Can the Stark Varg Complete a 50-Minute Grand Prix?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มี.ค. 2024
- We've been enjoying our Stark Future Varg electric motocross bike, and have learned a lot about how it works, performs, and more. Earlier this month, we were invited by the Dunlop Tire guys to test out the all-new AT82 off-road tires by being their guest at the second SRA Grand Prix of the year. Held at Glen Helen Raceway, the course encompassed the entire National MX track and REM Vet track, connecting them with the off-road ridges that meander up and down the mountains that surround the facility. The course also incorporated a couple of high-speed pavement sections as well as a wet creek bed that proved tricky to negotiate at speed. All told, it was a great layout to put the AT82 tires to the test, and we emerged completely impressed with the set. The front tire offers exceptional grip and comfort, while the bi-directional design of the rear offers great. mid- to soft-terrain traction in the direction we mounted it, and can be flipped reverse for superb hard-terrain traction.
When it came time to choose a steed for the race we were torn while making a decision. The KTM 300 SX worked amazingly well at the January SRA GP at Glen Helen so that was an option, but we've been enjoying the Stark Varg so much that it won out in the end. But would it last the entire race? We were concerned. With 80 horsepower at our fingertips, we've quickly realized that it's best to put ego aside and ride with a much lower power setting, as it is easier and safer to manage. In preparation for the race, we set all five maps to 100% regenerative engine braking to maximize battery charge during the race and set map 1 at 48 horsepower. After that, the maps went down proportionately, with maximum range in mind.
So, did the Stark Varg last the entire race? Press play to find out! - กีฬา
One of the best race videos I've ever watched. It felt like I was in the race! Looking forward even more now to getting my Varg next month!
You may want to rethink you regen strategy. Coasting with no regen is free extra range as the bike slows down less. I don’t know if it is possible to program it so you only get regen when you apply the brake but that’s how I have my Zero set up. No regen on closed throttle , 100% regen when I touch either brake.
I held my breath on each of those silent close encounters 🤙😛
Maybe that's why they won't let them race with the gassers ...dangerous AF.
It's not any different than racing MTB; you find a spot and you thread the needle. If someone moves over on you, just lean into them and let them eat shit. Their fault for not holding a line anyways,@@markmtbrider
So Don I can get 2 hours of hard riding at 35 HP on a more technical east style trails. Mostly 2nd, 3rd gear stuff on a gas bike. I've done this pretty consistently over the last couple months. The amount of wide open stretches you had at GH had to be draining it hard at 45 hp. Watching your speed I think you could have gotten away with 35 after that first lap. The bike will pull the top speed at lower HP settings but it has slower throttle response. I'm going to try a 1.5 hare scramble on mine soon. I'm going to use 40 hp for the start and 35 for most of the race and even a 25 hp setting if there are any 1st gear slow/tight sections. I know ARay so Ill shoot him a text on how it goes. I sponsored him on a Husky several years ago.
9:36 🎉 😂 just yelled "check that dude" he knew you were there😂
best racing i seen all year!!
Awesome finally showing the real battery life
I grew up racing (riding) SRA GPs! Great to see them still going strong!
Nice job, love the bell!
Haven’t ridden mine yet but already have the bell on it.
Nice ride, I enjoyed that.
I bet you'll be more aware of the mapping next time. You still did great and that was a real world test of what the Stark can actually do. Not bad, I'm impressed.
Planning to run mine (once I get delivery from 3Bros) and once I heal up from a little get off, in both SRA and NGPC, so this video is kind of invaluable. Glad you guys did it!
Awesome! Man, I’ve done two SRAs this year - my first in over a decade - and they are SO FUN!
looks like a lot of fun
Good to see SRA still racing real GP tracks!!
How did not having a clutch affect you?
Real world riding and racing on the Varg! Great video and insights into racing the stealthy Varg! You never said anything about how the bike worked for you: suspension, handling, did you ever get tired? Feel the weight? Seems like you were slicing through the pack and racing pretty well.
Great point. I should have mentioned that with my fork and shock softened up and rebound sped up, the Varg is easily the best handling bike I’ve ever raced in a GP. The “always in the perfect gear” aspect of the engine allowed the rear end to work magically in the rolling whoops and trail chop. Also - was not even close to being tired. Could have raced another three laps as the Varg is much less fatiguing. There is a lot to lack of vibration and noise!
