I really hate to pass my opinion on too much about it until I have mine in my hands. To be clear, I have a titanium colored base model upgraded to SL status on order through options as I liked the titanium look but the SL features. Cost $600 more than a SL but I will end up with a set of smaller cast wheels through pull-offs.
Being a man of few words, I'd have to say......
I don't think I need any special consideration for buying a first year production...I wanted it and I'm buying one...my choice...I trust Polaris engineering based on their reputation and other Polaris products I own.
I think if your are skeptical about the purchase of a first year production model, you should keep your money in your pocket.
I don't think the SlingShot is a fine or high-end car (motorcycle) so I don't expect it to be one and therefore won't be disappointed. I have a C7 Vette now and will have a second one which is due in the 3rd week of August (both first year production models). If you or I want a fine car, plan on bringing at least 2.25 times more money than the SL for a base model "fine" car.
I think the 460 hp vette won't or can't provide what I want and plan to get from the SlingShot. It's a different tool for a different job. I am not concerned about the weight at all as three wheel vehicles are a different animal than all others and I'm confident Polaris did their homework/R&D...ever try to drive a reverse 3 wheeler on two wheels.... in a corner..... at a high rate of speed.... un-expectantly?...it exceeds exhilaration by several levels. The better the front tires grip, the more likely to happen and the SS has real front tires. Low slung and front to rear weight bias are key.
I think the Polaris engineers made the front-end so wide (6" wider than the new 'vette) as its fitting with the balance of the "motorcycle", the over-all weight and in consideration of how it will be used. If it were designed to be putted around in with a 40 horse engine, the design would have looked entirely different.
I think it is more of a "big boy" toy, play-pretty and will never be a family heirloom no more than a jet-ski will be. But that doesn't detract from the fun of it (or the jet-ski). It is what it is.
I think that the price of the SlingShot is more than fair when considering what you get and what's involved...it's not minimalistic by comparison.
I think the award-winning Ecotec is a perfect choice for the SlingShot with its smooth power delivery and track record.
I think it is a good thing the SlingShot is offered by a company that already has a dealer network in place.
I think it would have been great if the SS hit the market before summer ended.
I think based on the engine selection, I'd leave going cross-country with no concerns unlike other reverse three wheelers on the market.
I think the SlingShot will not be the answer to all my prayers but certainly will be a good answer to some specific ones.
I think the Polaris is provided with a windscreen (meant to be peered over) because if they designed it to be looked through (windshield wiper), then it then becomes an OEM provided "windshield" and has to meet different federal regulations (solid frame around perimeter, optically correct, etc.)..
I think the aftermarket can and will solve the "windshield" problem much easier than Polaris.
I don't think the SlingShot is fine looking....unique, quirky, spectacle...yes and that's okay....in the next decade, a SlingShot still won't blend into traffic like a Honda Accord does.
I think my SlingShot will be similar to me as side-by-sides are to my off-road counter-parts/co-workers.
I don't think a SlingShot will be a life altering purchase or a life-style change...as I think it will be as intended...a fun machine.
I think commuting wasn't in the engineers mind when designing it but it could certainly do it.
I think touring wasn't in the engineers mind when designing it but it could certainly do it, as well.
I think it was designed to bebop around the county and local area...in a spirited fashion on a fair weather day...but not limited to those days or area much like any other "motorcycle".
I think that those that would consider owning and driving a SlingShot are not your run-of-the-mill people. Some people are just quicker to embrace new and aren't afraid of having fun or generating a smile. You can't take live too serious. If it's not okay to have fun now...when will it be okay.
I think the SlingShot's main requirement is impressing the driver...not everyone else.
I think Polaris won't offer removable "saddlebags" but more likely a trailer hitch and a trailer (like CanAm did with the Spyder) that looks equally as weird as the SlingShot itself and will generate more revenue...if a cheap alternative is not provided, customers will go for the more expensive alternative.
I think Polaris, in general (not just for the SS), is too proud of their accessories.
I think the SlingShot has a heavy-duty power plant/drive train and would be a towing dream considering stability/traction/ABS along with the three wheel stance.
I think Polaris is making Harley Davidson very nervous with the Indian and Victory motorcycle. I suspect CanAm and similar will soon feel the effects of the SlingShot., as well.
I think the beauty of the SlingShot will be revealed in motion and not standing around in a parking lot talking about it.
Most of all, I think the rear-end is butt ugly...however, if it runs and performs like I hear it does, I could care a less what it looks like. Pardon my expression but if something so ugly doesn't perform well, it has two major strikes against it and is a non-starter. I have, what I consider, an good looking reverse three wheeler....
It is a hand-made aluminum body Morgan Three Wheeler with a 2-liter S&S X-Wedge engine and Mazda MX-5 transmission. The paint job is impeccable on every square inch (including interior, under the "hood" and trunk). It has a hand-made leather interior, hand-made floor mats....it looks like quality from one end to the other, weighs just over 1,000 lbs....and it cost $57K. That said, performance-wise, it's pretty lame...not that it won't run...it's more of it being mechanically frail and there are major weak links in the drive line as delivered. You run it hard, you pay for your sins shortly thereafter. It also came with horrible bump steer issue (which I since corrected). It is minimalistic with no stability/traction control, no ABS, no "Infotainment" center, no tilt wheel....it should have been a raw, radical animal. Also, no real storage like the SS has, poor charging system, limited lighting, no means to adjust camber or caster (I fixed that as well), no single-sided swing-arm and the fuel level indicator reveals 0% fuel remaining after burning 4 gallons out of the 11.5 gallon capacity saddle tanks. It has a cool looking V-twin (like the vintage Morgans) but it has lumpy delivery with it's non-symmetrical gait and requires a compensator (cush drive) ahead of the transmission to prevent the balance of the drive train from getting beat to pieces which is one of the Morgan's many weak links. It's does better in the parking lot discussions than out on the road. Its not a matter of "if" you break down, but "when" you break down. It's hard to really enjoy the ride/scenery when you have no confidence in your vehicle and have to keep a towing service on speed dial. Appearance does nothing to help performance or this one would have been one fine ride. I had a Spyder (and trailer) as well and it wasn't the reverse three wheeler experience I am looking for...it tach'd too high at interstate speeds to be comfortable....more like riding a off-road 4-wheeler as far as feel and had no "off" switch on the stability control....but it was worth a try to form my own opinion. Sitting
in a reverse 3-wheeler is much better than sitting
on a reverse three wheeler. I kept the Morgan as with time and even more money (as the warranty was one more broken promise) and a lot of wrenching, it can be fixed...and I still think it's cool....unique, quirky and a spectacle....I'd like to add "reliable" to that list but don't see it in the immediate cards as it won't be an easy fix. If Morgan was state-side, I would have joyfully sued them by now but I suspect I would have to take a number and get in line. There are about 1,100 of these in the world with a fairly small percentage in the States and about a dozen dealerships here adding to the problem.
I have a good feeling about the SlingShot...third time's the charm. I'm in it for the fun factor and nothing else. If it does what I think it will, it will deserve a valuable spot in my shop permanently...if not, I'll trade it in on another Indian. Some times, you just have to try something to really know for sure. I can tolerate styling conflicts if the mechanical end is in order. I have the utmost confidence in Polaris (& a proven GM design) and will go into this with an open mind.
That's really all I've got to say about it for now.
Z