Slingshots Were TERRIBLE. Then... - The Smoking Tire

The original Polaris Slingshot was a novel and exotic-looking concept that, in reality, lacked the sports car dynamic credibility that we were looking for. It had poor steering, a lazy engine, and was generally set up for Miami Beach cruising and not canyon blasting. But in 2020, Polaris brought in some big-brain racing talent to re-engineer the whole product from the ground up. There's a new engine, new suspension, new steering, and overall about 70 percent of the entire vehicle has been worked on or improved. So Matt and Zack had a go to find out of their efforts have paid off.
Polaris provided the vehicle, insurance, and a tank of fuel for this review.
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Can a Bunch of Race Car Engineers Fix the Polaris Slingshot? - The Smoking Tire
#polarisslingshot
#polaris

[@MrHeisenb3rg]

Id love to see these guys review a Polaris with the rear end conversions.

[@TranceFur]

Alright, I looked up the conversion, and **that** looks like a seriously fun vehicle. Somehow makes the Slingshot look about half as ridiculous too.

[@imSchwaggy]

Same! I like how they look with 4 wheels

[@mpolinsk22]

I wondered if such a thing could be done and/or was in existence as I was watching this. Saw these comments and Googled. I second this. I think it'd be interesting to hear their take.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Ya. I’ve looked into that in the past. One major issue is the added weight of the conversion.

[@thegirthquake8574]

Fun fact: There are companies that make these 4 wheel cars lmao

[@CruiseControl1]

I drove the new Slingshot R and took it around mountain roads here in Colorado and it was great as long as it didn’t rain. Once the road was wet I could not maintain traction very well even with light throttle application. Overall it was a great experience, the engine roars to life (sounds like angry bees), and everyone in town waves at you since it’s so unique looking.

[@aluisious]

"Look at that idiot. Cover your eyes!" Honestly though dude you say it's "great" but it's not. I take it you haven't ridden a motorcycle. The only thing the Polaris gives you is part of that experience, but in a shitty package you don't need a different license for.

[@CruiseControl1]

@@aluisious I must admit I am a beginner, I’ve only been riding since 1996.

[@aluisious]

Tell me then, how is it a great experience compared to a motorcycle?@@CruiseControl1

[@CruiseControl1]

For me it’s a nice way to take a friend for a fun ride around a beautiful mountain road as not everyone feels confident to sit behind someone on a bike for a ride. It’s also something different and people interact with you and want to know what it is. While my bikes and off road toys have all been manual, I do prefer rowing through the gears of a car based manual a bit more. To quote Deadpool on your up coming reply “long sullen silence or sarcastic comment?”

[@mjareacts2731]

​​@@aluisiousokay numbnuts, it's not a motorcycle, it's not a car, it is its own thing. I've been owning and riding motorcycles since the '80s, I also own a Polaris Slingshot, and guess what, I enjoy both equally. I know it's hard for you to comprehend that people can enjoy things that you choose to crap on, but here's a shocker, people also have preconceived notions about your douchiness on a motorcycle 😱

[@richardyoung6944]

The most important thing is how fun is it to drive.

[@artblakey4159]

As a long time sport bike rider, we avoid the center of the road as it has far more oil, water, debris, then either of the wheel tracks, so locking your drive wheel in the center of the lane is...less than optimal.

[@miljan86]

I keep watching these videos which I normally wouldn't be interested in - just because you guys put them out. 10/10 every time, honestly.

[@charlieshankles]

I just rented an old one while at the beach. I did so because of you talking about this. It was fun and glad I did, but I'm also glad I don't own it.

[@keithelder]

I rented one in Pigeon Forge, TN and drove it to Cade's Cove. It was fun, but it got old. Wife was scared to death. I was exhausted from driving it because it was sooo hot. I don't know why I'm watching this. I really thought I wanted one. But I miss my jeep wrangler on those really good days. Not rain, not heat of summer, give me AC! But those other 90+ days we get here.

[@skwashua]

💯I also rented one, it was fun for a weekend, but driving on the highway made me glad I didn’t own one.

