Stark Future unveils the VARG MX 1.2, “a significant evolution” of its electric motocross model with updated powertrain, gearbox and battery (+20% range), wiring, suspension valving, and a smartphone for real-time track data.

The original VARG MX has been around a lot longer than you probably think. 2022 was the fist time Enduro21 tested the bike, the MX version, in Spain. Since then we’ve clocked a lot of hours on the varg including the EX enduro version.

About time then the Spanish-based manufacturer updated the original MX version. Just about the only thing they didn’t change was how it looks – “it looks the same but it isn’t” they tell us.

Enter stage left the new Varg MX 1.2, a bike with more updates than we expected…

What’s New in the VARG MX 1.2:

• Updated powertrain with improved efficiency
• New battery pack with 7.2 kWh and boasting 20% more range
• New frame is lighter and stronger steel alloy with claimed twice the strength of the chromoly steel used by other manufacturers and increased flex
• Overmolded wiring harness for extreme conditions
• Internally routed map switch cable, cleaner and protected inside the handlebars
• Reinforced, dual-compound skid plate, fully biodegradable
• Redesigned chain guide with 266% more lateral stiffness and a 7% weight gain
• New improved tyre inner tubes (if opted for)
• New Stark Arkenstone phone and docking station, with better connectivity, speed, brightness and clamping system (lap mode also available in all existing bikes in the next few months)
• New gearbox, lighter and with claimed higher efficiency
• New seat cover options to choose from
• 19 or 18-inch rear wheel, foot or hand brake and handguard options
• Two-year warranty as standard

Chassis updates

The new, steel alloy frame on the 1.2 is 0.9 kg lighter with a new amount of flex around the shock mount area, Stark say, which helps feedback, rider comfort, and bike control.

The KYB suspension system has also been “retuned” with updated mid-valve shim stacks (forks), and selectable spring rates based on rider weight – selectable at point of order and something Stark point out no other manufacturer is doing with original equipment.

New smartphone with lap timing

The Arkenstone military grade smartphone is a fully integrated and field-tested Android unit which sits in the handlebar and wirelessly connects to the bike for changes and information as you ride.

The new version on the 1.2 MX has improved connectivity to help fine-tune power delivery, switch maps on the fly, and now has a new Laps feature which means you can track GPS lap times and navigate terrain recording as you ride for real-time course data and splits, on the bike.

Tidy electrics 

A quick chat with Stark ahead of this new model announcement also revealed some neat touches which should help and affect the end user.

Rider feedback from customers and a seemingly ingrained design ethic to make things neater and smarter means the new 1.2 model has fresh wiring harness and cable routing on the handlebars.

An overmolded wiring harness means a sealed loom to better protect against ingress and extreme conditions. The neat touch is tidying up the handlebar map switch cable which now goes internal, protected inside the bars.

New battery – 20% more range

A 7.2 kWh battery powers the Varg 1.2 MX which they tell us means up to 20% more range than its predecessor. It has the same peak of 80 horsepower, 973 Nm at the wheel, but is almost infinitely adjustable.

The battery itself plays a structural role, improving frame stiffness and thermal performance, while the updated motor increases efficiency and keeps heat low, letting you ride harder, longer.

Motor and gearbox updates

The updates at the beating heart of the Varg MX 1.2 are a refined powertrain for higher overall efficiency: Carbon fibre sleeve motor housing at 360V, with 978 Nm / 721 ft-lb on the rear wheel.

In practice, most riders use only half that power and with anything from 10hp to 80hp possible, being able to control the power curve and motor braking means the Varg can be adapted to every rider, track, or terrain in a click or two.

They also mention a redesigned gearbox which we understand actually means a lighter build and improved gearing efficiency.

Engineered Through Racing

Two-time World Champion and Stark’s Racing Director, Sebastien Tortelli, led testing for the original VARG and now oversees Stark’s racing program, a vital channel for high-speed R&D that directly shapes every update we see on the 1.2.

“Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven.” Seb explains. “With the VARG MX 1.2, we’ve turned competition into development; every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build. This bike is the direct result of that process. It’s taken a lot of sweat, hard work, and constant learning to raise the bar for what’s possible in motocross. We're not just keeping up-we're delivering more traction, more stability, more features, and a longer range. We’re pushing the boundaries.”

Global off-road customer base feeds development

This is a motorcycle refined through real feedback from over 50 countries, through a dealer-supported testing and race programmes in 18 countries. With live input from Stark’s connected network, they tell us every detail of the new 1.2 has been shaped by riders, from firmware logic and suspension feel to mechanical function and durability.

From our side, it is hard to see many other manufacturers who are so actively taking feedback and using it to develop bikes. Customer relations are strong here.

Build your own bike

• Choice of Dunlop MX34 or Pirelli MX32 tires with tubes or mousse
• Optional titanium hardware package drops 900 grams
• Brembo braking system: foot or handlebar-operated
• Three seat grip levels: Standard, Grip, and SuperGrip for total control
• Stark two-year full warranty
• With no pistons, clutches, or filters, the VARG MX 1.2 also boasts reduced maintenance time and cost. Over 100 hours of riding, they say, saving up to $5,000 USD compared to a traditional 450

Available now worldwide in two configurations:

Standard (60hp): €12,490 / £10,490 / $12,490* / AUD 18,990

Alpha (80hp): €13,490 / £11,490 / $13,490* / AUD 19,990

 *Note: US pricing excludes $1,000 tariff charge (you go for it Donald!)

Becoming part of the norm – what do we think? 

Enduro21 was on hte original Varg MX launch test in 2022. Since then we have tracked the development, the ups and downs of their racing programme and, we hope, been pretty straight with you guys about what the bikes are like to ride having now spent a decent amount of hours trail and hard enduro riding a Varg ourselves – although we still have yet to get one in our own hands and workshop to live and breathe ownership properly it must be added.  

Read more about our recent test here: 2 days trail riding a Stark Varg EX in the Pyrenees Mountains – 5 things we learned

Stark has had to work incredibly hard to be accepted into enduro and motocross sport, too hard you can easily argue. But with a SuperEnduro season ticked off, hard enduro wins including the Romaniacs Silver class, motocross and arenacross championships won and, if rumours are to be believed, a SuperCross season awaiting this winter in America, Stark Vargs are established and integrated into the off-road community. Certainly, in the local races and practice tracks around us, they are now simply part of the framework.

We think keeping the bikes looking the same makes perfect sense, a visual identity is fixed. These updates above can only be a positive and helkp the end user. 

More information: www.starkfuture.com or visit a Stark Future dealer.