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 Polaris Slingshot can't be sold in Texas
Apparently they are not recognizing it as a mc because the word saddle is not in there.
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The US DOT and many states are working to try and define, again, the difference between a car and a motorcycle. The simple 'less than 4 wheels' definition no longer works.
In simple terms, the Spyder is a motorcycle. The Slingshot is a car. You know it when you see it. Much harder to define in the laws. Problem is, the Slingshot does not meet the safety equipment and emissions requirements for a car.
Its likely that this will not be a 'Texas' problem for long.
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The Laws of the Home licensing State will apply; so they'll be allowed into Texas... 
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Elio will have the same issues. I read, somewhere, that they are coordinating with each state where there would be an issue, and trying to get changes in the different state laws. Polaris is probably doing the same thing.
Laws need to change to keep up with technology.
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 Originally Posted by Bob Denman
The Laws of the Home licensing State will apply; so they'll be allowed into Texas...
Yes but that does no good for a resident of Texas. You cannot legally licence a vehicle in a state other than the one you are a resident of. Doing so is tax evasion....
You also cannot buy one out of state and then register it in Texas. As more states head this direction to reclassify 3 wheeled cars, the ones that cannot be registered as cars will loose value quickly as they cannot be sold. Be careful buying into one of these at the moment if your intention is to drive it on public roads.
It also depends on which laws Texas decides are enforceable. IE if they decide the Slingshot does not meet Texas DOT safety standards, it will not matter the home state, it will be illegal to drive it in Texas regardless of its status elsewhere. This is the same situation that prevents towing triples or operating a trailer over 5000 lbs without its own brakes in Texas. The situation is evolving and will be an interesting one to watch.
Last edited by jcthorne; 11-12-2014 at 11:25 AM.
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Originally Posted by Hayfield
Elio will have the same issues. I read, somewhere, that they are coordinating with each state where there would be an issue, and trying to get changes in the different state laws. Polaris is probably doing the same thing.
Laws need to change to keep up with technology.
Its likely to go the other way. The laws currently allow a loophole that 3 wheel cars are trying to fit through. It will likely be closed.
3 Wheel cars will need to meet the safety requirements for cars to be sold. The Slingshot does not in its current configuration. Its also not a motorcycle.
My fear is that as these laws change, they could end up effecting the Spyder too.
Last edited by jcthorne; 11-12-2014 at 11:20 AM.
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman
The Laws of the Home licensing State will apply; so they'll be allowed into Texas...
I am not sure that would apply since Texas classifies the Slingshot as an off road vehicle. This is not the same thing as driver licensing on the Spyder.
Hopefully, they get this fixed up soon and there will be no problems for those who want them.
I know myself that if this was an issue with some states I would hold off until everything was cleared up.
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The Thoroughbred Stallion
They sell these in Texas, but the difference is it has the 2 wheels in back. I think that the definition should be that in addition to having less than 4 wheels, if you sit on it it's a motorcycle, but if you sit in it it is an automobile.
Ed
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Quantum Blue 2012 RTS-SE5 "Bluebell, Bell for short" - Traded 09/2017
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Originally Posted by 2Paw
They sell these in Texas, but the difference is it has the 2 wheels in back. I think that the definition should be that in addition to having less than 4 wheels, if you sit on it it's a motorcycle, but if you sit in it it is an automobile.
the Stallion has a center console that you straddle, so the saddle phrase works. the T-rex has the same seating arrangement as the slingshot and it has been around for a while
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Originally Posted by warp10
the Stallion has a center console that you straddle, so the saddle phrase works. the T-rex has the same seating arrangement as the slingshot and it has been around for a while
Because you straddle the console couldn't this be considered to be setting on it? Also rather than side by side seating you set one behind the other in/on a Stallion.
Ed
They told me not to give up on my dreams, so I went back to sleep.
Champagne 2017 RTS SE6
Quantum Blue 2012 RTS-SE5 "Bluebell, Bell for short" - Traded 09/2017
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Thinks out loud
 http://terracraftmotors.com/
TerraCraft Motors ~ A Texas based manufacturer.
