Owner's Review The Torpedo bat of Dirt Bikes, first impressions.

[Johnny Depp]

First day impressions: Drivetrain is a cheater, suspension is good for stock. This bike is the Torpedo bat of dirt bikes.
The ability to overcome mistakes with the motor always in the right “gear” is a bonus. No stalls like a typical moto bike in the trails. The ability to stretch a “gear” is a bonus. Went straight to 60 hp for max torque on the track. Super easy to use, with proper throttle control it never tried to get crazy. Wheelspin is easy to eliminate since you can hear it. Used zero regen and never missed it. The hand brakes are magic cheaters. The bike greatly increased my endurance and ride time. Arm pump was minimal. Legs get a break. Your mind is expanded to allow you to think about technique and line choices. The suspension (clickers and setup courtesy of Electric Dirt Bike Riders) is Moto, but compliant if not comfortable. Faster is better, it gobbles up roots if you’re on the throttle. Had 2 inches of unused travel and I haven’t even gone past about 80% effort. Comfortable seat and ergonomics. Super flickable in tight single track. I never had wind noise bother me before, so earplugs might be good. Surprised that the low speed throttle modulation was so gentle, up the loading ramp at max setting with perfect speed control without crawl mode. Pirelli’s were decent at 13.5 psi. Used 33% of battery in an hour with a few conversations between the National track, Sand track, kids track, GP track, Vet track and the trails at Spoaks MotoPark near Austin TX. It’s the perfect bike for me at 67, and wanting to enjoy all types of riding with very little racing.

 

[Philip]

Surprised that the low speed throttle modulation was so gentle, up the loading ramp at max setting with perfect speed control without crawl mode.

I used to complain about the on/off throttle. I think Stark Future has been reading because I too noticed that my Stark is now loading into my trailer just as smoothly as my Alta does!

Also, I no longer have to shift to the 35 hp setting for flat dusty or gravely turns. Keeping the bike in the 50hp mode all around the dry and dusty truck suddenly started working.

Now, I wish Stark starts letting us read the firmware release notes so that we know what's changed. Many firmware things have been changing for the better!

 

[Johnny Depp]

I used to complain about the on/off throttle. I think Stark Future has been reading because I too noticed that my Stark is now loading into my trailer just as smoothly as my Alta does!

Also, I no longer have to shift to the 35 hp setting for flat dusty or gravely turns. Keeping the bike in the 50hp mode all around the dry and dusty truck suddenly started working.

Now, I wish Stark stats letting us read the firmware release notes so that we know what's changed. Many firmware things have been changing for the better!

I used your most recent settings and they worked out pretty darn good for a stock bike, thanks for the help on that. I’m changing today to the 14 tooth countershaft sprocket, I like the bike in the low end and not so much when it gets faster, it starts to make a whistling sound trying to keep the revs down as much as possible.. To be fair, I probably need to give the regen a chance, but I was perfectly happy with zero region, kinda like a two-stroke.

 

[Johnny Depp]

I find it kind of weird that with that fancy tool kit the torque wrench doesn’t go below 20 when you need 17 for your front triple clamps, and there is no T 25 torque driver to adjust a chain so I am off to Northern tool to grab those.

 

[Theo]

I find it kind of weird that with that fancy tool kit the torque wrench doesn’t go below 20 when you need 17 for your front triple clamps, and there is no T 25 torque driver to adjust a chain so I am off to Northern tool to grab those.

In my tool kit there are two torque wrenches and one of them can do from 2 Nm to 26 if I recall correctly.

 

[AL_V]

I find it kind of weird that with that fancy tool kit the torque wrench doesn’t go below 20 when you need 17 for your front triple clamps, and there is no T 25 torque driver to adjust a chain so I am off to Northern tool to grab those.

There should be a 1/4" drive torque wrench, and all the torx bits you need.

 

[Johnny Depp]

