The high-performance electric road bike sector is in a parlous state sales-wise – but the off-road world has been more fertile ground for battery power. Oset’s electric trials bikes have been successful enough to earn a takeover by Triumph, and the Stark Varg MX bike has built on previous achievements by the likes of Alta. A short motocross race is well within the range capabilities of a modern battery pack, and many riders have taken to the instant drive, strong torque, and the absence of clutch and gearshifts for riding on the dirt. Stark’s Varg MX bike makes up to 80hp and is competitive against 450cc petrol machinery.
And now Stark has released a road-legal enduro version, the Varg EX, which comes with lights, indicators, a horn and a road homologation certificate. It has the same motor, which can produce a peak power output of 80hp, with a 7.2kW/h battery pack that gives a claimed running time of up to six hours and charges in two hours. All-up weight is just 120kg, the suspension is full-on KYB kit, and the brakes are Brembo. Slightly bizarrely, Stark says that the EX can be registered as an A1 licence machine since its “continuous” power output is less than 11kW/15bhp – a loophole in the rules that seems to favour electric machinery.
The Varg EX is available to order online now, priced at £10,900. Deliveries are expected to arrive in March 2025. www.starkfuture.com