Stark Varg (6kWh) - 5 Hour Pony Express Strategy & 3kW Genny?

[mbw479]

Hey guys, I’ve got a 5-hour Teams Pony Express coming up and I’m taking the Varg 1.0 (6kWh battery). Looking for some real-world feedback on whether my charging setup will keep me in the race.

The Format:

• Duration: 5 Hours total.
• Laps: Approx. 35 minutes each.
• Rotation: Going lap-for-lap with a teammate (Standard 1-on, 1-off).
• Rest/Charge Window: Realistically ~30 minutes of "plug-in" time while my teammate is out.

The Setup:

• Bike: Stark Varg 1.0 (6kWh).
• Settings: Planning to run 45hp map with 30% Regen.
• Terrain: Tight/technical. Not much wide-open throttle.
• Charging: 3kW Generator. (Planning to set the app to ~2.4kW to avoid tripping the genny).

The Question: I’m estimating I'll use about 35-40% of the battery per lap, but I’m worried about the "battery bleed" over 5 hours.

1. Based on a 2.6kW charge rate, will a 30-minute charge window recover enough to keep me out of limp mode for 4-5 laps?
2. Has anyone run a similar format? Should I be dropping to a 35hp map from the start to survive the full 5 hours?
3. Any tips for managing battery temp while fast-charging in 30°C+ humidity?

Cheers for any insight!

 

[Anders]

Let's do some easy math (not accurate).

5 hours, 30 min lap time means both of you will do 5 laps. Perhaps the one that starts will be able to get out on his 6th one right before the checkered flag comes out.

30min charging with 2.4Kw give you 1.2Kwh. That is approx 20% top-up at every resting period.
You say you use up to 40% on each lap. 20 % will be charged at every stop. That gives a 20% net loss at every lap. Starting out with 100 on the first lap. 80% on the next etc.
At the 4th lap you will have 40% when going out, and close to nothing after completing the lap.

If your mate rides at the same pace, you have used 4 hours when completing your 4th lap. I guess your mate has to do two laps back to back for you to charge enough to do the last lap.

However, if you can reduce the usage down to 35 (or 30)% per lap you will loose only 15 (10)% charge per lap and you will be good for all 5 laps.

I have not done something similar on the Varg, but have done it on my Gasgas. Great fun indeed!

The only tip I have for fast charging in hot climate is to run the fan while charging.

 

[mbw479]

Let's do some easy math (not accurate).

5 hours, 30 min lap time means both of you will do 5 laps. Perhaps the one that starts will be able to get out on his 6th one right before the checkered flag comes out.

30min charging with 2.4Kw give you 1.2Kwh. That is approx 20% top-up at every resting period.
You say you use up to 40% on each lap. 20 % will be charged at every stop. That gives a 20% net loss at every lap. Starting out with 100 on the first lap. 80% on the next etc.
At the 4th lap you will have 40% when going out, and close to nothing after completing the lap.

If your mate rides at the same pace, you have used 4 hours when completing your 4th lap. I guess your mate has to do two laps back to back for you to charge enough to do the last lap.

However, if you can reduce the usage down to 35 (or 30)% per lap you will loose only 15 (10)% charge per lap and you will be good for all 5 laps.

I have not done something similar on the Varg, but have done it on my Gasgas. Great fun indeed!

The only tip I have for fast charging in hot climate is to run the fan while charging.

Chat GPT told me the same thing, however I thought it charged a bit quicker than that, especially below 80%. I'll test it out on the generator before the event.

 

[Erwin P]

What is the terrain like?
On the 1.0 i could often pull 1 hour 45 minutes in sand Crosscountry races.
Especially when yours is hardpack you should be able to do it easy.

You're not really fast charging, the bike will take it and at 45 hp not really loose power. Especially when the riding is little to no flat out stuff.