2025 Stark Future Varg EX First Look

Stark Future just announced its second electric off-road motorcycle: the 2025 Varg EX. Actually, it’s an on- and off-road bike. While the first model from Stark was a game-changing motocrosser, now the brand is looking to do the same with a dual sport/enduro model. There’s more range while providing the same amount of tunable power, enduro-specific equipment, lighting, and a new Stark-designed smartphone/dash.

“The Varg EX embodies everything we stand for at Stark Future,” said Anton Wass, CEO and founder of Stark Future. “It’s designed to challenge and inspire the motorcycle industry to embrace sustainability by proving that electric technology can outperform gas in every aspect. With the Varg EX, we’re creating a bike that opens up new possibilities for riders, whether it’s conquering trails, commuting through the city, or simply riding anywhere, anytime.”

While similar to the Stark MX, the EX features a revised steel frame with the motor as a stressed member that has less vertical rigidity in the rear section for better traction and plushness. The front section of the frame has more lateral flex for improved cornering handling and control. Kayaba suspension components include a 48mm closed-cartridge fork with 300mm (11.8 inches) of travel. The rear is a linkage design that Stark says gives 60mm (2.4 inches) more ground clearance than a KTM linkage model. The KYB piggyback monoshock has high- and low-speed compression, rebound, and preload adjustment, moving the rear wheel through 300mm (11.8 inches). An 18-inch rear wheel and 21-inch front are standard with machined billet hubs. Stark says there will be a choice of five tires when ordering the Varg EX.

Of course an enduro or dual sport motorcycle needs lighting, and the Varg EX features a headlight with 4,000 lumens. Stark Future claims that it is three times as bright as the competition. Integrated turn signals are constructed out of silicone; unfortunately US models will have additional turn-signal stalks to comply with DOT regulations. The rear taillight is also LED and resides in a flexible rear fender extension and license plate holder that is flexible to deter cracking. A horn is also standard equipment. Stark says the Varg EX will be road-legal in “Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the USA.” Stark elaborated with: “The Varg EX has been homologated to general US road standards, ensuring compliance for use in the United States.”

Braking is by Brembo with a 260mm front disc and dual-piston caliper and a single-piston rear caliper squeezing a 220mm disc. Varg EX models in the United States will come with a rear foot brake as standard due to DOT requirements, but Stark will be including a hand-operated rear brake unit free of charge.

Protection from the harsh realities of enduro have also been added to the Varg EX. Hand guards are integrated into the brake master cylinders to reduce parts and cut weight. An aluminum sharkfin rear brake rotor protector is new as is a beefed-up chain guide that is 266 percent stronger than the unit on the Varg MX.

Both the dual-density foam backed skid plate and front rotor guard are made of Stark’s Bio PU plastic. When the plastic is scraped, the microplastics left behind will easily biodegrade, reducing plastic waste left on the trail. When asked about the skid plate and brake guard’s longevity, Stark says that as a whole the units are strong and would take a very long time to degrade if left in the elements. Stark Future Director of Brand Communications Benjamin Cobb said to think of the parts as a block of ice and the microplastics as ice chips or snowflakes, one melts quickly while the other lasts a long time.

Weight is a claimed 264.6 pounds (120 kilograms), with radiator fluid and gear oil.

With 80 hp maximum power, the Varg EX is the most powerful enduro available. There is also a 60 hp version at a reduced price. The Alpha (80 hp) Varg EX is $13,900 and the Standard (60 hp) model is $12,900. Both models use a PMAC electric motor with a single speed. Power can be adjusted to horsepower levels between 10 and 80 hp, and there are five modes that are switchable on the left handlebar switch. Stark has also added a crawl and reverse mode.

Stark has increased the Varg EX’s range over the MX by 20 percent with more battery capacity with the same size and weight. The new Honeycomb magnesium has 7.2kWh versus the MX’s 6.5kWh. Official range or riding time varies widely with a claimed 1.3 to seven hours of off-roading. Speed, weight, and surface play heavily into that riding time. On the MX version we’ve seen the 6.5kWh battery last around 40 minutes on a GP track to five hours on hard enduro. Actual mileage is tough to estimate with the given time doing some math, 60 to 70 miles seems reasonable.

Recharge time is claimed at two hours on 240V using the charging stand.

The Varg EX is equipped with a new Stark Future-developed and -built military-grade smartphone called the Arkenstone. Previously the Varg MX used a phone that was licensed to Stark as the display. This new phone is larger, more secure, and has more features besides the adjustment of power, engine (motor?) braking, regenerative braking, and map selection. With the Arkenstone, GPS navigation is standard. You can record your trail and another Varg EX rider can follow your trail if shared to them. And after you’re done riding you can make a call or send a text.

With that new capacity of the Varg EX, it may now be possible to complete a GP, GNCC, or other enduro-type racing events on a battery. In fact, Stark Future hard enduro racer Eddie Karlsson won the 2024 Battle of Vikings Extreme Enduro on a Stark MX setup for enduro with 30 percent left on the battery after two hours and 20 minutes of racing. What power level and regen setting is unknown. At longer, more extreme events like Red Bull Los Andes, he required a battery swap to finish, but he still finished on the podium, third overall.

Will the Stark Future Varg EX be a game-changer for enduro, Stark, and electric motorcycles? The specs look promising, and if the success of the Varg MX is any indication, expect to see the Varg EX at your local trails soon. Bikes will go on sale the first part of 2025.