Initial Thoughts on Riding a Stark Varg for the First Time: A Surprising Ride

My initial thoughts on riding a Stark Varg for the first time were a mix of excitement and apprehension. I've ridden plenty of gas-powered dirt bikes, but the electric element felt like stepping into a new era. This post dives into that first-time experience, from the surprising quiet to the instant electric power. If you're a dirt bike enthusiast curious about making the electric switch, this one's for you.

Initial thoughts on riding an electric bike often include several questions. Is it really that different? How does the power delivery compare? What about battery life and maintenance?

The Silent Powerhouse: First Ride Impressions

Thanks to https://www.outlawmotorsports.ca/ in Kamloops for loaning me the bike and https://www.limenine.com/ Graphics for the awesome https://bluemoto.mx/ wrap. The first thing that struck me was the silence. No roar of an engine, just a quiet whir, sometimes you think the rear tire is coming apart but it's just the noise it makes on certain surfaces. 

It felt strange, almost surreal. As someone used to riding traditional gas-powered bikes, the Stark Varg surprised me with how easy it was to maintain. No fuss, no mess, and a simple washdown had it looking brand-new. No need to dig into hard-to-reach areas around the motor or scrub off stubborn grime.

Quick tire pressure check a bit of chain lube and we were off. With the cold fall weather, not having to idle the bike for 10 minutes was also a welcome experience.

Instant Torque and Hill Climbs

Getting on the bike, it felt heavy, heavier than my usual enduro bike. Once moving though, that weight seemed to completely disappear. It felt light and nimble.

The instant torque was exhilarating for hill climbs. It effortlessly powered up steep inclines, making climbs I'd normally struggle and downshift with a breeze. I tested starting with as little of run up as possible and still had to let off the throttle on my way up.

Power Modes and Throttle Response

The power modes were simple to switch between mid-ride. The bike has various settings, allowing you to customize the amount of horse power as well as engine braking within 5 different powermode options

You can adjust it from smooth and predictable to aggressive and snappy. This allowed for a tailored experience based on the terrain and my comfort level.

Range Anxiety and Battery Life

Going into this, battery life was a big concern. Riding at 50-60hp (equivalent power output), the battery lasted about three hours.

Don't get me wrong I've run my gas bikes till empty many times so I wanted to test the limits and see just how much I could get out of it.

The motor cut out completely at 2%, I played around with the buttons and seemed to get a reserve battery life and limped it back to the truck—definitely something to keep in mind. If your riding a track, theres no issues — if you're planning on a big loop or trail ride, I recommend riding it a few times in proximity of the truck to know just how long you'll be able to ride.

A Different Kind of Dirt Biking

Compared to my experiences with track, enduro, or trials riding, the electric dirt bike felt like an entirely new discipline. It took some adjustment but not much. Without a foot brake, I kept reaching for it instinctively. It's an option when purchasing the bike but after a while it felt natural not to have one.

A few times, I also went for the shifter with my left foot out of habit. This made me realize how ingrained certain movements become when you’re used to regular bikes.

Safety tips for new owners are especially important with electric dirt bikes. They operate quite differently. Ensure you're comfortable and take it slow to start, work your way up and don't just click it into the 80hp mode. Ride smart!

Unexpected Challenges: Handling and Weight

That initial heaviness I mentioned? It made getting the bike on and off the stand a bit tricky. Although it’s lightweight while riding, managing it while stationary took some getting used to.

That moment when you’re halfway up a hill climb and the bike starts rolling back is a new level of scary. Not having an engine to lock up the rear wheel definitely caught me by surprise on the first hill climb I didn't achieve.

What Surprised Me About This Experience

Honestly, the Stark Varg exceeded expectations. My initial thoughts on riding an electric bike were transformed.

Once I got accustomed to the differences, it became exhilarating in new ways. I definitely had underestimated the quick acceleration and torque. But once I got the feel for it I was grinning ear to ear and could not wait to ride it again.

This experience has spurred me to explore other electric bikes as there seems to be a new company daily launching a new one. From what I've seen at the Tennesse Knock Out in the e-bike class, the Stark Varg is king and the closest thing to the generational factory dirtbikes.

Is it Worth the Switch?

So, do I want to buy this bike? Absolutely. For dirt bike enthusiasts, this is pure fun.

I can’t wait for better weather to take it out again. If you’re looking for electric bikes, be sure to research different models and read reviews. Go to your local Stark dealer and try one if they have demo days. If you don't want to wait head over to https://www.outlawmotorsports.ca/ and get yourself one today, I promise you wont regret it.

Conclusion

Initial thoughts on riding an Stark Varg? It can and will be a game changer for dirt bike lovers. The silent power, instant torque, and unique riding experience make it an absolute blast once you account for its distinctive traits and needs.

Look out for an in depth youtube review and more blog posts as I ride the bike and put it through more tests.