Polaris Slingshot

[JohnnyV]

I was at Mom's South a couple weeks ago where they have a few of these on display and spoke to one of the sales guys about it.

Yes, they offer test drives
It gets registered as a motorcycle
Nanny features can indeed be disabled
There are bolt-on forced induction kits that work


Thing looks unreal in person

[PinHead]

I was at Mom's South a couple weeks ago where they have a few of these on display and spoke to one of the sales guys about it.

Yes, they offer test drives
It gets registered as a motorcycle
Nanny features can indeed be disabled
There are bolt-on forced induction kits that work


Thing looks unreal in person

NOT, what I wanted to hear. Might be time to break out that line of credit I have with Polaris.

[Swizz]

I test drove the sling shot in November at Rt 3A Motors. My father put a deposit down on one after the ride. He doesn't ride motorcycles and never had an interest in 2 wheels. He's getting his endorsement just to own the slingshot. Although Polaris calls this a motorcycle and it's registered as such, I don't think anyone is buying this while comparing it to anything on 2 wheels. Polaris is so set on marketing this as a motorcycle because they don't want to have to go through all the safety garbage that comes with designing a "car." (crash tests, airbags, safety glass, ect) If they did, it would be a lot more than $20-$25k. Calling it a motorcycle cuts through a lot of the government red tape BS. They've had trouble getting Texas, Indiana, Connecticut, to jump on board and allow it to be purchased in their states. But they're sorting all that out with plenty of pay offs im sure.

A lot of people hate the Slingshot and a lot of people love it. I myself, thought it was a blast. Its fast, handles very well, and is extremely eye catching (which could be good or bad). For 25k for the fully loaded model, it's still cheaper than most Can-Am Spyders. Ive been on spyders before and the slingshot blows the spyder away in the fun department. If you get a chance to drive one, do it, I can guarantee you'll have a shit eating grin on your face.

[boosten lebaron]

I haven't driven one yet but I hear a lot of complaints about the brakes and the amount of steering input needed to get it to really get into the twisties. People seem to complain about the sluggish revs that's attributed to the ecu programming. How did you find the ride? Did you sense any of that?

[Vortex Punchtop]

Did a salesperson ride along with you or did they let you take it out by yourself?

[Swizz]

I haven't driven one yet but I hear a lot of complaints about the brakes and the amount of steering input needed to get it to really get into the twisties. People seem to complain about the sluggish revs that's attributed to the ecu programming. How did you find the ride? Did you sense any of that?

Ive read about the sluggish revs and RPM hanging. I only went out for a 20 min test drive, but in that 20 min I didn't have any complaints about any throttle input. I was beating on it pretty good. I'm sure if there are problems down the road with the ecu that they'll be corrected.

Brakes left something to be desired, they weren't bad, I just needed to apply more pressure than I thought I would have. I'd prefer a lighter feel on the brakes but I wouldn't necessarily consider them crappy.

The steering was more of a go kart than a typical car. For example, when I took it on the highway, as I changed into the left lane I turned the wheel slightly left and SS predictably went into the left lane. If you were in a car you simply stop providing steering input and the car will track straight again. With the SS you need to, ever so slightly, steer back to the right to get the SS to track straight again once you're in your lane. It's hard to explain and if you go on a test drive and experiment with the steering I think you'll know what I'm talking about.

The best part of the whole vehicle is shifting through the gears. The transmission is so butter smooth that you get excited when its time to shift.

I warned my old man about buying the first model year and maybe letting them work any potential bugs out but he seems fine with being a guinea pig for Polaris.

[Swizz]

Did a salesperson ride along with you or did they let you take it out by yourself?

At Rt3A Motorsports they let you go by yourself. Not sure about MOMs or the other dealers. When we went there was a line of people waiting for test rides. One guy was gone for 45 minutes and they didn't say boo to him. I took my father out on one ride and my mother out on another later that day. They don't have their endorsements but both wanted to experience the ride before putting money down.

[SVRACER01]

... With the SS you need to, ever so slightly, steer back to the right to get the SS to track straight again once you're in your lane. It's hard to explain and if you go on a test drive and experiment with the steering I think you'll know what I'm talking about.

i know exactly what you mean. my MILs civic is like that. i swore it was broken

[SVRACER01]

you know what...fuck that slingshot...Ariel Nomad brings back the dune buggy | Fox News

[Swizz]

you know what...fuck that slingshot...Ariel Nomad brings back the dune buggy | Fox News

Looks fun but at $50k id buy a RZR

[breakdirt916]

so you have to countersteer it?

