OK listen, it kinda sucks that Polaris has been out of the personal watercraft game for over a decade now, but we’ve gotta say that what they’re making these days is pretty dang exciting. It’s no secret that Polaris’ RZR is the big daddy of performance side-by-sides; in fact, dealers can hardly keep ahead of the demand. And Polaris has always been a fan-favorite for snowmobiles. But as Can-Am’s three-wheeled Spyder blurs the lines between motorcycle and Sea-Doo, Polaris has smeared the line between motorcycle and, well…indy car.
The all-new Polaris Slingshot is an impressive, and outright befuddling machine. Powered by a GM 2.4-liter, 173HP Ecotec in-line four cylinder motor and backed by an Aisin five-speed manual gearbox, the Polaris rides on a chrome-moly tube chassis that sits two passengers low in the pan, shoulder-to-shoulder. With a 77.6-inch wide front wheelbase, 149.6-inch length, and 51-inch height; the Slingshot tips the scales at nearly double that of conventional trikes at 1,743 pounds. Massive 11.8-inch disc brakes bring the big go-trike to a stop, as lots of electronic assistance helps sponge up the Slingshot SL’s tail-wagging.
So, you might be wondering, what the heck is a story about this $24,000 real life Hot Wheels toy doing in a jet ski magazine? Besides the evergreen hope that Polaris will come to their senses and come back to producing the Octane and MSX (preferably with the grenade-proof Ecotech 4-banger in tow), we spotted this impressive machine at our favorite Power 50 dealers in North America by Powersports Business, America’s Motor Sports.
If you’re struggling with the wintertime blues and you’ve got a couple dozen grand burning a hole in your pocket, then maybe the Slingshot is the toy your garage has been lacking. Otherwise, we’ll see you out on the water when it decides to melt.
