Varg EX has different sound to Varg MX. EX howls more and is significantly louder

J

JJ2

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I have a Varg MX and an EX. The new EX has a distinctly different engine sound, it howls more and is louder. Especially audible at constant medium and higher revs.
It's definitely not the transmission or other noises.
Gearbox oil change after 3 hours, but still the identical howling sound. My MX is significantly quieter and more pleasant
Has anyone had similar experiences?
 
Hi JJ

Im in exactly same scenario as you I have one of the first varg mx and I have just taken delivery of my EX and I noticed the same .

Iv done a bit of research and there has been many improvement internally. I wouldn’t be alarmed by it. Iv also noticed a big difference in the regen force - which I really like. Bike feels surprisingly different , In a good way.

Iv just fitted supermoto wheels to mine , absolute animal on the road love it .

08D6FB6D-71A1-4BDE-9ECE-324421AE20F1.jpeg
 
I never thought I would have said or written these words, but I also find it too loud and would have preferred an even quieter howl...
Maybe it's on purpose so that the people around you can hear you better.
 
JJ2 said:
I have a Varg MX and an EX. The new EX has a distinctly different engine sound, it howls more and is louder. Especially audible at constant medium and higher revs.
It's definitely not the transmission or other noises.
Gearbox oil change after 3 hours, but still the identical howling sound. My MX is significantly quieter and more pleasant
Has anyone had similar experiences?
Click to expand...
Agreed. It’s worse than a howl. It’s an ear piercing scream most noticeable at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle at constant speed 25-35 mph. I contacted Stark and sent them the results of a decibel meter reading. It was recording 110+ decibels. They said that the bike should not be that loud and they sent me a new chain roller. No improvement. Riding single track technical trails you don’t notice it. But traveling on the road I’ll start wearing ear protection if they can’t address the problem.
 
I've got a lot buddies that all have EX's on order that are NOT gonna like this. Most have ridden my bike (2024 Alpha) and remark how loud the whine is.
 
Stark would like a sound video. I'll do it, I don't think it's that easy, it should be without wind noise. Or I don't do this when driving, but when stationary, maybe even just the engine without chain/drive. The howling occurs from about 3,000 revs
 
JJ2 said:
Stark would like a sound video. I'll do it, I don't think it's that easy, it should be without wind noise. Or I don't do this when driving, but when stationary, maybe even just the engine without chain/drive. The howling occurs from about 3,000 revs
Click to expand...
I sent them a video. The decibel meter was 110+. They sent me a chain roller. No improvement. The bike is fine in trails but at 30mph or so sustained speed it is ear piercing.
 
chrismx72 said:
Hi JJ

Im in exactly same scenario as you I have one of the first varg mx and I have just taken delivery of my EX and I noticed the same .

Iv done a bit of research and there has been many improvement internally. I wouldn’t be alarmed by it. Iv also noticed a big difference in the regen force - which I really like. Bike feels surprisingly different , In a good way.

Iv just fitted supermoto wheels to mine , absolute animal on the road love it .

View attachment 13877
Click to expand...

What kind of range are you getting on your EX while road riding? I've run SM wheels on my MX and was very disappointed with how far I could go at 65-70 mph.
 
FYR said:
Or, just CHECK gear oil. If there's nothing in there, I'm sure it would be loud. FYI, I run Mobil1 full synthetic 75w-90 and change my oil every 4 to 5 hours of riding.
Click to expand...
Wow isn't that s bit excessive? I mean great oil in car differentials etc lasts tens of thousands of miles.
 
Oil in both is new 75W90. Similar chain and gearing. should sound nearly same. But EX is louder. And smells a little burnt after a harder ride. I have to check again.
 
Vega said:
Oh really? Lol. No, just have 2 hours ATM.
Click to expand...

My first oil change was at 3hrs, 44min. The stuff that came out looked nothing at all like oil, it looked like melted ice-cream. You might want to consider being more proactive than I was, and invest in the liter I mentioned.
 
FYR said:
My first oil change was at 3hrs, 44min. The stuff that came out looked nothing at all like oil, it looked like melted ice-cream. You might want to consider being more proactive than I was, and invest in the liter I mentioned.
Click to expand...

Just ordered the oil. How are you getting the oil out, suction pump?

Besides frequently changing this gear oil and keeping the chain clean and lubed, anything else I need to worry about?
 
Vega said:
Just ordered the oil. How are you getting the oil out, suction pump?

Besides frequently changing this gear oil and keeping the chain clean and lubed, anything else I need to worry about?
Click to expand...
There’s a drain plug and a level plug.
See YouTube for Stark Future maintenance/repair videos.
 
Vega said:
Just ordered the oil. How are you getting the oil out, suction pump?

Besides frequently changing this gear oil and keeping the chain clean and lubed, anything else I need to worry about?
Click to expand...
Be careful with the drain plug if you have a bolt that only has a star, the aluminum is very soft and can easily strip. Some units seemed like they were over torqued from the factory too.

There were enough complaints that Stark changed the design and the newer design has both the star and a 13mm bolt head which is much better. I think they changed the design for Gen 2. So if you have a Gen 1 even a later model it will likely have the easy to strip version.
 
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