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Post by Liteway on Apr 17, 2015 17:03:50 GMT -5
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Post by 1983JZR3W on Apr 17, 2015 17:36:21 GMT -5
There are couple of the Slingshots in my town that I know of. It just looks too big in my opinion. It is wide, and fairly heavy if I remember correctly. I need to do a comparison photo like you did with my JZR next to a Slingshot. I have always been a fan of the "Morgan style" reverse trike, and the Slingshot just looks too futuristic for my tastes.
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Post by Liteway on Apr 17, 2015 18:24:43 GMT -5
I agree. Its as big as a MX-5 and twice as ugly. The stylist should have waited to come down off the acid trip before penning it.
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Post by Reversed on Apr 17, 2015 19:54:44 GMT -5
Is it bad that I would rather have your homebuilt trike? Much cleaner body lines IMHO. ]    May be a smidge of difference in frontal area.  Styling is unique if not bizarre.  |
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Post by worldpax on Apr 18, 2015 10:43:29 GMT -5
A guy at work has one of those. Haven't got a chance to ride in it yet. I'm really not that excited about them. Seems way too heavy and the drivetrain is overly complicated. From the reviews I've read, it's almost undriveable without the traction and stability assist, and kinda boring with them turned on. I'll take Triplethreats and just add a steering wheel  |
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Post by Liteway on Apr 18, 2015 11:48:17 GMT -5
Thanks. I'm inclined to believe most would be in agreement with Reversed and I am fine with that. The comparison I wished to make was between stark functionalism and over the top styling. Mine was never styled, I just wrapped metal around the frame as best I could. That resulted in it resembling a door stop, but its a clean doorstop that fairs in the driver in a simple fashion not requiring much builder's skill. I will admit to preferring the basic proportions of the slingshot that give it an aggressive look. My problem is with all the extravagant nonfuctional detailing and bulk, likly to give it a CD just slightly better than a parachute. When I look at those unnecessarily tall and open front fenders with their potential to create lift as well as drag, I can't imagine what the designers were thinking.
Longer, lower, homelier ripoff of Meyer's Manx?
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Post by darkside on Apr 19, 2015 13:33:35 GMT -5
Honestly, I don't hate the slingshot.
It's a start and I think they're going to learn a ton from it.
I think you're on the edge of seeing a lot more RTs being produced by several manufacturers.
I've been following 5 brand new designs lately and I'm very impressed with what I've seen.
My wanting started in the 90's when I saw my first T-rex, the pricing was way out of my budget, but I kept looking every now and then to see what was going on.
The T-rex is way overpriced but some of the "clones" are built better at half the cost.
I'm finally getting one and I am very excited about it.
Enjoy your trikes they're all very cool.
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Post by Liteway on Apr 20, 2015 19:49:29 GMT -5
I wouldn't say I hate it, but it sure disappoints me. It was an opportunity squandered to show the world the performance potential and efficiency of a properly designed reverse trike. Just how many high school kids do they think have the money for one of these? End of badmouthing. Regardless, I see your point, at least there is a mass market alternative to the wildly expensive T-Rex, and its sets a low bar that perhaps another manufacturer will try to jump over. Maybe that will happen if it looks like Polaris is going to make some money. I suppose I can root for them for that reason.  |
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Post by skifffz1to3 on Apr 21, 2015 0:57:30 GMT -5
I can't wait...Oh, bother, guess 'll have to...until I can do a shootout with my TriPod USA against the Slingshot...half the weight, twice the handling and performance... just sayin...
Chassis 2/3 done, body panels in and getting trimmed, prepped and painted...not long now
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Post by Liteway on Apr 21, 2015 8:00:55 GMT -5
Good example of the direction Polaris should have taken. The Mev tR1ke is another  |
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Post by mtntech on May 1, 2015 15:47:33 GMT -5
The reason Polaris has had healthy sales numbers is because of the price point of the Slingshot. At $19999 it is well positioned in the marketplace. That's about the same price as a higher end off road SXS. The front styling is actually pretty cool, but the rear end is butt ugly. I didn't expect anything better from Polaris because......well, it's Polaris. The bar is positioned fairly low for competitors at this point.
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Post by exlbuilder on Sept 6, 2015 9:50:11 GMT -5
The exposure for reverse trikes that the Slingshot is getting is really good for me. The more the better, as more people see these then they will want one. Hopefully the laws will get changed to allow these in Ontario and Manitoba. I have heard that some states have already modified their laws...
The design is a bit too stealthy for me with all the sharp edges. The frontal area has too many angles and surfaces and could get a bit softened up for my liking but the fact that they went out on a limb is fantastic and very risky.
I own a Polaris 750 FST snowmachine. The sled has been completely problem free. It uses a Weber turbo charged, water cooled four stroke two cylinder engine which is set up for 148 HP ( for 8 seconds then drops off to 142) We have a lot of these units in the area and a couple are running their engines at 200 hp. The sled is a heavy 693 lbs (same weight as a 1988 Honda Goldwing).
