Stark Future is one of those companies that came out of nowhere and then just exploded onto the scene, taking everyone by surprise, and actually bolstering the hype with real-world execution. The company not only delivered a real, flesh-and-aluminum motorcycle, but it also works and has made it into customer hands. It's also already profitable.
And in today's electric motorcycle startup world, that's not always the case...cough, cough, Damon, cough.
The company has subsequently launched the Stark Varg EX, a more enduro-focused model, the same I rode on my trip into Montana's backcountry. A supermoto version is also planned for launch sometime in the near future. But the motorcycle that made Stark already profitable is the one that started it all, the Stark Varg MX, the motocross dirt bike that's been banned from FIM and the X-Games because, well, they were too competitive.
Yet, while the MX couldn't ever be called long-in-the-tooth, the company is already releasing the next version of the MX with a handful of upgrades to make it even better than before, including extending its range. Say hello to the Stark Varg MX 1.2.
The headline update is one that Stark Future made to the Varg MX's battery pack, as according to the company, the new 7.2 kWh pack in the MX 1.2 has an additional 20% of range thanks to some improvements the company's made since launch, and being just bigger than the original 6.5 kWh pack.
Range, however, will obviously depend on a variety of variables, including what horsepower you set the bike at, the terrain you're tackling, and whether you've lit your butt on fire and are decimating some local youth motocross track making all the youngsters cry. Who am I kidding, even with 80 horsepower those kids will still likely smoke this near 40-year-old with bones that crack like glowsticks.
In practical terms, the original Stark Varg MX offered around 6 hours of riding time, or around 50-70 miles. An additional 20% to that won't mean a lot in terms of mileage if you've got that motorcycle on the 60-80 horsepower settings, but if you're tootling around in the 30-50 horsepower range, you're going a bit further on your adventures or rides at the track. And that's good for adoption, because people do indeed care about range.
Elsewhere, you get a new chassis design that's lighter and stronger than the original, an overmolded wiring harness so nothing can affect its operations (although, I went through a full on river without issue), a new dual-compound skid plate, a redesigned chain guide for better stiffness, a lighter and more efficient gearbox, some slight modifications to the front fork inner tubes, and an updated Arkenstone, the Android-based infotainment display that you control the motorcycle with.
The last upgrade also nets you Stark Future's new Laps feature, which can "track GPS lap times and navigate new terrain."
This all sounds pretty freakin' rad in my opinion, as the Stark I rode and continue to ride in my backyard with my kids, has been one of those motorcycles I don't really want to give up once it's time to go back to Spain. Longer-lasting power and a host of other upgrades to a bike I felt was already good seems like a win/win. My only counter to all these upgrades is one I encountered while riding in Montana, and that's Stark needs to update the design of the optional kickstand.
See, I broke it, but that's more because the bracket has this thin piece of metal separate from the main point of contact. It's lightweight, sure, but that joint snapped. A slightly thicker design would solve that instantly.
As for price, you're looking at a base price of $12,490* for the 60 horsepower model, and $13,490*. You'll not the asterisk on both of those MSRPs and that's because of the Trump Administration's tariffs, which will add an additional $1,000. But even then, based on my experience so far, this is one capable-ass electric dirt bike, one that I'll be sad to see leave once my tenure with it is over.
But there might be a plan in place to have one final wild adventure with the Stark Varg EX before it leaves my care. One that you'll have to stay tuned for in the coming months. It's one for the books is all I'll say.
