NEW! STARK VARG EX is here!

[Beagle]

Can only assume stark have fixed up this David Herbreteau with a bigger battery or better cells in his battery because

Backed up by what we are seeing with our stark. Would not be the first time a manufacturer had created a works or factory bike better that the production bike would it?

Don't they refuel /battery swap in gncc any way? must do to get 2.5 hours, more than once I would think.

I notice in that video above Bassella Extreme Race a 300 2 stroke sherco I think it is is getting away on the strights, must have the power quite low to have enough power to finish.

It seems you have not been paying attention to competition. That is the real test bed.

Indeed first pro Elite 30 min race on a Varg but riders have been racing +20 min races over Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Austria...) and Australia for a year. Hence people saying it's fine for 99% of riders. But as demonstrated by this race, it's now there or thereabouts for national level elite riders as well. Granted it would likely not make it through 30 min pro sand race but saying they're looking for an excuse not to compete at the top level is rubbish.

Likewise riders have been racing over 2h GNCC on a single charge since last year (plus racing enduro in Austria, Australia, NZ...). Pinney is thinking about swapping batteries, he also did some other enduro races with charging stops last year, I would guess he did it on a single charge but we'll know for sure in a few days. It will be interesting to see how comfortable and how much extra range he gets once his EX is delivered.

 

[Beagle]

Wass mentioned that in a certain enduro championship, probably this one, they are forced to keep the power set to 48 HP and the weight increased from a standard Varg because of the rules for electric bikes. At the beginning of the video you can see the settings: 48 HP.

You must be thinking about when Wass was referring to FIM Superenduro where electrics are restricted in power and weight (unlike the ICE bikes they compete with), this is not it here.

Bassella Saturday race is 15 min, it's already a carnage when you see speed differential between top riders and the rest (top10 gets 5 laps, almost half the field gets lapped twice, see "traffic jam"). Eddie had 60% battery left at the end, if a Stark rider had a factory bike and possibly modified battery this weekend that would have been him. To get a smaller, lighter one (something they've been doing in AX UK).

Again if one wants to remove the "factory factor" from the equation, one only has to look at amateurs racing all over Europe (and a bit in the US as well), evidence is out there.

 

[UKLee]

It seems you have not been paying attention to competition. That is the real test bed.

Indeed first pro Elite 30 min race on a Varg but riders have been racing +20 min races over Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Austria...) and Australia for a year. Hence people saying it's fine for 99% of riders. But as demonstrated by this race, it's now there or thereabouts for national level elite riders as well. Granted it would likely not make it through 30 min pro sand race but saying they're looking for an excuse not to compete at the top level is rubbish.

Likewise riders have been racing over 2h GNCC on a single charge since last year (plus racing enduro in Austria, Australia, NZ...). Pinney is thinking about swapping batteries, he also did some other enduro races with charging stops last year, I would guess he did it on a single charge but we'll know for sure in a few days. It will be interesting to see how comfortable and how much extra range he gets once his EX is delivered.

"It seems you have not been paying attention to competition. That is the real test bed."
Not much point What they have range wise is off the scale compared to what tha paying customer gets, yes they will deny it all part of the marketing.

 

[FYR]

Kind of sad, UK. You can't stop for a single second, to listen and recognize what a group of enthusiastic, logical, proactive and intelligent folks are trying to help you understand. This, is a movement. But even more specific than that, this is a recognized and accepted effort to deliver a true performance product that helps to minimize detriment upon this earth. And MANY of us on this forum share the passion of it's creators! It's obvious (beyond obvious actually), that all you care about is that you get MORE for LESS. And that everything you print (or misprint) is to get attention. I'm compelled to feel sorry for you... a little... maybe

Although, you do also make me laugh. It would appear that even ignorance can be entertaining at times. OOPS, the alarm just went off - I gotta go! It's time to go polish my purse decorations!

