Some say the 800 looks better

[Old Drifter]

If you want it blacked out then be looking for a 99........

The '99 & '00 in the 1500 had the blacked out treatment.

[CDNRatMan]

  If you want it blacked out then be looking for a 99........

[Old Drifter]

I love the black out forks, triple trees, H bars and light buckets.  I just bought a low mile perfect Valkyrie in December so this will have to wait however I have a clear vision now.  These bikes are stunningly beautiful and need to be seen as I have never known one in my travels. If I did I would have one.  Not to be negative against a bike brand however the Indian, would not be for me, only a drifter.

Jerry, you may not like owning a Drifter if you don't like attention. They always seem to attract lookers.

[--Jerry S--]

I love the black out forks, triple trees, H bars and light buckets.  I just bought a low mile perfect Valkyrie in December so this will have to wait however I have a clear vision now.  These bikes are stunningly beautiful and need to be seen as I have never known one in my travels. If I did I would have one.  Not to be negative against a bike brand however the Indian, would not be for me, only a drifter.   

[mittico68]

Depends on what you are after, I think they both look good, the 1500 has the standard twin shocks on the sides of the bike like most other bikes, the 800 has a hidden mono shock. Giving the bike a more of a hardtail look. The front ends are the same, the frames are different, the rear suspension is totally different. Of course the engines are different, 1500 is shaft driven the 800 is chain, the 1500 is Fuel injected and the 800 has a carb..........
It all comes down to personal preference in my opinion...........

And they are at your full disposal, for whatever idea of customizing you've got!

[CDNRatMan]

  Jerry any questions that you have will be answered by someone on this forum, we have a very wide variety of opinions, a huge cornucopia of tastes then a thanksgiving dinner. Also a very wide array of career choices but one thing in common and that is the love of the Kawasaki Drifter......we all agree that no matter what a 1500 or a 800 we have a love of the style of the bike itself....

[--Jerry S--]

Right the hard tail look,  I feel funny that I just found out that these bikes exist about a month ago and I am blown away.  I found the picture below of a black one and I can't stop drooling.  Thank you for this information, i'm sure I will have more questions.

[CDNRatMan]

This is my 99 800. Depends on what you are after, I think they both look good, the 1500 has the standard twin shocks on the sides of the bike like most other bikes, the 800 has a hidden mono shock. Giving the bike a more of a hardtail look. The front ends are the same, the frames are different, the rear suspension is totally different. Of course the engines are different, 1500 is shaft driven the 800 is chain, the 1500 is Fuel injected and the 800 has a carb..........
It all comes down to personal preference in my opinion...........

[Jerry]

Some say the 800 looks better, so what is the difference that makes it look so different and are the frames different?

My next ride will be a drifter 1500 however I have three Valkyries and need to wait a while before I can move on one. However I see these bikes and I am hooked, BAD!