[@Introverted_Outlander]

I have designed and manufactured multiple three wheeled vehicles, both human powered and motorized, generally speaking on a reverse trike configuration with rear wheel drive you want to use a motorcycle tire in the back. That way you can get a super sticky tire with a rounded profile so that when the front suspension does its job, the rear tire is still gripping. Otherwise, you have to have a compromise in your front suspension settings and your roll center because of the automotive style square profile, rear tire. However, there are other variations on Trikes that would do better than a non-leaning reverse track with rear wheel drive. Also noted in Europe, several companies offer conversions to turn the slingshot into a four wheeled vehicle.

[@stuffhappens5681]

Bingo.

[@MrSlowestD16]

I'm very happy they didn't put a motorcycle tire on the back. With 2000lbs curb weight that thing, especially if extra sticky like you specified, that thing would be burnt through in like 1k miles. Owned a decent number of sport bikes with super sticky tires, they don't last long, and this is way more weight. The front suspension can still do its job here. It's just a little light in the rear going into turns, but not unmanageable. It's not ideal, but for an end user product you gotta split performance & maintenance.

[@RyTrapp0]

I can only imagine that getting the stickiest tire you can stand to drive on the street(re: tread for rain, especially with just 1 out back) for the rear would be a good idea. Might be sketchy trying to pair a different compound front and rear, maybe just go with the widest rear possible and adjust front tire width to fit the handling balance? I'm sure the Slingshot community has all that figured out, kinda want to pick one up for as cheap as [reasonably] possible - maybe a K-series swap, play around with the stock suspension config, maybe get out the ol' welder & death wheel after that... I couldn't bear to have one of these to drive around stock(or even stock-ish) for any significant amount of time though they just don't appeal to me in their as-designed form, but I could totally see myself turning one of these into some ridiculous, probably even more sketchy project. Shout out to that 3-wheeler loophole(that I would likely exploit with a 4th wheel, after I got it registered & plated)! I may not be Polaris's customer, but I'd rather these things exist as an option than not exist at all

[@marcosairtravel]

Great video! I like this format a lot. Would you ever review a Campagna T-Rex? It’s a similar vehicle to this.

[@robrackstraw]

Visors boys. You don't know pain till a wasp hits you in the mouth at 80 MPH. :)

[@jeremyb4493]

Also large bumble bees (ruined a good suit) and hard rains. Even slowing to 50mph the rain felt like a full upper body assault with darts while trying to get home on my old Honda Nighthawk 700s back in the day. The exploding bumble bee felt like being hit with a large steel ball bearing from a slingshot

[@stanleymasterson1135]

@@jeremyb4493 Here's an idea genius.... check the fckin weather report before taking it out

[@SensationofSpeed]

This is not as good as three wheeled vehicles get and I can prove it. I have a Scorpion Motorsports P6 Turbo which I would be happy for TST to review if you ever come out to Colorado. It will pull more than 1.5 lateral Gs on street tires and produces almost 200 bhp from a mid mounted semi-stressed 636cc inline-4 motor. It only weighs 715lbs. It is very compliant and the rear wheel grips very well, will even slide around safely if you want it to while keeping in the lane. It is also street legal of course. Three wheeled vehicles can be things of beauty!

[@AJTalks]

I'd like to see that

[@EarlMcDoodle]

Unfortunately Scorpion Motorsports is no longer in business.

[@Cloxxki]

Props for asking the critics to have another go.

[@RBallarddesigns]

My 11 year old is in love with these. I will probably end up buying a used one at some point. … gotta get him to think I am cool for a little while…. Then I would sell it and get an older proper 4wheel

[@Stuka87]

As the front end leans into corners, the rear tire is going to experience camber change, because it has a fixed camber. This means because it has an automotive tire in back, its going to have a smaller contact patch as the vehicle leans in corners. It really needs a motorcycle tire, but there is likely none that handle the weight of this vehicle.

[@crashyyy4116]

Dually time?

