Guys... this isn't a full review. It's just a first ride. I'm still developing my thoughts about it. It will be an evolving process. It's my process. I'll have the bike until at least June. Look for a full review at that time. Until then, it's just gonna be ride footage and some thoughts here and there. That's how I've done this gig for 10 years now. I don't do "reviews" on bikes that I own until I've had them for a long time. I'm just telling you what I'm thinking about in the moment. You can go listen to my podcast if you want more of thoughts about it as of this date (march 23rd 2024). Thanks for watching and leave a single track!
I totally get it Kyle. And I am eagerly awaiting the full review. I can’t say I’m totally against electric. And I’ll reserve my judgement until you have completed the review. However, my gut tells me electric is utopian boondoggle. And I’m not directing this at you at all. Just my overall thoughts about electric. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for it. But I don’t think it’s enduro. I hope you prove me wrong.
2 stroke, four stroke, electric, 3 stroke. The reason we ride is for the fun. This looks like a fun bike. Yes range is a concern but all that matters is that you DO ride, not WHAT you ride. Ride on brotha!!!
So you go on your first ride and you start with low battery, you go on trails your not familiar with, and you dont soften up the suspension clickers.......... great review.
50 hp 50% man there is so much about electric that is so cool but at the same time you run out of battery 5 miles form the truck. there is no strap alittle battery to your fender! eventually they will come up with some bost box to get you back but i think ill stay with my yz 250 for now! love the content on the stark though its a alsome bike. just not for my style. great vids keep them coming!
I think there is a trade off as with a gas engine there is more to go wrong unexpectedly where if you know the range of the ebike you are pretty sure to not have an powertrain failure. An unexpected dead battery on a modern ICE bike will leave you stranded as well.
Part of what I find really fun about riding dirt bikes is regulating the power with the clutch and gearbox. I think this is why small displacement bikes are so much fun to ride. I wonder if I'd loose interest with only one input (throttle). I'm sure this is a solvable problem with electric dirt bikes but I haven't seen the solution yet.
Yeah theres even a chinese emoto with a clutch and a 4 speed transmission but it sucks listening to every review 😂 just because its low quality. I dont mind not having gears but I would want a clutch
The hand brake is better for proper riding position and more efficiency. The foot brake is better for habit transfer as the majority of people that own E bikes own ICE bikes as well.
I am glad you decided to review the Stark. I would be interested to see how you feel about the suspension on the trails once it is fully broken in and with the clickers opened up a bit on the compression side of things.
Very cool Kyle, look forward to seeing more videos on this. I'm not a big fan of the electric stuff mainly because of the range and cost but I would definitely love ride one.
Someday they will have charging stations out in the wilderness for all apparatus. Lol. Can’t wait to put a solar panel on my helmet. That would be so cool lol. and not serious.
Kyle. Lifetime subscriber here. I’ve watched almost everyone of your videos. You look smoother, faster, and quicker on every bike except for this one. You also rode very flat terrain on this bike. The tech is t there yet with the battery power. Good start but we’re not ready to have this tech forced on us. 250 two-smoke would have murdered this bike.
So dumb . Go watch the endless videos of reviews of this bike and people saying they are faster on the varg ! Kyle rides 1/4 throttle everywhere and doesn’t push any kind of pace that being the bike I or play as a factor … these things have crazy power available at any point in time with no delay . Are more plantes from the extra weight and feel lighter due to having less engine inertia ! I know because I raced a 450 the last 3 years and no have a varg . There’s no comparison. Kyle is trying not to praise them too much and piss of his narrow minded “old guys” fan base
@@erict5172 every one of his entire videos is coasting along . Not saying he’s a bad rider he looks like he’s not even trying that my point . Most riders will open bike up at each possibility on straights between corners and he just cruises along 1/4 throttle and doesn’t even try to push a bit faster. Hours can a guy film 100s of 20m long videos and never be full throttle once in any of them ? It’s just strange
If they can ever figure out the range issues, they'll be fun, but I want lights, and obviously enduro suspension. But I like to explore, which is why sleds are still my favorite. Maybe they should be trying to figure out a hybrid.
Range is going to be an issue. Based on what Kyle indicated, it appears the bike lost 30% of its charge in just a few miles. This bike would not be good for a day of trail riding. We typically go 80-100 miles in a day and from what I gather it won't make it 30 miles on a single charge?
I think it depends on the type of trail riding. If it's tighter and more technical, I bet the Stark would last as long as you need. But the stuff shown on this video is all wide open riding. I think a motocross 450 geared properly with a larger fuel tank would be way more suitable for this type of riding.
