Here's How Fast The 2023 Polaris Slingshot Can Really Go (2024)

Many believe you cannot have your cake and eat it, too, but there's the Polaris Slingshot for those who don’t. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, remember that the Polaris Slingshot manages to give all the thrills of a motorcycle with the safety of being in a car.

Deciding whether it’s a car or a motorcycle is like figuring out what came first: the chicken or the egg. With two wheels in the front and one at the back, most claimed it was not a trike. (Sorry, Yamaha Nikken!) Motorcycle purists argued it had one wheel too many, while sports car enthusiasts decried the lack of one wheel.

Either way, it’s a stunning three-wheeled bike, and early arguments about its identity apart, the Polaris slingshot is as much a part of the motorcycling enthusiast’s world today as are Harley-Davidson motorcycles or any other two-wheeled badge. That said, the one thing everyone wants to know is: how fast does a Polaris Slingshot go? Let’s strap in and find out.

The Polaris Slingshot Is An Under-5.0 Second Speedster

With looks that can stop traffic and performance that can make most hypercars blush, the Polaris Slingshot is one of the coolest vehicles around, unafraid to stand apart. It’s fast, too, boasting an electronically limited top speed of 125 mph, which is standard on all its models, irrespective of horsepower.

Currently, the Polaris Slingshot is available in a five-model lineup, differing in price, horsepower, torque, and features but keeping its 125-mph top speed a fixed benchmark for almost all the models. However, Polaris does not mention the same for the Slingshot S.

As per the Polaris website, the SLR, R, and ROUSH Edition models of the Slingshot also boast a 0-60 mph run of 4.9 seconds, which puts it right in the category of Dodge Hellcats, Ford Mustangs, and even Toyota Supras of today. However, that also makes it slower than most fast motorcycles of today.

2023 Polaris Slingshot Models Engine Specs, 0-60, Top Speed, And Pricing

All specs have been taken from the official website of Polaris.

2023 Polaris Slingshot Offers Plenty Of Choice And Customizations

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The Polaris Slingshot: Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask

Along with the five models that all run on the same 2.0-liter Polaris Polestar four-cylinder engine, the slingshot also comes replete with several customizations. There are plenty of color options as well as body designs. If you choose the Slingshot ROUSH edition, it comes with a roof as well, turning it more into a four-wheeled sports car than a trike. Further, you can customize the seats, lights, sound system, and even more, leaving you spoiled for choice. Of course, Gotham Garage ended up turning one into a hot rod, so there can be something like too much customization.

The base model is the Slingshot S, which makes 178 horsepower and rides on 18-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. It has a standard five-speed Aisin AR5 manual gearbox. With an MSRP of under $22,000, the 9.2 power-to-weight ratio isn’t all that bad.

Of course, if you are okay with spending more, most tend to go for the Slingshot SLR or R, which comes with 203 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque, zipping from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. While these come with a manual option, they also have an optional five-speed automatic. It’s not the sharpest knife on the block, but thankfully, it has paddle shifters to emulate manual-like shifts.

That said, if you look at the comparison spec table between the Polaris R & S, the only difference lies in the horsepower, torque, and, therefore, the power-to-weight ratio.

2023 Polaris Slingshot S & R Specs Comparison

All specs have been taken from the official website of Polaris.

All The Reasons To Get A Polaris Slingshot Instead Of A Traditional Motorcycle

While the traditional motorcyclist would beg to differ, the Polaris Slingshot does offer several advantages over a two-wheeler. Not that everyone would agree. There’s nothing like the thrill of riding one of the coolest motorcycles that you need to balance through the curves, hanging on for dear life. Still, the Slingshot is just as thrilling, with the advantage of comfort, safety, and security over it all.

Pros

• It's fast and thrilling, making for a speedy ride.
• It's built almost like a car, with traditional sports car seating for two in the front, replete with bucket seats, so conversation with your partner is easier.
• There is enough legroom and movement, so driving long distances is more convenient.
• With three wheels, drivers can just concentrate on the road, given that it turns more like a car, and enjoy the wind in their hair.
• The Slingshot’s convenient driving is also far more convenient as a vehicle for the disabled or impaired.
• It has several convenient compartments for storage, enough for a weekend trip, which makes it a little more convenient than a motorcycle.
• Having a roll cage around you with the option of a roof adds a sense of safety and security while driving.
• Since some states classify the Polaris Slingshot as an autocycle, you may not always need a two-wheeler license for it. Do remember to check before you take it out for a spin because, in other states, it is a trike, as in a three-wheeled motorcycle.
• The Polaris Slingshot starts at around $22,000, which makes it cheaper than many motorcycles and most cars today.
• Last but not least, the Polaris Slingshot also gets the most eyes when you go down the road.

Here’s Why The Slingshot Is Not Everyone’s Cup Of Tea

While the Polaris Slingshot is fast and rather fuel-efficient as well, there are plenty who still don’t quite get the vehicle. Despite being a trike, it looks more like a car, and while that’s true, it's labeled as a three-wheeled motorcycle or autocycle, which means different states have different rules about it. That said, it is a good-looking trike, even if some people have a few reservations about it.

Cons

• Unlike a motorcycle, you need parking space for the Slingshot, given its dimensions match those of a coupe or a sports car.
• While it’s a speedy ride, most of today’s motorcycles can zip from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds and touch speeds greater than 150 mph.
• There are several cheaper motorcycles available, even if they come with smaller engines.
• The top models of the Slingshot can touch $40,000, which means you can get a decent entry-level sports car on that budget too.

Source: Polaris Slingshot