800: Reasons To Be Grateful

[greenbarn]

And Ratman:  Let me know when you're going to ride out to Zoar's food truck...   I'd like to meet you there.   Heck, we could have an ad-hoc mini-drift-in!!

[greenbarn]

Zoar, you're right - I've seen a lot of people "Judge a book by it's cover", or a bike by it's CC's...     Bigger is not always better - The 800 can do everything the 1500 can do - only the 1500 does some things better.   The 800 does some things better.  You pretty much have hit the nail on the head with your descriptions - I love the way my 800 handles and the easy turns etc.  When I was on the trail of the dragon, I was on my 1500 - but wish I had the chance to ride it on the 800.  Such a fun bike.

[CDNRatMan]

 Most likely due to weight and the shipping charges, cost one person something like $375.00 to ship a exhaust system to Sweden.

Lots of e bay sellers do not ship to Canada so I can feel your pain, and a lot if they do ship to Canada charge you more then twice the cost of the item.

OR_seedman posted the parts he used for his solo seat and if I did it right the three parts:
seat,       $64.95 , $40.70 shipping,
mount     $15.99 , $15.50,
springs    $12.95 , $15.50,
$93.89 , $71.70,   or in Canadian funds ........
$125.00 , $96.05 = $222.00 this is not including and import charges.
All parts if shipped to the US are free shipping, so I could save almost $100.00 if I lived closer to a border town.

[mittico68]

You need to contact a guy outside of Toronto and get some elephant ears......

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/KAWASAKI-DRIFTER-800-ENGINE-GUARD-SOFT-LOWERS-CHAPS-1-QUALITY-WARRANTY-/401146082957?hash=item5d662b768d:m:m1oVupffg6_ulcpl_aIqhTQ&vxp=mtr

Mr. Ratman, that's what I was thinkin' for ma-deuce, too... but the seller doesn't ship to Italy!
Too bad...

[CDNRatMan]

  You need to contact a guy outside of Toronto and get some elephant ears......

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/KAWASAKI-DRIFTER-800-ENGINE-GUARD-SOFT-LOWERS-CHAPS-1-QUALITY-WARRANTY-/401146082957?hash=item5d662b768d:m:m1oVupffg6_ulcpl_aIqhTQ&vxp=mtr

[Zoar]

I just finished my ride. It was cool out there.  Legs got the coldest.  But it was fantastic! I went to grocery store and when I came out there was a guy fawning over my 800. He was a Harley / Indian guy. Needless to say he was impressed with my 800. I started it for him and he looked at me like I just told the best story! He liked the sound. A lot. Oh, that is the other thing, I like the sound of my 800. When I drove by some cliffs today reflecting the sound back, I was thinking, "Damn, that sounds sweet!"

[CDNRatMan]

   Zoar, I do draw a line as fine as it is about what I would do for a free meal. Seems after all the snow last night that my season is over or very close to over, so time to park the bike and start my winter project list.
Zoar's food truck is on the schedule for next summer for a over night ride...........

[kw-retrorider]

I have had my 800 for about 4 years now and have put almost 20k miles on it. You don't need a big engine to have a cruising bike....you need sufficient wheelbase, a windscreen and a comfortable seat and suspension. I went to Drift In in 2013....it was over 500 miles each way. No reason to change anything on the 800...and certainly didn't feel like I needed more engine.

Back at slower speeds it is nimble and not a drag to lug around town....and the bike has been trouble free because it is not high tech....carb and chain works good for me. So the 800 is great all around machine. It is great around town and more than comfortable on the highway for riding all day.

Although after seeing the new Triumph Bobber, I might be ready to trade in my W650.....

[Zoar]

Well, it looks like you guys have already said everything about the 800 Drifter...
What else to add?
Oh yes! She is very comfortable, even for the passenger (I've got the OEM 2up seat).
And, yes, I've never been a huge fan of superfast bikes: I've always preferred to cruise along curvy roads AND being able to take a look around while riding in nice scenary.
Not to mention the higher danger in riding faster...

Yes, and the Drifter really does have an ideal sitting position (and windshield) for taking in the scenery.

I am glad you brought up comfort. I was doing a long ride last Saturday and at one point (like 3 hours in to the ride) I just smiled and said, "Wow, I am riding on a cloud and yet can throttle it and turn into a flying ship too!"

That is the other thing about the 800: It as comfortable, or even more comfortable than most "bigger" bikes. So you get that level of comfort yet the benefits of a more nimble and less gasoline sucking piggy.

The sun has finally come out here after 4 days of cold (32-42 degrees F). I hope to go for a run and then squeeze a ride in on my 800 Drifter before night arrives and the falling temps. Although I have my all season jacket with liner put back in and warm gloves so I am ready to enjoy this autumn afternoon on what has become my favorite motorcycle for cruising. Did I mention that great windshield on this Drifter? Wow, does that make colder temps more palatable!

[mittico68]

Well, it looks like you guys have already said everything about the 800 Drifter...
What else to add?
Oh yes! She is very comfortable, even for the passenger (I've got the OEM 2up seat).
And, yes, I've never been a huge fan of superfast bikes: I've always preferred to cruise along curvy roads AND being able to take a look around while riding in nice scenary.
Not to mention the higher danger in riding faster...

[Zoar]

I will have to add to your story.

