800,1500 or both?

[jmbo]

I know this is an old post but here is my two cents worth. I always like the look of the Drifter. I finally found one for sale. It was a robins egg blue 800. Loved the ride. It was a great bike to toss around the back roads. However, it's not a cruiser. Keeping up with interstate traffic was though. So I waited and hunted for the next four years and finally found my '99 1500. Never looked back. I loved the clean look of the 800 but with a set of bags, who can tell the difference. I still toss it around on the back roads plus I ride the interstate with the best of them.

[OR Seedman]

honestly, I think that they do bring a slightly (10-15%) higher price than a comparable non-drifter model of Kawasaki....but most people have no clue what they are and are not looking for one in the first place so they seem to take longer to sell   I stumbled upon my first one by accident...and absolutely had to have it!  I had just started looking for another ride (had sold my last bike over 15 yrs earlier) and just happen to come across a 2001 800 with only 3518 miles on it for $4k.  Was bone stock.  45 minutes later it was MINE!  this was in June 2016.  I have picked up an amazing amount of information on these unique motorcycles from members on this forum and have never seen this kind of camaraderie among a style and brand of bike riders before...even between 800 and 1500 owners/riders  .  I just wish I wasn't so far away from where most of the gatherings occur so I could attend and look at all the different personalized rides.....best bike i could possibly have come across at the time I was looking....

[Tfrank59]

The thing that I suppose lowers their value at least on Craigslist or as second hand bikes is the fact that they are considered clones, replicas or at best tribute bikes.  I know this thread isn't about resale value but I will say that the fact that they are inexpensive worked in my favor especially with the wife when it came to purchasing a second motorcycle such as my Drifter 800.

[rob f]

Wise words. I guess i could always resell one.
However, it does seem odd to me that when I see these bikes for sale, they are for sale for a long time. Because of their rarity I thought that they would get snapped up right away. Not so up here and not sure why. It's not the pricing,as for $4000 you can get a decent one.
Guess that i"ll flip a coin or do Rock, paper,scissors with my wife.
r

[OR Seedman]

I do a lot of riding it the coastal range here in Oregon and in the Cascades.  When I had my 800 (jetted, K&N, roadburner exhaust), I was struggling to keep up with my friends with larger displacement engines (1200 and up).  I was constantly down shifting on any medium grade hills.  I am 6' and weigh 250+ from years of competitive powerlifting.  I have now been riding my 1500 for a year and I personally would not go back to the 800.  I have no problem handling the 1500 even at walking speed and it definitely has way more power and torque than the 800 (practically twice the engine displacement).  I take it on both short and long rides, so it definitely works better for me than the 800.  Looks-wise, I think because of my size, I looked a little too big for the 800...the 1500 fits me perfectly...and it definitely has a smoother ride, especially when loaded down in the saddlebags and on the rack.  Also, it's longer frame and stance fits my seating position better.  I would definitely look at and try out both before making a decision....not trying to tell you one is better than the other for you....you have to make that decision based upon how each one "feels"......

[Tfrank59]

Those are the exact mods I've done to my bike, the K&N Filter, the Dynojet on the carb and the straight pipes with baffles and fishtails. And I think for the most part my bike's putting out Max HP. At any rate it's enough for me but I always just ride solo never two up. And like I mentioned in my earlier post, on my ride yesterday I got lots of smiles and some thumbs up and even some comments like nice bike dude!

[rob f]

Thanks for the input Greenbarn.
For now I will stick with the 800.
I had read a few posts now that say the 800's are fine at 70mph but mine seems to struggle at holding this speed especially on hills.
Mine is not Grampsized and almost did this mod last summer. The thought of butchering the airbox with no turning back kinda spooked me off.
I do have a K&N filter. dyno jet kit and a partially debaffeled original fishtail. I think for now that will do.
I have been playing with the sprockets and I bought a small tach to install to check my rpms.
I just may not be running the engine high enough for the gear i'm in. Will find out this spring ( when ever it shows up)
Like I said, I am not a speedster or do 2 up so if I can get this 800 to preform half ass'd on the hyway then I won't have to look at the 1500.

[greenbarn]

I own one of each, so wanted to add my perceptions here.  First of all, the 800 is rated at 57 HP, not 40.   It is no slouch.   It does need to have the air box opened up and the jetting increased, from factory configuration, but after that, it runs real well.  Does it have the power of the fuel injected 1500?  No way, but it doesn't need it to fulfill it's purpose.

