Posts by Phantomx

So my wife was a driving the 2020 today and I was on my Triumph Bobber. We came to stop sign to make a right, my buddy up front took off but there wasn’t enough room for me to get her and I out, I stopped, she was looking left and thought I went, hit the gas realized I was still there and jammed the brakes. Now to be clear this was entirely her fault so I’m not blaming the SS, but it probably wouldn’t have happened the way it did or as hard as it did if the autodrive hadn’t bucked. She bumped into my rear tire and pushed me over and I fell down on top of the bike,

The challenge with the Autodrive is on quick gas/brake or even just slowing down the system bucks a little bit. It can’t move as fast with the clutch in/out as say a DCT would. So when she jumped on the brake the SS bucked, jumped forward and right into me. Yes she was too close to me had she been a few feet back and paying more attention she would have stopped in time, but she’s still learning the SS and it’s a little clumsy on the start stop type scenarios. The combo of the two put me on my ass.

Damage. Well me and my buddy were able to disassemble the front end somewhat, find all the brackets that were bent, remove them, bang them straight again and then with our trusty tape measure get everything back into spec. the only issue now is one of the tabs is broken on the passenger piece below the headlight (the black/blue part that connects to the lower spoiler) and the hood panel has a couple scratches and gouges. Some gonna try to order those new panels and just replace them and it should look as if nothing happened to it. It did push the passenger front corner up and back about 2” and bent a bunch of little brackets. We got that sorted pretty well though.

The Bobber thankfully I had crash bars on it or it would have really been screwed up. It needs both brake levers, a mirror and some paint touch up on the exhaust and crash bar (which we had to bend back into shape). Overall it coulda been much worse. I’m a little scraped up but nothing big and thank God for helmets. A big scratch mark in the back shows where i would have smashed my head on the ground. I know my head hit the ground but with my helmet on I never actually felt it at all.

One takeaway I would say for anyone with the automatic is give your self some room in front of you, this thing kinda bucks and jumps when coming to a stop, it’s not as smooth as a DCT or regular automatic or even as smooth as someone who’s experienced driving a stick. it’s a little clumsy and bucks around a bit so give yourself a few extra feet just to be safe...

A couple pics

Most decent half tons these days can tow 11-12k lbs. That would be no issue. I tow an 8.5 x 16 enclosed trailer with my Raptor with no issues and total weight is over 5000lbs loaded. Aside from the gas mileage sucking you barely know it’s back there.

Pick up a 7x14 (if all your towing is the SS) utility trailer. They have a 3500lb floor rating, plenty of places to strap too you should be able to drive right up the gate into the back. I had one and worked a treat. they are pretty inexpensive and can be had anywhere and they weigh <1000 lbs empty. I used to back the truck up on some of those rhino ramps to tilt the trailer up to give me plenty of room to drive the SS up on it. Actually that’s the trailer I used to tow my first SS to the First Maggie Valley show. They key is make sure it’s wide enough for the front end which if I recall is 79” wide. 7’ wide (if the wheel wells are on the outside) should be fine. They are also more common.

I like towing. Doesn’t matter what crappy weather you encounter going up and back, half the time it’s raining all the way home for some reason so for me it’s nice. Plus you can take all the extra stuff you want to take with you and you have plenty of space, We do also drive our SS long distance as well, I have packed it for weeklong trips, with a little planning and the bags it’s doable. It’s just easier with towing it. I can bring extra tools, cleaning supplies, extra gear for any weird weather, it’s just convenient. I’m currently selling my enclosed trailer so I can get a 8x24 flatbed to tow both our Slings at the same time. I thought about a 24’ enclosed but it starts to get over 7000lbs and the Raptor is rated for 8000lbs. It’ll do it though. TFL trucks did a 100 mile loop with a 20’ with 7000lbs with no issues on the new Raptor.

I thought there was something with the transmission where you couldn’t tow it on a dolly??

That’s interesting every slingshot dealer here in our area of Tampa FL has at 2-3 in stock. They do seem to be limited to all Autos and either the red SL or Miami blue, have not seen the red/black auto R yet.

I went through there week before last. The resort/store was closed, food was take out only but the road was open. We rode the Foothill parkway from Gatlinburg side (was still open) and came through the back side. Most of Robbinsville was pretty dead as was Helen where we were staying. On the NC side the dining rooms were all closed, take out only but on the GA side we ate at Huddle House every morning. Not sure if anything has changed in the last 10 days or so.

