Varg rider considering YZ conversion for less weight

[F451]

So, recent bikes I've owned:
2016 KTM 500XC-W, cut down for road racing
2019 KTM 150SX, MX'd and sumo'd

That 500 was every bit of 250lbs. The 150SX was about 200lbs ready to rock. You bet I could tell the difference between the two hefting them. Hefting a Stark onto a stand, felt like my 500 with heavy ass ice tires on it. I've also done the same test back to back at the dealer, a current 500EXC beside an EX, the EX was more to heft onto the stand, and that stupid sharp billet hand hold on the Varg doesn't help.

I fully believe the Varg doesn't 'feel' heavy when ridden, the 500 similarly hides it's weight well under way too, but I'm not fantasizing the difference in effort to lift one onto a stand vs the other.

We need a pic of that 500 in road race trim, sounds fun.

 

[Chaconne]

So, recent bikes I've owned:
2016 KTM 500XC-W, cut down for road racing
2019 KTM 150SX, MX'd and sumo'd

That 500 was every bit of 250lbs. The 150SX was about 200lbs ready to rock. You bet I could tell the difference between the two hefting them. Hefting a Stark onto a stand, felt like my 500 with heavy ass ice tires on it. I've also done the same test back to back at the dealer, a current 500EXC beside an EX, the EX was more to heft onto the stand, and that stupid sharp billet hand hold on the Varg doesn't help.

I fully believe the Varg doesn't 'feel' heavy when ridden, the 500 similarly hides it's weight well under way too, but I'm not fantasizing the difference in effort to lift one onto a stand vs the other.

Interesting. I have an MX-1 I rarely use that hand hold because it is stupid sharp like you say. But since Vargs are weighted toward the battery front it is far easier to steady the bike and use the rear tire to hoist it up on the stand. Easier on the back too since you can use your legs to lift it.

Sort of the same with my older WR450 but that bitch makes the Varg seem like a skinny chick...

 

[Erwin P]

That handle sure doesn't help in perceived weight. I'm considering grind them round a bit.

 

[Kurlon]

We need a pic of that 500 in road race trim, sounds fun.

Basic sumo setup, but road race spring rates instead of MX, rear was 95Nm spring, .5 up front, and little me at 155lbs. For those paying attention, the front end is 06 SMR with 8mm wider width clamps. Still have the forks. Raced on a 1.6mi road course. I had delusions of going sport bikeier, started working on a 'super mono' based on a 2016 250XC with a theory of a BRC 500 down the line:



Still have the modded R6 clamp setup that'll drop into a KTM frame, but didn't finish it because, I found other, dumber ideas...

 

[Kurlon]

Interesting. I have an MX-1 I rarely use that hand hold because it is stupid sharp like you say. But since Vargs are weighted toward the battery front it is far easier to steady the bike and use the rear tire to hoist it up on the stand. Easier on the back too since you can use your legs to lift it.

Sort of the same with my older WR450 but that bitch makes the Varg seem like a skinny chick...

My 150 I would do a variation of that, from the right side, lock the front brake, left hand grabbing way back under the fender, and lift and pivot on the front wheel to get onto the stand. I can't pull that off with the larger machines. I've done the rear wheel lift, sometimes get sketchy if the front forks decide today is the day they're going to twist on me.

 

[Erwin P]

I just ordered one with a sidestand...

 

[Moto 17]

Been lurking a bit and think I want to go down the DIY route to replace my Varg due to it's weight. I think I want to stick with electric after seeing how much more seat time I can get riding a woods loop from my house next to a sub division so instead of going back to gas to lighten it up I might DIY a YZ chassis or similar.

Rolling chassis/donor bike -
If you've gone through this, where did you search for one and how long/hard did you have to look until you found one? What should I expect to pay for a clean chassis (no engine or blown engine)?

E parts -
I've seen the predone conversion kits but if I can save a little money and possibly have a better setup for me then I'd go that route. I have a M.E. background and would be able to design my own mounts/brackets and get them made. I think I just need some help on component selection. It seems everyone uses the same QS138 motor, but there are several controllers and new ones/versions popping up all the time. I'd figure out the battery as a last step but would buy a pre made one. Not interested in battery building. I ride my Varg in 40hp so I figure any of the popular controller/battery setups would be work for me. Would this be a good setup? -

EBMX X9000 controller ($1200)
EBMX harness ($139)
QS138 70h v3 - buy from a US vendor or how much can I save buying overseas like alibaba?
Battery ($2500 to be determined)

So besides the donor bike and some customer mounts, am I looking at roughly $4500?

I love riding the Varg on the OHV trails but I'm starting to think it is too much to handle in tighter woods. Since I started riding a few years ago I pretty much only rode fast and flowy OHV trails where I average 25+mph, sometimes 28mph over a 20 minute loop. At those speeds I think the extra weight helps. It handled fine when I occasionally rode MX too.

Now I'm looking at doing some hare scrambles so I started practicing on those type of trails. Besides needing to practice more, I did drop the bike a few times coming out of muddy rutted turns and eventually threw out my lower back pretty bad when picking the bike up on an awkward muddy uphill section. I have pretty good arm strength but the awkward angle and terrain made me use poor technique picking it up. I pretty much never have to pick it up riding OHV trails. I imagine I'll be picking up the bike a few times in a 90+ minute hare scramble.

Just putting this thread out there to motivate me to find a rolling chassis and get started on this project. If I learn enough from it I will probably build an 85 conversoin for me son whose on a E5 now.

Yamaha is building an electric…they are working with electric motion out of France on some of the tech.

 

[Erwin P]

Yamaha is building an electric…they are working with electric motion out of France on some of the tech.

And yet we have seen nothing more than a gloryfied DIY project.