Is Polaris Slingshot Really A Motorcycle?

It was a busy weekend for Polaris Industries. Its Indian division unwrapped a new Roadmaster luxury touring model. Its Victory brand unveiled a new premium bagger called the Magnum. And Polaris revealed a new three-wheeled, reverse trike called the Slingshot.

While there’s no mistaking the Roadmaster and the Magum as being motorcycles – they have two wheels, handlebars and traditional seats for rider and pillion – the Slingshot is vastly different. It has a steering wheel and side-by-side bucket seats. Polaris describes it as a “roadster that represents the future of on-road driving exhilaration.”

Powered by a 2.4 liter dual-overhead cam motor that produces 173 horsepower, the 1,700-pound Slingshot has a five-speed transmission and is belt driven. It also has electronic stability and traction control and three-wheel ABS.

The base MSRP is $19,999 for the model that has 17-inch front wheels and an 18-inch rear. A premium “SL” models costing $23,999 has 18-inch front wheels and a 20-inch rear.

Polaris maintains that the Slingshot is “a 3-wheeled motorcycle. It is not a automobile, it does not have airbags and does not meet automotive safety standards.” The company also says operating a Slingshot may require a valid motorcycle endorsement as well as a helmet in states with helmet laws.

But can it be considered a motorcycle? Not any more than a Can-Am Spyder is a motorcycle, and it’s probably a lot less of a motorcycle than a Spyder. It’s more like a go-cart for grownups. The Slingshot will be available this fall.