2nd day even better. Swapped to a 14t countershaft and got a longer torque pull, wheelie at will, less wheelspin. Tightened the steering stem to 40ft lbs. but afraid to go further and break the bolt? The front end was less nervous. The shock doesn’t like trail speeds, but is great when on the throttle. The forks aren’t using all the travel, going to remove some oil. Hard landings the front fender makes noise. The front spokes were in need of tightening, the back just a little. Because of the shock massaging my kidneys I was standing a lot, strangely enough I didn’t get tired burning legs like normal and I was able to continue standing way longer than ever before. The standing led to keeping my head forward and arms up, technique I was never able to do with my fitness level. It felt like someone else was riding for me, very unexpected to discover that. I rode for 1.5 hours straight, far beyond my normal rides, at a better pace, the bike clearly extends your physical endurance limits. Having your mind clear really pays off in technique benefits, things you know you’re supposed to be doing somehow become easier and reality. In the trails, the Zen feeling of solitude and appreciation for the beautiful landscape is at a new level. The cows don’t run away scared, you have to shoo them away. I had to wait for one in the bottom of a ravine, and forgot about the bike shutting down, rolled down and about halfway up when I realized I had no power. On a gas bike that becomes a sketchy moment, but it was so easy to hold both hand brakes and touch the mode button, and gently apply power and roll out of the steep trail without incident. I ran max 60hp all day with zero regen, using about 51%. A few wide open laps on the flat track were awesome, spin if you want, wheelie if you want, total throttle connection with the ground. The power wheelies do seem to fall off after “3rd” gear range, I will try the 15t. It’s a game changer, I think my fire for riding has been stoked

 

[Theo]

the bike clearly extends your physical endurance limits.

That holds good for me, too.
If my heart rate monitor still worked or if I had a smartwatch I'd like to check my heart rate on the Varg and compare it to what I got on ICE bikes.

 

[Johnny Depp]

That holds good for me, too.
If my heart rate monitor still worked or if I had a smartwatch I'd like to check my heart rate on the Varg and compare it to what I got on ICE bikes.

The ability to stand on the national MX track and trails for lap after lap were something I would never have imagined, but it’s a fact. I can’t easily explain how it works, I assume because you’re not constantly having to reposition your legs for shifting and braking. I rode more on the balls of my feet than ever before, rather than the arches to accommodate reaching the pedal and lever. I even had to reposition my feet to keep them from going to sleep from being in the same position for so long. I’ve never heard anyone mention this issue before, but it’s huge.

 

[Chaconne]

The ability to stand on the national MX track and trails for lap after lap were something I would never have imagined, but it’s a fact. I can’t easily explain how it works, I assume because you’re not constantly having to reposition your legs for shifting and braking. I rode more on the balls of my feet than ever before, rather than the arches to accommodate reaching the pedal and lever. I even had to reposition my feet to keep them from going to sleep from being in the same position for so long. I’ve never heard anyone mention this issue before, but it’s huge.

There has been some similar discussion on other threads about no clutch and controls. I hadn't thought of the entirety of the controls as you have pointed out but yes it is a huge advantage IMHO. The amount you can focus on riding and riding technique is big I think, it was a huge pleasant surprise for me. I thought I would be losing some control without a clutch. The opposite was true I gained more control!!!

As has been mentioned before and elsewhere on these threads, one thing that is missing is neutral or some kind of disengagement. You will learn this the first time you have to push your Stark, it is like pushing an ICE bike stuck in gear and having to use the clutch to push it back to the truck (think 70s Bultaco Pursang...).

Anyway glad to see you got your bike old friend, overall you will love it, I sure am enjoying mine...

 

[Johnny Depp]

There has been some similar discussion on other threads about no clutch and controls. I hadn't thought of the entirety of the controls as you have pointed out but yes it is a huge advantage IMHO. The amount you can focus on riding and riding technique is big I think, it was a huge pleasant surprise for me. I thought I would be losing some control without a clutch. The opposite was true I gained more control!!!

As has been mentioned before and elsewhere on these threads, one thing that is missing is neutral or some kind of disengagement. You will learn this the first time you have to push your Stark, it is like pushing an ICE bike stuck in gear and having to use the clutch to push it back to the truck (think 70s Bultaco Pursang...).

Anyway glad to see you got your bike old friend, overall you will love it, I sure am enjoying mine...

I have been loading up my pickup with the bike off, and it’s just a little more difficult than a gas bike. The inherent drag is why I am using zero regen, there’s still some rolling resistance.

 

[Johnny Depp]

The brain power is underestimated. Not only do you go from 2 hands and 2 feet to only 2 hands, but your left hand doesn’t have to cover any stalling risk, or adjust rpm to an appropriate position with a clutch. It’s like freeing your mind from 2/3 of its usual routine, and the ability to keep your feet in the optimal position greatly increases your body position and reduces physical exhaustion. People choosing the foot brake are missing out.

 

[Chaconne]

I have been loading up my pickup with the bike off, and it’s just a little more difficult than a gas bike. The inherent drag is why I am using zero regen, there’s still some rolling resistance.

I am loving the crawl and reverse for that (have you tried it? You control it from the power switch). Crawl is awsome in the gnarl too. It is locking so if you are stuck on hill or loading on your truck/carrier you can lock when you stop off throttle, it which gives perfect tension on the straps for loading and when stuck on a hill you can stop and not roll back.