Stark Future has recently unveiled its second model: the VARG EX. This is the road-approved Enduro version of the already available MX model – designed to conquer both the bitumen and the most challenging off-road terrain. Here’s what we know about this bike…
The Most Powerful Production Enduro Bike Available
Like the MX version – the EX model offers 80HP or 60HP variants. Both variants are road-approved meaning you can zip along the roads to your favourite track without worrying about getting a ticket from the cops. For Australian riders specifically – this opens up National Parks where only registered vehicles are permitted to ride. Think about ripping one of these around Fraser Island or Mebbin National Park! The road registration also opens up competition rides that include some road riding. Like the MX model The electric motor delivers instant torque and exhilarating acceleration, surpassing traditional gasoline-powered enduro bikes.
Road Approved: To make the EX model road approved – Stark had to add some key components – lights, indicators and a smart tail tidy for the license plate. Like the MX model – the styling of these additional features is sleek and minimal. The headlight and indicators are integrated into the small dirt bike face plate. The rear tail light and indicators are integrated into the tail/rear fender. While the rest of the bike looks pretty much the same as the MX model – there are some subtle changes on this second generation model.
More Battery Capacity/Range: The battery casing hasn’t changed from the MX model’s honeycomb magnesium casing – the density of the cells has improved meaning 20% more capacity rising to a total of 7.2kWh. That’s the same as the Zero FX and FXE models which output around 70km of highway range and 100kms of mixed riding. Charging time remains the same at 2 hours from a 240V connection. We’re not sure if the VARG EX will match Zero’s riding range on the FX and FXE models – the VARG is lighter but the motor is more powerful which may impact range for the throttle heavy.
Upgraded Controls: While the Android smartphone display hasn’t changed – the rider controls on the left of the bars are bigger to include indicator controls and a scroll button to control the screen on the fly. No sim card subscription required – mobile service is included in the handset making remote diagnosis a breeze for the Stark Support Team.
More Tyre Options
The EX model comes with way more tyre options than the MX model as standard – choose from Metzeler, Michelin or Pirellis in a number of different hardness and road ratings. Allowing you to dial the bike into the specific type of riding you are looking for. The standard soft Pirelli Scorpion tyres you get on the MX model handle amazingly but the knobbies don’t last long with that power at the back wheel. On harder surfaces like bitumen – you will be burning through soft tyres in no time. So having lots of different brands and options off the cuff makes a lot of sense for the EX model. At this stage we don’t know if the tubes will be the same crap ones that come with the MX model. We suggest replacing these with Dunlop heavy duty tubes before any of our customers ride their VARGs.
Disc Protectors
Protect your front and rear disc brakes with Stark’s sleek covers:
Titanium Footpegs and Bolts
Don’t want any corrosion on your brand new EX? Upgrade to Titanium Footpegs for an additional $300 and upgrade the bolts on the whole bike for $1,000 while shaving off 1kg from the bike overall weight. An expensive option but something VARG MX owners have been asking for. Our experience of the VARG footpegs is – they attract skin like no other peg we have experienced. Turning them even more lethal by upgrading to Titanium feels like you’re asking for trouble but each to their own! Alex and I have lost inches of skin from our shins just moving VARGs around the shop and in/out of the van so maybe we’re a bit jaded!
Gen 2 features
Some lucky VARG MX owners have already seen or have some of the Stark Gen 2 features. As the biggest Stark dealer in Australia – we have seen some of these features because we have replaced parts on Gen 1 bikes under warranty – and we were sent Gen 2 parts. The Brembo rear hand brake is an upgraded and redesigned brake made specifically for Stark. The drivetrain has had the large black plastic casing replaced with an aluminium one for better thermal properties and less cracking under severe heat. The charging port is smaller and less problematic. Finally the charging cable on the stand is longer – you don’t have to wrestle with it to reach the charging port on the VARG! There are probably other Gen 2 features we haven’t seen yet that will be coming on VARG MX bikes coming to Australia over the next few months.
When is the Stark VARG EX coming to Australia?
The first shipment of EX models is arriving in Australia in May 2025. Production has started and these Australian bikes will leave Spain in March.
Can I Reserve a Stark VARG EX Model in Australia?
Yes! You can preorder the EX model through AEMC here:
The Stark Dealer price is the same as buying directly from Stark on their website. Dealers can assemble, register, organise CTP, Roadworthys (where required – NSW for example) and sort out Stamp Duty. If you buy the EX model directly from Stark – it will arrive boxed and you will need to organise all of the aforementioned stuff yourself. Registering new motorcycles is a ballache – regardless of which State you are in so we would advise leaving this to the dealer. Rego/Stamp Duty/CTP is going to come to just under a grand in most Australian States. AEMC has sold out of bikes on our first shipment in May. Any new orders we receive are currently scheduled to receive their bikes on the second shipment in July 2025. We take a Refundable $1,000 deposit (admin and processing fees are not refundable) until your bike is ready to leave Spain. At which point we will let you know the order is going unconditional and the deposit becomes non-refundable. The balance due on your VARG EX is due before collection or delivery to your home.
Is the Stark VARG EX Road-Approved in Australia?
YES! Fully compliant and can be registered in any State in Australia.
Do I have to register the VARG EX?
No – you can just use the bike offroad and never register it. That’s your call – you just won’t be able to ride it on roads or in National Parks with no license plate.
Is the VARG EX LAMS Approved? [Updated]
Yes – Stark Australia have confirmed to us that the VARG EX will be LAMS Approved in QLD. We have not had confirmation about the other States in Australia but the VARG EX is under the continuous power threshold (25kWs) for LAMS in Australia.
Stark Future has confirmed the VARG EX is learner legal in Europe. We’re not quite sure how a 80HP/1036Nm Torque dirt bike is learner legal in Europe but hey – we don’t make the rules! Some Australian States are a little more conservative when it comes to LAMS approvals so we can’t see the VARG EX model being LAMS Approved in NSW, NT, TAS and SA based on the recent ruling with Zero Motorcycle’s electric range in those States.
Any other questions about the Stark VARG EX Model – please ask us in the comments section & we’ll add answers to this post