The big Stark Varg supermoto information topic

[AEsco48]

Turns out the front factory MC is only 9mm. Will not work with any 4 pot calipers... So now searching fro the ideal setup of a caliper, adapter, MC.

 

[JoelF]

Hey guys, brand new Stark EX owner. Very excited. I'd really like to put the TUSK SM wheels on my bike
Here is the link: Tusk Impact Supermoto Complete Front and Rear Wheel Set | Tires and Wheels | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

It says that they will fit a KTM exc-f 500. Can I get them on my Stark?
You all talk about using different spacers. Are those the spacers that come with the bike?
Thanks!!

 

[Jasperfield]

The spacers for a KTM 500 EXC-F will fit the stark, they are the same per Warp9.

 

[JoelF]

The spacers for a KTM 500 EXC-F will fit the stark, they are the same per Warp9.

Thanks dude!

 

[Erwin P]

I got the Stark MX and some Beta 2 strokes.

Some while ago i found the joy of SM riding on karting circuits. Done 2 ''track days'' now. However still on the 21-19 with streettyres (Avon Trailrider).
I got a good offer on a set of 17' 3.50 and 5.00 wheels that not only fit my Stark, but also my streetlegal Beta's.

Now i'm looking into tyres and since i'm an MX/Enduro rider and somewhat an ADV rider i don't have a clue what to look for in an SM set.
However i have some things that i would like the tyres to be:
- Road legal. That way i can use them on my Beta's for fun rides around town and maybe on a future EX.
- No need for tyre heaters, or at least less need. I don't have much experience and even on the few SM's (Husqvarna 500 and KTM SMR 450) that i did get the change to ride i was nothing near the edge of the tyre. I would love to smear the budget out over longer time and since i will only ride SM a few times a year maximum grip can wait.
- Use for tarmac SM only. We don't have dedicated SM tracks with gravel/dirt.
- Use on narrow circuits by a noob.
- Tyre live time isn't that important, won't do that many track days or streetriding.

Could you give me some suggestions?

 

[gewoontim]

I would say (almost 100% certainty) that the ContiAttack SM 2 is the best choice for street SM. They are recently released (end of 2024) and the ContiAttack SM line always has been really soft compared to other street tires. Also they are specifically developed for supermoto and their low weight, which is an advantage compared to other sportbike-tires.

 

[Erwin P]

Thanks!
And can someone maybe confirm a 5.00 with a 160 will fit?

 

[gewoontim]

I am using a 160 Michelin supermoto tire on a 5.00 Alpina wheel in a Varg. So that combination will fit for sure. I will measure the width of the ContiAttacks today as I have a set of them as well.

 

[Erwin P]

Super. I have to order today before 17:00 (set for '22 KTM).
But that's just the rims. Tyres can wait a bit.

 

[Theo]

I use the Contiatrack SM Evo 2 and I'm satisfied. The rear also slides pretty smoothly. I heard a local semi professional racer here who liked the first version back then, that I liked, too; it felt similar.

 

[Erwin P]

I use the Contiatrack SM Evo 2 and I'm satisfied. The rear also slides pretty smoothly. I heard a local semi professional racer here who liked the first version back then, that I liked, too; it felt similar.

160 wide? And do you use/need tyre heaters?

 

[Theo]

160 wide? And do you use/need tyre heaters?

Sorry, I didn't specify that I've never used them on the Varg and they are 150 on a 4.25" wheel.
To me the grip does feel lower when they are cold, but with a gas bike I do a warmup lap anyways to warm up the engine. I don't consider them dangerous when cold, just wait until they are warm before relying on them a lot. I think that tyre heaters would make sense if you want to start pushing right away.

 

[Erwin P]

Does sound good enough for me. I did get the change to ride an SM on slicks that were cold and that was downright dangerous. Not nearly as much grip as my skinny ADV tyres, that's something i don't want. But perfect is far from what i need offcourse.

 

[JoelF]

Thanks dude!

Hey dudes. The TUSK Impact SM wheels, with included spacers fit on the EX. Still waiting on a few more parts.

 

[Erwin P]

Ordered a Twenty set at 24MX for a '22 KTM EXC 300. Comes with a multitude of spaces of wich for front and rear there is a fitting set. However L and R (Left and Right) is on the spacers and that's the other way around.

I used the 160 and 120 wide Conti Attack SM2 and they are a very tight fit. I suspect the chain will hit the tyre when it slaps around a bit. Heard from SM guys that's ''normal''?
The 120 is just too wide to fit in between the fork protectors. They however are cheap so i will be modifing them.

