Firmware not updating

[Bert]

Just got my VARG delivered to me and have an issue with updating the firmware. The bike is running 1.0.110 and the app is V.1.0.185 (416) which seems to be the latest version. I have tried all options of trying to update the bike to the latest version to get crawl mode and 10% battery efficiency. I have reached out to Stark and only gave me basic troubleshooting methods that don’t work. They say that there is an update option in the app but I don’t have that option.

Any help with fixing this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GSpick]

I'm having the exact same issue and sent it to Stark with the support ticket this morning. There is no "update button", the updates get applied automatically. Right now, our bikes and phones think they have the latest updates.

I also had a problem with my charger so they are sending me a new one.

 

[Bert]

I'm having the exact same issue and sent it to Stark with the support ticket this morning. There is no "update button", the updates get applied automatically. Right now, our bikes and phones think they have the latest updates.

I also had a problem with my charger so they are sending me a new one.

What issues did you have with your charger?

I told them that I have done all those steps and that it’s still not working properly with photos of the app menus. So waiting to hear back on what they say.

They are possibly going to send you something along the lines of this.

Thank you for contacting Stark.
You'll see which versions you are running inside the VARG app. The latest bike software is 1.0.159 and VARG app version 1.0.185.

To enable the crawl mode feature, your Stark VARG needs to be updated to the latest firmware version.
To update your Stark VARG to the latest firmware, please follow these steps:

1. Ensure Connectivity: Make sure your Stark phone is connected to a stable internet connection. This is necessary for downloading the firmware update.
2. Pair Your Phone with the Bike: Ensure that your Stark phone is properly paired with your bike. You can check the connection status in the VARG app.
3. Check for Updates:
   • Open the VARG app on your Stark phone.
   • Navigate to the settings or update section within the app.
   • Check for any available firmware updates for your bike.
4. Initiate the Update:
   • If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the firmware update.
   • Ensure that your bike is turned on and in a stable position during the update process.
5. Complete the Update:
   • Once the update is complete, restart your bike to ensure all changes take effect.

Please let us know if there’s anything else we can assist you with.

 

[GSpick]

I had the same issue everyone else is having, plug in charger and no fan running and no charge. I left it in for an hour or so and actually lost about 11%!

The instructions you have above looks like the chatbot response and I've tried all that, if there's not an update in the phone to apply to the bike there's nothing we can do.

 

[Bert]

Good to know about the charger. And will keep an eye out on that. Many have said that the wiring for the charger doesn’t have enough exposed wire showing.

If I hear back from Stark or find any info will share it here to help.

 

[GSpick]

Thanks. I will do the same. I bought mine direct from Stark but kind of wished I bought from a dealer so that all these annoying issues would be taken care of. It was tjhe same money but a long drive of course.

The issue with my charger does not appear to be similar to the problems they had earlier this year. The plugs are definitely different.

 

[Bert]

I bought mine from Starks website as well to save on dealer mark ups along with wanting to put the bike together.

Currently charging my bike right now and the charger fan isn’t going on. I do have it on slow charge at 1kw. Last time I charged it the fan would go on even during slow charge.

I have the bike in standby mode and then plug it in and it automatically starts charging and the app will show the charging screen.

 

[GSpick]

I bought mine from Starks website as well to save on dealer mark ups along with wanting to put the bike together.


The dealer price in PA was pretty much spot on with Stark direct

 

[Bert]

So I got word back from Stark and this is what they said to me.

Thank you for contacting Stark.
You can find information about Stark Future dealers and partners by visiting our website, please see following link.

Stark dealers

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

I watched this video on YouTube where someone else had the same issue as us and he mentioned that he was able to have a video call and that they were able to push the firmware update directly to his specific bike using the VIN to look it up. Going to call dealers in my area to see what they say to me and if no luck will have to report back to Stark to see what other options they have to fix this.

 

[Theo]

From what I have understood, now the updating process can happen through the phone, but initially, for example when I received my Varg, it was independent and the important thing was to bring the bike an not the phone to a place where there was a good 4G reception. If you have an older firmware without crawl mode and reverse, I'm afraid that the bike is not capable of updating through the phone because that firmware doesn't work that way. If I were in your shoes, I would bring the bike somewhere where there is good 4G reception, if it's not in that condition already, and I would possibly leave it there for quite some time. When the update is available, you will see the magenta flashing light when you turn it on:

Currently charging my bike right now and the charger fan isn’t going on. I do have it on slow charge at 1kw. Last time I charged it the fan would go on even during slow charge.

The temperature in Escondido (I've read it under your avatar circle) should be between 40 F and 70 F and if it's closer to 40 I'm not surprised that you don't hear the fan working, especially during the first minutes; the important thing is that the charge percentage increases.

