Stark Future, an electric motorcycle manufacturer started in 2019, has released details of its first motorcycle, the Stark Varg. The off-road bike was developed from the ground up with features that will no doubt appeal to a broad range of riders. It has competition-level chops for serious track riders, but can also be dialed back in a variety of ways for laid-back riders looking for more leisurely trail rides. The Varg’s claimed performance figures, range, weight, and chassis are also compelling selling points.
The company is currently taking reservations with the first bikes expected to go out sometime in the third quarter of 2022. MSRP starts at $11,900.
The Varg (Swedish for “strong wolf”) is powered by a lightweight carbon fiber sleeve motor producing 80 hp and a mind-boggling 691 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheel. The unit weighs only 19 pounds and features a water-cooled case and Stark Future’s proprietary inverter, which the company claims is the world’s smallest for 50–100kW ranges. The 6 kWh battery pack is designed in a “flying-V” configuration to optimize weight distribution and uses an air-cooled magnesium case and patent-pending internal honeycomb structure. Stark claims a fully charged battery pack will complete a full MXGP moto or up to six hours of easy trail riding, with the battery providing operational capacity comparable to a full tank of gas on a 450cc MX bike. A full charge is said to take between 1–2 hours.
Riders will have the ability to dial in more than 100 different ride mode configurations on the Varg. The instrument panel, which is a detachable Stark Varg smartphone, comes equipped with the Stark Varg app; this will allow riders to adjust the power curve, engine-braking, traction control, and the virtual flywheel effect. They’ll be able to set five preferred modes and have them instantly available at the press of a button on the handlebar. One mode, for example, can be set to mimic the power output of a 125cc two-stroke, while another can be set to mimic the power output of a 450cc four-stroke, and so on. The app also tracks ride data such as lap times, G-force, speed, air time, and power consumption. GPS navigation is also available. Riders can snag a SIM card for the unit and use it off bike as a normal smartphone, or download the Varg app to their existing Android or iOS device and use that instead.
Designers used chromoly steel to create what Stark claims is the world’s lightest motocross frame. An aluminum subframe is made from straight tubular pipe with forged connections. The mid-mount linkage bracket on the swingarm is set higher than on other MX bikes to allow for 2.3 inches more ground clearance. Through study of competitors’ frames, Stark designers were able to optimize lateral, torsional, and vertical flex to provide as stable and composed a ride as possible. They also prioritized a low center of gravity to make the 242-pound machine feel even lighter on the trail or track. And finally, the frame design supports minimalistic bodywork that optimizes airflow to the battery pack.
The Varg’s suspension hardware is developed in partnership with Kayaba and Technical Touch. Galfer discs are gripped by Brembo calipers and the bike rolls on forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Pirelli MX32 tires. Machined stainless steel footpegs are touted as the lightest on the market and are more than 20 percent stronger than pegs used on competitors’ bikes.
Stark also developed a clicking chain adjuster, making it possible for riders to easily make precise adjustments with just one hex wrench. They created a flush rear axle nut and a skid plate that incorporates low-density foam to help absorb and disperse impact forces.
The Varg is stripped-down and minimalistic, and its bodywork contributes to the bike’s light weight with its internal hexagonal design.
Two variations will be available, one with 60 max horsepower and the other reaching 80 hp. Both options will be available in Stark Red, Forest Grey, and Snow White colorways.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com