Competition fuels substantial growth and craftsmanship for Stark electric
FIM World SuperEnduro hands Manufacturers Title to Stark electric in their second season of competition.
I admit, when Stark Future came onto the market with the 80 HP Varg, my first thought was this was going to be a repeat story of previous electric motorcycle brands that came and went. From the early beginnings, over-promising and under-delivering to consumers, it seemed I was on track. Then everything changed. In 2024, FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) gave the green light to Stark to enter competition in the same class as their combustible competitors. Now on the world stage for all to see, sales sky rocketed to where Stark entered 2026 with growth over 200%. Now, in only the second year of competition, Stark, with athlete Eddie Karlsson behind the bars, have solidified their future earning the SuperEnduro Manufacturer’s Title.
Stark: Competition Begins
The only way to get riders to buy in to a brand is to get the brand in front of the riding audience or get riders on the bikes. Show everyone the capability or let them experience it for themselves. Those given an opportunity to ride have shared rave reviews. Those watching the results of competition are intrigued to follow the brand.
The first year of FIM World SuperEnduro introduced the Stark team of Taddy Blazusiak and Eddie Karlsson. Karlsson referred to himself as the ‘Svedneck’ and wears the red and black checkered jersey. His social media posts often show him in the woods with his motorcycle. He should be in Canada. He would fit right in.
Blazusiak came to the team with an impressive history. However, his inaugural season was not without drama. Blazusiak, during Round 2 of FIM World SuperEnduro, in Germany, faced backlash for what was ruled to be rider error. Furious, Blazusiak resigned from Stark, pulled out of the series in dramatic fashion and took to social media blaming Stark and the bike.
Karlsson continued solo and after seven rounds of the inaugural 2025 FIM World SuperEnduro season, placed an impressive 5th overall in the Prestige class. The 2025/2026 season proved favourable for Stark and Karlsson with one pole position, and a trip to the podium for third place in the opening round. Karlsson wrapped the seven round series moving up to 4th place overall.
Stark: Competition Expands
After competing in the inaugural World SuperEnduro, FIM expanded opportunities for Stark. In 2025, with the newly upgraded Stark Varg 1.2, offering extended battery life, Stark entered a five round World Supercross under the leadership of former pro motocross and supercross, two-time world champion, Sébastien Tortelli, of France. The team:
- Vince Friese of USA – SX1 – Finished 12th place
- Jorge Zaragoza of Spain – SX1 – Finished 10th place
- Michael Hicks of USA – SX2 – Finished 7th place
- Kelana Humphrey of USA – SX2 – Finished 14th place
- Lance Kobusch of USA – SX2 – Finished 15th place
Stark – What’s Next? – Hitting the streets with electric enduro Stark Varg
With the introduction of the EX street legal electric Stark, popularity of the model created some growing pains for the brand. Canada faced logistics and customs issues getting the bikes out to dealers on promised time lines. These issues seem to have begun to work themselves out. Canadians are now seeing the first street legal Vargs in their daily commutes.
Originally, consumers were able to order directly from Stark through their website. This has since changed and now all consumer purchases must go through Stark dealers.
Enduro models in Canada, in order to maintain their legal street status, must be built and delivered by dealers with foot brakes. Consumers can choose to build their Varg EX with two hand brakes but the hand brake will be included as an accessory and not built with the bike. Consumers can modify their bike after purchase and delivery.
In Kelowna, visit M & M Performance for Stark products.
