Which Drifter is better?

[greenbarn]

That's what I figured was meant.  I guess that isn't all too bad - could be worse.

I have an auto repair shop, and although we don't work on stuff like this for the public, we always do our own repairs on our own bikes, ATVs, chainsaws, mowers, race cars etc.  A job like this, I may very well give to one of my guys, but I can never make myself pay a dealer or another shop do do this kind of work.

More food for thought, though.

[Troll]

The 1500 has hydraulic valve lash adjusters which are automatic, if a little less than perfect in actual operation... The 800 has mechanical valve adjusters that require attention periodically. It's a pretty good sized job, by all accounts, and certainly not for a novice to take on, at least by themselves. If you like to dig into engines, then this is a chance for you to bond with the mechanicals...if not, then this could be a deal breaker, depending on how much it's going to cost. Valve lash adjustment, on any engine that requires it, is a vital prevention service. A burned valve will cost you, big time.

[greenbarn]

The 800 also has to have the valves ran every 6000 miles - not necessary on the 1500 - this is a zero tolerance motor - if you do not run the valves like you are supposed to you will blow it up!

What is meant by "running" the valves?  I've never heard this term before.  Are we talking remove the cylinder head and re-seat the valves?  or simply adjusting valve clearance?  "Every 6000 miles" makes me wonder if any of the used bikes I'd be looking at would have ever had it done or not.

[kw-retrorider]

Ditto on Darth's comments. Not a question of which is better, but a question of what you are looking for and how you ride. I had to make the same decision and chose the 800 after attending an antique motorcycle meet and seeing real Indians. The 800 is heavy enough with the right wheelbase for comfort on the highway, but suprisingly nimble. The carb and chain combination keep enough old school feel and touch appropriate to what it is.... a retro bike. I also like the aesthetics of the 800 better. The exhaust pipes run out parallel to the road, with no break in their lines from having to wrap around and under the larger engine. The seeming hard tail look because of the monoshock also adds to the clean lines (even though Indians of the period did have shocks, while the Harleys were the hard tails). You also have to decide blacked out or not - strictly a personal choice again. The 1500 is surely the most technologically advanced and better suited to long trips and higher annual mileage. As my reasons were enthusiast driven, with no cross country trips in mind, the 800 does it for me. Good Luck - either is a great choice. 

[espiros]

Wow,
Thanks guys.....Great explanations and all help me a lot!
Thanks again..

[racemom91]

The 1500 weighs in only about 140#'s, give or take a few, heavier than the 800.  The 1500 is easier to lower, and sits lower in stock condition,   - the 800 has a mono shock - you can lower it, but it's not easy.  The 1500 is about a foot longer than the 800.  My 800 has a carb and I have ridden it at least once in December, January and just last week took it 45 miles with an outside temperature of 43 degrees - started great and ran great - Carbs are fine you just have to keep them clean and keep moisture out of your fuel (with additive, etc.).  My husbands 1500 starts harder than mine does.  Chain drive on the 800 means you have to tension it every so often, you don't on the 1500.  The 800 also has to have the valves ran every 6000 miles - not necessary on the 1500 - this is a zero tolerance motor - if you do not run the valves like you are supposed to you will blow it up!  Neither bike has any issues like oil leaks or consumption, but then again regular maintenance is key to longevity with any bike.  Fuel efficiency is a bit lacking, but that can have a lot to do with how you ride it - if you're hard on the throttle you get to fill up more often.....Also, most bikes have only enough fuel once you hit reserve to go 10 miles or so....the 800 has .8 gallons in reserve.  So you can actually go a lot farther on a tank of fuel than you think you can.  1500 has a fuel gauge, 800 does not.  With a good set of pipes the 800 will give you a better sound than the 1500 - not sure why, but it's true.  1500 has hydraulic clutch rather than a cabled one......both are nice, both require maintenance........

[ratze]

well i will most certianly take that as good advice, especially comen from you. an ill tell ya why, experience is #1, mine is limited. i guess iam still ole school, not only that but this last tinker job made me realize that iam to dam old ta be fussen with em anymor. pullen motors en such. my brother says the same thing, start em an go, no mus no fus.    RIDE ON   

[Tom Erwin]

we have one of each.....wanna go fast..1500    wanna nice ride and better sound 800 no doubt... power is not alot dirrerent  but the bottom end torque of the 1500 feels good ..I want to get a 400 !!! gonna have to find a importer i guess..just my 2 cents

later Tom

[Kimbershooter]

 The best Drifter is the one that is paid for! I am partial to my 1500. Best style and reliable bike on the planet!!

[Troll]

    I have a 1500. I like it a lot. Never rode an 800, so I don't really have a good frame of reference. I had H-Ds for 45 years, and this Drifter makes me mad I didn't see the light earlier. I'm a tinkerer, always have been. I have been working on the fuel system to make it more efficient. Some people like the injection...I don't. I made a set of custom jets for my last 2 H-Ds...One was a 98" SuperGlide, and I was able to get 50-55 mpg if I didn't beat on it. The other one was a TourGlide, and I could get a reliable 48-50 mpg out of that. The Drifter's electronic fuel injection has been a challenge to make more fuel friendly, but I have made some progress. Yes, it's nice not to have to worry about cold running hiccups, etc, but I really miss the adjustability of the carb. I like the shaft drive for ease of maintenance, even though my TourGlide had an oil bath chain, and chains would last about 75,000 miles....removing the rear wheel was a major undertaking. I did put a u-joint in this past season, and that was a big job, but not as big a job as replacing the chain case seal on the H-D.....Sooo, in closing, I have 62,000 miles on the Drifter and so far, except for tires and brakes, oil changes and the U-joint, it's been pretty easy to afford.

[ratze]

LOL, iam shur shes a real beaut chief. as for me, ive still got the fever.  ill have me a full grown drifter soon. i gota tell ya tho, if the 1500 is half the bike of the 800 its one helava machine.

[chief]

Question: Which Drifter is better?

Answer: MINE!
<LOL>

[espiros]

Thank you Darth...
Great explanation!

[Darth Wraith]

The chain is more responsive; the big Drifter is more "beastly", but very noice to ride, also. The injection system is superior, no doubt; you can start the bike in the winter and ride, no stall, no backfire, no carburetor related problems. It's also true that the carburetor is set very lean and it's a Keihin like those on the Harleys, so you have a lot of rejetting options. Like I said, 800 is more like the classic Indian, 1500 is high-tech, big couple, heavy...

[espiros]

Thank you.
As far as chain or drive shaft?
Which one would you like better??
Also,
Carb or fuel injected?

[Darth Wraith]

I ride both 1500 and 800 - nice bikes; 1500 is heavier, more like a better Harley, 800 is elegant, comfortable, lighter, more like an Indian...

[espiros]

More reliable?
More efficient?
Less out off pocket expenses?
Is the 1500 worked the extra money to be paid to get it?

Do any one care to help me decide???

I like them both but, I can not decide which one would bethe wiser buy?