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Im in atlanta (the city) and i see the same thing. literally the parade thing op was talking about i witnessed it at atlantic station. I see at least 3-4 people on those things per week all over the city, near reynoldstown, EAV, the beltline. OP's observation is anecdotal and its heavily reliant on where they live, but from my very limited sample group, it rings true here in Atlanta.

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Antique_Brother_9563@reddit

Yes and they are heavily loaded up with lights and brick-a-brack !

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McGrufftheGrimeDog@reddit

Idk about all that. Im sure youve seen it, and again anecdotal, but ive seen maybe 1 or 2 loaded up with leds. the rest are stock. some with loud music, some without. a mixed bag

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z31@reddit

City

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MaximumChongus@reddit

no, its 50/50 white/black for population with the burbs skewing more white than black.

That would not surprise me one bit.

I am originally form northcentwal PA, and they seem more like what "upscale rednecks" would LOVE. essentially a KTM dirt bike, for the street.

Heck, I wanted one, until I realized they are all the drawbacks of a bike, without the benefits. No storage, no rain protection, no hvac, wide as a car, long as a car...

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FeelSublime@reddit

Its all dudes who wanted the new corvettes but couldnt afford one.

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stareweigh2@reddit

I think it's a lot more affordable than a corvette

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scarr3g@reddit

And? You can drive a corvette to work in the rain, even the snow, if you want. It has room for groceries, etc.

Applies to Houston as well. It’s got to be 95% of the owners are black.

Charlotte transplant from Houston.

Me too man. Same area. Looks like a good time

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sellursoul@reddit

That’s what I was gonna say… I rarely see them at all unless it’s royal oak/Ferndale during the summer and down in Detroit. The other I see is the Harley’s with the big front wheels; both also typically with blaring stereos ranging from romantic r&b/soul to gangster shit.

Philly as well. I ain't gonna lie, I want one. I wouldn't spend 40k on a seasonal recreational toy, though. kudos to those who can. I'll live vicariously through them. its a sight to see.

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TheBirdBytheWindow@reddit

I’m in Atlanta and there’s whole convoys of them, all with multicolored lights and loud music lol

Same here in Phoenix!

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Dry_Kaleidoscope2970@reddit

Every single one playing something different at full volume making a sick amalgamation of muddled fart sounds for everyone on the street to enjoy.

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real_bro@reddit

I think it's the same way in Philly and North New Jersey.

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spitefulcat@reddit

Same in Texas. Houston and San Antonio.

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ShadowGLI@reddit

in Greenville SC too.

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RobertNeyland@reddit

I’m in Atlanta

If you see a solo one they will inevitable be driving like an asshole. Weaving and shit. Hell, I just saw a video of a guy attempting to run from GSP on a Can-Am on 400 in Buckhead.

Used to be neighbors with a black middle aged woman who bought a Can-am Spyder and she asked me to help her offload it from a trailer she rented. It was a tight fit so we had to get creative.

She told me to drive it to get my opinion (avid off-roader, I’ve owned 4 wheelers and Rzr’s). And honestly that thing was f*cking awesome.

twosnailsnocats@reddit

I find it very hard to believe people are driving around pretending to be on a motorcycle or saying they ride.

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

They’re not motorcycles in TX

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kc_kr@reddit

That’s what trikes are for. Having rented a Slingshot, it feels nothing like a bike, IMO.

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Anachronism--@reddit

The can am spyder or a giant Harley tricycle are the can’t ride a bike mid life crisis vehicles.

“Them”?

One time I was chilling on top of a big grass hill at a local state park reading and enjoying the park. and then I can just hear this big rumble in the distance getting louder and louder.

And then I’m not joking at least 40 slingshot and like 6 cyber trucks streamed into the parking lot at the bottom of the hill, every one blasting their own music. They made a little circle all kind of pointing at each other like it was some kind of disturbing decepticon cult ritual

Checking in from New Orleans, you are correct it’s a black thing here.

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ToddtheRugerKid@reddit

Or Lower Arkansas.

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ArtisticDegree3915@reddit

Same in Charlotte. Plus really loud speaker systems.

Back in the day in Alabama I guess I saw white guys with them. But since moving to Charlotte 4 years ago I haven't seen a single white guy on one. It's all black guys.

And whatever, I don't see any women driving them. I see them riding as passengers sometimes. Usually these guys are by themselves. But that's not unusual for toys like that. Maybe women really don't need to have a dick measuring contest or whatever. But you don't normally see them having to get the motorcycle or the slingshot or the sports car and all that.

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neonxmoose99@reddit

The stereo is that loud from the factory. I rented one for a couple hours once to try it out and the stereo was crazy

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Assilly@reddit

There is one guy like this in mlps, MN with a memorial acrylic etching on the back like a window.

Very interesting.

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chitown619@reddit

Chicago is the same lol

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Zestyclose-Duck-4598@reddit (OP)

They have LED here too and blasting loud music.

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browhodouknowhere@reddit

Sir, have you been to TX, NM, AZ, or CA

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rodr3357@reddit

It’s going to depend on your area a lot, I’ve definitely seen PLENTY of white guys driving them.

