Got a close look at a Polaris SLINGSHOT today...INTERESTING!
by: oldchopperguy - May 12, 2016 0:25:43 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on May 12, 2016 0:25:43 GMT -5
This afternoon, I finally got "Minnie Mouse" back on the road, new lights, illuminated swan and all! Sure felt good! It's storming now, but I'll get night-pix of the lights as soon as weather permits.
While heading to Wally World for the missus' meds I encountered a lady on (or in?) a brand new Polaris SLINGSHOT! She also was heading to Wal-Mart so I got to look over that 3-wheeled wonder and ask all about it. Here's a pic of one just like hers...
First thing I noticed was that it's quite LARGE... And very sharp-styled. It also has ALL-WHEEL drive, with an auto engine/front-wheel transaxle up front, and belt-drive to the single rear wheel. According to the lady, Polaris bought up a factory and all left-over goodies when Pontiac went under. And, the Slingshot uses a Pontiac Solstice engine/power-train with a 5-speed manual tranny.
It's quite fast, and to my eye, is more of a rebirth of the old-school sports car than a motorcycle, but with 3-wheels so it can be affordably insured as a trike. This has been a problem in Texas, as the TX DOT said the Slingshot was NOT a motorcycle because of its side-by-side seating, and it was not a car because of its 3-wheel configuration. So it could not be titled or licensed in Texas as ANYTHING.
The owner said that has changed, and a category of vehicle has been created called "Auto-Cycle". So, the Slingshot is titled/licensed as such, and license and insurance are commensurate with a large sport-bike. Pretty appealing, but I think it will still appeal to the affordable performance car buyer more than to bikers.
The most expensive models run about $25K which is a LOT less than a Can Am Spyder. The Slingshot has MAJOR appeal and performance though, and the only thing I am not wild about is its size. It's similar in size to my old 1995 Honda Accord sedan... But, it puts your face in the wind, looks cool and goes like a scalded dog. It really IS a lot of metal, plastic and engineering for the money.
It also offers "car reliability" and costs less than a Spyder, or a loaded Harley for that matter.
If you have a "Jones" for a 3-wheeler, want it really FAST, and don't mind it being second-cousin to a car, you might want to check out the new Slingshot!
Worth a look-see!
Leo in Texas
While heading to Wally World for the missus' meds I encountered a lady on (or in?) a brand new Polaris SLINGSHOT! She also was heading to Wal-Mart so I got to look over that 3-wheeled wonder and ask all about it. Here's a pic of one just like hers...
First thing I noticed was that it's quite LARGE... And very sharp-styled. It also has ALL-WHEEL drive, with an auto engine/front-wheel transaxle up front, and belt-drive to the single rear wheel. According to the lady, Polaris bought up a factory and all left-over goodies when Pontiac went under. And, the Slingshot uses a Pontiac Solstice engine/power-train with a 5-speed manual tranny.
It's quite fast, and to my eye, is more of a rebirth of the old-school sports car than a motorcycle, but with 3-wheels so it can be affordably insured as a trike. This has been a problem in Texas, as the TX DOT said the Slingshot was NOT a motorcycle because of its side-by-side seating, and it was not a car because of its 3-wheel configuration. So it could not be titled or licensed in Texas as ANYTHING.
The owner said that has changed, and a category of vehicle has been created called "Auto-Cycle". So, the Slingshot is titled/licensed as such, and license and insurance are commensurate with a large sport-bike. Pretty appealing, but I think it will still appeal to the affordable performance car buyer more than to bikers.
The most expensive models run about $25K which is a LOT less than a Can Am Spyder. The Slingshot has MAJOR appeal and performance though, and the only thing I am not wild about is its size. It's similar in size to my old 1995 Honda Accord sedan... But, it puts your face in the wind, looks cool and goes like a scalded dog. It really IS a lot of metal, plastic and engineering for the money.
It also offers "car reliability" and costs less than a Spyder, or a loaded Harley for that matter.
If you have a "Jones" for a 3-wheeler, want it really FAST, and don't mind it being second-cousin to a car, you might want to check out the new Slingshot!
Worth a look-see!
Leo in Texas
