How much better is the Drifter 800 than a Yamaha V-Star Classic

[Drift Away]

Yup, you cant go wrong with a drifter. People will always be lookin at and admiring Drifters long after those other bikes have have gone - and forgotten. By the way, what was that other bike you were lookin at??? Ride safe

[pcarrell]

Oh, that was DEFINITELY a thumbs up!

[CDNRatMan]

don't know if I should thank you or curse you pcarrell so I'll take that as a compliment.

49Reo after 40 years in the CF I am not the shy quiet type, but I can stand out in a crowd...lol.....and I own a Drifter because I deserve the best so I got the best.....an Drifter 800........

[pcarrell]

He's being the rock drummer surrounded by an orchestra!

[49Reo]

So if the V-Star is for the quiet shy type, then what are you doing on a Drifter?!? LOL

Regards and such,
49Reo

[CDNRatMan]

  Well let me pipe in here, you made no mistake trust me, someone at work bought a V-Star, boring when I park next to him that V-Star is so dull and looks like every other bike.
Now if you are the shy quiet type then perhaps the V-Star would be the choice, but if you march to that different drummer we all seem to be following then the Drifter is the ride of choice, and not that I am bias but the 800 is so much nice then the 1500....lol...now let the fight start.....lol...

you lads ever figure that mbk might not have a camera because he just bought a 800.....come on relax....he will post them soon ...like tomorrow....

[49Reo]

Congratulations on your purchase! IMHO, you made the right decision, the Drifter is in a class of its own. Besides, Yamaha pumps out V-Stars every day; they are about as rare as dirt. The Drifter on the other hand, is definitely a collectible bike; a "pearl among swine" Now, as posted before, time for some pics of your beauty!!

Regards and such,
49Reo

[Gerhardberger]

Congrats for the purchase. well done ! I also had in mind to buy a yamaha dragstar, befor i found my lovely Drifter, and from my experience i' sure i took the best decision !

[45 Bravo]

Congratulations!
You know you won't be sorry..
You didn't want that yamaha.
Now photos!!!

45 Bravo

[mbk]

Yes - GOT IT TODAY!  The 800 Drifter that is.  Ride home - 50 miles of beautiful Michigan 55 mph back roads -- was great.  Ran cool, no negative events whatsoever, feels great to ride.  Bought it at 3,999. Front suspension is maybe a bit too soft, but rear suspension is great.  I'll post on this in a new thread later!  Mike

[DKtime]

any update?

[45 Bravo]

Ok, YOU will be riding it, you say you like the FEEL of the drifter.

I am big on feel, if you "settle" for the yamaha, you will always be asking, should i have, or what if i had.. always second guessing your self..

Also, the drifter is 5 years newer, so the $1400 difference is a wash...

I say jump on the Drifter, it is where your passion lies..  You said it yourself...

Besides, how many people do you see take a second walk around a yamaha v-star when they see it in the parking lot?
IT ALWAYS happens when the Drifter is parked in the lot..

45 Bravo

[mbk]

My wife has just upgraded ( last month ) from a 2007 650 v star classic to a 2006 800 drifter and when we ride together she seems, to me, to have a lot more fun, so I guess she is uniquely qualified to answer your question.

I read her your post and her reply is....
" The v-star vs the drifters power is like a 60 watt light bulb vs a 100 watt bulb and the actual ride is a lot smoother with less vibration in the handle bars and the body of the bike. The drifter grips the road a lot better and doesn't feel like it's going to fall over while taking a curve. Get the drifter if you can, it's a lot more fun"

This is very helpful - tjanks. 

[DKtime]

My wife has just upgraded ( last month ) from a 2007 650 v star classic to a 2006 800 drifter and when we ride together she seems, to me, to have a lot more fun, so I guess she is uniquely qualified to answer your question.

I read her your post and her reply is....
" The v-star vs the drifters power is like a 60 watt light bulb vs a 100 watt bulb and the actual ride is a lot smoother with less vibration in the handle bars and the body of the bike. The drifter grips the road a lot better and doesn't feel like it's going to fall over while taking a curve. Get the drifter if you can, it's a lot more fun"

[mbk]

I have the opportunity to get a Yamaha V-Star classic (1999 version, but it was upgraded with floorboards so it is pretty much like all of them now - no heel/toe but I was amazed at how well it shifter) for $2,500 or a 2004 Drifter 800 for $3,900.  OK, I love the Drifter - it looks better, feels better, seems to have better power from the additonal displacement - but there's a $1,400 difference between the two, and these days - heck, any days --  that's a lot of dough.  The Drifter is where my passion is, but Yamaha did a nice job with the classic as well (love the Yamaha's green and white and the bike is in excellent shape with 19K).  I thought I had lost the ability to buy the Drifter yesterday due to another sale, and kind of resigned myself to not getting it, but I guess that other sale did not go through and now I have the chance to get it again, so any comparative info would be of great value.  Hope this post does not insult anyone here, it's just I'm on the fence and the lower cost does make the Yamaha an attractive option, but if some of you have thoughts on this (like the Drifter will always be worth $3,900 while the V-Star tends not not hold its value as well, at least from what I have seen of the market) I would appreciate them.