Post here your Stark Varg issues (or not!)

[jasonjm]

I got the bike through the dealer. They are even more frustrated than me, I can't explain how much eye rolling there was when the bike was brought in dead. Because of all people the bike mechanics there know difficult it is to deal with stark.

Ktm which does have bad warranties still warranties their batteries and drive trains on electric for 24 months..... So not sure this argument holds since my bike is 99 percent a battery issue

Again the central issue here is no real communication method. No chat no phone number just stark support emails that take days for a simple answer. So a simple task that would take 1 minute on a phone call can turn into a 12 or 16 days email back and forward with stark.

Not acceptable.

 

[jasonjm]

I got the bike through the dealer. They are even more frustrated than me, I can't explain how much eye rolling there was when the bike was brought in dead. Because of all people the bike mechanics there know difficult it is to deal with stark.

Ktm which does have bad warranties still warranties their batteries and drive trains on electric for 24 months..... So not sure this argument holds since my bike is 99 percent a battery issue

Again the central issue here is no real communication method. No chat no phone number just stark support emails that take days for a simple answer. So a simple task that would take 1 minute on a phone call can turn into a 12 or 16 days email back and forward with stark.

Not acceptable.

Also no one can log into my bike because it won't turn on

 

[UKLee]

I got the bike through the dealer. They are even more frustrated than me, I can't explain how much eye rolling there was when the bike was brought in dead. Because of all people the bike mechanics there know difficult it is to deal with stark.

Ktm which does have bad warranties still warranties their batteries and drive trains on electric for 24 months..... So not sure this argument holds since my bike is 99 percent a battery issue

Again the central issue here is no real communication method. No chat no phone number just stark support emails that take days for a simple answer. So a simple task that would take 1 minute on a phone call can turn into a 12 or 16 days email back and forward with stark.

Not acceptable.

I have been through much the same seemed ok at first but they seem to have gone in to fob off mode now. We need to make plenty of noise about it and give stark the bad publicity they are earning for themselves.

 

[Chaconne]

I got the bike through the dealer. They are even more frustrated than me, I can't explain how much eye rolling there was when the bike was brought in dead. Because of all people the bike mechanics there know difficult it is to deal with stark.

Ktm which does have bad warranties still warranties their batteries and drive trains on electric for 24 months..... So not sure this argument holds since my bike is 99 percent a battery issue

Again the central issue here is no real communication method. No chat no phone number just stark support emails that take days for a simple answer. So a simple task that would take 1 minute on a phone call can turn into a 12 or 16 days email back and forward with stark.

Not acceptable.

It is not acceptable that there is "eye rolling" by a dealer who sold you the bike and made money --they are dogging you it is their problem they should address it ASAP. What kind of dealer who sold a product does that to a paying customer? --who they were more than happy to sell the bike to? Were they "eye rolling" when they sold you the bike and took your hard earned cash?

Instead of acting like that maybe the dealer should help the customer instead of whining about "frustration". They didn't have any problem taking your money now they should deal with it, their frustration shouldn't be your problem in my view. I am guessing you used a dealer rather than getting it shipped direct for support reasons (which is why I used a dealer anyway). The dealer I bought from (who I had bought my KTMs from over the years) took care of every detail and even fixed some paperwork problems directly with the Stark rep, so I didn't have take care of anything. And the dealer answered questions no different than my gas bike and no "eye rolling".

There are many folks who have gotten new parts for defects on this thread including new batteries without any dealer intervention, it should not be an issue for them. Maybe ask the dealer to swap in a new battery (if they have a new bike) in to troubleshoot. If it turns out to be the battery and they are any kind of decent business, they could get you rolling and RTM the bad battery themselves. Dealing with Stark should not even be in the mix for you IMHO --you might as well have mail ordered it for that kind of service as that seems like what you are getting anyway.

 

[Chaconne]

I have been through much the same seemed ok at first but they seem to have gone in to fob off mode now. We need to make plenty of noise about it and give stark the bad publicity they are earning for themselves.

There is a dealership in the middle that is different. As it has been portrayed, the dealer and the reps should be helping him first line, this is not the same as a direct ship. "Eye rolling" passing the buck, whining after they sold the bike is how dealerships earn the title of stealerships here in the US at least. The whole idea of a dealership is customer service why have them otherwise. If this story is right the dealership should have him rolling by now.