[@mjareacts2731]

I actually own a Polaris Slingshot, and I've never had any of those problems carving corners.

[@LucasEtchart-lz5eu]

I would imagine the engineers designed the swingarm to be able to flex/twist (not rotate) to account for the lean of the vehicle. You also have to remember that tires are not rigid, but rather conform to the road and load on the area where the tire contacts the road.

[@dennylafoss]

I have a 2015… I put aftermarket coil overs and sway bar and it handles like a dream…. I don’t know how anyone can say they aren’t engaging unless you want something that’s fast off the line

[@Phtalvyriz]

I've ridden these a couple times when a local powersports dealer does demo days and the bike i want to ride is being ridden. I think if something happened and I couldn't ride anymore but could still drive, one of these vs a miata would be my 2 choices for replacing bikes.

[@ChrisBrooks-kj1qz]

This is super informative, unbiased, and frankly FUNNY AF!!! I love it!!! The video that is. I'll wait for the other wheel before I'd ever consider buying one.

[@seadog686]

Don't hold your breath!

[@1234zcrom]

Thanks its about time someone from the car world talks about the slingshot.

[@AP-op4rc]

This is what you would buy if the night before, you put a coin in the Zoltar machine and wished to be big.

[@metrlpcs5230]

Whoa dere!great reference!

[@RG-di8ni]

Had to pause to stare at the yellow Rolex. Very nice.

[@supermotos]

It's like if you bought a car at Home Depot

[@04dram04]

Lol exactly

[@mitchellsteindler]

Been eagerly awaiting this one.

[@shawnjohnson21]

I think we need the guys putting the sunglasses on @3:17 in slow motion.

[@Slinga-44]

Great review gentlemen, I have been a Slingshot owner since 2018 and love every opportunity I get to ride or drive it. Slinga 44

[@carsonfiero4209]

You think they could style the rear end a little better than the bathtub look it currently is.

[@dougbarkdull3469]

i watched this thinking it was another "rail on the slingshot " vid..but it's actually spot on. my 15 base version has all these inadequacies..but its still fun..put in ceramic pads helped a little with braking, and told my local dealer to cram those lawn mower kendas ..National chain Discount Tire got me hooked up with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s for the back..the front is a different size so i had to go with the sport 3 model.. Keep in mind Im a biker first motorhead second. the Mich on the back allows for serious cornering if u downshift and accelerate thru turns like you would on a bike..the ecotech and manual marriage doesn't let me Rev match like id like. In the end the low seat gives a more thrilling experience at a lower speed.. i got a guy at Octane Motorsports in Ohio going to put me in touch with a guy over there who knows how to get the ecotech to sing..we will see thanks for the vid

[@macsgo2hell]

Would love to see a review of one of these with the 4th wheel conversion!

[@truantray]

Once you add a 4th wheel, it's a car and needs to meet safety regulations. This is a motorcycle.

[@Artemis_Prix]

Agreed. The 4 wheel conversion is THE way to go with this vehicle. It almost makes it Ariel Atom-ish. Still not for me, but it would truly earn my respect with that conversion kit.

[@leo2502]

Definitely want to try this one with the four wheel conversion

[@DuBstep115]

With 4 wheels to me it would look like KTM X-BOW, but only 260k cheaper.

[@bstaneland]

“I feel like I could die at any second” “You know what this is really good at? Pulling into driveways” The ultimate knock and the ultimate backhanded compliment. Awesome

[@Vertigo11]

Love the content, thanks!

[@Dou6.2]

I don't think I have seen a single person riding these with a helmet on in the six months I've been in Florida.

[@ChadGeidel]

LOL, that ending was brutal. And deserved. :D

[@TBIRD0625]

It's a great car for people who want a motorcycle experience who either can't ride a bike or are too afraid to ride one, and that's all the Polaris will ever be. Doesn't even matter if it's more affordable, every sane person knows it's just an extremely compromised poor financial choice

[@AndrewLane87]

I saw a traffic accident involving a slingshot, a small suv basically drove up on top of the slingshot killing the guy. I think they need a full roll cage. Polaris is a great company as a whole though.

