Stark Varg EX range

[Marshall G]

A subricriber wrote into Motocross Action magazine asking if they 'were against' electric motos as they hadn't tested the Stark.
They had several key points (can't hear them on the track, not allowed in all venues) but their main hangup, understandably was the range. At the end of their response, they said - New longer lasting battery technology is promised in the near future, but we've been hearing that for 10 years.
I thought about that, and for the most part, thats true. The Alta had nearly the same range 10 years ago as my new EX.
For the record, I'm just over 200 lbs without gear, I ride pretty hard core single track, and I'm getting 35+ miles out of a charge. 40+ on easier rides. I was hoping for more as many of my rides can go 45 or more.

 

[Beagle]

A subricriber wrote into Motocross Action magazine asking if they 'were against' electric motos as they hadn't tested the Stark.
They had several key points (can't hear them on the track, not allowed in all venues) but their main hangup, understandably was the range. At the end of their response, they said - New longer lasting battery technology is promised in the near future, but we've been hearing that for 10 years.
I thought about that, and for the most part, thats true. The Alta had nearly the same range 10 years ago as my new EX.
For the record, I'm just over 200 lbs without gear, I ride pretty hard core single track, and I'm getting 35+ miles out of a charge. 40+ on easier rides. I was hoping for more as many of my rides can go 45 or more.

2018 Alta battery 5.8 kWh
2022 Stark Varg prototype 6.0 kWh
2023 Starg Varg production bike 6.5 kWh
2025 Starg Varg EX 7.2 kWh

All that for 32 kg battery packs.

So from the latest Alta to the latest Stark that's 24% increased energy density in 7 years, or from Stark 2022 prototype to the EX that's 20% increased energy density in 3 years.

In fact it has nothing to do with motorcycle manufacturers, it's all down to cell suppliers and continuous improvement in 21700 commercial cells. For instance take Molicel, their P42A was released in 2020, P45B in 2023 and P50B in 2024. That's 4 years to go from 4.2 to 5.0 Ah, 19% increase in energy density.

New leap in capacity has been 10 years away for a while, hybrid are close to production, solid state batteries still aren't. But steady improvement with proven tech gives about 20% gain every 4-5 years so following that trend you can reasonably expect about 50% gain in 10 years. That'd be 10 kWh 30 kg batteries without any revolutionary tech.

Yeah I know Stark is not using Molicel for the EX, it's just concrete example of capacity increase from a leading cell manufacturer.

 

[Slothie]

whats the source of your idea that the EX has not Molicels anymore?

 

[RCard42]

2018 Alta battery 5.8 kWh
2022 Stark Varg prototype 6.0 kWh
2023 Starg Varg production bike 6.5 kWh
2025 Starg Varg EX 7.2 kWh

All that for 32 kg battery packs.

So from the latest Alta to the latest Stark that's 24% increased energy density in 7 years, or from Stark 2022 prototype to the EX that's 20% increased energy density in 3 years.

In fact it has nothing to do with motorcycle manufacturers, it's all down to cell suppliers and continuous improvement in 21700 commercial cells. For instance take Molicel, their P42A was released in 2020, P45B in 2023 and P50B in 2024. That's 4 years to go from 4.2 to 5.0 Ah, 19% increase in energy density.

New leap in capacity has been 10 years away for a while, hybrid are close to production, solid state batteries still aren't. But steady improvement with proven tech gives about 20% gain every 4-5 years so following that trend you can reasonably expect about 50% gain in 10 years. That'd be 10 kWh 30 kg batteries without any revolutionary tech.

Yeah I know Stark is not using Molicel for the EX, it's just concrete example of capacity increase from a leading cell manufacturer.

I've been thinking about this lately. I think for a large share of the off road market to even consider an electric bike as their primary ride we need a 2X improvement in range. For mass adoption, need 4X. It's an awesome toy right now for those us fortunate to be able to afford two bikes. A 4X improvement in range and/or charging availability, it's game over for ICE, these things are too good in all other areas.

 

[Chaconne]

I am

I've been thinking about this lately. I think for a large share of the off road market to even consider an electric bike as their primary ride we need a 2X improvement in range. For mass adoption, need 4X. It's an awesome toy right now for those us fortunate to be able to afford two bikes. A 4X improvement in range and/or charging availability, it's game over for ICE, these things are too good in all other areas.

I am not sure about 2X vs 4X my guess is possibly 2X would be sufficient for mass.

The problem right now is battery tech still needs some serious catch up. Wet batteries are 19th Century tech. A real solid state solution with weight savings and improved range/fast-charging alone might be enough of a game changer.

Many of today's features on Stark first gen make it a better choice than my ICE bikes (KTM 300 2T and WR450F).

 

[DirtSurfer]

My EX did 45 miles (over 5.5 hours) of challenging single track, and a good bit of fire roads (to connect the singles..) I returned to the van w/ 15%, but had a good chunk of the miles back to the van downhill (of course, I had to go up initially). What I'm seeing is that speed is what kills the battery... even if I keep the fire roads less than 25mph it chews up battery (esp if it's up a steep hill). Singletrack is where the battery shines, esp if it's more technical in nature (less speed).. I'm convinced if it was a decently challenging trail, and no fire roads, I could do 60 miles (or close to it).
I'm using power mode 3, which for me is similar to a 300 2T, so 40hp and 10% regen.

 

[Chaconne]

My EX did 45 miles (over 5.5 hours) of challenging single track, and a good bit of fire roads (to connect the singles..) I returned to the van w/ 15%, but had a good chunk of the miles back to the van downhill (of course, I had to go up initially). What I'm seeing is that speed is what kills the battery... even if I keep the fire roads less than 25mph it chews up battery (esp if it's up a steep hill). Singletrack is where the battery shines, esp if it's more technical in nature (less speed).. I'm convinced if it was a decently challenging trail, and no fire roads, I could do 60 miles (or close to it).
I'm using power mode 3, which for me is similar to a 300 2T, so 40hp and 10% regen.

Agreed!! on the technical. Stark is awesome in slow gnarl. Hands down the best slow gnarl bike I have ever owned. Even though it is heavier than than the my 300 2T it is way more control-able and the low end is great. And I drop it less. I thought the fly-by-wire no clutch would be problematic in the gnarl, but just the opposite, it is better for me at least.

I think the throttle on the Stark is one of its greatest features and it silently sets the Stark apart from most other bikes I have ridden (E or ICE).

 

[Theo]

whats the source of your idea that the EX has not Molicels anymore?

Probably, this interview: listen at 6:04

 

[Beagle]

whats the source of your idea that the EX has not Molicels anymore?

 

[Slothie]

interessting. since he didnt want to tell whats used (telling its molicel would be quality advertisement) i guess they switched to EVE 50PL than.

 

[Beagle]

interessting. since he didnt want to tell whats used (telling its molicel would be quality advertisement) i guess they switched to EVE 50PL than.

They were quite happy to show they were using Molicel (and putting Molicel stickers on race bikes), not sure why they keep it secret this time around.