Last checked: 16 September 2026. Applies to Great Britain unless stated otherwise. Prices, stock and specifications can change.
Quick answer: The Stark VARG EX and 2026 Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP are both high-performance electric off-road motorcycles, but they sit in different classes. The VARG EX is a full-size road-homologated enduro with up to 60HP or 80HP and a 7.2 kWh battery. The Ultra Bee HP is substantially lighter and cheaper, with 24.5 kW peak power. If you want the closest road-legal comparison, compare the VARG EX with the Ultra Bee HP T, not the off-road-only HP X.
Stark VARG EX vs Ultra Bee HP at a glance
| Stark VARG EX | Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP T | Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Full-size enduro, road homologated | Road-legal Ultra Bee | Off-road Ultra Bee |
| Current MotoEbikes price | £10,900 60HP / £11,900 80HP | £6,499 | £5,999 |
| Headline maximum power | 60HP or 80HP | 24.5 kW peak | 24.5 kW peak |
| Published weight | Approximately 120 kg depending on specification | 91 kg kerb | 88.5 kg kerb |
| Road status | Road-homologated EX; exact licence depends on registered configuration | Road legal | Off-road only |
The biggest difference is not the power number
The VARG EX is much closer to a full-size enduro motorcycle in chassis, suspension and overall scale. The Ultra Bee HP occupies a lighter middle ground between compact electric dirt bikes and full-size enduro/motocross machinery. That difference affects handling, transport, confidence at low speed, technical trails and how physically substantial the bike feels.
Published weights put the road-legal Ultra Bee HP T at 91 kg, while the VARG EX is around the 120 kg mark depending on specification. That roughly 30 kg gap is significant.
Which has more power?
On headline output, the VARG EX has the higher ceiling. Stark offers 60HP and 80HP versions. Sur-Ron publishes 24.5 kW peak for the 2026 Ultra Bee HP, which is about 32.9 mechanical horsepower when converted mathematically. That conversion is useful for scale, but manufacturer peak-power figures are not always measured under identical conditions, so it should not be treated as a laboratory comparison.
If you are deciding between the two Stark outputs, see our VARG EX 60HP vs 80HP Alpha guide.
How big is the price difference?
Using current MotoEbikes prices, the road-legal Ultra Bee HP T at £6,499 is £4,401 less than the VARG EX 60HP at £10,900. The 80HP Alpha widens the difference further. That is too large a gap to ignore. The VARG needs to justify its premium through the full-size platform, suspension, battery capacity, performance ceiling and the type of riding you want to do, not simply through one specification number.
Which one makes more sense for road use?
Compare like with like. The Ultra Bee HP T is the road-legal Ultra Bee. The HP X is the off-road version. The VARG EX is Stark’s road-homologated enduro.
Road homologation still does not answer the rider-licence question by itself. Electric motorcycle categories use registered continuous/rated power rather than headline peak power. Read our VARG EX road-legality guide and the MotoEbikes licence guide.
Which is better on tight trails?
The Ultra Bee’s lower mass can be a real advantage where you repeatedly change direction, pick the bike up, manoeuvre at walking pace or load it into transport. The VARG’s appeal is different: full-size ergonomics, more substantial chassis and suspension, and much higher available performance. Rider size, pace and terrain matter more than a generic “better” label.
Which feels more like a full-size motorcycle?
The VARG EX. That is one of the fundamental reasons it costs and weighs more. Riders coming from conventional enduro or motocross motorcycles may value that scale. Riders stepping up from a Light Bee, Talaria or similar lightweight machine may find the Ultra Bee a less dramatic jump.
Battery and range
The VARG EX uses Stark’s published 7.2 kWh battery platform. Sur-Ron publishes its own range and battery figures for the 2026 Ultra Bee HP. We do not declare a range winner by mixing manufacturer claims produced under different conditions. Terrain, speed, temperature, tyres, rider mass and riding mode can change the result substantially.
