As posted by one of the Varg representatives:
Hi guys. I don't mean disrespect for Mark, but if you look back at his posts he's been pretty negative about the Varg. I would consider it borderline spreading FUD.
To reiterate, what I've stated on this, and other forums was the following (at the time the data was released by Stark);
1) I doubt the Varg will come within 15lbs of the advertised/predicted weight which was equivalent to a 2020/21 KTM 450.
2) I doubt the Varg will make full power for the duration of a 30 minute plus two laps on a MXGP track with a MXGP rider.
3) I doubt the Varg battery will make a 30 minute plus two laps on a MXGP track with a MXGP rider (kinda like #2).
4) I doubt the Varg battery will make a local Pro/A class race (20 minutes) in hot weather (100F plus) without thermal limiting/intervention.
5) I highly doubt the Varg will make the second moto after charging (without any external cooling tricks) of a local Pro/A class race (20 minutes) in hot weather (100F plus) without thermal limiting/intervention.
6) I'd be amazed if the Varg handles as good or better (as advertised) than any current MX bike as it's taken these mfgs years to perfect their chassis and one little change can alter the characteristics considerably (good and bad, look at the recent KTMs as an example).
7) I believe parts will be an issue for all the early deliveries until a network of fully inventoried dealerships/outlets are established. Remember the ridiculous prices asked and paid for the few parts Alta had available? It was literally a black market. Even in the mist of all the hype and sales, Alta didn't have any extra battery packs to sell regardless of how much you'd pay. And they weren't even exporting while Stark is based in and probably has allegiance to the European countries. The Alta at least used many KTM/aftermarket based parts as we all learned.
8) Any electronic issue will cause major downtime while service techs are trained and/or parts sent/returned from Europe. Frankly, even after a couple years Alta had no electronic repair capability outside the factory (and a few people like me).
9) That the Varg looked like a definite step (not leap) forward from the Alta. It would be faster, lighter and a better MX bike in general. However, in my opinion it would not be a "game changer" for those looking for significantly less weight and more range equivalent to a gas MX bike (maybe with the exception of the Suzuki, sorry Suzuki owners) unless it's used in a "putt putt" mode.
10) That the bike would be great for Vet racing and other "unclassified" categories. The lure for a young, up-and-coming B or A class rider will be limited to the open class if the racing organization even allows it. Any AMA sanctioned completion other than the Vet classes just isn't in the cards right now. If you're fast, under 25, and looking at LL's or Mammoth you don't have a choice. Plus, riding one of the big 6 (or 7/8) is the only way to get shop/aftermarket and/or factory support to help you with the cost of racing. The demographic and market are pretty slim right now. Alta faced the same dilemma, so they tried to push into markets even less tolerant to the limitations of electric. The beginning of the end.
HOWEVER - Soon we'll all be able to judge for ourselves. There'll be the initial "rush to be the first" test articles of course. When the Alta was released to the magazine folks, I don't remember reading a bad word. One of the reasons I was probably the first in SoCal to buy one. It was only after the "honeymoon period" that reports of limited range, thermal limiting, battery pack issues, parts availability problems, non-existent dealer service support, etc, started to leak its way onto social media. Only then it could be said, that buyers were truly informed consumers.
So, I'll revisit this post in six or eight months and see which of my predictions held true and where I was full of SH--! I've been known to be wrong before . . . . . . hopefully I'll be wrong more than I'm right in the case of the Varg.
Hi guys. I don't mean disrespect for Mark, but if you look back at his posts he's been pretty negative about the Varg. I would consider it borderline spreading FUD.
To reiterate, what I've stated on this, and other forums was the following (at the time the data was released by Stark);
1) I doubt the Varg will come within 15lbs of the advertised/predicted weight which was equivalent to a 2020/21 KTM 450.
2) I doubt the Varg will make full power for the duration of a 30 minute plus two laps on a MXGP track with a MXGP rider.
3) I doubt the Varg battery will make a 30 minute plus two laps on a MXGP track with a MXGP rider (kinda like #2).
4) I doubt the Varg battery will make a local Pro/A class race (20 minutes) in hot weather (100F plus) without thermal limiting/intervention.
5) I highly doubt the Varg will make the second moto after charging (without any external cooling tricks) of a local Pro/A class race (20 minutes) in hot weather (100F plus) without thermal limiting/intervention.
6) I'd be amazed if the Varg handles as good or better (as advertised) than any current MX bike as it's taken these mfgs years to perfect their chassis and one little change can alter the characteristics considerably (good and bad, look at the recent KTMs as an example).
7) I believe parts will be an issue for all the early deliveries until a network of fully inventoried dealerships/outlets are established. Remember the ridiculous prices asked and paid for the few parts Alta had available? It was literally a black market. Even in the mist of all the hype and sales, Alta didn't have any extra battery packs to sell regardless of how much you'd pay. And they weren't even exporting while Stark is based in and probably has allegiance to the European countries. The Alta at least used many KTM/aftermarket based parts as we all learned.
8) Any electronic issue will cause major downtime while service techs are trained and/or parts sent/returned from Europe. Frankly, even after a couple years Alta had no electronic repair capability outside the factory (and a few people like me).
9) That the Varg looked like a definite step (not leap) forward from the Alta. It would be faster, lighter and a better MX bike in general. However, in my opinion it would not be a "game changer" for those looking for significantly less weight and more range equivalent to a gas MX bike (maybe with the exception of the Suzuki, sorry Suzuki owners) unless it's used in a "putt putt" mode.
10) That the bike would be great for Vet racing and other "unclassified" categories. The lure for a young, up-and-coming B or A class rider will be limited to the open class if the racing organization even allows it. Any AMA sanctioned completion other than the Vet classes just isn't in the cards right now. If you're fast, under 25, and looking at LL's or Mammoth you don't have a choice. Plus, riding one of the big 6 (or 7/8) is the only way to get shop/aftermarket and/or factory support to help you with the cost of racing. The demographic and market are pretty slim right now. Alta faced the same dilemma, so they tried to push into markets even less tolerant to the limitations of electric. The beginning of the end.
HOWEVER - Soon we'll all be able to judge for ourselves. There'll be the initial "rush to be the first" test articles of course. When the Alta was released to the magazine folks, I don't remember reading a bad word. One of the reasons I was probably the first in SoCal to buy one. It was only after the "honeymoon period" that reports of limited range, thermal limiting, battery pack issues, parts availability problems, non-existent dealer service support, etc, started to leak its way onto social media. Only then it could be said, that buyers were truly informed consumers.
So, I'll revisit this post in six or eight months and see which of my predictions held true and where I was full of SH--! I've been known to be wrong before . . . . . . hopefully I'll be wrong more than I'm right in the case of the Varg.
