Stark VARG

[Bucho]

Cool. Cant wait to see yours in person

[phoo]

Thats cool. You have yours yet?

I do have to say if they increased the efficiency that much they f-ed something up to begin with. Optimal SVM switching and PMSM control algorithms pretty much haven't changed in decades. Good it's fixed now though.

I don't think they "boosted efficiency 10%," I think that they boosted it a little but that they made more of the battery available for use, particularly before going into limp mode.


~Patrick

[phoo]

New tidbits --

Stark also said they are working on preset power curves, one for Motocross, one for Climbing, one for Crawling, one for Enduro, Descend, and so on.
These modes will be available for On the Fly access via the +- buttons while riding, that way if you are riding trails and get to a gnarly climb you can quickly adjust your power curve and get extra grip on the climbs, then if you get to an obstacle you need to jump over you quickly change to Enduro mode to give you max toque to lift front wheel.


~Patrick

[smdub]

Stark has dropped their price on in stock Alpha (80hp) models to $11k. Almost a $3k drop.

[phoo]

Another viable (?) contender has entered the chat.

KTM has announced the completely reworked 2025 Freeride E. Only 18.5 kW (24.8 HP) peak power, but 37 Nm (27.3 ft-lb) torque, so not bad. Same torque, 5/8th the HP as a Beta 300RR. Hot swappable batteries. Claim a battery will last 2-3h on the trail, but Stark claims 6h and gets ~3h (depending on aggressiveness of the rider, constant running which means it would last the whole day of us at FRO ;) ) so who knows how long it'll last in reality.

https://dirtbikemagazine.com/new-ktm-el ... otorcycle/

No mention of pricing, but that likely won't be available until next year.


Thanks,

~Patrick

[smdub]

Another viable (?) contender has entered the chat.

KTM has announced the completely reworked 2025 Freeride E. Only 18.5 kW (24.8 HP) peak power, but 37 Nm (27.3 ft-lb) torque, so not bad. Same torque, 5/8th the HP as a Beta 300RR. Hot swappable batteries. Claim a battery will last 2-3h on the trail, but Stark claims 6h and gets ~3h (depending on aggressiveness of the rider, constant running which means it would last the whole day of us at FRO ;) ) so who knows how long it'll last in reality.

I'm interested in seeing the new KTM specs. Though it doesn't seem much of an upgrade to the old one. 1kWh more battery is nice. Power is the same. Weight has gone up 6#. The battery swap is said to take 10 minutes though? The old one can be done in roughly a minute w/ a 10mm T-handle wrench. I guess more like 2-min if you're not rushing. What I find most odd is a 43mm fork - that's new for KTM. Even the 85SX is a 44mm (which is where the Freerides get theirs.) Well... looks like like newer 85SXs are on 43mm forks now. That mystery solved. That also makes me wonder: if the battery weighs the same (per their specs), they are using the lighter air forks, and a lighter plastic subframe, but still gained 6#, where did it go? I don't see any hoses or radiators anymore so looks like they went air cooled too.

[smdub]

2025 KTM-E: A little more info is coming out
https://www.cyclenews.com/2024/10/artic ... e-e-specs/

More pics and details than we've had before. Water cooled motor. You can spy the TINY radiators now. All the plumbing is behind covers.
50.4V motor suggests the battery/system is 48V 12S and a BIG step backwards. Going to be less efficient than the 72V+ competitors or the old 200V+ Freeride E. Even the original LightBee is 60V. IMO, thats the dumbest thing they did. Seriouslly limits max power.

[Jtrobb]

I would guess keeping the battery below 50V allows them to treat it as "low voltage" vs protections/precautions needed for a true HV system.

[smdub]

I would guess keeping the battery below 50V allows them to treat it as "low voltage" vs protections/precautions needed for a true HV system.

It does per UL but the next step up is still super easy. We built products that had up to 600Vdc. Other than switchgear (breakers) availability its not all that hard even up to 150Vdc. Using 48V is just being lazy.