Check out Gotham Ducati, NYC's first and only official Desmo Owners Club

Polaris Slingshot at Philly Cycle

 Ok, so this is arguably not motorcycle, let alone a Ducati, but it's bike-related and still pretty cool.  By the time I'm posting this, there have been fewer than 70 "Slingshots," marketed by Polaris as a "3 Wheel Motorcycle" sold in the world.

This 3 wheeled competitor to the Can Am bike packs a serious punch.  A 2.4 liter engine puts out 175hp, with apparently fantastic handling.  The angular, batman-esque styling is aggressive and modern, as if Tesla entered the dune buggy market, though the cockpit (for lack of a better term) looks suited for a larger man, more comfortable for the 6' tall and up gentleman.
 They're pretty rare, so I considered myself lucky to see a Slingshot, when my buddy needed to get a rear tire on his BMW S1000RR replaced at Philly Cycle.  The service staff were gruff and argumentative, so I can't say I recommend the shop, but bikes (and almost bikes) they had on display were pretty slick.
Slingshot Specs:

SLINGSHOT™

DIMENSIONS / CAPACITIES
Dry Weight1666 lbs.
Curb Weight1725 lbs.
Overall Length (in/mm)149.6 in/3800 mm
Overall Width (in/mm)77.6 in/1960 mm
Overall Height (in/mm)51.9 in/1318 mm
Track Width (in/mm)69.1 in/1755 mm
Wheelbase (in/mm)105.0 in/2667 mm
Ground Clearance (in/mm)5.0 in/127 mm
POWERTRAIN
Engine2.4L DOHC
Displacement (cid/cc)2384 cc
Bore and Stroke88mm x 98m
Compression Ratio10.4:1
Valve TrainDOHC, VVT
Fuel91 octane or higher
PERFORMANCE
Rev Limit (RPM)7000 RPM
Peak Power (HP)173 HP @ 6200 RPM
Peak Torque (ft-lbs)166 ft-lbs @ 4700 RPM
FLUID CAPACITY
Fuel (Gallons/Liters)9.77 Gallons / 37.1 Liters
BRAKES
Brake Rotors (Front)Vented, 298mm diameter
Brake Rotors (Rear)Vented, 298mm diameter
WHEELS AND TIRES
Front Tire TypeKenda "Slingshot" 799
Front Tire Size205/50R17
Front Wheel TypeCast; 8 Spoke
Front Wheel Size17x7 J
Rear Tire TypeKenda "Slingshot" 799
Rear Tire Size265/35R18
Rear Wheel TypeCast; 8 Spoke
Rear Wheel Size18x9.5 J
TRANSMISSION
Clutch TypeDry, Single Plate, Hydraulically Actuated
Transmission Type5 Speed Synchromesh with Reverse
1st Gear Ratio3.753:1
2nd Gear Ratio2.258:1
3rd Gear Ratio1.512:1
4th Gear Ratio1.000:1
5th Gear Ratio.729:1
Reverse Gear Ratio3.672:1
Gear Shift PatternH
Bevel Drive Ratio2.312:1
Final Drive TypeCarbon Fiber Reinforced Belt, 36mm x 147T
Final Drive Ratio1.590:1
STEERING
ActuationRack-and-pinion
AssistPolaris EPAS, Speed Sensitive
Steering Turns, lock-to-lock3.2
ELECTRICAL
Battery575 CCA
LIGHTING
Headlight2x Projector Hi/Lo H9 65w (Center)
Auxiliary Light2x Projector H3 55w (Outboard)
Tail/Brake LightLED
Turn SignalsLED
License Plate LightLED
Speedometer & Indicator LightsLED
DRIVER AIDS
ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes)Standard
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)Standard
Traction ControlStandard
WARRANTY
Factory Warranty2 Years
-from the Factory Website
© 2014 Tigh Loughhead

0 comments :

Rides gone by...