[@Triptisim]

I’ve seen a couple of these around where I live. Being both a car and moto enthusiast I still have no idea why these appeal to people, or where they fit in the market. Without all the safety tech you’re driving a glorified motorcycle that you’re completely strapped into without the option to easily bail. Also if the person buying this has any idea about how much motorcycle you can get with $33,999 US, you’re kidding yourself with this thing. On the auto side for the same price, get some old but gold handling car and put a few bucks into it with simple improvements and make it something really special that you might actually stand a chance in if you get in a collision or run it off the road. Same for me you guys mentioned in the vid- definitely not a product for me or most of us watching, but seriously struggling to see why people are buying enough of these for Polaris to keep making them, so much so they put in the money to R&D a refresh.

[@DerekOfRivia]

You "car guys" take the fun out of everything. Nit picking every little issue, no matter the vehicle. Unless it's the one you own, then it's perfect. No one is using this as a daily driver, so what's the big deal with people wanting something different?

[@mstecker]

I've had one for seven years, and it's a hoot. The old GM engine engine is more than enough power for the car. All of the 'car-like' new features you mention, my 2017 already has.

[@true1love87]

They wrote the check, so I did.😂

[@sethkey8157]

You can get a fixed rear axle with two wheels on it. I doubt its too much better, but it is twice the rubber and a better stance while cornering atleast.

[@jpslaym0936]

The biggest problem with Slingshot is that when you go around a corner it wants to throw you out of the car (not unlike a massive slingshot) This is because it doesnt lean into the corner, and that tech is available in three wheelers usually used as commuters in European cities Add that to this car and you have a winner

[@DerekOfRivia]

Just watches a video with a 70 year old woman as a passenger and she didn't tilt at all as they made turns. Maybe you're just taking the turns to fast.

[@damienlee1165]

Own one of these, a morgan 3 wheeler, and an aptera whenever those ship and it would be one wild garage.

[@johnnymartinez478]

You can always tell when these guys are interviewing a “small” company’s products the only time you. Hear them dissect so much about the vehicle and talk so bad about it’s features I hate this vehicle but modern car journalism is dead every auto journalist loves every new vehicle

[@tinman3505]

I know exactly what myself and a lot of other people would think if we saw you driving that. Same thing we do when we see a guy driving a Miata

[@MountainMasella]

The sauce is to just rent one of these on Turo. I'm in Denver and there are a bunch of them

[@markfox6081]

Do polaris also sell double-width coffin plots, remove the wheels and just drop you in when the time comes?

[@swecreations]

It seems incredibly easy to just add some plastic panels to this and it would become incredibly aerodynamic and fuel efficient too

[@gregorymceaddy8884]

That thing is so much fun...safety is the responsibility of the individual and not the government...if you drive one of these you should realize the danger and accept it

[@dallasbrown-ew8yk]

Get one of the quad conversions to get 4 wheels and these things become awesome.

[@murraymadness4674]

I rented one of these in Hawaii. It was the only one running, the other 4 were broken, and the one we had was also bad, the transmission had a pretty bad whine. It was fun, although it rained the first hour out. The wind was absolutely intolerable once over 40mph. You really need to wear a full face helmet, we had no helmets, but even still the road noise was bad. If they were super cheap, I can see buying one but at these prices no way. There are other vehicles like these, the slingshot looks like the worst of them.

[@Bob_Smith19]

Comment section is full of people that don’t like when people chose something they don’t like. I wouldn’t buy one. But I don’t hate anyone that would. I kind of appreciate the open world experience you get like on a motorcycle. I stopped riding after almost getting hit w/in 100 yards of my house three times in one week. To many people here and most of them don’t pay attention.

[@bloo.]

The way matt starts talking about the car and the owners at 17:20 is sending me lmao. “This type of thing”

[@DerekOfRivia]

That was weird. I want one and it didn't fit my description at all. In real life ive actually only seen old dudes in these. On the internet it's black guys.

