2025 Polaris Slingshot SL | MC Commute - video Dailymotion

Motorcyclist

Explore the 2025 Polaris Slingshot SL, a three-wheeled roadster that blends open-air excitement with everyday usability. In this review, we cover the engine performance, updated features, and driving experience to see if the Slingshot SL is the right choice for your next adventure.   Check out the story at https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/reviews/polaris-slingshot-sl-mc-commute/   Become a Channel Partner: https://octanemedia.co/home/become-an-advertiser/  Looking to buy? Get prequalified  https://octane.co/vehicle-selection/?partner=jAYmx9P&a=303&flow=long-prequal&appTheme=3a49337c5724d18079602a4ca5a91626   Read the best motorcycle news and reviews: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/   Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorcyclistonline/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motorcyclistmag/

Transcript

00:00Hey folks, good morning and welcome to another episode of MC Commute, starring Polaris'

00:042025 Slingshot SL Manual.

00:07This is a three-wheel auto cycle, but we're going to get to that in a little bit.

00:10Who's ready to go for a drive?

00:11All right, everyone, there it is, Polaris' 2025 Slingshot SL Manual Transmission three-wheel

00:16auto cycle.

00:17We'll get what that means in a little bit, but that means we have two wheels in the front,

00:21one wheel in the back.

00:23This thing is made by Polaris Industries in the United States, designed for all of you

00:27folks out there who want something that splits the difference between a four-wheel automobile

00:33and a two-wheel motorcycle.

00:35Look at this thing.

00:36It has a really long and low stance.

00:38This is powered by a 1997 CC inline four-engine liquid-cooled dual-hard camshafts with a 16-valve

00:45cylinder head.

00:46It also has a five-speed manual transmission that puts power back to that 20-inch rear wheel

00:52via a belt final drive.

00:54All right, everyone, enough talking about this vehicle.

00:57Swing a leg inside the cockpit and see what it's like to drive.

00:59All right, everybody, here we are inside the 2025 Polaris Slingshot SL Manual Transmission

01:05Vehicle.

01:06Takes some interesting contortions to get in this vehicle, but we're in.

01:09We also have an automobile-style safety belt, which we use to lock ourselves in the cockpit.

01:15This vehicle has a proximity key fob, which we have positioned in this center console thing.

01:21Here it is.

01:22Proximity key fob, which has to be in close proximity for the vehicle to start.

01:26Let's press the start button and away we go.

01:29Of course, we have a parking brake right here we can use to keep the vehicle from moving

01:35at a standstill if you're in neutral, but we like to leave it in gear.

01:39That's kind of how we roll.

01:41All right, everyone, right away getting inside this vehicle.

01:44This thing is very long and low, but once you're seated into the cockpit, it feels very much

01:49like a sports car.

01:52A lot of room.

01:53We have an adjustment of seat.

01:54There's a seat position adjustment up front, and we can also move the angle of the seat back.

01:59Now, we can't move the seat any farther back, though, because we have the seat all the way

02:03slid to the rear.

02:06It's also worth mentioning that there's some storage beneath both driver and passenger seat.

02:11We also have a glove box and that center storage area where we have the proximity key fob.

02:17Now, this vehicle is really at home in these slower-than-50-mile-per-hour corners.

02:23This thing actually feels very sporty and real well-connected.

02:27It's powered by a 1997 CC liquid-cooled in-line four-engine dual-air camshaft, the 16-valve cylinder head.

02:33This engine is manufactured by Polaris, but it's based similarly to GM's Ecotech engine,

02:41which Polaris used to use in the old days.

02:43This engine also powers its RZR four-cylinder UTV.

02:50It's mated to a five-speed ASIN transmission, and we have the manual transmission vehicle

02:54that puts power back to that 20-inch rear wheel via belt final drive.

02:58God, this thing's a hoot.

03:00It is a lot of fun meshing between the gears.

03:03The gear shifter feels nice and tight.

03:06There's a good amount of throw between the gears, but the transmission feels nice and tight

03:11and real high quality.

03:13It's really fun to go through the gears.

03:16Just like a manual transmission automobile, we have three pedals, our left foot on the clutch,

03:21middle is brake, and the right is throttle, and it drives exactly like a manual transmission automobile.