The way i ride that dash would last about 5 minutes. If I can’t ride all day with a 5 minute pit stop every 3 or 4 hours I’m out. It would be cool for fooling around behind your house or in place you’re not supposed to ride.
Hey in your opinion what tire would you recommend for arizona riding where i would be riding some open desert, washes, and some hard enduro type stuff? i preferably want a tire that will last so i’m willing to lose a little performance for a more wear resistant tire.
Cool to see another off road test on the Varg. I’m here in Page, AZ for the AMA Hard Enduro and pro rider Max Gerston did his course preview on the Varg which I thought was cool. Check it out if you want to see the bike ridden in hard enduro terrain. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HOV8cq81NDo.htmlsi=40biqAItg1occjbI
The battery life on that is so incredibly short. You wouldnt have used even a gallon of gas yet. Looks fun but that battery life seems like a really huge con for most of the people on the market and thats kind of a shame i like the idea guess we just aren't there yet.
I struggled watching the whole video and had to skip threw a lot of it because of the noise the Stark makes when in motion unfortunately. At this stage I am pretty sure I am going to cancel my order after waiting so long. Think electric will have to advance a lot more before I give it a try. Sincerely hope that everyone that bought one so far is happy with the purchase.
You’re crazy if you cancel your order . I got mine a few weeks ago and it’s literally mind blowing! Can’t even describe how good it is you have to ride one . I’ve had friends jump on mine and get off speechless . Smoothest best power delivery you can imagine and no messing with gears or a clutch or a foot brake frees up so much brain power for actually riding !
This thing is gonna give that coming to Jesus moment cruiser riders have when they get on a liter bike. Sure, a Dyna with some bolt ons is quick enough. 90 hp and 110lb-ft of torque is nothing to sneeze at. It doesn't mean anything the first time you get on a Hamamatsu Hurricane that does 90mph in first gear and is pushing your eyeballs into your skull all the way to 190. I have no doubt once they break into racing everyone and their mother who wants to win MX/SX is gonna be riding one.
@@patw9175 you really want to pay to listen to these screech around the track?...missing out on the noise and smell of the race fuel. No thanks I'll keep my money.
@@KTMsoldier1988 being a race dad, and having been at tracks with the E5 bike races, you can be next to the gate and still miss the start...unlike the huge build up from 22 bikes wot...it wont be the same, and any attempt to add fake sounds will just fall flat.
The sound of that thing is terrible, and the lousy range is a major no for me. I will stick with the gas powered bikes. Hard to carry a extra can of electricity with you to get back from your ride.
If you ride long days on trails it’s not the bike for you but if you get the opportunity have a ride of one you’ll be shocked I promise you. More power than you’ve even felt on a dirtbike and it’s not even close . And smoother than anything you’ve ridden too
Sorry Kyle, but I am not impressed at all. Suspenion doesn’t seem to work all that good for sure. Then there is the darn ‘slot car’ sound that is sooo annoying. On this deeper whoops, try blipping the throttle and keep the front light and you’ll roll right over them a lot easier. It takes practice no doubt. I raced open class in the AMA D-38 for over 20 yrs. Now it’s just trails, and the off road cow trailing. I am mid 60’s and an amputee (right leg BKA). Great Vid though.
Please get into some terrain where tractability can be judged. 4T bikes hook-up better than 2-T bikes and I’m concerned that that an e-bike, especially with no clutch, might just uselessly spin at times…. Think mud and slippery rocks and slippery logs.
I got my vaeg a few weeks ago and I’ve been out and ridden right hard enduro forest trails and I can tell you . The tracking and ability to control the rear wheel is absolutely light years ahead of a gas bike . The lower delivery is so much smoother than you won’t be able to comprehend it till you ride one . Climbing steep hills and not having to mess with a cutch when things get nasty made it so much easier to focus on actually hitting lines and keeping balance etc . I’ve ridden mine in motocross also trials and it’s better than my 450 in every single aspect . i also had questions about wheel spin but was so pleasantly surprised .
If I had to listen to that thing because it was all we are allowed to ride in the future I would quit riding off-road after 41 years Give me a internal combustion engine please 2or4 stroke it doesn’t matter
Yeah, nobody has ever made the comment before 🤦♂🤦♂. Let's see I've ridden for 40 yeas and never run out of gas. What kind of other totally stupid comments do you have?