[@Cloxxki]

I wonder whether a rear end with the single wheel could be engineered to support more by being pushed OUT in turns, perhaps even steer a tiny bit. That would take some sturdy arms, but yeah. I wonder whether it could really help and not make it roll in a moose test.

[@keithrobertson2401]

I hope someday Matt or Klap back Zack Klapman get to try one of the modded ones with 4 wheels, and if it’s a better vehicle or just a weird version of an already pretty weird vehicle lol 😂 been waiting on this one cause this is as close as I’m ever gonna get into one of these.

[@TrustworthyFox37]

Someone sure reedited this fast

[@michaellorenson2997]

Well done. I've been aware of Morgan three-wheelers for decades, and have even been in their presence once or twice. Here in the U.S., that's a rarity. I find them interesting, but have never found them compelling. They are notoriously dangerous when the rear tire goes flat - a regular occurrence in the olden days - which is disturbing, but as a former motorcyclist I could live with that. You do the maintenance, hone your vehicle control skills and judgment, and hope for the best. This kind of motoring is risky, which is part of its charm. In the end, though, I think I'd much rather have something more like a Lotus Seven than a three-wheeler. (Yes, I understand the legal loopholes that account for the three-wheelers' existence.) The Slingshot suffers horribly from its styling, in my view. It is a ridiculous looking thing. But I do have to sit up and take notice of its value proposition. If it were beautiful, I could get more interested in it for sure. However, my actual choice, as part of my own real-world, final analysis, two-car solution, is a Corvette with a manual gearbox. I could have gone in several other directions for comparable money, and some of them might have made me happy, I don't know. Maybe I'll find out someday. For me, a three-wheeler _does_ fill the role of a motorcycle, and it'd be a third vehicle. Now, I could easily find storage space for a bike. But a 77-inch wide monstrosity like this? Out of the question.

[@phillipev]

Honest question: would this improve with different tires?

[@boblast5582]

this is funny, I know a guy that has a slingshot has or had the cars you mentioned he wouldn't be caught dead in

[@VacFink]

Its a good product for its market. Its nice to see a niche model get upgraded and sorted to more solidly fit the market but also bring in some excluded by previous shortfalls. A great job by the engineering team! If you want a motorcycle experience, this seems like a great option.

[@aluisious]

No, a motorcycle is a good motorcycle experience. This is a piece of garbage that only exists to get around regulations. It is not good and cannot be good.

[@matthewdurkee5673]

I like the way the slingshot looks. Personally i don't think i would own either. You can get a bunch of different really good used sports cars in the 30k range. By the sound of the way Matt and Zack wete talking the other used sports cars would absolutely out perform the slingshot.

[@phmiii]

Thank you,

[@TheBlade302]

There are a few companies that make 4 wheel conversions for these. Please please review one. DF made one for a bit, the guys that make the goblin based on the cobalt. It sounds like a well put together rear conversion would fix nearly all the dynamic complaints. That said, the looks... Yikes.

[@silentracer911]

I wonder what a crowned rear tire would do for the handling. Take a tire with a lot of meat, shave the sides down a bit

[@NielsHeusinkveld]

In a way one rear tire is like having an open diff rear axle. Driving force is right in line with the car center of gravity, so unlike a LSD car, where the outer tire can develop more traction than the inside, making the car potentially rotate more, when the patch is in line with the CG, driving can't rotate the car. With an open diff, this is also true, the torque on the ground is equal on both sides, so there is no rotational moment.

[@user-el7hy7os6l]

What road is this?

[@ryanconklin1440]

I gotta say this was interesting

[@dtmenace]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the powertrain?

[@joshd9111]

Hear me out, it just needs a really really thick rear tire. Comically thick.

[@Cody35695]

steam roller

[@aluisious]

Not really. They got into the problem that the front end can lean, but the rear end can't. You can't fix that, it's just utterly mismatched. Motorcycles work because the front and rear lean at the same time. Also the problem with the rear being jacked up on crowned roads is HILARIOUS. What a heap of junk.