For how to interpret claimed versus actual range, see our electric motorbike range guide. A future MotoEbikes range test should use the same route, rider mass, temperature and speed profile for both bikes before calling one a real-world range winner.
Charging
Stark’s VARG EX owner documentation quotes around two hours for a full charge on its stated 220V setup. Charging time in practice depends on starting state of charge, charger, supply and conditions. Do not assume the larger battery automatically means an inconvenient ownership experience without looking at the charger and your normal riding pattern.
Who should look hardest at the VARG EX?
- Riders wanting a full-size electric enduro rather than a lighter trail bike.
- Experienced riders who will use the extra performance and suspension capability.
- Buyers who specifically want the VARG platform and its adjustable power delivery.
- Riders prepared to pay a substantial premium for the full-size package.
Who should look hardest at the Ultra Bee HP?
- Riders prioritising lower weight and easier manoeuvrability.
- Buyers who do not need a 60HP or 80HP performance ceiling.
- Riders with a budget closer to £6,000 than £11,000.
- People moving up from lightweight electric dirt bikes and wanting a smaller step toward full-size machinery.
Which version should you compare?
If road use matters, compare VARG EX 60HP or VARG EX 80HP Alpha with the Sur-Ron Ultra Bee HP T. If road use does not matter and you are comparing primarily for off-road riding, the Ultra Bee HP X becomes relevant, and you should also consider whether Stark’s MX 1.2 is actually the closer VARG for your use.
VARG EX vs Ultra Bee HP FAQs
Which is more powerful?
The VARG EX has the higher published maximum-output ceiling, with 60HP and 80HP versions. The 2026 Ultra Bee HP is rated by Sur-Ron at 24.5 kW peak.
Which is lighter?
The Ultra Bee HP. Sur-Ron publishes 88.5 kg for the X and 91 kg for the T, while the VARG EX is around 120 kg depending on specification.
Which is cheaper?
The Ultra Bee HP. Current MotoEbikes pricing is £5,999 for the HP X and £6,499 for the HP T, compared with £10,900 for the EX 60HP and £11,900 for the EX 80HP Alpha.
Are both road legal?
The VARG EX is road-homologated. The Ultra Bee HP T is the road-legal Sur-Ron version; the HP X is off-road only. Rider licence entitlement still needs to be checked separately.
Which has more range?
We cannot responsibly name a real-world winner from unmatched manufacturer claims. A proper answer needs controlled testing under the same conditions.
Which is easier on tight technical trails?
The Ultra Bee’s much lower weight may help many riders in tight terrain. The VARG offers the larger full-size chassis and greater performance ceiling. Rider skill and terrain decide which trade-off matters more.
Which feels more like a 450-size enduro?
The VARG EX is the closer full-size proposition.
Is the Stark worth more than £4,000 extra?
That depends on whether you value the full-size chassis, larger battery platform, suspension and higher performance ceiling enough to justify the price difference. The comparison is use-case dependent rather than an objective yes/no.
Which is better for a newer rider?
The lower mass and lower purchase price of the Ultra Bee may make it less intimidating for some riders, but suitability depends on height, experience, intended terrain and how the bike is configured. Both are serious motorcycles.
Can I test both?
Demo availability changes. Check the MotoEbikes test-ride page or contact the Guildford showroom before travelling.
Should I compare the EX with the Ultra Bee X or T?
Use the T when road legality matters. Use the X when your comparison is off-road only.
Where can I buy them?
MotoEbikes sells the current Stark VARG EX and Sur-Ron Ultra Bee ranges through its Guildford showroom and online store. Check live product pages for current stock.
Sources and verification
Stark specifications are checked against Stark Future and the VARG EX owner documentation. 2026 Ultra Bee HP figures are checked against Sur-Ron UK and current MotoEbikes product data. Current MotoEbikes prices and stock information are taken from the live store. Licence information is checked against GOV.UK guidance.
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