 

[jasonjm]

I have been through much the same seemed ok at first but they seem to have gone in to fob off mode now. We need to make plenty of noise about it and give stark the bad publicity they are earning for themselves.

yip until you deal with stark non support you have no idea what its like.......

 

[Chaconne]

yip until you deal with stark non support you have no idea what its like.......

Can you post the dealership's name?

 

[UKLee]

There is a dealership in the middle that is different. As it has been portrayed, the dealer and the reps should be helping him first line, this is not the same as a direct ship. "Eye rolling" passing the buck, whining after they sold the bike is how dealerships earn the title of stealerships here in the US at least. The whole idea of a dealership is customer service why have them otherwise. If this story is right the dealership should have him rolling by now.

Yes but the dealers can only do what the manufactures or importers agree too

 

[Chaconne]

Yes but the dealers can only do what the manufactures or importers agree too

That shouldn't matter to the consumer --the dealer didn't hang a sign on the bike that said manufacturer or importer sucks when they took the 13k from him. The dealer in this case could likely make the situation right and should. No excuses for that IMHO.

Your case is different you are a direct consumer (I assume) you have no where else to go --I get it and I understand why you would be upset with Stark.

But the dealer has a responsibility in the case in question and the consumer should not let them off the hook because they are "eye rolling", whining, and not doing their job. A premium was paid to avoid the problems you have with direct dealing. They should do their job for this guy or they should be out-of-business.

 

[UKLee]

That shouldn't matter to the consumer --the dealer didn't hang a sign on the bike that said manufacturer or importer sucks when they took the 13k from him. The dealer in this case could likely make the situation right and should. No excuses for that IMHO.

Your case is different you are a direct consumer (I assume) you have no where else to go --I get it and I understand why you would be upset with Stark.

But the dealer has a responsibility in the case in question and the consumer should not let them off the hook because they are "eye rolling", whining, and not doing their job. A premium was paid to avoid the problems you have with direct dealing. They should do their job for this guy or they should be out-of-business.

I agree with what you are saying but I know of a Rieju dealer who has refunded a customer for a new bike because the side stand bracket is breaking or broken off the frame, He did it because he was being threatened with court action and it is a poor design but the importers do not agree and will not refund him for the bike so he is stuck with it and out of pocket the cost of the bike.
The dealer needs to clear anything he is looking to do with the importer or manufacturer to be sure he gets payment and or parts under warranty.

 

[jasonjm]

.

I agree with what you are saying but I know of a Rieju dealer who has refunded a customer for a new bike because the side stand bracket is breaking or broken off the frame, He did it because he was being threatened with court action and it is a poor design but the importers do not agree and will not refund him for the bike so he is stuck with it and out of pocket the cost of the bike.
The dealer needs to clear anything he is looking to do with the importer or manufacturer to be sure he gets payment and or parts under warranty.

the problem is stark, not the dealer. i sympathize with the dealer. stark support system is unacceptable i dont care what anyone here says, you cannot reply with one line answers every 3 days, have NO phone number, NO direct chat...... if you gonna go that route you best be ready to just ship out parts fast as you basically can after making everyone do DIY troubleshooting......

 

[UKLee]

.

the problem is stark, not the dealer. i sympathize with the dealer. stark support system is unacceptable i dont care what anyone here says, you cannot reply with one line answers every 3 days, have NO phone number, NO direct chat...... if you gonna go that route you best be ready to just ship out parts fast as you basically can after making everyone do DIY troubleshooting......

Totally with you ask 3 questions and get half an answer to 1 of them then a few more days before a reply. I tell you now they are purposely stalling, the longer it takes to get the bike up and running the more of the warranty is soaked up it suits them just fine as it means less parts under warranty more parts paid by out of warranty owners....A blind man on a galloping horse in a thick fog can see this, that anton thinks we are stupid!!!

 

[F451]

My questions for Stark and the dealer are:
What is next, what can we do to diagnose and fix the issues with my bike?
Who needs to do the next steps?

These are basic questions both Stark and the dealer should be able to tell you.

