Polaris Slingshot

[Payman]

Looking forward to seeing this. To be revealed on July 27th.

http://www.polaris.com/en-ca/slingshot

[12,000 RPM]

Needs 4 wheels. This US motorcycle law is ridiculous.

[Payman]

Needs 4 wheels. This US motorcycle law is ridiculous.

It bypasses prohibitive crash regulations and enormous expense if it's classified as a motorcycle. To me, wearing a helmet in such a vehicle is not a big deal, since the benefits (cost, weight, performance) promise to be awesome.

[12,000 RPM]

They should enable motorcycles to have 4 wheels, is what I'm saying. An Ariel Atom is a motorcycle IMO.

[r0tor]

Looks like what I have been wanting for years... Except missing a wheel

[Payman]

Some more info here:

http://www.slingshotforums.com

Apparently it's got a 200hp EcoTech engine and Aisin 5 Speed manual.

[Payman]

They should enable motorcycles to have 4 wheels, is what I'm saying. An Ariel Atom is a motorcycle IMO.

Got ya.

I like the idea of 3 wheels. The Campagna T-Rex can pull 1.5 G's on the skidpad. It allows for a much lighter machine as well.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

If their 4 wheel razors and buggies are any indication then this thing will probably be priced at 40 grand. At the price of a nice liter bike I'd be down.

[Payman]

If their 4 wheel razors and buggies are any indication then this thing will probably be priced at 40 grand. At the price of a nice liter bike I'd be down.

Been searching for pricing... estimates range from $17.5k to $100k. Most guesses put it around 30k. If it's priced in the 20's, I'll definitely check one out.

[MrH]

Oh dear god.  I would sell the BRZ and buy one of those in a heart beat if it's around $20k.

Sadly, I'm guessing it'll be more like $50k

[Payman]

Oh dear god.  I would sell the BRZ and buy one of those in a heart beat if it's around $20k.

Sadly, I'm guessing it'll be more like $50k

There must be a solid business plan in place for Polaris to attempt this. The EcoTech drivetrain is very inexpensive... less than a lower volume motorcycle drivetrain. The optimist in me says it'll be priced under $30k. If it's more than that, I think it'll fail miserably.

[MrH]

200 hp is complete overkill in that thing.  I would have been content with 100 hp N/A.  But if they can deliver that kind of power for under $20k, that'll be the bargain of the century.

I agree, I think if they're over $30k, they're in trouble.  That's a lot for a toy.

[Payman]

From the Slingshot forum...

"I contacted several local dealers. One of them said there would be 2 models at $18K and $28K which pretty much matches the $20K and $25K figures I've seen elsewhere."

I hope I hope I hope...

If the Can-Am Spyder is priced at $16-$30k, this pricing is quite possible IMO.

[Raza]

They should enable motorcycles to have 4 wheels, is what I'm saying. An Ariel Atom is a motorcycle IMO.

How is the Ariel Atom a motorcycle?

[Onslaught]

How is the Ariel Atom a motorcycle?

It's not to me. Because I actually like the Atom and would like to have one.

[hotrodalex]

Have you guys seen the prices for other Polaris models? Gonna be $$$.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Have you guys seen the prices for other Polaris models? Gonna be $$$.

That's what I'm saying.

A 1000CC Razor is 20 G's, this thing is going to be stupid expensive. Probably X-Bow money(wasn't that thing like 40-50K?).

Anyway, I'm back to looking at locust/lotus shit. Now that the garage is thinning out(Evo gone, Audi gone, Miata Sold and a interested party in the Z) I'm a bit more motivated.

For 25K I can possibly build a Stalker M-Spec with a new GM LS3 480HP crate motor.

[12,000 RPM]

How is the Ariel Atom a motorcycle?

A collision with a car would end the same for the Atom occupants.

[MX793]

A collision with a car would end the same for the Atom occupants.

They'd probably fare a bit better, depending on the crash (speeds involved, how they are hit...).  They do have a crash cage and harnesses.

[hotrodalex]

Unless they get run over by a truck (in which case both bike and Atom are screwed), Atom is still 100x safer.

[r0tor]

I fail to understand why I can buy a motorcycle in the US and it be street legal (and in some states not even wear a helmet), but can't buy something like an Ariel atom or xbow

[MX793]

Didn't they make a US street legal Atom?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Didn't they make a US street legal Atom?

Apparently, and they are "giving" them away for 60 grand with a 230hp N/A honda motor.

[Payman]

I fail to understand why I can buy a motorcycle in the US and it be street legal (and in some states not even wear a helmet), but can't buy something like an Ariel atom or xbow

Maybe 4 wheels = car, and therefore not DOT and NTSB compliant. 3 wheels or less = motorcycle, which has far less restrictions, and is the reason the Slingshot is able to be built, sold and registered by the public.

[r0tor]

Maybe 4 wheels = car, and therefore not DOT and NTSB compliant. 3 wheels or less = motorcycle, which has far less restrictions, and is the reason the Slingshot is able to be built, sold and registered by the public.

While true, it makes no flipping sense I can't buy an Xbow because it doesn't meet all safety crash standards.... But I can buy a new sport bike and go flying around without a helmet and meet no crash standard at all.

[MX793]

Well, motorcycles do require separate licensing/endorsements than cars to operate, not that they are all that difficult to get.

[MrH]

Ok, I'm completely clueless when it comes to motorcycle licensing.  For something like a slingshot, I'd need to pass the motorcycle written test, right?  Would I need to complete an actual test on a motor cycle?  Something like this is completely different to operate.

[Raza]

Ok, I'm completely clueless when it comes to motorcycle licensing.  For something like a slingshot, I'd need to pass the motorcycle written test, right?  Would I need to complete an actual test on a motor cycle?  Something like this is completely different to operate.

I wonder....since this is legally a motorcycle, could you just pass it in is?

[MrH]

I wonder....since this is legally a motorcycle, could you just pass it in is?

I imagine the course is laughably easy when you don't have to balance the thing at low speeds

[280Z Turbo]

While true, it makes no flipping sense I can't buy an Xbow because it doesn't meet all safety crash standards.... But I can buy a new sport bike and go flying around without a helmet and meet no crash standard at all.

The government needs to protect you. You don't know any better.