I had thought about using this engine for a reverse trike, as it is used in industrial applications too, such as water pumps which has them pushing 180 hp continuously. Apparently the engine was used in some cars in Europe as well. The engine set up can be had for around for around $3000 which is not bad considering the amount of horsepower. I had even considered using it for a reverse trike with the belt drive as this system is very reliable. I have 6000 hard miles on this sled and the belt has no signs of wear. We run fast and hard on the sled and it just keeps going. If a damaged Polaris 750 FST were to come up I would pick it up in an instant....I know that I would have competition too for it...when these sleds come up, they are picked up quickly here.
Polaris and Skidoo are the number one sleds in my area. They are good value for the money. I have no experience with 4 wheelers...but there are a ton of RZR's here.
As to Triplethreat's machine, it is hardly a "homemade" machine...the level of workmanship is very professional, it just happened to be build in his home. I love the look of it and the lines are beautiful. The changed sheet metal seat that he built shows the attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The Polaris Slingshot went down the assembly line and had to be designed for it. I am sure they went for the edgy look since it was a new development for them and really Polaris is still a relatively small company. They also have a lot product lines.
I am glad they took the risk and I am sure that the Slingshot will develop as the years go on.
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Post by mtntech on Sept 9, 2015 9:47:35 GMT -5
A Yamaha 4 stroke sled engine would be my pick over the Polaris twin.
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Post by exlbuilder on Sept 9, 2015 11:28:46 GMT -5
The Polaris FST is a Weber built engine that can take a whole lot of abuse. It is not built by Polaris. The Yamaha is also not too bad and could be adapted. The weber has already been used in some small cars in Europe. My friend is pushing somewhere around the 350 hp on his Yamaha drag sled.
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Post by mtntech on Sept 12, 2015 9:58:19 GMT -5
The Yamaha sled engines respond very well to turbocharging. I had one of the first turboed 4 strokes in Canada back in 2003. The 4 cylinder versions (RX1, Apex) sound great when boosted. Very smooth and reliable as well. IMO a much preferred choice over a twin.
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Post by exlbuilder on Sept 20, 2015 22:31:39 GMT -5
 I still do not what to think of this yet....I also do not know how it is going to stay cool...not a lot snow going over the heat exchanger. Would you need to put in a larger rad or what?..... |
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Post by mtntech on Oct 9, 2015 21:02:34 GMT -5
View AttachmentI still do not what to think of this yet....I also do not know how it is going to stay cool...not a lot snow going over the heat exchanger. Would you need to put in a larger rad or what?..... I think that it is safe to say that creating that was a serious waste of time. |
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Post by DaveJ98092 on Oct 10, 2015 13:29:18 GMT -5
I still do not what to think of this yet....I also do not know how it is going to stay cool...not a lot snow going over the heat exchanger. Would you need to put in a larger rad or what?..... I think that it is safe to say that creating that was a serious waste of time. Some people have more money than sense! (cents) Can you say FUGLY. |
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Post by Liteway on Oct 10, 2015 15:01:55 GMT -5
I still do not what to think of this yet....I also do not know how it is going to stay cool...not a lot snow going over the heat exchanger. Would you need to put in a larger rad or what?..... I think that it is safe to say that creating that was a serious waste of time. Some people have more money than sense! (cents) Can you say FUGLY. Looks as if the short wheelbase and high CG would make it a handful at highway speeds, but its not way far different from the the CANAM Spyder and other motorcycle riding position reverse trikes. Not a direction some of us would take, but a home built can be anything a builder wants it to be within his talent and budget. Nice if others like what results, but if he gets a kick out of building and riding it, congrats to him. From a distance the workmanship looks decent enough. Like the front wheels. |
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Post by tripod1 on Oct 26, 2015 15:59:17 GMT -5
Hi All, I think its great news for the reverse trike community that Polaris have entered this sector. It is a very professional styling job but is certainly not to everyones taste and is enormous in its scale. It has an amazing following. The owners seem very 'invested' in their trike. On the basis that both Polaris and their owners think this Star Wars film set escapee is the best thing going I needed to drive it without fail on my most recent trip to the US. I managed to rent one in Phoenix before the weather was too stinking hot (May) from a great bunch of people (Street Eagle in Scottsdale). It was in good condition having done 5000 miles. It was an eye opener! My concern in regard to the Slingshot was that it would make my Tri Pod 1 feel like a shoddily constructed and designed home made hack up job. After only a few minutes at the tiller though I was completely calm about that and was left wondering what Polaris were thinking. Full review here - tripodcars.com/slingshot_review.htmlThe sports reverse trike field has been left wide open by Polaris! Andrew. |
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