Are Electric Dirt Bikes Realistic Yet?

Electric has long-been on the horizon for dirt bikes, it just makes sense - Silent, torquey, low maintenance, impossible to stall, no changing gears… The list goes on. And there have been a few attempts at bringing one to market in the last handful of years, most notably by Alta - Who were promptly screwed over and squashed by Harley Davidson. So my hopes weren’t exactly high when hype started running rife about some 80hp beast a company I’d never heard of were planning to make… But lo and behold, the Stark Varg is real! And it’s made it all the way down to New Zealand, where I got to spend a very wet and rough Berm Buster Sunday riding it, courtesy of AFC Motorcycles - Who were sick of misinformation spreading around about how long this bike lasts, and takes to charge. They told me to ride it all day, and that as long as I put it on charge between laps, it’d outlast me… Here’s how that went!

SOCIAL MEDIAS
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CREDITS
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Written, Edited & Narrated by:
Ash Sowman

Starring/Helmet Cameras:
Ash Sowman - 2024 Stark Varg
Ryan Davis - 2022 KTM 250EXC TPI

Cold opening clips:
@joshhill75

Bike Supplied by:
AFC Motorcycles

[reedharshman]

I want one cause they're fast, not because it's environmentally friendly.

[Arnoud]

Mate of mine started development of an electric cross/enduro bike couple of years back specifically aimed at cross-country/enduro competitions with an hot swappable battery. They've got their concept bike running a couple months back and are now setting up contracts and final design changes for series production. Should be going to market within two years with the aim to be as close to a gas powered bike in use as can be. The battery swap taking as much time as a quick fuel refill eg.. Company is called Stern motorcycles (yes, name is similar but they didn't know about the Stark when they registered the name :') ). Couple of the employees have ridden the Stark by now as well and are impressed but feel like the hot swappable battery of their bike will be their unique selling point. Just hope for their sake that Stark won't come out with such a bike within 2 years.

[tbrowniscool]

Love the petrol generator just sat running.

[ryanaddison]

Great video that answered all of my questions. This is the first review I have seen here in NZ

[TapioBlue]

I recently purchased an Ultra Bee as a local dealer was liquidating them. I'm a 59 year old recreational rider. Yesterday I went riding with a buddy and swapped rides for his Beta 200RR.
I loved the Beta and he loved the Ultra to the point we were both thinking of adding each one to our collections.
I couldn't be happier with the Ultra, I ride so many challenging trails/ lines that I wouldn't dare ride with my WR250R.
Ultra was a demo with 114 km for $5000 CDN so it was hard to wait for upcoming releases but may still consider an upgrade in the future.

[Throttleplays]

Love the video just have to say- Stark isn’t about being green. Imo. This is a toy not a daily driver. This is meant to have fun, just like having 80hp. Nobody… Nobody needs an 80hp dirt bike but it freaking rips so why not. And why is the conversation always centered around a stark owner only having a stark. Or just one dirt bike. Why doesn’t anybody imagine a person who owns multiple dirt bikes, and one of them happens to be electric. Not being rude but it is something I see.

[youknowwhattimeitis]

I am so glad so woke up to a post from Ash, easily one of my favorite channels

[Imstringbean]

i love your videos Ash. Please keep making them. im just getting into motos and have a yz 250 2 stroke its a beast. i watch all your vids

[dc]

Love your videos bro, for now I'll probably rewatch a few of your OG videos. Keep em coming!!

[BarrieBuskruitZV]

BRO you GOTTA make one of those videos you did about eli tomac and herlings again. This time last weekend herlings raced in lommel. Conciderd one of the toughest tracks in the MXGP. PURE sand. prado had a 19 sec lead with only 4 min left to race. Herlings did 5 sec a lap quicker and passed prado winning with a 9 second lead unbelievable

[jamesjobe]

I’m curious how much gas was used in the generator for your day out? How does it compare to the volume of gas used in your primary gas bike?

[highlandcycles]

Great vid man. Our biggest problem in Colorado is the desire to ride 80-100 mile loops. It’s coming back

[Danger_mouse]

Hey Ash, I'm an Aussie actually travelling in NZ on holidays watching this vid, beautiful country my friend!

On the Stark, I reckon a better choice will be the Flux Primo for several key reasons over the Stark.
It is an Enduro bike first of all and will be able to have rego.
It has KYB suspension tuned for Enduro riding.
The LH lever operates as both an 'electronic clutch' if pulled with throttle on, and then a re-gen rear brake if pulled with a closed throttle.
One of the most important features is the swappable battery, meaning you could race it like a petrol bike if you can afford the second battery.

Should be a cool thing to keep an eye on 👍

[Gtdubsterx]

nice, short, and sweet vid ash... cant wait for more vids. Do you still have your WR? and would you be doing more ridding because I miss those videos. Anyways keep it up Ash love the vids

[stevehenley]

Awesome vid thanks for the run down ..

[liammurphy]

Loving the locks ash bet ya throw a few people off when the helmet comes off 😂 mean as video as always keep it up!

[AdvSouthAfrica]

I can appreciate the Stark Vark, I think it will have it's place, plus it's so crazy hearing your own tire noise. Personally I love a good old two stroke but it doesn't mean I couldn't appreciate both

[gazkingmx]

Dude I can finally put a face to the voice. Love your vids man

[mgreenesco]

Fun as it may be, for most people it still isn't an option. The bike itself is around $20, 000 aud and to have the setup there to have multiple rides per day also includes I'd guess at least a 10kw generator running on petrol or diesel which will cost you another 6-10k plus fuel to charge it in half to one hour breaks. So you're at 30k plus ongoing fuel costs and have to haul a generator everywhere you go to complete the most basic of rides. Race teams may be able to wear that but your average rider has no chance.

[NewAgeMotorsports]

how is the ktm killer going? still running? any update video to come?