@@swapmotolive. Thanks for the detailed feedback! I've ridden the Varg many times and always amazes me how easy and almost effortless it is to ride. Also really makes certain characteristics of ICE bikes (especially 4-strokes) really stand out like vibration, engine braking, and inertia. How cool is to to set the Varg at 10hp and let total beginners ride it or set it to 48hp and race a GP for 45 minutes! Looking forward to your next Swap Varg video!
Nice passes on the honda, these grand prix guys ride wild especially when you're bike is quite 👍
Found if I drop it to 40HP it's about the best for economy / HP. It will still pull a 450 & it's plenty fast / powerful enough ...plus being smooth n the Throttle helps
you are lying.... the 450 makes almost 20hp more and you are flat out lying.
When you blipped it going down that hill (MSH I think) to pass the guy in red.... I leaned back and said WHOA DO YOU HAVE THE BRAKES FOR THAT.....??? nice one
Need an air horn on that thing
It was cool to see real world track use against gas motors it appears the hype is real and the future looks good for both as it should because I believe in choices not forces, nice job!!
mixing gas vs. bell ringing what you picking?
both
The downhill pass was the best 🤘. They need a moto revving sound horn.
"Fuel" anxiety, possibility of injuring others, and being a road block, pretty much doesn't look like a fun experience to me in any way, shape, or form. At least in a competition setting. Otherwise looks like great fun!
Even though you record in 1080 render in 4k. YT won't ruin your once beautiful 1080p as bad.
Ah shit didn’t get roached? I exported it the same as my vlogs…
I've heard gearing down and getting rid of the crazy top end speed can help extend range Aswell. And depending where your riding less Regen may be better to coast then try and Regen. All things to try haven't seen solid data on it yet!
So many squids out there. It’s clear the no noise is a huge issue
Just to get this straight…so when Tortelli claimed he can do 40min MXGP pace he was straight out lying right? How is this supposed to finish an MXGP heat?
it has no chance on a real GP track - we like it deep so it will drown its power in no time - imagine it at Lommel or a wet French track, even matterley basin would kill it, also the FIM are simply not gonna have these PILES OF SHI7E racing in the class and rightly so, on danger grounds 1st and foremost - Seb is a legend but he drank too much stark juice when he said that, riding and testing on a hard track in spain and cali is not like running a real track when racing against real guys and he knows that more than 99.5% of us - it blew my mind when he said it, what a weird way to damage your reputation....
@@ogasi1798 guess everything is for sale. I like the bike, it’s by all accounts amazing to ride, but the company lies so much it should be grounds for fraud
@@ogasi1798 everything is for sale….I do like the bike, but the company lies so much it should be grounds for fraud
Damn straight he is lying… unless he entered a MXGP Pee Wee class…
He was using a lower hp setting
I'd really love to try one of these bikes, so curious to feel the pros and cons on one. I typically race in District 37, NHHA, Enduros and GPs so likely its not the ideal machine for my kind of competition but still fun to see how it feels, although being super lightweight I have to set up my boingers pretty soft compared to most people due to my lack of ballast! Nice ride bud.
When delivered , my wasted $14k Starks suspension was on the stiff side…. Be advised… better yet, save your money
@@WinifredMulvey Let me guess, you bought an MX bike for the woods and its the bike's fault.
Buddy of mine has a Stark, 17minutes on Sand track and done.. battery went flat, was fully charged.
Yup, seems like the going rate 😂
that bell is funny and cool
How did you think the suspension was?
This bike needs more cowbell.
Of all of the comments about noise, this one got me 😂
@@BilobateDrip I crack myself up 😆
Need to get a few mtb bells or a cow bell on that thing lol
needs more cowbell
Guys, listen up...if you're buying one to race more than a half hour, you'll be disappointed! I hate running any regeneration other than maybe 10% and horsepower in the mid-50s, so I can pop the front end up over logs, and whoops, but let me tell you this the bike is a work of art incredibly well made and you will be smiling from the minute you get on it until you park it! It's an absolute blast to ride! Just keep your best gas race bike for the longer races....you'll sleep better!
this sounds about right. no national level events with long motos or racing multiple classes at the local track, and you're fine. really the perfect vet, intermediate, or beginner bike in that sense (with all the programming options). not fit for the pounding a pro puts on the power train yet though. not that it matters as they're basically banned from pro-level stuff.
And what setting (if not "1") would you recommend for completing it? Map 3? Thanks!
He ran custom maps hightest level was only 48%
How many miles traveled?
