The Polaris 'Ugly Pig' Bike.

[DJ Down Under]

Just looking through some guys pics from the NYC Motorcycle show and came across this new Polaris bike...would you buy it...ride it...be seen in the public with it?

Geees..what were they thinking.

http://discussion.org/~erric/MCShow/EZ/Bikes/P1201153.JPG

Also...another one of his pics was this bike....is it a BMW or a Harley...anyone know?

DJ

http://discussion.org/~erric/MCShow/EZ/Bikes/P1201160.JPG

[supermotoC]

The Polaris looks like it's destined to be a prop in a futuristic movie - definitely NOT something I'd want to ride.

The sidecar rig is a Ural. They've been around for EVER. A compadre has one just like your picture - it is a danger to ride that thing over 45MPH. It is also as reliable as it was in the '40s, too. The only modern bit on it is the Brembo front disc (rear drum brake!). Definitely cool to run down to the local coffee shop with the dog in the sidecar, but anywhere else would be painful.
All this for $10,595 (USA).

http://www.ural.com/

[Bones]

Polaris certainly made a statement. UGLY in pretty much all ways I can think of.

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

I understand that concepts get out of hand easily during the idea and design stage, but this thing looks suspicious.

"Boss, we didn't really have any new ideas, so we covered the whole thing in bodywork."

[Scottybooj]

that polaris screams....

"paging Judge Dredd, paging Judge Dredd, your lost cycle has been found..."

fugly!

[supermotoC]

After looking at it for (too long) a while, one word - TRON.

[DJ Down Under]

You know what I think....I think it was designed by a woman..(am I in trouble?)

Because the reason for the big ugly front is so you can store two full face helmet in there...really...or heaps of shopping..:048:

DJ

[RiceBurner]

You know what I think....I think it was designed by a woman..(am I in trouble?)

Because the reason for the big ugly front is so you can store two full face helmet in there...really...or heaps of shopping..:048:

DJ
I don't think the Polaris looks that bad, it different, that's all.

DJ, you saying you don't want more on board storage?

[Boxerboy]

It looks like a Ural DJ, though Harley did make a boxer in the 1940's 'cause the German's were having such success with the R12/71. I believe there are a couple on display in the US somewhere.

http://www.ural.com.au/images/42xa4.jpg

[Dallara]

Harley did make a military "Boxer", but it had a flathead engine, unlike the Ural above.

Back between the world War's, the US Army issued a bid contract for motorcycles, and the bid specifications called for an engine displacement of 500cc's. Staying true to the bid Harley submitted the 500cc "falt twin" Model XA. Very few were ever produced.

Only problem was Indian showed up at the trials with a 750cc V-Twin. The Army liked the increased power of the bigger engine and awarded Indian a big contract. However, feeling Harley had stuck with the letter of the bid they awarded Harley a small contract for the XA "Boxer". However, they also allowed Harley to come back later with a 750cc contender, which they did, and the famous Harley WLA was born. It was a 750cc flathead V-Twin, just like Indian's, and the Army awarded H-D a big contract for those and a ton were produced...

And essentially that's where the Harley "Bobber" came from. After the war the Army sold off tons of surplus Harley WLA's, and servicemen snapped them up for a song, but quickly hacked off fenders, etc. to "bob" them. In a sense this is where the entire "choper" craze was born.

Here's a couple of pics of the Harley XA flathead "Boxer":

http://www.beemergarage.com/photos/HarleyXA.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/holtzy/motosalon02/images/HDtypeXA-750-1942.jpg



Here's a Harley WLA 750cc flathead V-twin:

http://home.ama-cycle.org/membersonly/museum/images/b86/HDMILITARYWLAL_600.jpg

http://www.vintage-imports.com/images/vihdwla.jpg


And here's an Army Indian:


http://www.photos.indianmotorbikes.com/military/mil018.jpg

http://www.photos.indianmotorbikes.com/military/mil007.jpg



Hope this helps!

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara - Proud to be Banned Where Mods Think They're Gods and Annoying Frogs Roam Free)

[Promethean]

The first image in DJ's post makes me think...they must have wanted to design a military tank style bike that can take a howitzer shell head on. Very ugly!

-Abhijeet

[Capt. Blackadder]

Damn... that Polaris contraption looks like it fell hard out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Somebody must have dropped acid into their water cooler. :104:

[latakia]

There is no accounting for taste. (Thank God.) Before passing final judgement, I'd have to see it in person.

I'd like to see an American company come up with something other than another cruiser. It excites me to think that in the future I may be able to buy a motorcycle that is fun, just a little practical, American made, and affordable. Buell comes so close, but still too much money overall for me. I hope that Polaris can be the one to revolutionize the market. Away from cruisers and crotch rockets; a commuter/street bike with balls and reliability. Of course, there are alot of drivers (buyer's) minds that need to be changed before that happens.

This "pig" looks somewhat like the crossover motorcycle/scooters we've been seeing from the Pacific side.

Still, it is awfully interesting.