 

[UKLee]

Kind of sad, UK. You can't stop for a single second, to listen and recognize what a group of enthusiastic, logical, proactive and intelligent folks are trying to help you understand. This, is a movement. But even more specific than that, this is a recognized and accepted effort to deliver a true performance product that helps to minimize detriment upon this earth. And MANY of us on this forum share the passion of it's creators! It's obvious (beyond obvious actually), that all you care about is that you get MORE for LESS. And that everything you print (or misprint) is to get attention. I'm compelled to feel sorry for you... a little... maybe

Although, you do also make me laugh. It would appear that even ignorance can be entertaining at times. OOPS, the alarm just went off - I gotta go! It's time to go polish my purse decorations!

Oh Dear desperation in there if you have to have a dig at misprints....Whatever
Far from it I do listern to what people write on here but most of it is not logic, clearly been brainwashed by what anton wass tells them. Must admit I bought a stark because of what was claimed because in my opinion you do not have a valid opinion unless you try it for yourself. Bought one tried it lacking in a big way compared to what was claimed only any use or practical as a back garden toy when it actully works, been out of use for another 3 weeks, or a showpiece to show off if that is your thing, not mine thats for sure.

Don't feel sorry for me I am fine feel sorry for this modern world we live in and the way it has gone/going. If you do not understand what I mean by that then you clearly have got it bad.

 

[Beagle]

Intriguing vid, amateur rider from the Netherlands with a somehow confidential YT channel got invited to ride the "new" Stark Varg MX, or something that looks like an hybrid between the current MX and the incoming EX.

No plate holder, no lights, but EX map switch for turning lights, Arkenstone phone...



Note the cool trail map with map#, speed, battery... and 2 numbers at the bottom left that could be new kind of settings (power curve?).

 

[Tihver]

 

[Jake]

Ok, that'll be using the Molicell P50B cells - 5.0 Ah per cell instead of the P45B at 4.5 Ah that's in the current Varg.

If they are saying road-legal in NZ then it must have ABS. I don't see a switch for that, so maybe that's controllable through the app?

Damn, might finally have to get a motorbike licence.

ABS is not required on an Enduro bike according to Stark

 

[Bosch]

ABS is not required on an Enduro bike according to Stark

I did ask Stark Future if the vehicle classification in the UK was L3e-A1 or L3e-A1E but SAM could not answer this.
L3e-A1 = 2 wheeled motorbike <11KW max continuous (this is the same as <125cc), but the power to weight ratio must be under 0.1kW/kg.
Enduro criteria (“E” suffix): In addition, the bike must be designed for off‑road (enduro) use. This includes requirements such as a minimum seat height (typically around 900 mm), a ground clearance of at least 310 mm, a specified overall gear ratio, a combined running mass (including the battery) of no more than 140 kg, and it must not be configured to carry a passenger.

For road‐legal motorcycles in the UK and EU, ABS has been mandatory on all new models over 125 cc since 2016–2017. This means that if an enduro motorbike is designed and homologated for road use, it must be equipped with ABS just like any other motorcycle in that category.

In summary, if your enduro motorbike is intended for on‑road use and meets the capacity threshold, then yes—it needs ABS to comply with current regulations. Otherwise, for off‑road or race-only machines, ABS isn’t a legal requirement.

It looks like Stark are using the same "loop hole" in UK as for Enduro bikes e.g KTM EXC-f. You can register it to allow your competition bike to travel on road to get to the off road parts. It is dubious in UK as "Green Lanes" are officially all roads so you are never going fully off road.

 

[Bosch]

Just to follow up, here is some detail extracted from Regulation No 168/2013 (the regulation for type approval in UK & EU)
The brake system requirements for L3e-A1E (Enduro motorcycles in the L3e-A1 category) are as follows:

1. Exemption from Advanced Brake Systems​

• Unlike standard L3e-A1 motorcycles, L3e-A1E motorcycles are exempt from mandatory advanced brake systems.
• This means they do not require:
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) – A system that prevents wheel lock-up during braking.
  • Combined Braking System (CBS) – A system that distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels when a single control is applied.