Thanks Don for confirming my exact feelings after 2 weeks on my Stark..(A Level Racer in Florida) the Stark Farce is just that a FARCE… we have a nick named this bike : Stark “1 Pump Chump” Varq… wait until you hit the face of a double , or a whoop section, or a sand section, or any other technical section… and the bike goes into Limp Mode.… that’s when you $hit your pants..ask me how I know..
You also failed to mention that instead of concentrating on your lines, other racers or terrain, how much time you spent fixated on the battery level…
Luckily you survived the race and posed minimal danger to yourself and the other racers when the Stark went Limp. As side note, your day is done…can’t recharge the Stark in a timely manner or swap out the $8k battery….1 Pump Chump for sure… as for my Stark, it will sit in the corner until it hits CraigsList.. huge waste of $14k for a novelty ….
And lest we forget that Don programmed 4 different maps expecting the 1 Pump Chump will not finish the race under full power…. to limp over the finish line… how pathetic and horrifically dangerous, but wait there’s more., can’t rev up your “engine” when approaching/passing a fellow racer….thus the cute little bicycle bell to warn your fellow racers …….Another safety hazard…..
These are legitimate and valid safety concerns for anyone who shares a track with a Stark or rides a Stark ….
And for those who brag “its got 80 hp” …. It is totally useless horsepower , it’s great for 15 minutes at race pace.. otherwise just head to the local pub ..because thats where the 80 horsepower is most useful
What a whiner LOL
@@kurtheidelbach
Ok Kurt, pay for the Stark in FULL, because that is Starks policy, before they even build the bike for you…that is a true indicator of the cash poor position Stark finds itself in… as for my concerns…they are completely legitimate safety issues, unless ,like you, who takes pride in tearing up the trailer park on his clapped out TTR while sucking on a Bud Lite..
I wouldn't drop $14k on a bike with the intent of running 15-20 min motos 2-4x per day without first verifying that it could last the day for my intended use case. fwiw, the battery life is fine for B-riders and below at local races, which are ~5 lap or 10-15 min motos twice per day plus a few laps practice. anything more than that, and I'd say you're a paying beta tester.
@@daneg Thats why it's a free market. All kinds of info out there and all kinds of demos out there. All you have to do is plug them in between moto's. There are people currently running them in multiple classes on the same day LOL. Definitely, not a beta tester.
@@kurtheidelbach yeah. you (anyone racing one right now) kinda are. but that's cool. we can agree to disagree. I like them. they're not ready for the big time yet. but they're more than enough for what I'd want.
How long was the track and what was your average speed?
(Looked pretty fast and high speed eats battery.)
You lost one minute the last lap. If not you would've finished 3rd 🙂
You needed a loud horn! Beep Beep! Coming through! 🔊📢
That was a awesome video really exciting. Did you win the race ? I still don't know ?
Ha ha Ha ha. I started 12th, got into second on the last lap got into second on the last lap, but dropped to 8th when the bike went into limp mode
Can you clarify what map setup you think would have worked better for your range? I didn't understand you said you ran the whole race in the lowest settting with the highest regen which seems like it would get you the longest range.
I had the maps set like this:
1. 48 hp
2. 40 hp
3. 35 hp
4. 30 hp
5. 20 hp
I raced in map 1 the whole time. If I had NOT been a ding dong, and properly switched to a lower powered map after lap 2, I could have used less battery and finished the race more competitively.
@@swapmotolive. How long was one lap or what was your average speed?
I’ve watched many YT videos and this one has the shortest range of them all but at the same time it looked like the fastest one. It’s still a big question mark if a MX pro rider can go race speed for 35 min. + 2 laps?!
You are definitely needing that horn/bell/noise maker. You were the hazard out there.
Horn opted?
Aeesome race! Ive read a lot of comments with nothing but negative things to say. However, racing has gone through MANY changes. The tracks were once ruled by slow, heavy BSAs, Triumphs and the like. Some freaking dude shows up on a wonky two stroke????? Thats no race bike. History changed. After two stroke dominance comes some team racing a lone four stroke and inspite of the negativity history changes once again. NOW.....there is a new type of bike (and "I" think) HISTORY is about to change yet again!! Its inevitable. They WILL fix the battery issue. Back in the day people railed against battery drills over plug in.....NOW... they have pretty much figured it out and cordless IS the standard. I'm guessing the Varg (and other brands to come) will be no different. There WILL be old timers that go, "Back in the day, we couldn't finish a whole race on a charge....NOW...." ELECTRIC bikes are here and i think they'll be staying. More and more riding areas are gonna be limited by noise and pollution (i DON'T agree with it...but its what's coming) and people spending $10,000 on a "useless toy" will have laid the ground work for us buying what now works. Just my opinion.
