New Bill Could Put Slingshot in Limbo

They could take machines like this from us permanently.

We only recently discussed how so much of what makes certain machines legal is the classification system. trouble is, the government is always moving the goalposts around – which can be disastrous for machines that are already on the market.

The Motorcycle Industry Council had to step in and submit an opposition letter on H.R. 3385, a bill moving through Congress that would change the federal motorcycle definition in a way that would exclude three-wheeled vehicles currently regulated as motorcycles.

MIC argues that H.R. 3385 seeks to narrow the federal definition of a “motorcycle” by excluding three-wheeled vehicles equipped with steering wheels, pedals, and bucket seats — commonly referred to as autocycles.

Most notably, the Polaris Slingshot, which features a steering wheel and bucket seats, would be the biggest brand affected if the bill were to pass.

In a letter to members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, MIC contends that federal law currently lacks a separate autocycle safety category. The removal of these vehicles from the motorcycle definition would place them in “classification limbo,” making it illegal to sell or register them.

And although this is a federal law, several states tie their definitions of motorcycles to the federal one. Any changes to that definition could disrupt registration and operation rules in multiple states.