03:27The engine drinks from a nearly 10-gallon capacity fuel tank, and we've been getting around 19.5 mpg.

03:35The way we drive this vehicle right now, we're cruising in top gear at 40 miles per hour,

03:40and we're pulling just south of 2,000 rpm.

03:45Keeping tabs on everything is this digital LCD display.

03:49This is the same type of display Polaris has been using on the Slingshot for a long time.

03:53It also shared in its RZR UTVs.

03:56It works good, looks good.

03:57We also have the 7-inch color TFT display, which is also touchscreen-compatible.

04:02How cool is that?

04:04Let's see if we can play some music.

04:09We've got speaker controls right here on the steering wheel.

04:11Let's listen to the music.

04:14Oh, yeah.

04:15It's my jam.

04:19Oh, wow.

04:20This sounds awesome.

04:21These two speakers, these two Rockford Fosgate speakers, sound just magnificent.

04:28This is a really nice-sounding sound system.

04:32Oh, Morgan Whalen, 21 Savage, my favorite.

04:34What do you think?

04:35How does that sound, folks?

04:37I think it sounds really good.

04:39The sound system in this 2025 Polaris Slingshot SL is much improved from the previous versions,

04:45which we've operated in years past.

04:47It sounds awesome.

04:48And it's all touchscreen-compatible.

04:50You can also use the switchgear on the steering wheel.

04:53We also have GPS, so we can keep metrics of our ride.

04:59Vehicle speed is limited to 125 miles per hour in the Slingshot SL, but I would say that's

05:05probably a good thing.

05:06Driving over 85, 90 miles per hour in this thing gets a little squirrely feeling.

05:14Again, if you keep the speedometer below 65 miles per hour, the handling on this thing

05:19is actually pretty fun.

05:21It does get a little bit loose above 60, 65 miles per hour, but below these speeds, it

05:27actually feels real connected.

05:28It feels almost like you're in a go-kart.

05:30To keep the speeds lower, you're definitely going to appreciate the handling.

05:33When you do hit bumps in this vehicle, you certainly feel the bumps.

05:37Yes, there's double wishbone front suspension and a rear shock, but you definitely feel the

05:42bumps in this vehicle, and there is quite a bit of bumps here.

05:45I mean, when you hit a bump, the vehicle will go left or right.

05:49So it's better at low speeds, but at higher speeds, you definitely, it gets a little, little

05:55move.

05:55There's quite a bit of movement.

05:56In terms of vibration, this engine is pretty smooth.

06:00You feel a little bit of vibration, but not too bad at all.

06:04It's actually a pretty smooth engine.

06:05It has a really nice sounding character, even when we're lugging it at low RPM in a tall

06:10gear.

06:10It's got a real nice sound, right?

06:12Real nice character.

06:13It feels pretty sporty.

06:15Of course, in the state of California, this vehicle is defined as an auto cycle.

06:20What that means is you have to have a California driver's license, but you do not need a motorcycle

06:25endorsement to operate this vehicle, just a driver's license.

06:28Both rider and passenger do, however, have to be donning a DOT legal helmet.

06:35You don't need to wear a full face helmet like we're wearing, but we're safety first,

06:38so that's why we're wearing a full face helmet.

06:40This vehicle drives very low to the ground, and it's not subject to any automobile safety

06:45standards, so it's probably a good idea to be wearing a full face helmet.

06:51But yeah, this thing gets up and goes.

06:54What a fun little vehicle.

06:57Pass that car like it's nothing.

07:00Let's pass this guy.

07:01Get out in front where we belong.

07:02There we go, folks.

07:03Out in front where we belong.

07:06I like this oversized fly screen.

07:08Does a good job blocking the elements, really good clear view of what's going on in front

07:12of you.

07:13The hood line's nice.

07:14It's easy.

07:14It's good visibility.

07:15Easy to see what's going on.

07:17Out back is another thing, but we do like these rear view mirrors, which do a good job

07:21of showing you what's out back.

07:22When you put the vehicle in reverse, there's a backup camera that automatically illuminates

07:27and displays on this display that gives you a good field of view of what's going on behind

07:31you.

07:31The turning radius on this three-wheel auto cycle, it definitely requires a little bit of room,

07:38but you'd be surprised how agile this vehicle is for a 1,700-pound vehicle.

