

 

[markhamr]

KILL SWITCH
that would be sh&*t
like i said button problem
probably the one on the right
switch problem

 

[markhamr]

as a hint dont leave your bike on standbye

 

[A.I.]

UPDATE: I sent my bike to the dealer, and they informed me that they are considering replacing the bike, as the issue might require remote intervention from a Stark engineer. However, they also mentioned that Stark appears to be very busy at the moment, so the chances of getting timely support are quite low. Btw, I'm based in eastern side of Europe.

My assumption is that the issue might be related to one or both of the following:

1. A software update I initiated just before the problem occurred
2. The use of the lock feature shortly before the incident

It’s possible I triggered a corner case in the software, though that’s purely speculative at this point.

Before reaching the decision to potentially replace the bike, my dealer attempted to resolve the issue by testing a VCU from another unit — unfortunately, that didn’t work. Not sure whether they tried to test a new battery.

So, for now, I’m waiting on a final decision from the dealer and will see how the situation develops.

 

[OpaTsupa]

Do they have another bike to give you immediately, or will you need to wait the usual delivery time?

Depressing that such small software "bug" is unfixable.
I can't imagine what will happen when all these bikes are out of warranty, and Stark decides to roll back the generous replacements.

 

[WoodsWeapon]

Add another to the list of no start EXs. Worked fine for 3 hour ride yesterday, loaded up with 60ish percent, now completely dead.

 

[A.I.]

Do they have another bike to give you immediately, or will you need to wait the usual delivery time?

Depressing that such small software "bug" is unfixable.
I can't imagine what will happen when all these bikes are out of warranty, and Stark decides to roll back the generous replacements.

I need to wait for delivery, also they have to replace my brake since the new one has foot brake instead of hand brake as I wanted. Also they have to mount my old plastics since I added stickers and I want them back.

 

[A.I.]

Add another to the list of no start EXs. Worked fine for 3 hour ride yesterday, loaded up with 60ish percent, now completely dead.

Did you make an update or used the lock feature? Or did you do something software related before?