I think black guys are often more open to spend money on flashy or impracticable times they like, but that’s just speculation.

As a white/Hispanic guy, I’ve driven a slingshot, and while I liked it I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on it when I could get other real convertibles for less

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TastyKaleidoscope250@reddit

it's either them or retired boomers

same goes for those jet boats that look like sports cars

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TheIrishSasuke@reddit

Im fuckin dead. My town it be older white dudes but its prolly where u at. Thats definitely an older person vibe from what Ive seen tho

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manicmonkeys@reddit

In my area (New England) it's almost exclusively older white people driving them, but that's kinda to be expected given the local racial demographics.

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funcentric@reddit

Poor man's exotic. That's actually on my list of "cars" to get. I love that thing. It's way cheaper than a Rex. I was surprised at the price being that of less than a car. I always thought it was way more exclusive. You can get used ones for reasonable prices too.

It's not always the most financial responsible thing to buy a 3 wheeled 2 person occupant motorcycle if you don't have a car and a garage. But I'm sure everyone's situation varies.

Miserable_Sport_8740@reddit

All I see are white dudes on three wheeled vehicles where I live. Maybe it’s regional?

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Budget_Trifle_1304@reddit

Polaris slingshot yes I too have only seen Black folks driving them. I've ridden in one of the side by side ones my old neighbor had. Pretty fun little convertable.

But "Or any other brand of 3 wheel vehicle"

Mid performance.

At their price point there's dozens of better options for whatever you're trying to prioritize. I just don't understand why people are buying them. Also every single one I've seen on the road has driven like a total dbag.

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OverallManagement824@reddit

As I understand it, conceptually, they allow for lighter vehicles by being legally classified as motorcycles. So think of a normal car, but legally it's a motorcycle. Now, because of lawyers, you can't sell it like a normal car because if it looked like a normal car (Elio), a rational person could conclude it meets some sort of safety standard and then would be shocked when the get sawed in two due to a lack of a safety standard. So make it look exciting like a motorcycle, but don't give it a roof because then it's obviously not meant for day-to-day transportation, make it inconvenient for that. Now put a shitty GM engine in it so parts are cheap and we can make an obscene markup on them.

Seriously, I'm just hating here. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a Slingshot and since I first saw one, I haven't stopped thinking about racing one or what performance challenges might exist. It's not an ideal platform, but challenges are always cool. It looks like fun, just a different kind of fun. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your ride.

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TNShadetree@reddit

The hassle of a convertible?

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OverallManagement824@reddit

Maybe just the ones I've owned. Yeah they sucked. Always leaking and shit. Cold in the winter. Water getting in places it shouldn't. I've never wanted a convertible, but I wound up with several because they were the more affordable option, but it was always kind of annoying.

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ForsakenHour3252@reddit

The convertible Mustang SUCKS ass to drive and feels way too heavy. Some cars are meant to stay as coupes. Fwiw, the convertible Mustang is a few grand more expensive than the coupe.

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OverallManagement824@reddit

I always buy used. The invisible hand of the market often corrects such issues within a few years.

Slingshots are basically the perfect vehicle if you think about it

saagir1885@reddit

Same reason only white guys restore nash ramblers

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DonFlamenco77@reddit

Lots of black guys in Baltimore drive these and cruise around lowes/ home depot/ target parking lots …… last time I saw a guy in his forties in one blasting Adel. Cruising the parking lot cranking rolling in the deep…..It’s really interesting.

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Glittering_Bar_9497@reddit

Down south in Florida it depends on where your at. Regardless it’s always someone seeking attention, music loud af, neon lights and sweating like no other because it’s so freaking hot. I could think of many better ways to spend 20-50k but to each their own.

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Dabajabazah37@reddit

I have seen white dudes drive a slingshot.

But every slingshot i have ever seen is full of speakers, tacky led lights, and useless spoilers.

Dude the slingshot is a fascinating cultural crossing point for several different touchstones.

I have to note that I dont know fuck all about black culture above just being an attentive person in modern society and having one or two black friends along the way.

1 the slingshot is neat. Say what you want about it, but it is a flashy, unique, motorsport-ish, toy-ish vehicle that is purely for fun. Its got a motorcycle engine, exposed suspension, angular bodt... Things just cool as long as you arent too stuck up.

2 the slingshot is safe. Maybe not as safe as a honda Odyssey, but its way safer than a motorcycle. This allows for people who care about not dying, as well as people who dont have experience riding bikes.

Zookzor@reddit

Here’s an actual response to your question.

I've seen mostly older white men drive those things.

I think a lot of black people are scared to go far into the woods honestly. So it’s like the black equivalent of having a razor/side by side which is a big thing for the whites these days.

Black people I’ve known were uncomfortable being in rural areas so i would think that would translate to something like ATV trails. And im not saying ALL black people its just something Ive noticed in my area with the people i have known.

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Short-Belt-1477@reddit

Depends on your area.

I was in Arkansas, the only people in slingshots were old, bald, smelly white dudes.

Madmike215@reddit

Not always black.

Always too fat to ride a motorcycle.

