Post here your Stark Varg issues (or not!)

[Beagle]

There are known issues with the bike, usually well taken care of under the 2 years warranty, like powertain, VCU or battery failures for instance (without mentioning tire tubes!).

We may not be representative of all Stark owners but since there are a few on the forum, I'd like to give this a go to see how prevalent these issues are and if we can get a better picture with VIN and other infos (are different issues linked to different production phases, do recent Vargs appear to be as much affected...).

So the idea is just to have a list of Vargs with approximate VIN serial number (thousands will suffice), issues, and possibly other infos like hours of use at time of failure, issue taken care of under warranty or not, downtime or anything else you could think of.

Quick reminder the 2023-2024 cut off (from P to R as 10th character) is about 3 000. 2024-2025 cut off (from R to S) will be above 10 000.

At the same time, if your Varg is running fine you could just post approximate serial number, maybe hours and that's it.

So this table would look that

approximate VIN / type of issue / hours / warranty? / downtime

or if everything is peachy just

approximate VIN / hours

Edit: add Gen1 or Gen2 if you know,
Gen1 with charging port near shock and inverter top part is black

Gen2 with charging port on the invertor and inverter top is grey


also in the future, mention EX for the Varg EX enduro released in 2025.

Edit: here is the list so far

Issues:
- MX Gen1 / 11XX / multiple failures, all under warranty : map switch changed under a week, cracks on inverter cover so motor changed, battery failure after emptying it, exchanged under a day.
- MX Gen2 / 62XX / 10 h / powertrain unit changed under warranty
- MX Gen? / 4XXX or 4XX? / powertrain failure out of the box, battery failure, both replaced under warranty, rear brake master cylinder blew a seal, throttle cutting out and battery not charging over 47%

All ok:
- MX Gen2 / 52XX / 225 h

 

[AL_V]

52xx/225

 

[Bpspecs]

This is brilliant! Unfortunately like you said, ”the 10,000 varg owners with no problems aren’t on this forum” only varg owners looking for solutions.

 

[Beagle]

52xx/225

Thanks for playing

 

[fsfs]

There are known issues with the bike, usually well taken care of under the 2 years warranty, like powertain, VCU or battery failures for instance (without mentioning tire tubes!).

We may not be representative of all Stark owners but since there are a few on the forum, I'd like to give this a go to see how prevalent these issues are and if we can get a better picture with VIN and other infos (are different issues linked to different production phases, do recent Vargs appear to be as much affected...).

So the idea is just to have a list of Vargs with approximate VIN serial number (thousands will suffice), issues, and possibly other infos like hours of use at time of failure, issue taken care of under warranty or not, downtime or anything else you could think of.

Quick reminder the 2023-2024 cut off (from P to R as 10th character) is about 3 000. 2024-2025 cut off (from R to S) will be above 10 000.

At the same time, if your Varg is running fine you could just post approximate serial number, maybe hours and that's it.

So this table would look that

approximate VIN / type of issue / hours / warranty? / downtime

or if everything is peachy just

approximate VIN / hours


Edit: here is the list so far

Issues:

All ok:
52xx/225

suggestion: specify if MX-gen1 or MX-gen2 (and i suppose enduro coming)

 

[Aleksandar13]

Gen2 10 hours , needed new power unit ,communication between throttle and unit only happens with harsh inputs , crawl and reverse not working … replaced under warranty within 6 days of contacting … changed it myself

 

[Beagle]

suggestion: specify if MX-gen1 or MX-gen2 (and i suppose enduro coming)

Great idea, anybody knows the cutoff in VIN between gen1 and gen2? If not, I guess we could get this info if people specify gen along with VIN.

Charging port Gen2 (picture posted by AL_V)


Is gen2 just about the inverter or other changes as well?

 

[Beagle]

Gen2 10 hours , needed new power unit ,communication between throttle and unit only happens with harsh inputs , crawl and reverse not working … replaced under warranty within 6 days of contacting … changed it myself

Thanks, what's your VIN and what part did you replace?

 

[Aleksandar13]

Vin ends in 6*** and the replacement was the power unit

 

[UKLee]

Vin ends in 6*** and the replacement was the power unit

View attachment 12814

I would not broadcast your vin no on the internet.
Over 6 thousand and they are still failing, even worse than I thought

 

[Erwin P]

I have a GEN 1 MX bike VIN in the high 11xx numbers.

Issues so far:
- Sidestand bracket breaks a lot.
- Sand came into the first handlebar switch, could not press down and after really trying (couldn't start after a pittstop in race) to the microswitch inside broke. Replacement should be better and no issues since. Reported it saturday, they saw my email monday, could ride it thursday.
- Starting cracks in the inverter cover, no errors but i still e-mailed Stark. They send me a new motor (was allowed to bring it to the dealer free but i trust myself more). Got it within the week so no real downtime as it is a 1 evening replacement.
- Short after that battery failure after draining it to 0%. I mentioned i needed it for a race that weekend. They contacted my dealer to pull one out of a showroom bike and give it to me, downtime 1 evening.

Edit: Forgot about the tubes. Front lasted 2 rides, rear 3.

 

[chrismx72]

Varg Alpha owner since march 2024 VIN number RA004**
Power train failed straight out of the box - took over a week to get response from stark, issues with local dealer not wanting to do warranty work as i didnt buy the bike from him (understandable) this was ironed out between UK country manager and dealer , dealer lent me bike for the weekend (top bloke). fixed the bike for me.

battery failed - stark sent new battery (i assume its a Gen 2) i don't really understand the gen thing

back brake master cylinder blew a seal (i didn't contact stark over this as i wanted to change to hand brake anyway so paid for it my self)

Inner tubes are made of Tesco's bags for life

when bike gets hot there is a screeching sound coming from the bike when under heavy load

now currently in talks with stark as bike is cutting out on full throttle, batter wont take charge past 47%

lost all confidence in the bike, i am now in email tennis with them to sort the current problem then i think im going to move the bike on as i just dont have any confidence when riding it. Almost had two bike crashes with it cutting out on take offs of jumps.