2. Justification for Exemption​

• The exemption is based on the specialized off-road nature of Enduro motorcycles.
• ABS and CBS can be less effective or even counterproductive in off-road conditions where controlled wheel lock-up is often necessary for maneuverability (e.g., sliding into turns or braking on loose terrain).
• Enduro motorcycles are designed for rough terrain, and riders require more control over braking rather than intervention from automated systems.

3. General Brake Requirements​

Even though L3e-A1E motorcycles are exempt from ABS and CBS, they must still comply with basic braking performance requirements under UNECE Regulation No. 78, which include:

• Service brake system: Must ensure safe deceleration within a defined stopping distance.
• Braking force distribution: Must allow independent control of front and rear brakes.
• Structural integrity: Brake components must withstand high stress conditions typical of off-road use.
• Parking brake: If applicable, it must hold the vehicle on an incline

 

[DaveAusNor]

Surely Stark has this sorted. And they will be registered similar to other enduro bikes from the big brands. My last bike was a 250EXC and it was fine here in Norway at least.
I asked chatgtp and got this response.

ABS Requirements for Enduro Bikes in Europe:​

1. Euro 4 (2017) & Euro 5 (2021) Regulations
   • Since 2017 (Euro 4), ABS has been mandatory for all new road-going motorcycles over 125cc in Europe.
   • Since 2021 (Euro 5), the rules have been tightened further, but off-road-focused motorcycles (like the KTM 250 EXC) can still be sold without ABS under certain conditions.
2. Enduro & Off-Road Exemptions
   • Many competition enduro bikes (e.g., KTM EXC, Husqvarna TE, Beta RR) are homologated as "off-road" motorcycles and sold without ABS.
   • If registered for the road, the national laws may vary.
3. Country-Specific Rules
   • In some countries (e.g., Germany, UK, Norway), registering a full enduro bike for road use without ABS is still possible, usually under "Enduro" or "Off-Road" classifications.
   • In others (e.g., France, Spain), stricter homologation rules might require ABS or combined braking systems for road registration.

 

[Beagle]

It will be registered as a 125cc equivalent (unbelievable for a 80 hp bike) which is often exempted of such kind of stuff like ABS.

 

[happyinmotion]

What a mess of regulations.

In NZ, the situation is just as complex - the law says very clearly that enduro bikes without ABS can only be registered for the purposes of off-road competion in FIM sanctioned events.

However, the registration is the same registration as any other type of motorcycle. So you can use an enduro bike for the same purposes as any other type of motorcycle. That is, you can only register it competitions but the registration you get allows full road use.

This isn't want the regulations intended. But it's how the law here is operating.

This looks like an oversight by our regulators - ie that the way the law is implemented differs from the intent of that law. So there's a risk that this will be challenged in the courts or the relevant ministry will wake up and notice they've made a cock-up and decide to fix it. But for now, Kiwis can ride enduro bikes without ABS on the road.

 

[OpaTsupa]

 

[DaveAusNor]

filming a landscape screen in portrait mode

 

[Beagle]

Vid has been deleted, what was it, first look at the new app?

 

[DaveAusNor]

seemed like it yes. Maybe Stark asked them to take it down, who knows. It did show that there were some standard settings like HP, regen, etc. But then there was also an advanced settings tab that seemed to require a subscription.... so that will be interesting if we end up with power curve settings locked behind a subscription.

 

[OpaTsupa]

Vid has been deleted, what was it, first look at the new app?

Stark office must have noticed it.

It was uploaded a few hours ago by a Slovenian dealer.
It showed a white EX bike, but only the the phone and app.
I can't say what was new or different about it, but there were A LOT of locked out settings that you would need to 'subscribe' to.

 

[Tihver]

It seems that the dealers have received their demo bikes and in the coming days they are allowed to start showing them.
Could hope that right after that, the first customers will also receive their bikes.

 

[DaveAusNor]

Seems about right. Only 2 weeks now until myself and many others are supposed to receive them.