I've been dying to get my hands on a Stark Varg, the all-electric dirt bike that has taken the world by storm, as everyone who's ridden one has come away with the same expletive-filled approvals. They usually involve saying, "WTF, how is this so good?" all while having the same manic smile plastered across their faces.
80 electric horsepower in a 250cc package tends to do that to you. Or so I'm told.
But the one motorcycle I've been waiting for Stark Future to build is a street-legal enduro bike. A motorcycle that I could take on some backcountry single track, go hunting or scouting, or use to engage in some off-road shenanigans. Something with a headlight for when the sun inevitably sinks below the horizon. Welp, my prayers have been answered.
Say hello to the Stark Varg EX.
What's cool about the Varg EX is that, essentially, it's just a Varg with a number plate and lights. Nothing else has really been changed on the base dirt bike that everyone can't shut up about. It still claims 80 horsepower from its 7.2 kWh honeycomb magnesium battery. The one thing Stark did change, however, was to tune it to deliver 20 percent more range than the motocrosser, which translates to a max 6 hours of riding in certain modes.
Charging, however, only takes two hours via a 240v outlet. [So it's claimed, anyway.jj]
According to Stark, the Varg EX will be legal in multiple locales, stating, "Riders can legally take it on the
streets in countries across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the United States. With A1 license compatibility and even car-license accessibility in Southern Europe, the VARG EX is set to broaden the appeal of Enduro riding."
That's in large part due to the addition of a 4,000-lumen headlight, indicators and brake lights, as well as Stark's new "Arkenstone" display. This bit is Android-powered, and gives you navigation, turn-by-turn GPS trail recording, access to the bike's modes, engine braking, and regenerative brake settings, as well as "community sharing options to upload and follow rider trails." Neat.
Stark will also let customers personalize their Varg EXs with a host of add-ons, including titanium footpegs, bolts, and shafts to reduce weight, five tire options covering both tube and tubeless, Brembo brakes, and adjustable handlebars and foot pegs. Likewise, you can either get the base Varg EX with 60 horsepower or the Alpha with the full 80 horsepower. You know which one I'd get.
According to Stark's CEO and Founder Anton Wass, "The VARG EX embodies everything we stand for at Stark Future. It’s designed to challenge and inspire the motorcycle industry to embrace sustainability by proving that electric technology can outperform gas in every aspect. With the VARG EX, we’re creating a bike that opens up new possibilities for riders, whether it’s conquering trails, commuting through the city, or simply riding anywhere, anytime."
As for price, the Standard Varg EX will set you back $12,900. The Alpha version costs another $1,000 on top of that, for a total price of $13,900. Pre-orders are now open, and I'm having a real hard time not grabbing one myself. As I've spoken about in the past, the best place for electric motorcycles is the dirt, and this looks possibly perfect for what I do and love.
I really need to get on one ASAP.