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Ok_Negotiation_2269@reddit

Why are white ppl so obsessed with everything a black person does? This post is so cringe and racially provocative.

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MaximumChongus@reddit

its affordable,it makes the right noises, and it wont get them in trouble like a banshee will, they also have a HUGE aftermarket so they can personalize them.

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Lord_Vas@reddit

Lol. When those things first came out, I only ever saw middle-aged to old white guys riding them. In the last two years, I've only seen African guys riding them. I've also seen a large spike in middle-aged white guys riding cruisers around my area.

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TPSreportmkay@reddit

You could have phrased this better.

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WarmExpression5114@reddit

I noticed this recently and asked that question to Google. It's how I landed here. I have NEVER witnessed anyone else driving one either.

It turns out Polaris marketed it heavily towards the black demographic and got things like the "black women ride" group to endorse it or whatever. In short it's targeted at them, that's why.

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ViolatoR08@reddit

Because they’re almost always a rental. At least here in South Florida.

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jokerzwild00@reddit

I live in Alabama and I've only seen old white people driving them. There's a batshit crazy old lady who comes to my job a lot who drives one.

Tell that to every white guy with pair of pitviper sunglasses and Mohawk that seems to own one in Indiana and there never parked in front of a nice home surprisingly

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RuneScape-FTW@reddit

Maybe the ones going to parades that you see are black. There are thousands more slingshot owners.

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MacandMandy69@reddit

Apparently, this dude doesn’t get out very much. Damn son 🤨

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michael_1215@reddit

Can confirm in PG, Maryland

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FANTOMphoenix@reddit

Well shit. Now that you mention it I do recall almost every single slingshot I saw being driven by black people.

That's like asking why are white guys the only ones who drive lifted trucks with giant chrome wheels and rubber band tires.

It's part of a culture

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airheadtiger@reddit

I saw an old white guy driving one once. Once. It's okay. I'm an old white guy and have lots of old white guy friends.

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GuitarEvening8674@reddit

Where I'm from it's 55 year old lesbians driving them

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daddymaster666@reddit

I was at a bike night last year at my local power sports store. One of the employees I know taps me on the shoulder and points to a sling shot blasting music with speakers and goes, “how much you wanna bet that guys Dominican?”

Shelbygt500ss@reddit

That's odd. I only see old white dudes

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DirtyRotter@reddit

the only commonality is poor taste

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jad19090@reddit

Cause they have an uncontrollable need to be seen

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TheLordVader1978@reddit

I'm in central Florida and it's 98% POC, 1.5% tourist rentals and .5% white guys.

I've only ever seen old ass white dudes!?

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pm-me-racecars@reddit

or any other brand of three wheeler

A Morgan Three Wheeler is one of the old-white-dude-est cars I know of.

Also, the people I see driving sling shots are mostly middle aged men who are trying to distract themselves from their balding.

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Yeah, fair enough and I'm not offended at all.

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Get__Lo@reddit

While in Texas I notice mostly black guys riding Can-Am Spyders and Slingshots, the Harley Tri-Glide is the ultimate white guy mobile

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pm-me-racecars@reddit

Okay, when you said three wheeled vehicle, I was thinking of the ones you drive, not ride.

This cracked me up to read cuz my old neighbor owned one and the guy was a huge buff Black dude in his 40s. It was the only time I’ve ever really seen one up close (the Slingshot, not a huge Black dude).

It’s honestly probably just like any other ethnic sub-culture where the guys are all friends/family and get the same types of cars. I’m Asian and everyone I knew had JDM cars.

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ForsakenHour3252@reddit

"Not a huge black dude" 😂 you can find so many of them at the gyms near you

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thusUnforgotten@reddit

In my neck of the woods, complete opposite. 😂

TheUncleanRite@reddit

LMAO.

The target audience for

Polaris slingshots?

- ExpensiveHobbies_

^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^Learn more about me.

^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")

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whatsapprocky@reddit

I don’t think black people only drive these. I’ve seen some white people in them. The funny thing about these Slingshots though, is that they’re like an omen on wheels. When you see one cruising by, it’s a sign that you’ve crossed an event horizon, and you’re about to see a lot of the local wildlife spilling out from the bars and clubs nearby.

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Surfing_puffin@reddit

I can't think of a more mild life crisis old money devorced church choir boy credit card biker cracker vehicle than a Polaris Slingshot. It's possible that it's something different elsewhere.

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villamafia@reddit

Always white dude in ponytails here, or their trophy wives.

It’s only middle aged white guys around my area.

People don’t buy them because for roughly the same money you could get a real sports car with much better performance.

People do buy them because you get more attention than someone driving a Ferrari for low end sports car money.

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ProfessionalRocket47@reddit

Where im at I would say its an even 50/50 split

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tianavitoli@reddit

over here in southern ca i'm pretty sure i haven't only seen black dudes riding those, but the first dude i pictured is black lol

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Jimmytootwo@reddit

In Memphis its a thing too

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2eDgY4redd1t@reddit

Only people I ever see on those three wheelers are fat white people who are scared of two wheelers.

And a few people with disabilities that are invariably former motorcyclists who can no longer ride a two wheeler.

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