Chadx
Well-known member
- Likes
- 157
- Location
- SW Montana
Very happy with my Varg as well. I won't be able to decide until I go through the motions of price spread next spring (EX vs what I can get for my Varg). Only at that point can I do the calculations. Plus we'll know more about battery adaptability. Honestly, with a spread of $4,000 - $6,000 between what my near-new will be worth and the EX, I can do a lot of updates, even with factory parts. Stark seems to price things well. My must-have upgrades can easily be done to my Varg (suspension, handguards, brake disc guards, better chain guide). All the better if the EX disc guards and chain guide will work (haven't heard yet). I already did tubes and tires. I would love the other updates, but none are a must since I don't really plan to ride street.
Thinking through the other updates, these are the "Like to have but not must haves":
Head/tail/brake lights: Mainly for visibility on the trails when meeting oncoming users or indicating braking to followers. And the occasional planned, or unplanned, night ride. There are some options for this aftermarket. Even if one bought the EX number plate with light, rear fender with light, and updates switches housing, the issue with retrofitting EX to MX will likely be powering these things once installed. That is probably something the new harness accommodates but not the old.
Horn: Nice to notify others of a need to pass. Same issues as lights.
Bigger battery: Always welcome, and would allow me to finish rides with a higher SOC and/or backup range and so be less hard on the battery than draining it down so far.
Offroad specific chassis flex: This is probably one of those "I want it because it is a thing" rather than something I could definitely feel at a recreational level, but I'm all for anything that softens the ride above and beyond suspension mods.
Updated kickstand: My short one has worked fine as I can always find a rock/stick to put under it, turn the bike so kickstand is uphill, or lean against a tree.
Power settings and custom curves: Nice but have found current Varg does all I need.
New harness: Value in it it being next gen design and less prone to water ingress, but only time will tell if that is a problem with my current. I mostly ride dry/dusty, not water/mud. Can probably avoid issues by being careful on washing technique (but that is TBD).
New phone/cradle: Current one has worked fine so far, but if new phone and cradle are more crash resistant, that is a plus.
More than likely, my must haves can be done for about $2,000. Then the questions is, if the price spread is $4,000 - $6,000 vs me selling and buying EX, subtract $2,000 for must have modes, and the spread is $2,000 - $4,000 above and beyond that. For me, if EX cost me $2,000 out of pocket more than modifying current Varg, I'd do it as the cumulative value of all those nice-to-haves is greater than that. If it's $4,000 more out of pocket than modifying current Varg, then not enough value to make it worth it to me. Oh, I still want those features, but wouldn't do it.
There is also the unknowns of update reliability/early adopter of new systems, but I would think these updates would be less problematic than those with creating an entirely new bike, so lower likelihood.
So that is my thought process. Won't know my personal direction until spring when I see value of used bike vs cost of new EX. I'll wait to do any mods to my Varg until I know. If the spread is too great, I'll just do the must-have mods I mentioned earlier and keep my current Varg. Either way (keeping and modding current or buying EX), I feel fine about. Both options are waaaaaay better than not having either. Ha. If you wait until the "next great version" or "next manufacturers" bike, you'll never buy anything.
Thinking through the other updates, these are the "Like to have but not must haves":
Head/tail/brake lights: Mainly for visibility on the trails when meeting oncoming users or indicating braking to followers. And the occasional planned, or unplanned, night ride. There are some options for this aftermarket. Even if one bought the EX number plate with light, rear fender with light, and updates switches housing, the issue with retrofitting EX to MX will likely be powering these things once installed. That is probably something the new harness accommodates but not the old.
Horn: Nice to notify others of a need to pass. Same issues as lights.
Bigger battery: Always welcome, and would allow me to finish rides with a higher SOC and/or backup range and so be less hard on the battery than draining it down so far.
Offroad specific chassis flex: This is probably one of those "I want it because it is a thing" rather than something I could definitely feel at a recreational level, but I'm all for anything that softens the ride above and beyond suspension mods.
Updated kickstand: My short one has worked fine as I can always find a rock/stick to put under it, turn the bike so kickstand is uphill, or lean against a tree.
Power settings and custom curves: Nice but have found current Varg does all I need.
New harness: Value in it it being next gen design and less prone to water ingress, but only time will tell if that is a problem with my current. I mostly ride dry/dusty, not water/mud. Can probably avoid issues by being careful on washing technique (but that is TBD).
New phone/cradle: Current one has worked fine so far, but if new phone and cradle are more crash resistant, that is a plus.
More than likely, my must haves can be done for about $2,000. Then the questions is, if the price spread is $4,000 - $6,000 vs me selling and buying EX, subtract $2,000 for must have modes, and the spread is $2,000 - $4,000 above and beyond that. For me, if EX cost me $2,000 out of pocket more than modifying current Varg, I'd do it as the cumulative value of all those nice-to-haves is greater than that. If it's $4,000 more out of pocket than modifying current Varg, then not enough value to make it worth it to me. Oh, I still want those features, but wouldn't do it.
There is also the unknowns of update reliability/early adopter of new systems, but I would think these updates would be less problematic than those with creating an entirely new bike, so lower likelihood.
So that is my thought process. Won't know my personal direction until spring when I see value of used bike vs cost of new EX. I'll wait to do any mods to my Varg until I know. If the spread is too great, I'll just do the must-have mods I mentioned earlier and keep my current Varg. Either way (keeping and modding current or buying EX), I feel fine about. Both options are waaaaaay better than not having either. Ha. If you wait until the "next great version" or "next manufacturers" bike, you'll never buy anything.
can’t wait, hope the stupid stalk blinkers needed for the US are held on by duct tape or something so i can rip them off first thing and just use the number plate integrated ones. Also will be removing the foot brake as i live in a state that has pretty relaxed standards (headlight, brakelight, horn, blinkers are optional, dinky little mirror is a plus in case of ornery cops and you’re good to go). Got some warp9 SM rims and pirelli scorpions for the street, will throw the stocks back on for the dirt. So stoked!!
). The option to just pay 100€ to reserve it seems to have disappeared, online it's pay all or nothing, though I think you might be able to avoid this by ordering through a dealer?
