Power play! Stark Future plug into the enduro scene with new road legal Varg EX model

Stark Future have lifted the lid on their first factory road legal offering, bringing the capabilities of their inaugural Varg motocross model to the enduro and trail riding crowds. 

• Related: MCN’s guide to electric dirt bikes

Called the Varg EX, the 120kg electric machine builds on Stark’s existing motocross base and retunes it for use away from the track.  

Following Alta‘s departure from the market, Stark appeared on the scene just four years previously. Despite this, the brand have already developed a significant following, taking 850 orders within the first 24 hours of the release of their breakthrough motorcycle – which was accompanied by the claim that it was – and still is – the most powerful production motocross machine on sale. 

With this new enduro orientated package, the most obvious visual differences come with the addition of a 4000-lumen headlight, taillight, horn, and rear licence plate holder. 

• Related: MCN’s guide to the off-road bikes, tracks, trails and gear

Already a factory option on the existing Varg, the EX also ditches its 19-inch rear wheel in favour of an 18-inch affair, which allows for highway legal rubber. 

Beyond these skin-deep changes, Stark have beefed up the 7.2 kWh honeycomb magnesium battery too.

Integrated into the steel chassis as a structural component, this larger powerplant delivers a claimed 20% range time than the 6.8kWh unit fitted to the crosser, giving a forecasted ride time of 1.3 to six hours, depending on use type – not far off that of a petrol powered enduro. 

Stark say the battery is built to last as well, projecting its use life to be 10 times that of a 450cc engine (between rebuilds), with the cost of replacement allegedly similar to that of rebuilding a combustion motor. 

The electric motor features a crawl mode for navigated low traction terrain, reverse, engine brake configuration between 0-100%. There are also tuneable regenerative curves, and full customisation options for power levels, from a 125cc equivalent, up to well beyond the output of a 450cc enduro. 

Speaking of output, the Varg EX comes in two options; a 59bhp standard model costing £10,900, or for a grand extra, customers can opt for the full fat Alpha model, packing 79bhp – roughly 30% more peak poke than the competitors running on dinosaur juice. 

Keeping all that manageable is a suspension pairing from KYB, which includes a fully adjustable rear shock and closed cartridge forks – both tuned specifically for enduro use and ready to deliver 300mm of bounce at either end.

Clocking in 

Where the clocks on most enduro machines tend to resemble a nineties Casio watch, the EX is a little different, featuring what Stark are calling the Arkenstone – an Android control and navigation device that offers GPS trail tracking, turn-by-turn navigation, controls to dial in the bike’s power output, and a community route sharing system. 

Less for more 

Despite carrying a heavy battery, the Varg’s weight is not far off that of combustion engined enduro bikes – roughly 10kg more. But customers wanting to shave off as much mass as possible though can opt for titanium bolt kits and footpeg options.  

Oodles of options 

As well as having the choice to mount the rear brake by the right footpeg or at the handlebar (in lieu of a clutch lever), there are five tyre set-up combinations to select from, including tubed, tubeless, or mousse configurations. 

Ready to race 

Stark CEO (and 24MX co-founder) Anton Wass set his sights on enduro competition back in 2023, attempting to enter new the new brand into the Enduro World Championship before a ruling from the FIM to ban electric bikes stopped Stark. But for 2025, battery powered machines been given the green light to run – although this does come with a 123kg and 47bhp restriction cap.