The Bat-Mobile

Next time you see a tan line, remember that a story goes along with it.

Tan lines come from vacations, yard work, summer sports, or a tanning bed.  None of these are the case for Henry Bak. He has tan lines due to the countless hours he rides around in his red 2014 Polaris Slingshot. Better known, from viewers, as the modern day Bat-Mobile in a reverse trike motorcycle form. This motorcycle makes heads turn and he often gets asked if it’s street legal. People cannot believe that a motorcycle like this exists.

“I feel awesome, and free when I am driving the Slingshot,” Bak said. “Everybody looks at you like you’re a celebrity.”

The Slingshot has waterproof seats and a five-speed manual transmission, with reverse capability. The bat-mobile effect comes from the aluminum control arms that form a long hood. It’s different from the modern motorcycle or three-wheeler, because it lets the driver sit next to the passenger. The cost starts at $21,199, but looks like it could be well over that price.

Bak has had a passion for cars and motorcycles since he was young. The art and design of them intrigues him. His father did mechanical work on cars, but he discovered his passion on his own. He owned his first Kawasaki 2-Stroke Triple motorcycle as a sophomore in high school. He refers to his first purchase as “fun and exciting.”  Over time he’s had ten different motorcycles and currently three he owns, the Slingshot, and two Suzuki bikes.

Bringing the Slingshot out on the streets draws attention to him and promises a good time, but there are downfalls for owners.

Since the Slingshot is fairly new to the market, not a lot of people have seen it before. This drives their curiosity up the wall. There have been times when Bak will be in a parking lot and people jump in the Slingshot without asking him. It’s an awkward situation for him to handle. There have been other times where children, and even adults, get too excited and want to touch it.

“I understand the excitement of seeing it,” Bak said. “I don’t think people realize the consequences of their actions. I have let hundreds of people take photos of it, but I want to keep it safe. I wish people would ask before they touch, or jump in.”

These concerns arise for anyone when they get something new. They want to keep it safe and in good condition. Since the Slingshot is foreign and new to people, they are extremely intrigued and forget to think with common courtesy. Bak has had two different occasions where someone has jumped in without asking. He hopes that over time people will be better about it.

Nonetheless, the good outweighs the bad with his new purchase and he has created a handful of new memories this summer.

“My favorite memory with the Slingshot was when I took my daughter, Amber, for a ride the first time,” he said. “She sat behind me when I had different motorcycles and now she can be right next to me. That’s what is cool about it.  I get to see her smile and her facial expressions as she enjoys the ride.”

The tan lines may fade as summer comes to and end, but his smile will remain plastered on his face any time he thinks of the fun times in the bat-mobile.