2:57 getting left up hills😢
Something to test Don...
I find I get much better range with higher power and less engine brake. There is less modulation of the throttle. Think of zap/coast instead of throttling more and then have it instantly brake. On off, on off!
The regen on ebikes is more of a feel good than it is useful. As far as I'm concerned it's marketing BS.
They are not there yet. Waiting patiently for this possible e-revolution.
Awesome, thanks. But you need an air horn.
I got a 110 decibel usb charger horn on Amazon just for letting people know I’m there
They can't finish a 1.5 hr harescramble on a dry day.
Competing with those 450s at 48 hp just doesn’t cut it. In straight acceleration out of the corners the 450s pull away every time. Unfortunately pumping it up to 55 or 60 hp would further sap your range. I’ll wait a few years, when they get the range improved and weight down a bit,
Did you NOT look at your dash the entire race to see what mode you were in?
The aggressive you rode the better the bike went.
Baseball card in your spokes? or one of those rubber chickens you can shake at people?
A clown horn would of been cool. Lol
people not hearing you is an issue
Fun race but Don you need to sweep the corners in those long races theres one corner they really ate you up evertime I'm like noooo.😅
From my perspective, if you have to decrease power to make it last. Then it's not really capable.
I've said it more than once electric is not the future. However it does have its place in the market, and anything that requires going the distance, electric is not the right choice.
The electric bikes need a horn button to warn other racers they are there. We need a dull horn, not like standard car/motorcycle road horn
That 181 knew what he was doing, which answers my next question, some people are just assholes to electrics huh?
Id set it at 58 h.p. lol
Im sorry but that bike is almost a safety hazard in a race environment without the doughnut. Not one person knew you were behind them trying to pass but you did a great job trying to let them know and safely passing. It looks and sounds more stressful than racing should be though.
And how about some streamers for the handlebars
Man those turns feel slow in this vid.
Your future 25:17
Probably one of the reasons why they are going to have a separate class for EMX.
You can't hear them coming up behind you on a normal 450.
A simple horn set up would solve the no one can hear you problem
guessing no before watching the video. not on a stock battery at pro speed.
Should bumped the power up...250's run 40-50 HP and 450's run 50-60+ HP.
That hp is at peak rpm for a gas motor though. They are making more like 20 hp down low
Needs a horn
You need a horn
What a Joke 🤣Get back on a 2st
Damn sure wont finish a 2 HS race here in Ohio .... $15k plus novelty toy , and thats fine if you are into that....
You are $100% correct… ask me how I know…
@@WinifredMulvey Did you try one ?
Get rid of this environment destroying electric crap and yes I'm dead serious about the environment destruction
Clueless.
the future ? 🤣🤣🤣
Sweet?
If one of these bikes parks next to us and is running his generator all day, he's gonna get moved.
The same thought process as neighbours of MX tracks, funny as you are sitting on a 100dB screaming eagle for half an hour and then are complaining about a generator with less than 80dB 😂…don‘t bash on an alternative for our sport. This is plain stupid and short sighted
@@MrDeePanch
Bless your heart.
You'll get moved.
Prob not.
Definitely need some form of noisemaker, yelling doesnt work at all.
dangerous as was seen in the uk arenacross - stupidity allowing these on tracks with real bikes
@@ogasi1798 I disagree about the bs “real bike”, yes it needs to be able to be heard in a racing environment.
It is “real” in every way.
This video proves electric does not belong in competition racing! Got smoked off the line, and out of every turn gassers walk away! Also the guy you had a good block pass on passed you on the straight and was rev bombing you, meaning he wasn't even powering the bike leaving you behind!And what do you mean 50 minutes? That was only 30 minutes! Changing your mapping during a race would be technically cheating, you can't change out a carb during a race because that's an unfair advantage over the other racers!
why would stark waste so much money developing a bike that you cant even ride for an hour
PLease tell everyone here that gas bikes are dead! You can't compete with electric.
Who cares
Ninja 🥷
How about you be more honest........ You had it set at 50% and still didn't make it. Yeah sure it would have finished in 20hp mode.......... it would have made it 15min at 100%. THATS A JOKE OF A RANGE. Stop trying to hide the truth, The thing cant even do a 30min moto at full power. Its that simple.