Sadly I also have an 800 and it is nice and light, easy to handle, you forgot to mention the narrower then big tires. I know what it is like when we pulled out of Deal's Gap parking lot and Troll took off and I was hitting and hard, but I still lagged a bit behind as his 1500 (almost twice the size engine) (also half the weight on his bike vice mine) but I got up to him as he could only go so fast. We rode the Tail of the Dragon and it was fun.
I can remember and so can a few others when the "big" bike was a 750 Honda and then Kawasaki came out with the huge 900.
I ride my bike for pleasure, and I am not in need of the speed because I am in no hurry to get there, I do not have a phallic issue either in that mine is bigger, mine is faster, mine is longer then your bike, I am really happy with my bike, I really like the looks of it. If you goggle 99 Drifter 800, what do you see a picture of my bike right there. So what more can I ask for.
As for trips my good friend, I have done 2 nice long trips on my little 800, and have enjoyed ever moment of them. Yes it takes me a bit longer to get there, but I get there, I also get lots of looks of admiration on such a fine looking ride. Power what more power do you need.
I live in an area were the speed limit is 90 km (55 mph)for the most part I cruise along at about 110 km (70 mph) for the most part and have never been stopped, so why do I need that huge weight between my legs to get me to the speed limit.....ok there I am with you, and so I get a free meal when I come to the truck.

Wow, sounds like you'd do anything for a free pizza pi! hahaa.

I agree with what you posted including the part about cruising along at 70 mph. My Drifter 800 seems to love that speed.  Again, why do you need more?

Sure I have a Ducati ST4 and that will get up and go quicker than my Drifter but that is not what I want my "cruiser bike" for.

And may I say again--I really like the gas mileage of my Drifter 800. Better MPG than my Ducati or my Honda. And better than I use to get with my BMW, too.

Part of why I have a bike is I like getting high miles per gallon. If I want 32 miles per gallon I will drive my car. I like more and have a bike (my 800) that really delivers!

[OR Seedman]

my 5 cents worth here as well...In Oregon, you have to take a safety class to get a motorcycle endorsement...I took the intermediate class as I have been riding since I was 12, but had let my Oregon endorsement lapse...when you take the 5 hr class (which is mostly riding around in a big parking lot to learn proper riding technique), you have the option of using one of the bikes provided or your own.  The provided bikes were all small (200-250cc) enduro types or single cylinder road bikes... I was the ONLY ONE who brought my own bike..my newly purchased 800 Drifter...I learned a lot about the bike that day...

Stopping - I stopped in shorter distance than anyone else in the class..period...    EXCELLENT BRAKING
Handling - I was able to run the second fasted time of the day on the multi-obstacle course....lost by 1 second  Very nimble at low speed maneuvers...low center of gravity

Looks Factor - EVERYONE (including the two instructors) loved the looks of the bike...including two Harley owners...

Only one negative that I found was the higher speed cornering.....my last bike was a touring bike, not a cruiser, and it cornered tighter.  I hit the floor-boards multiple times...but I haven't had that issue now that I am aware of it in my daily riding

In conclusion...I have owned multiple off-road and street bikes since I was 14 (40 yrs ago)....This Drifter is by far my favorite one....looks, comfort, power (plenty) and handling....perfect for me.

And....I found a GREAT website that offers tips and ideas and stimulating conversation about these unique bikes....

[CDNRatMan]

   I will have to add to your story.

Sadly I also have an 800 and it is nice and light, easy to handle, you forgot to mention the narrower then big tires. I know what it is like when we pulled out of Deal's Gap parking lot and Troll took off and I was hitting and hard, but I still lagged a bit behind as his 1500 (almost twice the size engine) (also half the weight on his bike vice mine) but I got up to him as he could only go so fast. We rode the Tail of the Dragon and it was fun.
I can remember and so can a few others when the "big" bike was a 750 Honda and then Kawasaki came out with the huge 900.
I ride my bike for pleasure, and I am not in need of the speed because I am in no hurry to get there, I do not have a phallic issue either in that mine is bigger, mine is faster, mine is longer then your bike, I am really happy with my bike, I really like the looks of it. If you goggle 99 Drifter 800, what do you see a picture of my bike right there. So what more can I ask for.
As for trips my good friend, I have done 2 nice long trips on my little 800, and have enjoyed ever moment of them. Yes it takes me a bit longer to get there, but I get there, I also get lots of looks of admiration on such a fine looking ride. Power what more power do you need.
I live in an area were the speed limit is 90 km (55 mph)for the most part I cruise along at about 110 km (70 mph) for the most part and have never been stopped, so why do I need that huge weight between my legs to get me to the speed limit.....ok there I am with you, and so I get a free meal when I come to the truck.

[Zoar]

Okay I need to vent here.

I have an 800. I get about 50 MPG. It has plenty of torque and power and it is comfortable and puts a big smile on my face. It feels nimble and I can maneuver it easily on hills, in parking lots, on bumpy hills leading out of some parking lots where you need to go up a steep incline and stop as you enter a 55 road, etc., etc..

I have had it on multi-hour rides and I love it. I have had it on windy roads, and in cities and towns in stop and go traffic, and I love it. All of it.

So many bike forums and threads on forums go on and on and on and on about the biggest motors and high horsepower, and the general consensus is ---  more is better and more is the way we all should go and more is really what you "need"; you and I need big engines and you and I need this high horsepower.

Why?

I do not see why it is endlessly lauded: This BIG BIGGER BIGGEST argument.

To me it seems like they are getting sucked into a hole. If x is good then 2x is better and then 3x has to even better! And the result is you "need" a 1600 or 1800 cc bike!

All the while MPG and that nimble, light, easy to move around from stop or in stop-and-go suffer.

Our culture and the bike culture overall seems to place a much higher priority on POWER and BIGGER than on all other characteristics.

Almost every time I tell someone I have a Drifter and they ask me how big is the engine and I tell them their FIRST response is--'Well, that is really not a long distance bike, or, you'll never be able to use that to go on any trips or you wish you had more power, you'll be sorry with that small of a motor.'

Well, I am NOT sorry!

(end of vent)