This is the same crybaby with the video about having to pay for his "custom" built to his spec varg upfront before it ships..... ever custom build a pc? You pay for it up front and can easy be in the 6k range for just a pc. Complains about battery right off the rip... did you do the updates? Did you top the battery off? Must be new to battery life, they rebound after use and at times will give higher than actual capacity until load is put on them. I ran 4 20min 40hp loops single track and was at 77 starting at 100. You want to hate this bike so bad its comical.
@@wickedmotorsport I watched it some time ago but I guess he's not allowed to change his mind?? Like Kyle I wouldn't have paid for it up front either but I also have never bought a custom PC either so I guess we are both crybabies... Battery complaints are valid with all electric bikes as well as cars and trucks. I've already been hearing these bikes are struggling to do 2 hour enduros and GNCC, not sure if it's true or not. This was his first video on the bike, why don't you hang around and see what he thinks after owning one for a while? I personally would be very leary of riding an electric bike where he rides in Utah unless I knew FOR SURE what kind of range it has. You can always carry some extra fuel, can't really strap a generator to your fender.
Great video, I'd love to see another vid showing how it handles on more technical single track Curious how it is getting over logs or trying to pivot turn without a clutch
As tacky as this may sound (pun intended) it feels like you ride a dirt bike partially bc of the sound 💁 Could you imagine going to a SX or Motocross event with all EV? 😂😂
Yes, I've watched plenty of all electric motocross races and they are fantastic. Never once have I or anyone of the audience around said man! I sure wish it was noisier around here. 🤦♂🤦♂. Some people are actually focused on the actual racing.
As tacky as this may sound (pun intended), why do you think so many tracks get shut down? Because of the noise and localized pollution. If you love riding, EV bikes may very well save the sport. Think about that.
@@easternyellowjacket276 Yes, you don't have to buy one as they are not for everyone but if you don't support E bikes you truly don't support the growth of the sport. I watch youth getting seat time everyday while I have to wait for weekends to drive hours to ride.
Hello Kyle for England, I love the fact your doing this and can tell you immediately after years of following/watching your trail rides....I HATE the screeching noise, it gave me a headache...It makes me realise how awesome and part of MY riding experience actually is the EXHAUST sound, I have 250 Husky 2stroke and Yamaha 250 4 stroke-theyre BOTH better on the ears, than the whiney electric motor, period. I admire the technology [altho, electric cars were about in 1900's] but to mine, they are SOUL LESS and I reckon, I'd get as close to any electric bike as to my washing machine ! Whereas I genuinely LOVE my petroled powered 2wheelers. K
Rode the Varg a bit. Say 30min total. Amazing bike, no question. But in my oppinion, boring. And like your into, soulless. Screw that. Many say its the future and all that, maybe it is. But if so it´s the end for many. They say its the same when "we" went into 4strokes. And sure, in some ways it is. But many left the sport with it. Its become more expensive for one, not the same iconic sound, Me personaly I like 4 bangers and smokers... Anyway I think even more of it will die. It loses its soul and will be even more expensive. More expensive bike, need 2 batterys for race weeked? And a generator? And how much you get for a 4year old bike with 200hours + on it. Battery, lasts forever?
If I can ride all day at 40hp I’m a happy camper. I’d be happy with less time if I could carry a battery on my back. But I can’t. Feel like we are close and I’m happy companies like this are struggling through survival via early adopters while mainstream folks (hi) can’t financially justify it yet. Bikes(dirt and street) are where I think/hope electric can really shine. Both from an environmental and financial positive impact. But the range from this video alone is clearly not realistic for anyone outside of moto. This is the first video that unsold me and I’m happy it clearly showed this glaring problem for MY use case.
Don't you wear the beacon ? Or you just carry the control. They just seem so effortless and smooth. Fun for a while, then boring because l am a 2 stroke Motocross guy, that now rides off road /desert . The sound of a motor exhaust the smell and clicking gears is just irreplaceable .
It takes some time to get used to hearing the different sounds coming from the bike on electric because it's quiet. The chain, suspension, etc. Sounds like something is broke sometimes, but its just that usually all of that is overtaken and drowned out on an ICE bike. When I ride my EM, I think it's sounds loud with the motor, chain, suspension all slappin' around and all, but I've come up and scared the crap out of people not realizing that they can't hear you. Also have come up on wildlife several times as well. Out where you ride, you don't really benefit much from having a quiet bike, but in the NE, it's a huge advantage as no one can really hear you riding, and that is a good thing because of population density.