[Swizz]

so you have to countersteer it?

Essentially yeah. I neglected to use that term because I didn't want people to get an impression that the steering was dodgy or something. I only had to "countersteer" while changing lanes on the highway and it was only slightly. Negotiating regular turns and bends I never noticed myself doing any sort of countersteering. Take my review with a grain of salt too. I had 2, 20 min test rides so I wouldn't say I got a feel for all the pros and cons of the SS. When my parents bring one home I'm sure I'll have more input.

[boosten lebaron]

40 minutes of test rides is more than any of us have or will likely get so your a big source of information. Cant wait to hear back from you once you get to put some real miles on one.
I'm already second guessing getting one. Rumors of a 3rd model and updates to next years one already in the works makes me want to wait it out. I need as much information as i can get.

[carsick]

so you have to countersteer it?

Please use that term carefully, as there are those that still believe "countersteering" bikes doesn't exist. OP said the thing has a wheel, so I think he means only a slight correction is necessary to straighten up after changing lanes.

[Swizz]

40 minutes of test rides is more than any of us have or will likely get so your a big source of information. Cant wait to hear back from you once you get to put some real miles on one.
I'm already second guessing getting one. Rumors of a 3rd model and updates to next years one already in the works makes me want to wait it out. I need as much information as i can get.

If it was my $25k I'd be a little hesitant. I'm not one to buy first model year toys. My old man doesn't seem to care though he just wants the damn thing. The SS is something brand new in so many ways. Theres gonna be problems with it but it's only going to improve. If you have the patience theres no harm in waiting. If you buy it your still gonna have a blast.

[Vortex Punchtop]

Although I'm sure there are no Slingshots riding around New England today...

Slingshot misfires, part II - Common Tread - RevZilla

[SVRACER01]

everyone has recalls. i dont see the big deal

[breakdirt916]

any other input on these?

since it's registered as a motorcycle in CA, I get carpool lane access to work! (lower performance?) car engine makes me hope the maintenance on it isn't too expensive or frequent

I might be renting one soon...reviews make it sound like a B+ student...it's not bad, but pretty good! just not excellent...

[Paul_E_D]

Although I'm sure there are no Slingshots riding around New England today...

Slingshot misfires, part II - Common Tread - RevZilla

My neighbor has had one for a while. like a few months.

[backinthesaddle]

Although I'm sure there are no Slingshots riding around New England today...

Slingshot misfires, part II - Common Tread - RevZilla

Saw one in westerly ri last night people taking pics of it like it was the bat mobile.

[Swizz]

My father has had his for several months. 5k miles so far so good. Everywhere he goes people flock around you to take photos. Starting to see a lot more around my area as well. Took a ride with him up Rt1A along the seacoast. It puts a shit eattin grin on your face the whole time your driving it and everybody waves and takes pictures. Not the most subtle way to travel. But I'm sure the newness will wear off once people start seeing more of them

[breakdirt916]

that's what I wanted to hear...I want it!!!

next step: when buying a house, pick one with sufficient garage space for a slingshot, FZR600, harley, YZ250, and xr100...the sport/dirt bikes can fit around a slingshot in a single car garage; but the huge hunky harley that I'd get will almost need a bay of its own...and slingshot has to come out every time I'm working on a bike. Nvm...my dream-life-within-reach definitely needs a 2 car garage.

[xrocket21]

that's what I wanted to hear...I want it!!!

next step: when buying a house, pick one with sufficient garage space for a slingshot, FZR600, harley, YZ250, and xr100...the sport/dirt bikes can fit around a slingshot in a single car garage; but the huge hunky harley that I'd get will almost need a bay of its own...and slingshot has to come out every time I'm working on a bike. Nvm...my dream-life-within-reach definitely needs a 2 car garage.

step 1: ditch the POS Harley...

[Falko]

Saw one in Mass the other day. The riders/passengers were not wearing helmets, I thought these things could only pass as motorcycles? Were these two bound for a ticket??

[SVRACER01]

saw one on top of Mt Washington