[@air-headedaviator1805]

Polaris should sell Slingshots with 4 wheel conversion kits lol. Even if it has to be a solid rear axel.

[@hectorcortland5204]

Makes me wanna see these guys drive a doonkervort

[@carsaregood911]

I'd rather take a GR86 and a used R6 or something

[@jraiello]

I would like to see him review this with the rear quad conversion..

[@hofahome]

These are the mini skis of the automotive world.

[@bostinaycock8316]

Test drove one of these at a demo day in 2017 and it was easily the worst driving machine I have ever experienced. Horrible slushy shifter, awful steering, turn radius was a joke, and the single rear wheel wasn't able to put down any of the power effectively. I've never had my expectations shattered so hard before. Might try out one of these newer ones if a demo day comes around these parts again :-)

[@charlieshankles]

That's funny because I live in Knoxville which is very close to pigeon forge. I agree, don't want to own it

[@bcs528]

Wonder how this compares to a T-Rex with the motorcycle engines lol

[@jaypritchett17]

haha you guys fixed the corvette shot im guessing

[@jpoplin1]

I seen at least 2 😅

[@truantray]

The real version of this is the Campagna T Rex.

[@kylemgregg]

We need someone who has done the quad conversion on one of these to fork it over for a review. They look so dope, whereas the trike looks kinda lame imo, and I’m interested in seeing what difference the extra wheel makes in performance and handling.

[@pierresauve8612]

I wanna hear their opinion on DMM Works 4 wheel conversion of these. They basically fix this thing

[@CaptainPetrolburner]

I want to give one a test drive. I’d never buy one because of how much garage space they take but the power to weight ratio would be fun AF. Can’t understand why they’d put inadequate brakes on it though.

[@user-ih7gc7dt9l]

Can someone answer why front wheel drive doesn’t work well with 3 wheels.

[@aluisious]

The answer it in the video: weight balance.

[@beanburnham01]

There is a 4 wheel conversion kit that would make this much more fun

[@andreoates8405]

It is a fun vehicle if you don’t have the money for a Lamborghini or even Corvette and you are not able to ride motorcycles anymore, you’ll get the same effect with the wind in your face💯😌

[@cliffordbradford8910]

I would want mine with a proper bike sequential transmission and maybe if they'd commit to a single seat version like a BAC mono 🤔

[@big-w9086]

How tall guy friendly is it in the driver compartment?

[@ElliWoelfin]

Matt didn't comment on it so it's likely fine.

[@Squesus]

I just came here to laugh at this thing lol

[@tayvonrose2528]

They need to drive zzp's slingshot

[@maximilianholland]

Fair.

[@amplemind9739]

Pretty sure I saw you guys driving this lol

[@SmittyAZ]

I misread the notification thumbnail as, "Can race car *ENGINES* fix the Slingshot?"

[@boost331]

I cant help but laugh every time I see someone driving one of these. The fact that they really think they have something special is the best part.😂😂😂😂

[@mikez104]

Those helmets are friggin priceless. Lmfao

[@LogicalQ]

If I want jank fun… it will be an exocet.

[@Cloxxki]

Could Polaris make a track-only car that's similar, and then customers would individually make them road legal with a simple kit they buy and bolt on?

[@jareknowak8712]

"They wanna sell a lot of them" - what means "a lot" in this case?

[@JK-tu1xx]

$34k, that's a big yikes. You can buy a lot of great cars for that money.

[@truantray]

You can build a nice Super 7 kit. Much better alternative.

[@ryandoyle4344]

How does it oversteer?

[@TheSmokingTire]

easy and often.

[@imSchwaggy]

Best slingshot mod is when people put the 2 wheel conversion on the back.

[@davidpfrey]

You can buy a faster motorcycle for 1/4 the price of a slingshot. The reason I don't own a motorcycle is that they are too dangerous. I honestly wonder if the Slingshot is *more* dangerous than a motorcycle since you are belted into a heavy machine with no crash testing or regulations.

[@truantray]

Legally, it's a motorcycle. You're on your own.