A front brake adapter for a KTM is a 1-1 fit and makes room for a 320mm disc, wich needs conical bolts because it's very tight with the adapter bracket.

Also the side stand finally works! Who knew they always had a SM in mind...

 

[Theo]

I used the 160 and 120 wide Conti Attack SM2 and they are a very tight fit. I suspect the chain will hit the tyre when it slaps around a bit. Heard from SM guys that's ''normal''?

I've always kept a 4,25" rim to avoid it but other people I know used 5", had that issue with slicks and said that they didn't feel anything weird while leaning despite visible damage to those tyres.
Some people use sliders like this, often home made:
Chain Block - Protect your rear wheel!
Others install some kind of shims between the hub of the wheel and the sprocket and either:
- accept that the chain is misaligned,
or
- they offset the front sprocket, too; sometimes in some bikes if it's installed flipped it will be offset. I don't know whether this would significantly wear the bearings of the countershaft quicker.
Others set the spokes so that the rim moves a little bit to the right, accepting a slightly misaligned wheel.

The 120 is just too wide to fit in between the fork protectors. They however are cheap so i will be modifing them.

I think I've read about other people who had to do the same with the Varg.

I suspect that that front brake will experience brake fading. On my SM I have a proper 4 pistons caliper, but during my first trackdays, years ago, I had that problem and I solved it by using fluids having higher boiling point, stil DOT4 since that was required in my case. Specifically, I use the Motul RBF 660 fluid.
Anyways, it's typical that beginners brake hard even lifting the rear wheel but then they are less precise in keeping their line; if you have a front brake that can't be used so aggressively it may be a good reason to brake less extremely and carry more speed through corners, possibly being faster on the laptime.
Still, for safety reasons, if you have brake fading, I think that you should improve the braking system until you solve the problem.

 

[rs911]

From what I've seen it seems like it would be better to go 4.25 with 150 or 4.5 with 160.
I think I'll go with this set of wheels with a 4.5.

HAAN Supermoto Räder - in Wunschfarbe!

Rim rings "Excel Takasago" aluminum 7000 alloy - color anodized (other colors on request). drilled opposite, for more space between spokes and brake caliper Haan hub, CNC milled from a solid block, 6082 T6 alloy, triple bearing with Koyo bearings - no special dimensions! No conversion work is...

hartl-racing.de

 

[Erwin P]

From what I've seen it seems like it would be better to go 4.25 with 150 or 4.5 with 160.
I think I'll go with this set of wheels with a 4.5.

HAAN Supermoto Räder - in Wunschfarbe!

Rim rings "Excel Takasago" aluminum 7000 alloy - color anodized (other colors on request). drilled opposite, for more space between spokes and brake caliper Haan hub, CNC milled from a solid block, 6082 T6 alloy, triple bearing with Koyo bearings - no special dimensions! No conversion work is...

hartl-racing.de

Those wheels are 3x the price of mine. I would have prevered 4.25 or 4.50 anyways, but the only size available from this brand was 5.00.

@Theo
This ''build'' is on a tad lower budget than Starks that will be fully build for SM only. This bike for me is a Sand MX bike first, then an Enduro and 3rd an SM for maybe once a month. Pure Hobby use on a karting track.
Maybe i will be adding a 4 piston caliper in the future, but for now this will have to make due (also due to budget restrains). On my previous runs i used a 260mm disc with this brake on a 21'. Now a 320mm on a 17' so it will add quite the power and fade resistance compared to what i had i suppose.

I think i'm going for one of those chain blockers though!

 

[rs911]

Lol 3x times the price, in France we would say you're from Marseille (to someone who is exaggerating).

24mx

www.24mx.eu

420€ with tax and 21% discount vs 726 with tax and no discount

24mx

www.24mx.eu

280€ with tax and 20% discount vs 648 with tax and no discount

You can't compare Excel rims and Haan hubs to Twenty that is a cheaper brand.
I'm not saying the Twenty will be terrible in comparison.
I compared other parts, such as the brake levers and air filters, and I concluded that they are good quality products for the price.
However, top-brand products were always better and sometimes by quite a lot.

 

[Erwin P]

I paid 598 for the 2 with extra 15% discount.
But your point holds, well under half the price instead of 1/3rd

Off course the Haan and Excel wheels are probably better, but good enough does the trick for me and that pricegap is 15 entree tickets for track days.