And have you tried calling this phone number? According to AI:

"You can contact Stark Future, the manufacturer of the Stark Varg electric motorcycle, by calling (877) 886-1997 for sales, service, and parts. You can also contact Stark Future through their website or the VARG app."

 

[Chaconne]

.

the problem is stark, not the dealer. i sympathize with the dealer. stark support system is unacceptable i dont care what anyone here says, you cannot reply with one line answers every 3 days, have NO phone number, NO direct chat...... if you gonna go that route you best be ready to just ship out parts fast as you basically can after making everyone do DIY troubleshooting...

You buy from a dealer that dealer should get the job done for you, what is there to sympathize with? They sell you a 13k bike and roll their eyes when you bring it back with problems and you sympathize? Doesn't make sense buddy.

If you have a dealer and your bike is under warranty why do you have to do DIY troubleshooting? If my fuel injection system failed on a brand new KTM under warranty and I brought it to the dealer and they rolled their eyes and blamed the manufacturer for their inability to troubleshoot my bike and get me rolling I would have a problem with that dealer.

 

[Chaconne]

I agree with what you are saying but I know of a Rieju dealer who has refunded a customer for a new bike because the side stand bracket is breaking or broken off the frame, He did it because he was being threatened with court action and it is a poor design but the importers do not agree and will not refund him for the bike so he is stuck with it and out of pocket the cost of the bike.
The dealer needs to clear anything he is looking to do with the importer or manufacturer to be sure he gets payment and or parts under warranty.

Agreed. But here in the states most dealers have a Rep who they contact about any of that (like my dealer did when there were problems with my paperwork). The Rep can often clear these things up quickly with the US group especially if there is a pissed off customer.

I know that wouldn't work for your case, but anybody who uses a dealer should expect a minimum of that Rep contact, not a eye roll and let the guy DIY it like he bought it mail order. Those of us who used a dealer paid more for our bikes the premium was paid to not to go through the problems with direct and get support when stuff goes wrong.

 

[Chadx]

Many dealerships and individuals have had issues and, to troubleshoot, Stark sets up a live phone call to troubleshoot/diagnose. But, if the bike isn't running at all, perhaps diagnosis is limited and that is why no live session was set up. But then they and the dealership would be in "replace parts" mode to at least get it powered up. So, what has been replaced on the bike to date or what parts are in transit to the dealership for them to replace? Meaning, what is the current standing?

 

[Beagle]

Bikes been good since purchase (Less than a year ago), and only issue is as follows:

Bad Charging brick after 7 months:

My charger suddenly slowed down to around 1% every 2 minutes from 20% on (using 220V).
- After 7 months of usage at home, at track on 220V and using max charge setting.
- Charger showed green light (on charging brick) and fan did work (on charger).

Tried a different charger and was back to my normal fast speeds using 220V and at home on 120V (using max charging setting).
- Different charger used the same 220V connector and same 120v connector to isolate the charging brick or the cable that goes into the bike.


Recommend to folks is to note how long 20% - 30% takes (or some percentage range you charge through many times), and keep that as a data point.

Contact Stark for charging issues and they should be able to warranty the charger or provide guidance.

Did they send you a new charger? Could you give approximate VIN and hours? Thanks

 

[chrismx72]

I am in much the same position as you we have a track in the field behind but we do use the bike at mx events and practices. It cutting out or locking up (no clutch to pull in and coast off the track) on the blind side of a jump could be a big problem.
I also run my own business and do not want to have to get involved in legal action but if done in a proper and correct manner by someone with knowlage of the legal system and with stark issues I think it would be a good idea to back him up. I got my bike in october 23, yes still 10 months left but that can go quickly and I think now is the time to get some questions answered. Don't particularly like doing it but giving bad publicity to stark is the only lever we have combined with possible legal action, stark tell me 2 years warranty from the bike being delivered no extra warranty period for replaced under warranty parts so they can just keep feeding us the same parts that are still failing on new bikes now

Maybe the ones who are moaning about what I am saying/doing will one day thank me, won't be a very happy place if everyone is moaning about the fact they have had to pay out for an out of warranty drive train or battery will it.

ChrisMX72 Do you by any chance have a contact telephone no for this UK stark rep/manager ? I am also sick of e mail tennis.