The bike looks great amd is surely a ton of fun, not to mention being able to custom-tailor your power delivery, but darn... I just can't see myself hearing that whine for 2 hours. My YZ125X sings to me, she talks to me... The electric engine noise sounds like the most annoying Fran Drescher-esque voice... like an Italian woman complaining all the time. So just for the noise... I'll pass.
People mad at electric as if it doesn't bring more people to the sport due to ease of riding, give us more riding spaces due to lack of noise and emissions, and it's gonna be way easier to have street legal e bikes lmao. Slap some lights, horn, and mirrors and there's literally no legal reason it can't be plated
Is this just south of Soldiers Pass? I’ve lived in EM for a year and have gotten pretty familiar with 5 mile but am starting to try and get more familiar with the Soldiers Pass area.
No you didn't...unless your name is Ty. I rode that trail with him, right after he cut it in the first time (I was the third bike ever on it...his were the first two)...
Probably fun to ride but I still think electric will ruin pro racing because not enough people will pay to go watch a stadium full of these. Plus what r they going to do? 40hp class? And 60hp class. Pretty much everyone will be on the same bike. The best suspension tuner wins! lol . Ok maybe not quite but you know what I’m saying
If a simple powerplant change makes you not watch it then you aren't a real fan anyways and the sport really doesn't need you anyways. The majority of the people that have watched E bike racing have had nothing but favorable comments about it. It is never intended to be a replacement anyways. It is an addition and huge growth area to the sport.
I don't know. You could have indoor races, or tracks in urban areas without pissing everyone off. I think it's a win for the sport, unless you are totally a regressive that hates anything new.
Oh I can assure you, I am a real fan. Have been for over 40 years and have travels and paid to watch many supercross races over the years. I’m just saying, it won’t be the same to watch a stadium full of e-bikes. Hopefully that doesn’t offend you. I do believe they probably will have a place. Some people want to ride near urban areas and e-bikes should help with that. Many non-riders don’t like the noise. And they may be fun to ride even. That’s not what I’m saying. I just don’t think enough people will pay big money to go watch these. If attendance was cut in half, do you think pro racing will thrive? I doubt it.
Man that’s dumb . You said the bets suspension tuner wins? What? As opposed to what we have now which is best engine builder wins which eliminates anyone without a monster budget! I don’t know how you could possibly think that having more equal bikes is a bad thing ! It should be best rider wins ! And we don’t have that when in lites class you need to build a $30k engine
Not for me, that crappy sound and the lack of shifting, no clutch, relying on a battery charge, the only place i see it is keeping the peace with neighbors if you have to.
I'm curious how long the battery will last in slower, technical terrain. If it will make it 30 miles not pushing it too hard I may be interested in having one for local riding.
I rode mind the other day in sandy faster singe trail and got 23km ( 14 miles and used 45% of battery . I had it in 60 hp mode doing a few full power runs up the road in that too . I’d you switch it on 45 hp you’d do that without any problems . I also did 1 hour ride time on sand motocross track too and used aboit 85%
With all respect,Kyle...but all things that you name UNUSUAL feelings-those are ADVANTAGES.I'm coming from EM Epure over two years.I completely converted.It takes time....Ther is still only one disadvantage-range and charging.If you can tolerate it-ICe bike is nor even come close to E-bikes!!!
I’ve noticed on my varg that this type of riding is about the worst you can do for battery life . Constant high speeds with no very little re Gen . I rode for 1.5 hours pushing hard in tight single track , used 30% battery . And used another 25 in about 15 minutes riding back on open roads at 60-70km at low throttle imputs . Electric motor must get more inefficient at higher revs even at low throttle
I thought the point of 80hp is so that the bike can be ran in its peak efficiency is running it in the lower power settings still as effecient as just riding it easier in full power mode?
I think electric would be fine for some short single track loops but the last thing I want to do is go into the desert and get turned around and not be able to recharge. That now becomes a life or death situation.
I've heard gearing down can drastically increase range and my bike can do 140kmh so definitely don't need all that top end I will be gearing down to see
I never realized the dangerousness of the terrain you ride..Mostly being so far "out there" alone! Do you carry an emergency communication device in case of crash or breakdown?
The chain slap noise would drive me crazy….not the best sound on earth. Engine noise cover that usually. Nice step forward for electric but the new sound not sure.
I’ve actually heard the suspension is really good. This guy strictly trail rides with extra plush soft suspension. It’s motocross suspension the same as you’ll find on any modern 450 or 250. If you ride aggressively, hit jumps and big whoops you’ll like the suspension. If you gently cruise and are in rocky desert hard pack you may want to get it revalved