TerraCraft ~ A fully engineered tandem saddle (two person motorcycle seat).
Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.
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What I would like to know is why can the T-Rex be sold in Texas but the Slingshot cannot? What is the difference between the two? Is it the roll cage on the T-Rex?
BTW, that TerraCraft Motors trike is very cool looking. And...you can get AC on it.
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Thinks out loud
Very Cool!!
Have it your way. All you need to do is provide them with the motorcycle of your choosing and an additional 40 to 60 grand. In return, you get a one off custom.
Identify what you have control over and find peace with what you don't.
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glad i own a  not a slingshot.
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman
I think they are single seat
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2002 harley ultra classic
2008 hayabusa
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Originally Posted by bscrive
What I would like to know is why can the T-Rex be sold in Texas but the Slingshot cannot? What is the difference between the two? Is it the roll cage on the T-Rex?
Good question and part of the problem legislators are grappling with. Is the T-Rex a car or a bike? Why. It could be reclassified as a car and no longer be legal in Texas either. I think the 'saddle' term in the Polaris letter is part of the new language the state is trying to use to differentiate. Could Polaris install saddle style seats in the Slingshot frame and just work around the law? Who knows where this will lead. It is doubtful they would make existing vehicles already titled illegal. They could but not likely. A grand-father clause perhaps.
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Originally Posted by bscrive
What I would like to know is why can the T-Rex be sold in Texas but the Slingshot cannot? What is the difference between the two? Is it the roll cage on the T-Rex?
BTW, that TerraCraft Motors trike is very cool looking. And...you can get AC on it.
No difference, legally. Both the T-Rex and Morgan have been sold and titled in Texas as motorcycles.
IANAL, but assuming the Polaris letter is accurate-- and why wouldn't it be? They're a global company that did their research-- they have the documentation that shows the state of Texas approved Slingshot sales. While the law as written will trump that interpretation, i.e. the state will likely claim a bureaucratic error, Polaris will have a viable case to argue for damages in the near term (particularly as, again, T-Rex and Morgan can be titled as motorcycles), and a strong political argument to lobby for a change to the law (it appears that other states use "seat or saddle" rather than just "saddle.")
As a practical matter, we can all be cute and recognize that of course the Slingshot is NOT a motorcycle, but a three-wheel car. That said, as a *legal* matter, the Slingshot is recognized as a motorcycle in nearly every state (48, IIRC-- believe CT and now Texas are the holdouts). I for one don't want any state looking at the Slingshot and determining that it is a car, as that will strangle three-wheel innovation.
Anyway, my guess is Polaris will quickly and successfully find a member of the Texas state legislature to change the law to accommodate the earlier agreement, and bring Texas law into alignment with the other states. But it'll be pucker factor for the dealers and buyers in the meantime.
P.S. Gotta love the tinfoil-hat wack-a-doodles over at the Slingshot forums arguing that it was *BRP* who ratted Polaris out, as if the language of the law isn't plain for anyone to see.
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Indiana is now in the same boat as Texas......
Most state laws reads seat or saddle, but the folks in Texas and Indiana are not so lucky.....
Dave be careful about talking smack, Some of those tinfoil people are members here........BRP was behind this because the Slingshot is out selling the new F3 !!!!!!!!!!! I just know it !!!!!!
Last edited by arntufun; 11-12-2014 at 04:33 PM.
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Originally Posted by arntufun
........BRP was behind this because the Slingshot is out selling the new F3 !!!!!!!!!!! I just know it !!!!!!
" "Knowing it", without proof: is knowing less than nothing.
I have no doubt that it'll all get sorted out. It looks like a fun vehicle, and I'd love the opportunity to try one on for size! 
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The biggest difference between the T-rex and Ace, and the Slingshot; the Rex and Ace use motorcycle engines, the Slingshot uses a car engine.
I think maybe the problems are coming from people wanting "special variations" in the states refusing to allow the sales, most of the reasons for disallowing sales seem to be people really stretching things. Maybe they don't have anything better to do.
john
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I thought that they had more sense than that in Texas...