I will be considering a new Enduro model but i need to have a long chat with stark and find out if all these issues have been sorted on the newer bikes. customer is the guinea pig which i understand this has to be.

I'm just a bit disappointed to be honest, the bike is bloody phenomenal apart from the issues

 

[Beagle]

Varg Alpha owner since march 2024 VIN number RA004**
Power train failed straight out of the box - took over a week to get response from stark, issues with local dealer not wanting to do warranty work as i didnt buy the bike from him (understandable) this was ironed out between UK country manager and dealer , dealer lent me bike for the weekend (top bloke). fixed the bike for me.

battery failed - stark sent new battery (i assume its a Gen 2) i don't really understand the gen thing

back brake master cylinder blew a seal (i didn't contact stark over this as i wanted to change to hand brake anyway so paid for it my self)

Inner tubes are made of Tesco's bags for life

when bike gets hot there is a screeching sound coming from the bike when under heavy load

now currently in talks with stark as bike is cutting out on full throttle, batter wont take charge past 47%

lost all confidence in the bike, i am now in email tennis with them to sort the current problem then i think im going to move the bike on as i just dont have any confidence when riding it. Almost had two bike crashes with it cutting out on take offs of jumps.

I will be considering a new Enduro model but i need to have a long chat with stark and find out if all these issues have been sorted on the newer bikes. customer is the guinea pig which i understand this has to be.

I'm just a bit disappointed to be honest, the bike is bloody phenomenal apart from the issues

That's a lot!
Do you mean VIN in the 4 thousands?

About Gen1 or Gen2, take a look at the inverter and charging port

Gen1 top of inverter is black and charging port is located real close to the rear shock


Gen2 top of inverter is grey and charging port is relocated lower, on the inverter itself

 

[UKLee]

Varg Alpha owner since march 2024 VIN number RA004**
Power train failed straight out of the box - took over a week to get response from stark, issues with local dealer not wanting to do warranty work as i didnt buy the bike from him (understandable) this was ironed out between UK country manager and dealer , dealer lent me bike for the weekend (top bloke). fixed the bike for me.

battery failed - stark sent new battery (i assume its a Gen 2) i don't really understand the gen thing

back brake master cylinder blew a seal (i didn't contact stark over this as i wanted to change to hand brake anyway so paid for it my self)

Inner tubes are made of Tesco's bags for life

when bike gets hot there is a screeching sound coming from the bike when under heavy load

now currently in talks with stark as bike is cutting out on full throttle, batter wont take charge past 47%

lost all confidence in the bike, i am now in email tennis with them to sort the current problem then i think im going to move the bike on as i just dont have any confidence when riding it. Almost had two bike crashes with it cutting out on take offs of jumps.

I will be considering a new Enduro model but i need to have a long chat with stark and find out if all these issues have been sorted on the newer bikes. customer is the guinea pig which i understand this has to be.

I'm just a bit disappointed to be honest, the bike is bloody phenomenal apart from the issues

Was that you who put a post on facebook about all the issues you have had and looking to take legal action?
If it was good on you, lots of keyboard warriors I see slagging you off, I recon half of them were anton wass under different names, think there are a few on here I went to back you up this afternoon but can not find it has it been removed?

I started looking through my e mails to stark to list my bike problems but it depresses me.

 

[Chaconne]

Varg Alpha owner since march 2024 VIN number RA004**
Power train failed straight out of the box - took over a week to get response from stark, issues with local dealer not wanting to do warranty work as i didnt buy the bike from him (understandable) this was ironed out between UK country manager and dealer , dealer lent me bike for the weekend (top bloke). fixed the bike for me.

battery failed - stark sent new battery (i assume its a Gen 2) i don't really understand the gen thing

back brake master cylinder blew a seal (i didn't contact stark over this as i wanted to change to hand brake anyway so paid for it my self)

Inner tubes are made of Tesco's bags for life

when bike gets hot there is a screeching sound coming from the bike when under heavy load

now currently in talks with stark as bike is cutting out on full throttle, batter wont take charge past 47%

lost all confidence in the bike, i am now in email tennis with them to sort the current problem then i think im going to move the bike on as i just dont have any confidence when riding it. Almost had two bike crashes with it cutting out on take offs of jumps.

I will be considering a new Enduro model but i need to have a long chat with stark and find out if all these issues have been sorted on the newer bikes. customer is the guinea pig which i understand this has to be.

I'm just a bit disappointed to be honest, the bike is bloody phenomenal apart from the issues

Wow. Just Wow. The inner tubes yes they are useless shit. But outside of that my bike has been trouble free. I got it the around same time you got yours. Here in the US East Coast I was able to get mine through the same dealer that sold me my KTM a few years back for around the same price as it would have been shipped to me.

The dealer took care of all the setup and and some paperwork hiccups outside of that was super smooth. As I said I have replaced the inner tubes, also the powerswitch (which is not very resilient to dirt and damage), throttle tube, and grips. Most of the consumables were damaged in crashes or by terrain abuse.

Sorry you have had such a hassle --I wouldn't have been able to handle all that given my living situation. As it was, I had to get rid of my gas bikes due to condo rules and etc. and it is not that easy to do major work on my machines in such a situation. I bought an E bike to reduce my exposure in that way, but sounds like just the opposite for you.