Tim Stevens
2025-07-25 12:00:00
arstechnica.com
Ride time
Take a look at the back wheel of your average electric motorcycle, a Zero or LiveWire or the like, and you’ll see a rubber belt connecting the electric motor to the rear wheel. This has the primary benefit of reducing noise while also virtually eliminating the need for maintenance.
Chains are much louder and require oiling, eventually stretching enough that they’ll need replacing. On the surface, then, the chain at the back of the Varg EX might seem out of place, but it has its advantages.
That chain helps give the Varg EX a distinctive sound in the world of electric motorcycles. It’s a fair bit louder than much of the competition but still a stealthy machine compared to the screaming two-stroke or droning four-stroke engines that dominate the world of off-road riding.
The rear wheel and its noisy chain.
Credit:
Stark Future
Neither of those power sources holds a candle to the Varg EX. I was politely but firmly encouraged to start my ride with the bike set to deliver only 35 hp (26 kW), less than half its outright capability. I expected to graduate to higher levels before long, but I quickly learned there wasn’t much point. Even limited, the Varg EX is scary quick.
It takes only a quick twitch of the wrist to lift the front wheel toward the sky, something that’s thankfully easy to catch with the rear brake mounted on the left bar rather than its traditional position by the rider’s right foot. No transmission means no clutch lever, freeing up that space on the grip.
Yes, there’s just one gear, but that single speed, combined with the 14,000 rpm motor, equals a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h). A swap of the sprocket spinning that chain can bring that higher if needed, but this isn’t a machine built for high speed. It instead has the kind of instant torque and smooth power to crawl up technical terrain at a walking pace if you like or, with a little more twist of the wrist, send it over the worst obstacles.
Enhance your driving experience with the P12 Pro 4K Mirror Dash Cam Smart Driving Assistant, featuring Front and Rear Cameras, Voice Control, Night Vision, and Parking Monitoring. With a 4.3/5-star rating from 2,070 reviews and over 1,000 units sold in the past month, it’s a top-rated choice for drivers. The dash cam comes with a 32GB Memory Card included, making it ready to use out of the box. Available now for just $119.99, plus a $20 coupon at checkout. Don’t miss out on this smart driving essential from Amazon!
Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support
If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.
As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!
BITCOIN bc1qlszw7elx2qahjwvaryh0tkgg8y68enw30gpvge Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
DOGECOIN D64GwvvYQxFXYyan3oQCrmWfidf6T3JpBA Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
ETHEREUM 0xe9BC980DF3d985730dA827996B43E4A62CCBAA7a Scan the QR code with your crypto wallet app |
Please read the Privacy and Security Disclaimer on how Techcratic handles your support.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, Techcratic may earn from qualifying purchases.