Welcome to FL Don! FYI this is Bill, the dummy who ordered the clear windscreen and meant to order the tinted, turns out the clear looks fantastic on my Grey Ghost/Lime Squeeze so I’ll be keeping it! Thanks for all your help, top notch service sir!

Don’t forget Polaris has been building there own engines for years in all there other vehicles, OHV’s, Victory bike engines, Indian bike engines high performance off roaders, etc. The Razr is built for abuse and seems to be doing well with a 200hp turbo engine in it. I don’t think this is a stretch for them.

As i start working on this more I really am seeing so many small changes to the 2020. Here are some of the additional things I discovered.

It has Euro turn signals, you know tap once 3 blinks. Man you don’t realize how nice that is until you don’t have it.

When you step on the brake pedal it turns everything on! It even has a quasi security system now. Not sure what it does but it has one LOL. You can press lock and that will at least keep it from turning on if someone jumps in and hits the brake

Prior year windshields will fit the 2020. The top of the dash did change somewhat but it’s not enough to stop from using the F4 off my other slingshot to ensure it fits.

The center post from previous years fits as well Which was very nice to confirm. However it’s a little trickier to install. The radio bezel is now 1 big piece that has the radio frame and the lower switch gear all as one. There are 3 bolts to take out,1 top, one on each side, the top is not easy to get too because the dash now hangs over it. I thought the whole top of the dash might have to come off but a couple of screwdrivers to pry the lip and hold it up allowed me enough room to get to it. The radio screen falls back into the dash it doesn’t come out anymore like the old ones. Working on that part would require a lot of disassembly for sure. I was able to squeeze my hand in to get the posts lower plate in and secure it.

Roofs will also fit as do the spoilers and wings etc. Almost anything for the rear should bolt up.

The Mat kits, most of the pieces fit. The tunnel mats don’t the shape is different but the rest work just fine. I imagine they’ll be changing the floor mats just a tick because the floor is ever so slightly different. But old floor mats will work fine.

Here’s a quick pic with some new goodies installed!

Ride Command. Found out Saturday that Polaris hasn’t shipped the equipment to connect to the new system to dealers yet. It’s still at least 2 weeks away from coming so they can’t do any programming or setup like updates, the new PIN system to start it if your fob battery dies or update and setup the Ride Command System. Which is why mine is all messed up (or at least I hope that’s the reason). The tech said there is programming and setup and updates they always have to do during PDI for that system and they have been told to skip that step for now until the units arrive so they can do it.

Well another strike out. Put the new file on the Polaris USB drive, plugged into my 2018 and........ Nothing. Can't find the file. So looks like the dealer will have to do that one too.

Well that's if it passes. The last I read they were putting caps on low income and upper income and only going full pay outs on the middle from like $35k to 150K would cap it. if you make more no $$ for you. I don't want to go all political, these days there are some strong opinions out there but man this administration can't seem to get it's 'ish together.

Oh I'll add another couple nice features.

Key fob, no more key! PIN to start if your fob dies as well is very nice and they added a security system on top of that. The more I look it over and discover the more things I find they improved. If your coming from a 2015 (I had one) it's light years different, aside from looks you could say it's not even the same machine.

Oh and they fixed the angle drive noise. Mine is nice and quiet no whining to be heard anywhere.

I'm still working on what info I want on the different displays. The new version of ride command is cool, if mine wasn't busted I'd like it more. Drag and drop. 1 more widget on the screen is now available and way more data is available on the main display in the dash. It's a little busy to be fair but I like having info. Temps, fuel, etc. Oh it seems the damn dash and ride command are finally working together, unlike my 2018 where the trips are different, time, etc and nothing is sync'd up between dash and ride command.

Off to update the 2018. 2020 has to go back Tuesday anyway to get the pin setup so I'll have them see if they can reload the software otherwise its probably gonna be a new head unit.

Oh that's another cool option. PIN to start it up if your fob dies and when you get in and hit the brake everything turns on. The fob is nice. Also added security system which is also nice

Having driven them both back to back and owning both now the new 2020 is worlds apart from the previous gens.

Yes it's an auto manual and shifting is a little strange but once you get used to it it's just fine. I quite enjoy driving both of them. In slingshot mode when your running it hard it does ok. Does a good job of knowing what gear it should be in and that's the most important. I'd be lying if I didn't say to myself a couple times "damn wish I could pick what gear I want" that is really my only grip about it, otherwise it really is quite fun to drive I don't think it takes away from the "fun factor" at all.

