Stark VARG wins Gold Seal 2025 Off-road Electric award
Barcelona’s 80 hp electric motocrosser takes the only gold on offer in the Off-road Electric category.
By ROOST Australia desk · 21 July 2025
The electric dirt bike debate has a new talking point. The Stark VARG has been named the Gold Seal 2025 winner in the Off-road Electric category. Gold Seal Awards hands out one gold award per category each year, with no second or third place.
Built to take on the 450s
Stark Future, based in Barcelona, designed the VARG from a clean sheet. The aim was a bike that competes directly with petrol 450s, rather than a lighter, softer electric alternative for juniors or trail riders. On paper it delivers. The Alpha version produces up to 80 hp (60 hp for the Standard model) from a 360 V-nominal motor with a carbon-fibre sleeve.
Stark quotes 978 Nm at the rear wheel for the Factory Edition. It also claims the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motocross motor. With the bike weighing around 118 kg, that is a lot of shove.
One bike, many riders
The feature the judges kept returning to is adjustability. Riders can tune power in real time from 10 to 80 hp, so the same machine can be set up gently for a newcomer or opened up fully for race day. Stark says the battery is good for up to six hours of trail riding per charge.
The MX 1.2 battery is a 7.2 kWh, 420 V pack. Using the 3.3 kW charger, it takes about two hours to charge from a 240 V outlet. That is a useful figure for Australian riders who mostly charge at home or at the track.
Proper suspension
Electric bikes have sometimes been let down by budget chassis components. The VARG isn’t. It uses a KYB 48 mm fork with 310 mm of travel, the same class of suspension found on petrol motocross bikes, and the frame and bodywork are built around the battery pack.
The price question
In the US, the MX 1.2 lists at US$12,490 for the Standard and US$13,490 for the Alpha. That is roughly premium petrol 450 money. Australian pricing varies by importer, so check with your local dealer.
Why it won
The Gold Seal judges pointed to three things: class-leading claimed power-to-weight, real-time power adjustment and up to six hours of trail range. Together they make the VARG the most complete electric off-roader currently in production. Whether you are sold on electric or not, it is the benchmark the rest of the category now has to chase.
Key specs
- Power: up to 80 hp (Alpha) / 60 hp (Standard)
- Battery: 7.2 kWh, 420 V (MX 1.2)
- Charging: 3.3 kW, about 2 hours at 240 V
- Weight: about 118 kg
- Suspension: KYB 48 mm fork, 310 mm travel
Full specifications, the judges' notes and video are on the Stark VARG winner page at Gold Seal Awards. The complete list of Gold Seal winners is also published on IMR Awards.
Photo credit: Stark Future (official press image).
Sources
More from ROOST
Callum Shaw leads the Kiwi charge as Freestyle Kings LIVE hits Invercargill
Kiwi FMX rider Callum Shaw headlines the local charge as Freestyle Kings LIVE brings its 2026 world tour to Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill, on Saturday 5 December.
16 October 2026
Thumpstar’s 500cc two-stroke wins Gold Seal 2026 Off-road Petrol
The pit-bike specialist’s big-bore BRC 500 prototype wins the Gold Seal Award 2026 in Off-road Petrol.
16 October 2026
Team Australia still in the ISDE fight after day three in Portugal
The Women's World Trophy trio were second behind the USA at the halfway mark.
14 October 2026