Owner's Review I Finally got my Stark…Pros and Cons

[Magoo69]

I haven't received my Varg yet, but I assume, since they are mx, they come with non-ring chains, correct? Plus they are riveted and no master link. So I'll replace with an O-ring or x-ring chain anyway so will decide on sprockets before getting chain. I know o-ring sap a tiny bit of power and range, but worth it to me.

It comes with O RING chain (I believe it’s an X ring chain)…no master link.

 

[fred900]

Ok got it….how is 51T at the higher HP settings and do you have a 13T front or a 14T ? Mine came with a 13T / 48T

I have a 14 Front, so adding a 45 rear won't really help unless you want to gear it down even farther.

 

[Magoo69]

I have a 14 Front, so adding a 45 rear won't really help unless you want to gear it down even farther.

I never said anything about a 45 T? I was wondering how the 51 T is at the higher HP settings….but since you have a 14T/51T setup and I have a 13T/48T setup it’s a moot question as a 14T/51T is essentially the same ratio as 13T/48T.

One tooth in the front = +/- 4 tooth increase in the rear.

thanks again

 

[fred900]

I never said anything about a 45 T? I was wondering how the 51 T is at the higher HP settings….but since you have a 14T/51T setup and I have a 13T/48T setup it’s a moot question as a 14T/51T is essentially the same ratio as 13T/48T.

One tooth in the front = +/- 4 tooth increase in the rear.

thanks again

Sorry, don't know why I typed 45, I meant 51, You said exactly what I was trying to say, 13/48 = 14/51.

 

[Beagle]

Their words:

“Added features such as traction control, adjusting power curve or flywheel effect should become available in the next few months with the upcoming updates.”

If you have not already seen it, you should check Stark CEO interview, he talks about incoming features for the app at the beginning, including customizable power curves that had been advertised from the start.

 

[MVC]

I just picked up a used Stark. Cruised around the neighbor. So far my only complaint is how weak it feels off idle. I enjoy riding trails with good size log hops. At the current moment sounds like gearing down helps with this. I sure hope Stark releases Throttle Sensitivity adjustment. I was a little bummed I couldn't loft the front end easy. I did notice in higher HP it was easier but I feel like I could get hurt.

 

[Chadx]

I just picked up a used Stark. Cruised around the neighbor. So far my only complaint is how weak it feels off idle. I enjoy riding trails with good size log hops. At the current moment sounds like gearing down helps with this. I sure hope Stark releases Throttle Sensitivity adjustment. I was a little bummed I couldn't loft the front end easy. I did notice in higher HP it was easier but I feel like I could get hurt.

Curious what software version it is running? Some observed that later updates dulled the snappyness a bit.
And in what hp settings did you consider it too weak off idle?

 

[MVC]

I am a Newbie have patience.

Gen2 Alpha.
Looking at Stark Phone FirmWare 1.0.159 also in Settings I see v.1.0.161(333)
38 and 43 HP. was my test runs around the neighborhood. These are the power setting I would like to ride in.

I only have 20 minutes on the bike in the neighbor. It feels easier to ride really slow and do track stands. I can feel the weight but it feels down low. @Magoo69 post #9 I agree with what he says about Throttle Response. I also watched a YouTube review some Euro Racer that looks like he can ride complained about power exciting corners. It was a soft track.

 

[fsfs]

I just picked up a used Stark. Cruised around the neighbor. So far my only complaint is how weak it feels off idle. I enjoy riding trails with good size log hops. At the current moment sounds like gearing down helps with this. I sure hope Stark releases Throttle Sensitivity adjustment. I was a little bummed I couldn't loft the front end easy. I did notice in higher HP it was easier but I feel like I could get hurt.

You must be twisting the throttle wrong.

 

[MVC]

@fsfs

I am trying to loft the front end from a crawling speed. I am sure it can be done. I have watched allot of Hard Enduro Videos. Besides twisting the throttle harder what else do you do to loft the front end at a crawling speed to get over obstacles?

 

[AL_V]

I am trying to loft the front end from a crawling speed. I am sure it can be done. I have watched allot of Hard Enduro Videos. Besides twisting the throttle harder what else do you do to loft the front end at a crawling speed to get over obstacles?

You can push the front end down and then pull it up and transfer your weight rearwards as you crank the throttle.
If you are running in a lower HP mode you might need a lot of throttle.
I almost always run at 52hp setting, and I generally only open the throttle very slowly, except when I want to wheelie, then you need more throttle, and I admit it can be hard to judge just how quickly and far to crank the throttle.
I haven't done much practice just doing practice wheelies, but, I have no problems getting the front end over logs or other obstacles.
Also no problem when climbing hills and want to lift the front end over obstacles.
Momentum is always helpful, but the bike obviously won't stall if you lose momentum, just roll on some more throttle!
I absolutely love my Stark for technical single track.

 

[fsfs]

@fsfs

I am trying to loft the front end from a crawling speed. I am sure it can be done. I have watched allot of Hard Enduro Videos. Besides twisting the throttle harder what else do you do to loft the front end at a crawling speed to get over obstacles?

