Buying first Drifter 800, what to look out for

[Tfrank59]

 Well I deleted my ad on craigslist, at least for now. (some flake in California wanted to try and pay by check even though the ad clearly says "cash and local pick up only")  I'm going to hang onto the girl for a while and if my wife bugs me at all to sell it, like later in the season, I might put it back up for sale but I really want to keep it. After all I bought it because I like it!  I love the way the bike looks and I really enjoy riding it. What else is there?

[CDNRatMan]

   The flag would have to stay with you and then the bike sadly is only worth $3500.00 and the reason is it lacks that pop that WWW would give it......lol.......
A few years ago when the exchange was closer it might have been a deal, and 8 hour drive is ok, I drove a round trip of 8 hours total to go and buy pick up my bike and come home with it.....

[Tfrank59]

I totally get why someone in CA wouldn't want to buy in the US, but a few years back somebody from BC drove down and got my Honda XR650, paid all the fees and went through the hassle. I'm sure he had no regrets, though it was only around 4 hrs drive (each way) for him.  At any rate, if Suzy wants to come to the Seattle area here's the CL posting for my 800, which I think is worth 4k with only 13k miles.  Don't really want to sell her but if I can get my price I'll let her go.  These bikes are already collectible, so if you can HANG ON TO YOURS!
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/5966539680.html  You folks up north would probably change to the maple leaf flag

[CDNRatMan]

  Understanding all the stuff talking about but that $3,000.00 US bike in the US after the exchange is now $3,979.24 CDN, then we have to deal with the HST, a must pay tax, at 13% so an additional $517.30 so now we are at $4,496.54. Than depending on where in Ontario she lives the on in St. Catherines would be perhaps a day's drive, 2 tanks of fuel.......
So really comparing prices in the US vs Canada can sometimes not be as easy as just the price. How many times I have seen someone sucked in buying on ebay and not factoring in the exchange rate and the cost of shipping. Something to be very aware of.

[greenbarn]

Seems like I've noticed the Drifter price tags are dearer above the 49th.  Maybe part of it is the exchange rate, but perhaps they just appreciate a good thing up there more, and so the prices go up accordingly.

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

CDNRatman, Understood on the geographical distance and expense and time of travel. Just a point of reference. CDD

[CDNRatMan]

  lads Suzie is in Canada and to AK is like a 2 to 3 day drive and then deal with customs to get the bike across the border, the cost of fuel there and back, cost of taxes to cross the border, the bike just might end up cost more then it is worth.

Suzie just keep looking on Kijiji and perhaps CL in Canada, you will find a Drifter when it happens.

[Pilgrim]

That's a pretty lil' Drifter..offer them 2500 and shoot for 2800. It's worth 3 though.

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

Suzie, Just a point of reference. Craig's list in Little Rock, Arkansas USA has a nice looking 2003 800 Drifter with 17000 miles for $3000. Happy drifting, CDD

[CDNRatMan]

Suzie:
Is that the 02 on St. Catherines? It looks to be in decent shape. It does have a few of the items you will be hard pressed to find, engine guard, saddle bags and windscreen. I would at least go and look at it. If you check the prices of Drifter 800's across Canada at the present time you will see that they are running from the lowest price $4,500.00 to the high of $6,000.00. That particular 800 has been on Kijiji for awhile, so you should be able to talk them down a bit. I would call and offer $4,000.00 and see what the reaction is. Perhaps some of our Ontario member when they wake up can weigh in what they think is a fair price in Ontario for a Drifter. When I bought mine the start price the seller was asking for was $5,000.00.
If or rather once you buy your Drifter, you will be so happy you will be on cloud nine all the time. Also don't forget I am going to be hosting a Drifter event here in North Bay 28th July till Aug 1st, you are invited no matter what bike you ride. Check it out on the forum.....

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=44427.0

[Suzie]

Hi, I am enjoying all the information everyone shares on this forum...thank you.
I am hoping to be a proud owner of a Drifter one day soon!...   I am a new rider as of April 2016 and purchased my first bike June 3rd....'07 VStar 650 Classic white pearl with less than 8k....I am looking to sell the VStar and purchase a Drifter  ...I'm just unsure of the purchase price for a Drifter.  An example of a Drifter I've seen... '02 Drifter 800 60,000miles on it ...no leaks, engine bars, shield and bags. Asking $5,000....what's a good price for something like this? 

[pcarrell]

Wow!!!  I graduated from Cousin It to Uncle Fester!

I'll take it!

[CDNRatMan]

 Ah and a new year starts........perhaps I have not sent anyone anything but my favorite Pastor dude.......like that TV show Impastor.........

shaman258 you just relax and when you finally get your bike you clean it up and get it nice and shiny then post a few pictures for us that like to see what others have and see if there are any cool ideas on that bike we can steal for our own ideas. So of course we want close up and detail shots to best see what we are going to do........

PC = Uncle Fester on the Addams family, you like him sort of, but keep him hidden under the stairs......lol......

[pcarrell]

Ok notice I did not mention names and I was polite.......

Yes, very uncharacteristic of you!

Let's see,.....he get's in the ring, takes a few jabs at the air, then gets out.

That can only mean one thing!  Everyone......check your Email, and if you have something from a strange address with an attachment, delete it right away!  Remember, you can't unsee whatever that attachment is!

[CDNRatMan]

 shaman we have all learned to ignore Mr. PC and his comments.

I have since I owned my 800 put more km's on it then some people on their 1500's and ridden longer and farther, but then I am still healthy and young, not grumpy and old........

As for your comment on family and picking on others at their expense. I would have hoped that you have seen we are really one huge family albeit a huge dysfunctional family. We have a few black sheep in this family we do not talk about, we have others that are old and grumpy, like that Uncle we hide in the corner on those family holidays we all have to attend. There are the ones that are like older brothers with a lot of experience, and we trust them, then the ones whom we listen to and the when they are not looking we laugh at their advice. There are the few that are like a younger bothersome brother.
Then the ladies, oh the ladies, they are all like that sweet girl next door that you had a twinkle in your eye over, and they are so nice words fail me.......
Ok notice I did not mention names and I was polite.......

[Zoar]

Not going to bite on that one! I'm sure others won't be able to resist though...

As you can see, we are conditioned... No one will touch that one (anymore). 

[shaman258]

Yeah, it's nice when people get their new baby Drifter.

It's even better when they nurture it till it's a full grown 1500!

***Now to hide in the corner and watch the fireworks go off!***

Not going to bite on that one! I'm sure others won't be able to resist though...

[shaman258]

Well it is the new year...............and still waiting..........I like when people get their 800 makes me feel good to know that family is growing.......

Well I'm hoping to be a new member of the family within the next few weeks! Seems like this is a really great community and everyone has a good laugh (sometimes at each others expense---my kind of people!)

[pcarrell]

Yeah, it's nice when people get their new baby Drifter.

It's even better when they nurture it till it's a full grown 1500!

***Now to hide in the corner and watch the fireworks go off!***

[CDNRatMan]

Well it is the new year...............and still waiting..........I like when people get their 800 makes me feel good to know that family is growing.......

[OR Seedman]

stop it ...you're scaring him....LOL

[CDNRatMan]

 But that is still next year no matter how you look at it......

[shaman258]

WOW so now we have to wait till next year.....oh man......wait a whole year now to see what you buy......cruel, you are just plain cruel

Haha! no, not another year, just another week or so...

[pcarrell]

Brutal!  A whole year!

How are we going to keep Chief from going on the warpath for pics?

[CDNRatMan]

  WOW so now we have to wait till next year.....oh man......wait a whole year now to see what you buy......cruel, you are just plain cruel