UKLee,

Just as a update, i received battery number three mid last week, managed to get it fitted this Saturday just gone. Seems to be working as it should, taking charge up to 95% all seems well atm. I have to say though the fitting of this battery was a massive pain in the arse compared to the second one. it seemed the top bolt holes in the battery close to the head stock hadn't been set in the battery enough so trying to get the battery in as shown in the video was nearly impossible so i had to get a punch and hammer the threaded gromets into the battery about 0.5mm thus allowing the batter to fit in the frame correctly.

In regards to the contact details for the stark rep / country manager. I have been in contact with him in regards to changing my varg out for a enduro one (due to all the issues iv had over the last year) and ill be honest, he wasn't much help for the reason being it wasn't his job to deal with aftersales issues. I don't think you would get anywhere with him as i haven't. I'm a bit stuck now, not quite sure what I'm going to do, i think ill contact my local dealer and see if they can offer me any advise on a trade in. If i get any more information that's worth putting on this forum for all of your benefits i will.

 

[Chaconne]

UKLee,

Just as a update, i received battery number three mid last week, managed to get it fitted this Saturday just gone. Seems to be working as it should, taking charge up to 95% all seems well atm. I have to say though the fitting of this battery was a massive pain in the arse compared to the second one. it seemed the top bolt holes in the battery close to the head stock hadn't been set in the battery enough so trying to get the battery in as shown in the video was nearly impossible so i had to get a punch and hammer the threaded gromets into the battery about 0.5mm thus allowing the batter to fit in the frame correctly.

In regards to the contact details for the stark rep / country manager. I have been in contact with him in regards to changing my varg out for a enduro one (due to all the issues iv had over the last year) and ill be honest, he wasn't much help for the reason being it wasn't his job to deal with aftersales issues. I don't think you would get anywhere with him as i haven't. I'm a bit stuck now, not quite sure what I'm going to do, i think ill contact my local dealer and see if they can offer me any advise on a trade in. If i get any more information that's worth putting on this forum for all of your benefits i will.

At least here in the US generally reps will not handle anything to do with sales to the consumer. Here you would likely have to sell it yourself or trade it in (and there is no guarantee of trade up). I strongly advise friends on any motorcycle (E or ICE) to go through a dealership in the US if possible.

Let me be clear, I do not like nor favor dealerships in any way. But it is a phony profit model to buy incredibly expensive and complicated equipment through gussied up "digital" mail order and expect any kind of service. And when you go to a dealer who didn't sell you something they will typically show you the door on almost any product warranty service or not (it is often difficult to get warranty service on a car from another dealer in the same geography here at least) .

The whole idea of "digital" mail order is to cut out the cost of service. You can't even buy jeans online and expect a proper fit, an expensive motorcycle (or any complex item) is not a bottle of floor cleaner from Amazon. Just saying.

 

[chrismx72]

At least here in the US generally reps will not handle anything to do with sales to the consumer. Here you would likely have to sell it yourself or trade it in (and there is no guarantee of trade up). I strongly advise friends on any motorcycle (E or ICE) to go through a dealership in the US if possible.

Let me be clear, I do not like nor favor dealerships in any way. But it is a phony profit model to buy incredibly expensive and complicated equipment through gussied up "digital" mail order and expect any kind of service. And when you go to a dealer who didn't sell you something they will typically show you the door on almost any product warranty service or not (it is often difficult to warranty service on a car from another dealer in the same geography here at least) .

The whole idea of "digital" mail order is to cut out the cost of service. You can't even buy jeans online and expect a proper fit, an expensive motorcycle (or any complex item) is not a bottle of floor cleaner from Amazon. Just saying.

Completely agree with you Chaconne, unfortunately i was one of the first customers to be part of the deposit scheme, back then there was no dealers and it was all purchased on line. Even when my bike was delivered dealers were few and far between i was very lucky to have a electric motorcycle shop a hour away from where i live and the guy who owed the shop had just taken delivery of 2 starks which he was in the process of becoming a dealer.
After reading another thread earlier it seemed the person was struggling with the support service online more so as he had gone through a dealer but then again its difficult to have an opinion as the response he received from stark support was very abrupt. we dont know what he said to them to get that response back.