Is the Stark Varg electric dirt bike the real deal?

When the Stark Varg electric dirt bike was revealed in December 2021, the internet came to life as punters reacted with a mix of surprise, scepticism, and excitement. A day later, Stark Future claims it had reached US$9 million in pre-order sales – an almost unthinkable feat.

Of course, the electric dirt bike is not a new concept – the major manufacturers have been researching and developing for years, while start-up Alta had a red hot crack at becoming a market leader before its untimely demise.

But the new Stark Varg arrives at a time when the conversation around electric motorcycles is louder than ever. Alta was arguably ahead of its time, but Stark is looking to capitalise on a rapidly-changing motorcycle industry, and could spark a whole new era of motocross.

Related Reading:
High-tech Stark Varg electric dirt bike is headed for Australia in 2022
Six reasons why we should embrace electric motorcycles
FCAI says electric isn't the only solution

So is the Stark Varg the real deal? Well, some initial views were sceptical. There were doubts about Stark’s performance claims and even about the product’s authenticity. After all, only people within the company, and a select paid few outside, have seen the bike, let alone ridden it.

But with a media launch set to take place in the coming months, it appears that Stark is almost ready to put its money where its mouth is and prove the validity of the Varg. We’ll wait patiently until we can swing a leg over it, but in the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what it’s all about.

Stark Future is a new company founded by Anton Wass and Paul Soucy. As far as we can tell, Stark has no connection with any current or former motorcycle manufacturers. The company has Swedish roots, but is based just outside Barcelona.

Wass has a strong business pedigree, having co-founded Swedish motocross gear giant 24MX. He recently told the Gypsy Tales podcast that he wanted a new challenge after 11 years at the helm of 24MX, and subsequently started Stark as a way to help the motocross industry turn to sustainability.

In a short space of time, Stark Future has built a strong team that includes test riders Sebastian Tortelli and Josh Hill. Both of these high profile riders have thrown their full support behind the Varg. In a further vote of confidence, motocross legend and former KTM Australia boss, Jeff Leisk, has signed on as the brand’s National Sales Manager for Australia.

In his interview with Gypsy Tales, Wass said he had a desire to transform motorcycling into a sustainable industry. However he also said that he didn’t want electric motorcycles to be a “compromise”. Instead, he wants to build a bike that is considered superior than a petrol-powered machine in every aspect.

Wass believes that by creating a high-performance, high-tech motocross bike, punters will have no choice but to switch to electric. Further to that, Wass believes the Varg is already superior to a regular 450cc petrol-powered machine.

When it comes to sustainability, Wass indicated that an electric powertrain alone won’t be enough. He suggested that every aspect of the motorcycle – from bodywork and tyres, to chassis and suspension – must be environmentally-friendly. While Stark hasn't yet created a holistic sustainable motorcycle, he explained that was the goal.

The Varg is powered by an electric motor and battery that produces a claimed 80hp and Stark claims it is the “fastest motocross bike on the market”.

A paragraph on the Stark Future website explains the powertrain in more detail. “The Varg houses the most potent power-to-weight motor of any production motocross bike,” the website reads. “Developed and made in Europe, our carbon fibre sleeve motor runs on 360 nominal voltage, churning out 80hp and 9hp per kilogram. It also delivers an incredible 275 Nm of torque on the counter shaft and 938 Nm on the rear wheel.”

Other features include what Stark claims is the “world’s smallest inverter for 50-100kW power ranges” as well as a water-cooled motor case that forms part of the structural frame.

According to Stark, the 6kWh battery can allow up to 6 hours of “easy trail riding” or a “full moto at MXGP intensity”. The recharge time is claimed to be 1-2 hours.

In the tech department, Stark has created its own smartphone device and app which attaches to the bike's handlebar. The app allows you to adjust power curve, engine braking, virtual flywheel affect and traction control. It allows you to build 100 custom ride modes, with five readily available on the bike at the push of a button.

The Stark Varg Phone – which doubles as an actual Android smartphone – can display important data including lap times, map data, G-force, airtime, power consumption, and battery range.

The bike also features an “ultralight” tubular chromoly steel frame, and an aluminium subframe, carbon fibre front subframe and aluminium swingarm. Other components include KYB/Technical Touch suspension, Brembo brakes and Galfer discs, forged and CNC-machined wheels, and Pirelli MX32 tyres.

While the electric powertrain is innovative enough, Stark is hell-bent on improving motocross bikes in every department. The Varg includes an innovative rear-axle and swingarm setup which allows for simple and hassle-free chain adjustment. All it takes is one hex screwdriver and the same number of turns on each side of the axle. Another interesting innovation is the lightweight skid plate which features a low-density foam for high-impact absorption.

Perhaps the most intriguing part about the Varg is that is checks in at a cool $16,900AUD, which is just $1650 more than a 2022 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition and $255 less than a 2022 Husqvarna FE 501.

Yes, $16,900 is still a lot for a dirt bike, but is refreshingly affordable when you consider the huge price tags of many electric cars and road bikes.

With a name like Stark Future, it is safe to assume that the company is not going to rest on its laurels. In the Gypsy Tales interview, Wass revealed that, while the Varg is the immediate focus, an enduro version of the bike is next on the cards. He also revealed that the company has already started development on a range of street bikes.

Given the challenges faced by all electric motorcycles (i.e. battery range, charging times, lack of noise), Stark’s success is not entirely guaranteed. But if the claim of nearly 1000 presales in 24 hours is to be believed, then the brand is on the right track. The immediate issue will be building bikes quickly enough to meet the demand, especially with inevitable COVID-induced delays on sourcing parts. Wass has already admitted that a late delivery of the bikes is a possibility.

But if the Varg proves to live up to the hype, then it could could be the start of a rapid and significant shift for the dirt bike industry. First, we’ll likely see electric motocross bikes lining up alongside traditional 450s and 250s, before petrol-powered machines are completely outlawed.

We’ll also see riding and racing in previously-forbidden areas (like urban environments). Potentially, motocross tracks could become common in cities in the same way skateparks, MTB parks, and wave parks are.

Another key change will be the introduction of a whole new audience and clientele. Much like e-bikes have transformed the cycling world, electric bikes will attract punters who previously had no interest in the sound and smell of internal combustion engines.

We know that other manufacturers are in varying stages of development with electric motorcycles, but Stark’s success or failure will be a barometer for what happens next. Stay tuned.