We love Stark Future’s VARG MX and EX models at RideApart, including me. The fact that VARGs are starting to win off-road championship titles brings public opinion closer to my truth: these machines are ready to compete against established ICE models. The only caveat is that the aforementioned championship-winning bikes are considerably trickier than the VARGs available on Stark’s website. Or, at least, they were before Stark launched the MX and EX Factory Editions.
The Factory Edition formula is nothing new in the off-road space. KTM launched its first Factory Edition bike in 2012 and more recently, Honda has had great success with its Works Edition (WE) bikes. Stark’s entry into the category was expected, and the manufacturer has not disappointed.
The Stark VARG MX and EX Factory Editions are completely limited-edition motorcycles, shaped by what the manufacturer has learned while competing at the highest level of off-road racing. “The objective has always been the same: to make the VARG faster, easier to ride and give the rider more confidence,” Starke said in a press release. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the factory versions aren’t more powerful; Their purpose is simply to improve performance and make it easier for the rider to take advantage of the package.
The most significant upgrade on both Factory Edition models is the suspension. The Stark VARG MX and EX Factory Editions are equipped with full Kashima-coated KYB Factory A-Kit race suspension, and this is the first time a manufacturer has offered it on a production motorcycle. But suspension features go beyond just a front fork.
KYB Factory Kit with a 48mm closed-cartridge, air-oil separated coil-spring fork, the Factory Edition model with hard-anodized internals and DLC-coated inner tube, a mid-speed valve, a triple-adjusted KYB rear shock with a custom spring collar, Kashima-coated body and DLC-coated piston rod, and an X-Trig preload Benefit from the adjuster.
The suspension components grab the headlines, but the Factory versions have a lot more to offer, including special CNC-machined triple clamps, 3D-printed titanium foot pegs, a titanium bolt kit, a high-grip seat, hand-operated rear brake, 80 hp Alpha drivetrain, integrated Dynamic Traction Control in ride mode, CNC-machined aluminum triple with conical handlebar mounts Includes clamps and an improved Bio PA6 radiator fan. Holder. These Factory Edition models reduce the all-titanium parts weight by more than 2.2 pounds compared to standard VARGs.
The machined triple clamps are individually numbered from 1 to 500 because, you guessed it, that’s all Stark is producing. 200 VARG MX units and 300 VARG EX machines are available. The VARG MX Factory Edition is finished in special Stark Red Factory Edition graphics, runs on Dunlop MX34 tires, and is priced at $15,990. The VARG EX is finished in special Forest Gray Factory Edition graphics, runs on Dunlop Geomax EN91 tires, and is priced at $16,990.