If I had to decide which bike to get rid of?  I could not answer that easily, without knowing what type of riding I plan to do - or to give up.  Plus, as they are all individuals, and I put a lot more time customizing my 800, it would be hard to sell it.   They are both simply different bikes, and vastly excel at different things.   I respectfully disagree with a lot of what Corsacreek said (please don't be offended, just my opinion)...   As far as the lack of power, the 1500 winning in every category, and the 1500 being obviously more appealing for the average dude--  disagree to all of this.   I'm not sure if maybe the 800 he rode had problems, or something, but mine runs great, and will scoot down the highway at 70 mph with little effort.  The 1500 has of course a lot more torque and more power, obviously, but the 800 has "enough" --but it depends on what you are wanting out of it.   If you're used to riding a sport bike, and you're heavy on the HP, then the 800 is certainly lacking in power, vs the 1500.  But I can tell you that Ratman had his 800 and toured all over the US and Canada on it, loaded down for 2-3 weeks of gear (and he himself went about 250lbs) and he said it had plenty of power, and never really wanted a 1500, even as much as I goaded him.  Actually, he bought another 800 and just got it finished before he passed away.

So I consider the 800 and 1500 each to excel in their own areas.   If I were planning to do very much 2-up riding (for average or larger people) The 1500 is certainly the far winner.  It has a much better suspension system for the loads, but more importantly it is a lot longer format than the 800-more room on the bike.   With similar Corbin 2-up saddles on both bikes there is FAR more room for the passenger on the 1500.  I'm pretty certain the passenger would have to weigh about 80 lbs to fit comfortably with 2 backrests on a 800.   Long trips at freeway speeds-  1500 excels - much smoother and easier going.  Raw power- 1500 of course.   Slightly less maintenance - no chain to lube and no carb (although honestly neither of these things are really that big a deal).   If you were really tall and had a long arm reach, the 1500 may be more comfortable - there is significantly farther from the triple tree to the front of the seat on the 1500.

So the 800 - Let me put it this way-  for a solo bike, short trips, leisure riding, scenic roads, curves, handling in parking lots, aesthetic appearance, vintage look - I consider the 800 the far superior bike.   The 800s lighter weight and shorter wheel base make it easier to handle in tight places, push around the garage, and get in and out of parking places.    For anything under 70MPH, I consider it to have plenty of power.   Even with 2-up it had enough power to ride around comfortably and did not labor under the load.  I "grampsized" mine- opened up the air cleaner and re-jetted, and it makes a WORLD of difference.   To me it's a lot more fun to ride the 800 on shorter trips, across town, a leisurely ride in the hills and curves,  quick trip to the store, or whatever.

So for now, I'm keeping both of my bikes I guess, LOL.    Like I said, to me it depends as much as what type of riding you do - I do hardly any 2-up any more (wife doesn't enjoy it much), and have no immediate plans for an out of state trip, so I don't know, maybe I'd sell the 1500 if I had to sell one.?

So your summary of "I am assuming that the 800 is more about show and tell around town and the 1500 is the hyway cruiser." isn't really far off.    My suggestion is, if you can manage it - buy the 1500 and ride it to see how you like it.  If you find that you really like one or the other after a while and don't rely ride the other one, then make the wife happy and sell it.

[rob f]

 Just got back from 7 days in Antigua and oddly enough didn't see any Drifters there.
Lots of good opinions and pointers since i left and am no further ahead in my decision. Probably will stick to the 800 because of the looks. I never was much of a speedster on the hyway anyway and only ride one up. Have my V-strom for the long hyway trips.
But then............. they don't make the 1500,s any more and may be missing an opportunity.

[Tfrank59]

Well the comparison in this thread is 800 and 1500 Drifters. And I like my 800 not because of torque or high-end or any of that but because of the way it looks. it's a great-looking bike. I know I'm biased but I think the 800s look better than the 1500s . (And I actually had the opportunity to buy a 1500 Drifter when I was  considering buying my 800.)  I have a 1500 muscle bike so when I need that kind of torque and high-end I have it but I like the 800 as a second bike and that's what it is for me a second bike. Get lots and lots of smiles and compliments sometimes they shout them to me when I'm riding or especially at red lights.

[Corsacreek]

does a Vulcan 1500 have that much uumph?  My six cylinder Valkyrie 1500 has around 100 HP, and believe me that's a muscle bike

Yeah for 170 HP you must have been talking about a different motorcycle than a 1500 Vulcan:

Yes of course, I had Ducatis....

As far as the 1500 having more ummph, 80'sh in torque does make a different. There's no replacement for displacement  when you're in the highway. Furthermore, fuel injection completes the delivery of power. I've ridden the 800 & 1500 back to back and there's no comparison. The 1500 definitely wins in every category. It is just a more planted and more appealing motorcycle for the average dude.

