The most powerful electric dirt bike in production: 80 hp from a 360 V-nominal motor in a bike of about 118 kg.
Background
Stark Future, based in Barcelona, built the VARG from a clean sheet as an electric motocross bike meant to compete directly with petrol 450s instead of being a lighter, lower-powered alternative.
Design
The VARG weighs about 118 kg and uses a KYB 48 mm fork with 310 mm of travel, the same class of suspension found on petrol motocross bikes. Its frame and bodywork are built around the battery pack.
Motor and battery
A 360 V-nominal motor with a carbon-fibre sleeve produces up to 80 hp on the Alpha version (60 hp Standard). Stark quotes 978 Nm at the rear wheel for the Factory Edition. The MX 1.2 battery is 7.2 kWh at 420 V and charges in about two hours at 240 V via a 3.3 kW charger.
Riding
Riders can tune power in real time from 10 to 80 hp, and Stark quotes up to six hours of trail riding per charge. That one adjustable machine covers everything from a beginner setting to full race power.
Market context
At US$12,490 (Standard) and US$13,490 (Alpha) for the MX 1.2, the VARG costs about the same as a premium petrol motocross bike, while Stark claims the highest power-to-weight of any production motocross motor.
A clean-sheet start
Stark Future is a young company based in Barcelona that built the VARG from scratch rather than adapting an existing petrol chassis. Its aim was not to make a gentler, lower-powered electric trail bike but to take on petrol 450 motocross bikes on their own terms: power, weight and full-size suspension.
Power you can dial in
Stark's key idea is adjustability. Riders can set output anywhere from 10 to 80 hp in real time, so one bike can be tamed for a newcomer and then turned back up for a race. Stark quotes up to 80 hp on the Alpha version and 60 hp on the Standard, which puts the top figure above a typical petrol 450.
Motor and battery in detail
The motor runs at 360 V nominal and uses a carbon-fibre sleeve. For the Factory Edition Stark quotes 978 Nm at the rear wheel, or 275 Nm at the countershaft before gearing. The MX 1.2 battery is 7.2 kWh at up to 420 V. Charging uses a 3.3 kW on-board charger and takes about two hours on a 240 V supply.
Chassis
At about 118 kg the VARG weighs about the same as a petrol motocross bike. Its KYB 48 mm fork with 310 mm of travel is the same class of suspension found on top petrol bikes, so riders moving from petrol do not need to adapt to a different chassis.
Ownership
Stark quotes up to six hours of trail riding per charge, depending on how the bike is ridden and set up. Electric power also cuts out much of the routine engine maintenance of a four-stroke motocross bike, such as oil changes and top-end rebuilds, which matters to riders who keep a close eye on running costs.
Market
At US$12,490 (Standard) and US$13,490 (Alpha) for the MX 1.2, the VARG is priced against premium petrol motocross bikes rather than as a cheaper alternative. MCN named the Varg EX its Best Electric Motorcycle of 2026, which shows the platform appeals beyond the motocross track.
The rivals
The VARG's competition comes from two directions. Petrol 450cc motocross bikes from the established Japanese and European makers set the benchmark for power and handling. Other electric off-road bikes are mostly lighter and less powerful, aimed at trail riders and younger riders. The VARG competes directly with the petrol bikes, which is why it stands out.
Who it suits
The VARG suits riders who want full motocross performance with quieter running and less engine maintenance, and riders whose local tracks or trails restrict noise. Riders who mainly do long rides in remote areas without charging access should look closely at real-world range before buying.
Our judging notes
Our panel looked for a bike that moved the off-road electric category forward rather than one that was simply good for an electric bike. The VARG is the first production electric motocross bike our panel felt could be judged directly against the best petrol bikes, and its adjustable power makes that performance usable for more riders. That decided the 2025 Off-road Electric award.
Specification breakdown
- Motor: Carbon-fibre-sleeve motor, 360 V nominal.
- Power: Up to 80 hp (60 hp Standard / 80 hp Alpha).
- Torque: 978 Nm at the rear wheel (Factory Edition); 275 Nm at the countershaft.
- Battery: 7.2 kWh, 420 V (MX 1.2).
- Charging: 3.3 kW; about 2 h at 240 V.
- Weight: About 118 kg (260 lb).
- Suspension: KYB 48 mm fork, 310 mm travel.
- Price: US$12,490 (Standard) / US$13,490 (Alpha), MX 1.2.
Why it won
Stark Future claims the highest power-to-weight motor of any production motocross bike. Power can be tuned in real time from 10 to 80 hp, and the battery is good for up to six hours of trail riding.
Watch
Video: Red Bull Athlete Unleashes 80HP on the Stark VARG – Stark Future