07:45Yes, it's very long and low and wide, but you can get in and out of spots fairly well

07:49with this vehicle.

07:51It's not nearly as cumbersome as it appears when you're looking at it.

07:55Speaking of looks, this thing was designed to be, was designed, it was inspired by a predatory

08:02bird.

08:02So that's kind of why it has this aggressive styling.

08:05And this vehicle certainly is a head turner, especially in this lime green paint job.

08:11This thing stands out on the road.

08:13And if you're someone who's really looking for attention, you're going to get it with

08:17this $29,000 Polaris Slingshot SL manual transmission vehicle.

08:22So it's fun just cruising around.

08:24Of course, we have cruise control.

08:25Let's turn that on.

08:28Cruise control is on set.

08:31Now we can cruise right at 55 miles per hour.

08:34This vehicle is cool because it splits the difference between a four-wheel vehicle and a motorcycle.

08:38Gives you that wind in the air feeling without having the need to balance.

08:43But that kind of begs the question, at $29,000, why wouldn't you just buy a Mazda Miata?

08:48Well, that's certainly an option.

08:51Again, this vehicle is not subject to any U.S. automobile safety standards.

08:54There's no airbags.

08:55There's no crumple zones.

08:57But if you're someone who wants a motorcycle-ish feel, then I could understand maybe why you

09:04would like this vehicle.

09:05Pretty much the biggest thing why these things are so cool is just they look crazy.

09:10They look crazy and they really stand out.

09:12They're really flashy vehicles.

09:14All right.

09:15I'm going to disengraise cruise control by using, by actuating that center brake.

09:21Oh, yeah.

09:24Yes, give her the berries.

09:27Yeah, she goes.

09:30Again, this engine, this powertrain configuration has a really pleasing sound to it.

09:34Makes driving fun.

09:36There is some sort of crash protection in these crash bars above in case you roll over, which

09:44gives the occupant some level of safety.

09:47But again, this vehicle is so low to the ground, you do not want to be getting an accident in

09:52this thing.

09:54Triple disc hydraulic brakes keep speed in check.

09:58Brakes are a little bit mushy feeling, but they still do a good job of getting the vehicle

10:02slowed down.

10:04Of course, we have always on ABS, which completely mitigates any instability when using the brakes.

10:10We have that parking brake, which is connected to the rear brake.

10:14I'm not going to lie.

10:15Below 60, 65 miles per hour, this thing is just a hoot to drive.

10:19It has a lot of lateral grip and a real sporty character.

10:23It feels kind of like you're riding a go-kart, but kind of not to.

10:26And it is actually pretty fun.

10:29Higher speeds, freeway speeds, it gets a little darty.

10:32I certainly wouldn't want to ride this thing to, I wouldn't want to do a fuel tank on it

10:37and drive it cross country, but just around town, having fun on back roads, I think it's

10:41pretty fun.

10:42Well, everyone, that was really fun.

10:44Drive in Polaris 2025 Slingshot SL, manual three-wheel auto cycle.

10:49This thing's certainly a hoot to drive at speeds underneath 65 miles per hour, and it looks

10:53awesome.

10:54Let's show you some of that storage space we were talking about.

10:57Again, there's the lever for the seat, so you move it forward, and then we have some

11:01storage here, which we can put a cooler for drinks or a helmet, slide this back.

11:07Then we have the center console where we can put the keys and other things.

11:11Then if we go to the other side, there's the fuel cap where you fill up the 10-gallon

11:15capacity fuel tank.

11:17There's that lever for the, oops, the lever kind of fell off right there, but that's okay.

11:21And then we can move this forward here, which exposes more storage right here, if you can

11:29see it, more storage right there.

11:31A little bit plasticky feeling, but still pretty cool.

11:34And that is a rundown in the cockpit of this 2025 Polaris Slingshot SL.

11:41Overall, a very, very neat machine.

11:43Is it worth $29,000?

11:45You're going to have to be the judge.

11:47But if you want a machine that's going to stand out on the road like no other, you should

11:50check out this 2025 Polaris Slingshot SL.

11:54Well, everyone, that wraps up today's MC Commute.

11:57We'll see you in the next episode.

2025 Polaris Slingshot SL | MC Commute

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended