Swiss rider Jiri Zak and electric motorcycle manufacturer Stark Future claim to have ridden a Stark Varg EX to an altitude of 6,721 metres on Ojos del Salado, on the Chile–Argentina border. The attempt is currently under review by Guinness World Records as a potential new enduro motorcycle altitude record.

At nearly 7,000 metres above sea level, oxygen is scarce. Reactions slow, the body feels heavy and any poor decision – caused by fatigue, weather or terrain – can carry serious consequences. In that environment, Jiri Zak set out to ride higher than most people can even breathe, with the goal of establishing a new Guinness World Record.

According to Stark Future, the attempt resulted in a new benchmark, with Zak reportedly taking a production-spec Stark Varg EX to 6,721 metres on the slopes of Ojos del Salado. While the ascent has been documented, the record is not yet official and remains subject to verification by Guinness World Records.

Stark states that the climb was completed on 30 November 2025. That date is key in understanding the scale of the achievement: Guinness currently lists the “highest altitude reached by a motorcycle” at 6,639 metres, set by Francisco, Max and Tomás Rencoret on Ojos del Salado on 25 November 2025. Should Zak’s 6,721-metre ascent be ratified, the bar would once again be raised.

Ojos del Salado: the proving ground for altitude records

Commonly cited at 6,893 metres, Ojos del Salado is considered the world’s highest active volcano and has become a regular testing ground for altitude records on motorcycles. Sub-zero temperatures, rapidly changing weather and loose volcanic terrain make it an unforgiving environment.

The same area has hosted several high-profile attempts in recent years, including records announced by Yamaha with Pol Tarrés: 6,157.5 metres aboard a twin-cylinder Ténéré 700 in 2022, a later claim of 6,677 metres in 2024, and a separate run to 6,756 metres on a single-cylinder YZ450FX. For now, however, the official Guinness-listed “absolute” record remains the Rencoret family’s 6,639 metres.

Check Pol Tarres record attempt here: Pol Tarres sets world altitude record with Yamaha Ténéré and YZ450FX

Zak’s ride on a standard Stark Varg EX

Zak is no stranger to altitude challenges. He is credited with a previous attempt in February 2020, when he reportedly reached 6,546 metres on Ojos del Salado aboard a KTM 450 EXC-F. Stark, for its part, emphasises that the Varg EX used in this latest attempt was a standard production machine, with no specific modifications. The model is offered in Standard (60 hp) and Alpha (80 hp) versions.

To support the record claim, Stark references the use of sealed and/or pre-calibrated GPS devices, along with data logs and documentation intended for the homologation process. That evidence package is now said to be under review by Guinness.

Why an electric bike makes sense at altitude

At extreme altitude, the lack of oxygen severely affects internal combustion engines. An electric motorcycle, by contrast, does not rely on air to produce torque. This is the core of Stark’s argument: consistent power delivery, immediate torque and simpler mechanical operation allow the rider to focus on traction and control.

That said, cold temperatures and harsh terrain still posed a major challenge for the battery, electronics and rider alike and the battery was wrapped in thermal insulation to protect it from the cold.

In short, 6,721 metres is the figure Stark and Zak have put forward, but for now the record remains pending validation until Guinness World Records makes it official.

Fotos: Stark Future