I know, I was just teasing a bit. Can you try this?

Set up map 1 at a power level where you are comfortable riding.
Set up map 2 so that a twist of the throttle will loft the front end as desired. Perhaps 60, 70, or more HP.
As you approach the obstacle switch to map 2 to enable you to loft using the throttle.
After clearing the obstacle switch back to map 1.
Give that a try and see if it works for you.

Edit: are you running the rear brake by hand or foot?

 

[MVC]

@AL_V @fsfs

Thanks guys all your suggestion makes since. The biggest problem is teaching a old dog a new trick. I am excited to learn how to ride this bike. I have never enjoyed engine noise out trail ridding.

 

[AL_V]

@AL_V @fsfs

Thanks guys all your suggestion makes since. The biggest problem is teaching a old dog a new trick. I am excited to learn how to ride this bike. I have never enjoyed engine noise out trail ridding.

All in all the Stark is much easier to ride.
I am not happy about the weight, but I rarely have to pick it up, and that's the only time you feel the extra weight.

 

[happyinmotion]

The best exercise for me to learn lofting the front has been to try on loose & slippery ground.

If the grip is so poor you then can't just throttle it up. You have to use weight transfer from front to back... which is what you should be doing anyway.

 

[MVC]

All in all the Stark is much easier to ride.
I am not happy about the weight, but I rarely have to pick it up, and that's the only time you feel the extra weight.

This was my Hold Back on buying one the WEIGHT. I have been riding 150/200cc 2 strokes over two decades. I am excited to ride the Varg

Thanks for the pointers and wheelies guys.

 

[Aleksandar13]

I watched a few videos from some reputable people in the enduro and trail world and most people recommend the weight transfer to the front and then back with a throttle input... For me this works after some practice over small logs and obstacles and it does work in 35 : 38 and 40 hp... It's more to do with practice and learning the bike.
After my suspension has been revalved for enduro it's easier as the first part of the stroke of the suspension is softer and allows for more weight transfer and the bike has more grip at the rear as the rear has gotten better at it as well...

Watch this video it's really good.

 

[MVC]

13/48 Sprockets made a huge difference, throttle response is better for me. I also did front and rear springs for my weight. Linkage and Swing Arm Bearings did not have much grease. Swing arm removal was easy. My off-road wheels off of my KTM 2016 150 bolted right up. Crossing my fingers hope to test in the desert this weekend. Riding around my neighbor the bike feels like it will be allot of fun. I have tried to shift a couple times.

 

[FYR]

After over two years of waiting I finally got my Stark and rode it for two hours on single track yesterday. I had already demo ridden one but it had a modified suspension for motocross not trail riding. It (the demo) was crazy stiff front and rear.

These are my opinions and my opinions only. I’m not looking to get into any debates about my opinions on the Stark.

Pros:
- Ergonomics are really good. Note: I put taller and narrower bars on it. I did not like the stock bars for trail riding.
- Tunability, the modes are great BUT there are some Cons as well, see cons below.
- REAR suspension. It was plush enough for trail riding. Front suspension…see cons.
- Cornering, it just goes where you want.
- Build quality.
- Tool kit, very nice.
- 220v charging. It charges very quickly on 220v. I didn’t time it but it seemed like about an hour to go from 35% to 100%
- Range. I rode for two hours in single track woods riding and used +/- 60%. That included some 80hp pulls in an open area.

Cons:
- Lower HP modes. My biggest gripe for trail riding is that it is hard to get the front end up over obstacles if you use +/- 45hp modes or less in the technical stuff. The problem is not a lack of power but rather a lack of throttle response at the lower HP modes. I found I had better rhythm in the tight stuff using lower HP modes (40-45hp) but I much preferred 55-60 hp for the throttle response. That said, 55-60hp in technical single track was exhausting. Throttle control is paramount. I’m hoping Stark will come up with some lower Hp modes with better / snappier throttle response. To me the throttle sensitivity is backwards. It should be a little more snappy/quicker at low HP modes and a little less sensitive at the higher HP modes. I’m sure these mods will be available at some point from stark. A third column on the mode screen would be nice. Three columns: HP, Engine braking & throttle sensitivity.
- Front suspension is OK for trail riding but it’s on the harsh side especially the first part of the travel. That said, overall, the suspension is OK especially at higher speeds. FYI I had all the clickers 3/4 of the way out of full soft across the board, front and rear.
- Seat removal. The seat can only be removed by removing the entire body kit. Once that is removed, you can remove the seat by removing 8 screws. I know there is no reason to remove the seat other than to replace the seat cover…which I did.
- Display/phone location. I wish Stark would just use a normal bar pad and have the phone further forward. It’s hard to look down and see what mode you’re in. Minor annoyance.
- Inner tubes. I didn’t even try them. I use Tubliss on all my DB’s… I didn’t want to get a pinch flat out in the woods.

I added some bling as well.

View attachment 10939

View attachment 10940

Ooooooohhhh!!! I WANT those wheels!