Is Stark testing an ADV/Dakar?

[Lost]

Yesterday I was driving back from the Zoo (Barcelona) with my son in the car.

A test plate (red/white) ADV/Dakar style bike undertook me. Not that unusual normally as several manufacturers come to Spain to test. This was different though as it was clearly electric and no more than 20 minutes from the Stark factory.

Sorry no pictures, as I was driving.

 

[Beagle]

Well they need to milk one last bike of the current platform, the Varg SM, then they'll tackle new things.

Smaller/lighter 85 style could make sense (if they can price it right!), as well as a bigger/higher range/pricier ADV at the other end of the scale.

 

[Lost]

Already seen the SM out and about a couple of times...

This ADV styled one looked very slim (exept for the panniers) so wouldn't be surprised if it was also on the EX platform.

 

[Erwin P]

Did it look a bit like this?
Royal Enfield presented this a time ago.

The Stark motor with a dual Stark battery (roughly 14.4kWh) would actually be useful in Europe. IF it has fast charging.

 

[Beagle]

Did it look a bit like this?
Royal Enfield presented this a time ago.

The Stark motor with a dual Stark battery (roughly 14.4kWh) would actually be useful in Europe. IF it has fast charging.

View attachment 13791

Yeah I remember seeing this parallel twin (Varg batteries). Must have been 13 kWh at that time. RE first electric motorcycle, the Flying flea is supposed to be released in 2026.

For reference, Zero makes the 17 kWh, 100 hp, 247 kg, €23k DSR/X.
6.6 kWh onboard charger, compatible with charging infrastructure, optional 6 kWh charger for a 12.6 kWh fast charge!
Bosch electronics, Showa suspensions, 5 years warranty for the bike and the battery.

Here's how it looks (2024 model)

I'm sure Stark can come up with something lighter and more adventure capable. That won't be cheap but luckily for them there are plenty of people buying +20k ADV lately.

 

[Lost]

Did it look a bit like this?
Royal Enfield presented this a time ago.

The Stark motor with a dual Stark battery (roughly 14.4kWh) would actually be useful in Europe. IF it has fast charging.

View attachment 13791

Unfortunately not (I like REs attempt). It was much slimmer, think CRF with a Dakar kit and panniers.

 

[Erwin P]

Maybe this bike?

 

[Beagle]

Maybe this bike?
View attachment 13792

Good catch, could be the arctic leopard EXE 880 Dakar indeed?

 

[Lost]

The AL definitely fits the vibe... and as the road we were is the main road from the docks to Madrid (AL's HQ in EU) it could have been a range test at 6 hours.

Do find it suspicious how close it was to Starks HQ though...

 

[Beagle]

The AL definitely fits the vibe... and as the road we were is the main road from the docks to Madrid (AL's HQ in EU) it could have been a range test at 6 hours.

Do find it suspicious how close it was to Starks HQ though...

They do sell it edit: in the Dakar version (says "price on demand").

 

[Erwin P]

I did ride the normal version. Very good bike. Not as performance focussed as the Stark, but for exploring the area around Barcelona (been there Enduro riding a couple of times) it's a very good bike.

Could be a customer that prepped its own bike?

 

[Lost]

Definitely not a customer bike, as it was on trade/manufacturer plates. Basically the only time you see reg plates that are red background with white letters are on pre production and test mules.