The suspension is greatly improved! It handles way better than previous models. My LE does have adjustable Bilsteins and I have the sway bar upgraded, 22" wheels and it's lowered to get the geometry back into spec (thank you coilovers!) With all that the new one stock handles just about as good as mine.

The ride quality is excellent. Cruising, running the corners (the 5 we have in FL) it's great anyway you run it. Very comfortable, easy to drive, no twitchiness, it's like a little Miata.

Steering. Big improvements here. My SS you can go into a long corner, turn the wheel and leave it and it will stay turning whatever direction your going, the new one does not. It's sharper on turn in, less input and corrections are needed.

The Motor: It's smoother than the 2.4L, revs higher, makes more power and is quieter. Solid piece I really like it.

The interior. Just massive improvements here. It's more than just the steering wheel, the dash is great, the flat bottom is nice, the new center stack and switch gear is really top notch and there is a little more room on the inside because the tunnel isn't as wide. The cup holders are better, a place to put your phone ( and it fits the big phones) the USB located by the phone holder and there is a center console storage as well for a little bonus. The seats are very nice and fit and finish is great. The addition of the little vent for the passenger was a nice touch too.

The headlights. Aside from looking seriously cool at night the LED's are far better than the old SS headlights by a country mile. Most switched the old stockers out for LED's anyway because they are just better. The whole front end is just better.

There is a lot that got changed and all for the better and the manual is still the same price as my SLR LE was in 2018. Kudo's to Polaris for a solid homerun. I think, IMHO, the complaints about an auto not being fun to drive are really unfounded, it's is VERY fun to drive, it's just different that a stick. If I could only have one, which would I choose, not sure honestly. I really like the auto and I really like the manual but I wouldn't be disappointed in either if I had to choose...

Check out Underground Audio in Sarasota FL they do all kinds of custom seat covers they have some cool stuff they do on there custom Slings. The Vader and 4 seaters with seat covers look amazing!

Best of luck to her. I could use that $1k and if my wife gets it that's $2k Ohhh the parts I could buy...

Well negative on the 2020 update I'm going to assume it has the latest already and either the dealer will have to reload it or replace the head unit. Even the Bluetooth is weird instead of coming up slingshot or ride command like my others did it says "unknown unknown 6652 A" which makes no sense at all, 'es muey broken LOL.

On a bright note I at least have the latest update for the 2018 so I'm gonna go do that and pray I don't brick the head unit, something I've heard happening. Fingers crossed...

Oh let’s see if I can upload a pic here...

The rest of the SS is basically the same. Obviously no motor stuff works. Nothing on the front end either. But the floor setup is the same. Roll bars same and windshields are the same and that’s what I got.

As for music I have iTunes subscription which works on my iPhone so No usb for me. Besides it is supposed to work so I’ll take it back to the dealer.

Trying to do an update first.

Just got our Miami Blue SS-R yesterday with Auto drive. So far really enjoying the auto. It joins our 2018 SLR LE. The wife is loving driving the auto and I quite enjoy it to.

Any 2020 owners here? We are having lots of issues with the new ride command. It basically doesn’t work. At all.

As soon as we plug our phone in the screen freezes. None of the SS app screens will load up and pairing with Bluetooth is all but impossible with either of our iPhones. Just a few min ago I got Bluetooth to stream but the screen said connect to a device and shows nothing connected but music was coming out of the speakers.

The USB worked for about an hour now it quit all together. It charges but says connect usb on the screen and nothing happens. Anytime we would plug in the atereo just locks up and is essentially useless.

it’s so bad I have to think our unit is just broken. There is no way something that blatantly busted is that way across all units.

it’s a real bummer all my other stereos worked great! This one is awful.

the rest of it is fantastic. It rides and drives light years better then previous gens, and I’ve owned all of them. The steering is a treat, auto is interesting lol. They have room for improvement but if you don’t want a stick it’s good for that. It is fun to drive. Motor pulls good and revs high. Handling is excellent. the lights up front look wicked at night! If they can fix ride command it’ll be perfect.

already ordered parts lol. Wing, windshield, mats, etc

Just wanted to say thank you to the community for all the help and well wishes in this difficult time. It's very much appreciated.

I'll add to the Synchrony Bill Pay option. I've been asking them for years to get a freakin online bill portal setup and still nothing. However great interest rate. For the longest Time I was calling in on the phone and doing the payment (which you can do but the account number is crazy long) then I was like that's silly I can just bill pay this puppy and be done.