 

[GSpick]

From what I have understood, now the updating process can happen through the phone, but initially, for example when I received my Varg, it was independent and the important thing was to bring the bike an not the phone to a place where there was a good 4G reception. If you have an older firmware without crawl mode and reverse, I'm afraid that the bike is not capable of updating through the phone because that firmware doesn't work that way. If I were in your shoes, I would bring the bike somewhere where there is good 4G reception, if it's not in that condition already, and I would possibly leave it there for quite some time. When the update is available, you will see the magenta flashing light when you turn it on:

Why would the bike need 4G? The bike doesn't have mobile services, only the phone. The firmware update is applied to the phone and then you apply the update from the phone to the bike.

 

[Theo]

Why would the bike need 4G? The bike doesn't have mobile services, only the phone. The firmware update is applied to the phone and then you apply the update from the phone to the bike.

Again, that's how it works now apparently, but up to some months ago it was the bike that needed to be brought to a place with 4G reception, since at least the gen 1 up to some time ago did have mobile service, and the phone had 4G connectivity, too. Back then, this topic was discussed multiple times.
Watch that video tutorial I've posted, they didn't mention doing anything with the phone.
Now I don't know whether the 4G connectivity of the bikes has been disabled and only the phone is connected, but if back then, with those older firmwares, it wasn't possible to update using the phone, then I suspect that you can't do that even if the app is updated because both the phone and the bike need to have a recent enough update.
So, unless for some practical reasons it's not possible to keep the bike somewhere with good 4G reception, I would definetly give it a try. I remember that the bike needed to be exposed to 4G for quite some time; I remember not receiving the update I was looking for even like after half an hour of 4G exposure and then going to the track some time later and finding out that an update was available.

 

[AL_V]

Why would the bike need 4G? The bike doesn't have mobile services, only the phone. The firmware update is applied to the phone and then you apply the update from the phone to the bike.

Theo is correct, the bikes have a sim card and internet connection aside from the phone.
Every time I have updated the bike firmware, there was a blinking light to indicate a firmware update was available.
If that has changed I am unaware.

 

[Bert]

I yet to try taking the bike to a different location to get a better 4g connection. The only two places the bike has been at is my place and the local track. But I would think that my place would have 4g connection. My best solution right now is taking it to a dealership that can have a further conversation with Stark and try to solve this issue.
On another note I also have another issue with the throttle cutting out and not working. Had a moment today at the track where the throttle cut out coming off the face of a jump. I think it’s an overheating issue.

 

[Theo]

On another note I also have another issue with the throttle cutting out and not working. Had a moment today at the track where the throttle cut out coming off the face of a jump. I think it’s an overheating issue.

Typically, according to the videos I've seen. when they overheat they start limiting power but they don't cut it. If you live where the temperature in these days don't exceed 70F, like I've read on the internet, it would really take someone at pro level to overheat the battery anyways.
I'd mention this issue to Stark and/or to the dealer.

 

[GSpick]

Theo is correct, the bikes have a sim card and internet connection aside from the phone.
Every time I have updated the bike firmware, there was a blinking light to indicate a firmware update was available.
If that has changed I am unaware

I've verified that I have 4G and internet with the phone and with the bike, though how can you tell you have 4G/internet with the bike? I have my doubts that the bike has or even needs a SIM or internet connection when you are using the phone to manage it.

 

[Theo]

I've verified that I have 4G and internet with the phone and with the bike, though how can you tell you have 4G/internet with the bike? I have my doubts that the bike has or even needs a SIM or internet connection when you are using the phone to manage it.

Read the description of the VCU in the spare parts list of their website then:

VCU

 

[GSpick]

Read the description of the VCU in the spare parts list of their website then:

VCU

I stand corrected then! So should I put the bike in the back of the truck and drive around until it finds a strong 4G connection LOL.

 

[AL_V]

I stand corrected then! So should I put the bike in the back of the truck and drive around until it finds a strong 4G connection LOL.

If your phone has 4G, your bike will too.
Might help if it's outside.

 

[Bert]

Typically, according to the videos I've seen. when they overheat they start limiting power but they don't cut it. If you live where the temperature in these days don't exceed 70F, like I've read on the internet, it would really take someone at pro level to overheat the battery anyways.
I'd mention this issue to Stark and/or to the dealer.

This is good information to know and makes totally sense. I had a friend tell me that they knew someone with the same issue and that under the seat there was some kind of loose connectors. At this moment bringing it to a dealer is my only option to getting this this fixed. I know that there is some kind of fix for it whether that is a software or a hardware fix. Just finding someone that know enough to diagnose the problem is the challenge right now as there aren't many technicians.