Where the 800 wins is on its easy riding, low weight and price. Besides the seat height, the 800 can be a good started bike for women. It is easy to turn and move around. Its lack of torque and top end makes it perfect for a beginner.

The Drifter in both forms appeal to a niche crowd that enjoys that vintage look. Neither can compete against other metrics in the same category nor Harley for that matter. Kawasaki wasn't aiming at fantastic sales nor putting much emphasis in performance when they started production of these models. They had a clear path on who would buy these bikes and it was all about the eye of the beholder. 

[KEN.]

HELLO ALL.....TO ME THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ANOTHER BIKE!...KEN.

[Old Drifter]

I think a stock 1500 is rated at 68 hp.  With tuning, hi-flow air and exhaust, you can probable get that up to 75-80 hp.  I do know that my 1500 (which has all three) will easily pull away at the start  through 5th gear from my buddy's 2014 HD Road King with a stage 1 kit and V&H slip-ons....something he is not too happy about.. .  Probably because his bike weighs over 900 lbs....and looks smaller than mine!

I guess to Harley riders the 1500 Drifter is like a gnat that they just can't out run and it keeps buzzing around them. lol

[Pilgrim]

LOL..awesome!

[OR Seedman]

I think a stock 1500 is rated at 68 hp.  With tuning, hi-flow air and exhaust, you can probable get that up to 75-80 hp.  I do know that my 1500 (which has all three) will easily pull away at the start  through 5th gear from my buddy's 2014 HD Road King with a stage 1 kit and V&H slip-ons....something he is not too happy about.. .  Probably because his bike weighs over 900 lbs....and looks smaller than mine!

[Tfrank59]

170'sh horse power

does a Vulcan 1500 have that much uumph?  My six cylinder Valkyrie 1500 has around 100 HP, and believe me that's a muscle bike

Yeah for 170 HP you must have been talking about a different motorcycle than a 1500 Vulcan:

https://cruiser.mototribe.com/motorcycles/kawasaki-vulcan-1500-classic/specs

[Corsacreek]

There really isn't much comparison between an antiquated 800cc engine that's carbureted against a modern fuel injected 1500cc engine. Power delivery via driveshaft versus chain is a no brainer.

I just bought an 800 Drifter & I can assure you that going from 170'sh horse power down to 40'sh is excruciating in the highway. Getting passed by a Dodge Neon is right down embarrassing. However, moving/pushing her around in my garage and the ease in which she rides makes up for raw torque.

I almost bought the real deal (2016 Indian Chief Black Horse) at a super discount price. However, 1800cc got a lot of junk in the trunk & pushing her around in my small garage wound't have been practical for me.

[mittico68]

I've only got the 800, so I don't know much about her bigger sister.
But I do agree with Chief, totally (even though I must admit that I LOVE ma-deuce...  )

[chief]

They are two very different bikes. Having one of each makes sense. Each has its own use and appeal.

[OR Seedman]

had both...sold the 800 and kept the 1500.  the 1500 has substantially more power for hills, shaft drive vs chain on the 800, self adjusting valves, FI, plus heavier and more solid feeling.  Nothing wrong with the 800 at all...but I had trouble keeping up with guys on bigger bikes.  didn't need an "around town bike"...I really wanted more of a longer ride type cruiser.  being fairly big and heavy, the 1500 just works better for me...it's not just the bigger motor...the 1500 is several inches longer than the 800 and is smoother overall on the highway.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I would say both too, although I'm not technically qualified to answer because I don't own a 1500 Drifter. But I do own a 1500 Valkyrie and know the benefits of a big bike when you're taking a big trip. I love the 800 which is light and easy to maneuver when I want to bop around town. Just my 1.5 cents.  FYI 3 bikes is also my wife's limit 

[Bucko]

800,1500 or both?

Yes. 

[rob f]

 I need some opinions from the guys that own both versions of the Drifter.
i presently have a 2001 vn 800 and have stumbled across a 1999 vn 1500 for sale that i am thinking of getting. I do know the aesthetic and mechanical differences and am more interested in the psychological aspects.
Which one gets ridden more? Which one has the best dependability on a long haul. I am assuming that the 800 is more about show and tell around town and the 1500 is the hyway cruiser.  Hypothetically, lets just say that your wife was only letting you keep one,( because you already own 3 other bikes and how many do you really need?). Which one would you get rid of ?  The 800, the 1500, or the wife?
Thanks for any input. I will be gone from this site Feb13-21 and will read your posts when I get back.
By then I will have figured out a way on how to spring the news to a wife I may, or may not, have.

Rob