WHY ARE 1500 DRIFTERS SO RARE? HOW MANY WHERE MADE?

[aclone]

I bought my bike from craigslist. Talked or emailed  at least ten other as I was looking.  Did have a few that did not answer, but most did.
Mark

[TC]

 Maybe I am doing something wrong but I have yet to recieve a response to an ad on craig's list.

[aclone]

You can find good deals if you look  !
Mark

http://omaha.en.craigslist.org/mcy/1523232818.html

[bullride28]

RIDE A RETRO EXCITING  (RARE)

[TC]

 I hear ya Vinny. I'm waithing for a better price also. I see them all the time on Ebay not meeting the reserve and being relisted but still not hitting the reserve.

[CousinVinny]

As a rider for 29 years and a new 1999 Drifter owner (1 month) I looked for about 2½ months and found mine 60 miles away, (thanks Craigslist) 15k miles, vgood condition and needing a few parts and it was priced accordingly. I would say these bikes are on the rare side, I jumped on this particular one because they were quickly sold when priced in that $4k-$5 range. If Kawasaki vin numbers read like a car's sequence then mine is number 00478 off the line in the 99 model year, thats cool. The people listing them at $7000 were sitting on them willing to wait for the 'right ' buyer I guess, not me. -Vinny   

[aclone]

It was fun sparing!  I think we could start a trend, anything less than $10,000  no sale!  Have a safe and happy holiday.
Mark

[chief]

Aclone:

LOL... 

Its really funny how we use words, sometimes. I've found a lot of the differences come from the way words are used in different regions of the country. I say "reckon" and most folks outside of Chicago or the wayward Coasts understand it is a proper word - though perhaps archaic.

So the Drifter is a uniquely rare bike! <lol>

BTW, I just looked on ebay and found 3 drifters for sale out of 6171 bikes. At the same time there are 343 sportsters. But that is expected... more sold for more years, and as you said, more demand.

I think you are right about the average pricing on drifters. I would hope over time this will change, but who knows. Personally, I'm willing to do my bit... ie $10k or no sale...

I've enjoyed this little discourse, thanks for your insight.

Merry Christmas.

[aclone]

Ok so you got me I don't want a rare disease or any kind for that matter. The point is, the word "rare" is overly used in classic cars, motorcycles and antiques. All in an attempt to add value to that item. It's like saying new and improved, the meaning has been lost.  Yes I do know the definition, the problem is
that perception is reality and the reality is that "rare" is tied to value.

I did sell my Amx many years ago and broke even on it. I enjoyed restoring and driving her so I really came out ahead.

I have said it before I think Drifters are the best deal (cost vs reliability, plus style) you can find on any motorcycle anywhere.

You can say "rare" I will say unique I'm guessing in about 20 years I will start saying "rare"
Mark

[chief]

Value is driven by availability and demand.

Drifters are rare bikes - and getting more rare. That doesn't necessarily mean they are "valued" highly or even properly. Especially this soon after their manufacture.

The demand for big fendered bikes (esp. metric) is limited which impacts cost -new and used.

A lot of this is perception - how sellers value what they are selling has an impact on the market.

[chief]

Aclone

Definitions of rare on the Web:

* not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness; "a rare word"; "rare books"
* recurring only at long intervals; "a rare appearance"; "total eclipses are rare events"
* not widely distributed; "rare herbs"; "rare patches of green in the desert"

Whether or not anyone wants your 71 AMC, it is still a RARE vehicle... not widely distributed, not commonly seen.

Tangier disease is a RARE disease - and NO BODY wants it!

Demand only impacts the perceived value, not the rarity - IMHO.

[aclone]

State farm has the replacement cost of my house at over $ 500,000.00 I would be lucky to get $ 350,00.00 if I had to sell it today.  Kbb has 2002 1500 drifter at $ 6400 retail with out extras.( 800's at $3950.00) I paid $5500.00 and mine had a lot of  extras It's a buyers market. You would get more for your bike from the insurance company than you could ever get selling it, just like my house.
Mark

[Slick]

I have been looking and pricing Drifters for about a year. When I finally decided to buy one it took three months to find the one I wanted. My search criteria: 2001 or newer (chorme), 1500, two tone, under 12000 miles, with in 10 hours driving, most options under $ 6000.00 ! I know that Drifter are speical but I would not call them rare, at any given time there are 50 to 75 drifters for sale in the U.S. Check out the site mash link, also cycle trader and odel.  In my humble opition 1500 sell around $ 5000.00 depending on extras and 800 around $ 4000.00  and prices are inching down. I still think that Drifter are the best deal ( style, performance, lack of problems, cost) of any bike on the road.
Mark

My insurance company  (AllState) put my 2002 800 Drifter 's value at $7,500.00 in October 2009. With my options the agreed upon replacement value is $9,100.00. My insurance with full coverage for a year in Sc is $545.00.

[aclone]

I started out restoring classic car before motorcycles, Mostly Amc stuff a 1971 AMX with a 401 CI motor 4 speed and factory air.  Less than 200 built but not "rare"  because the the amount of people that want that car is equal to the number of cars available so with some work and time you can find one
that you can afford.  A Duesenburg or the Hertz rental Shelby,rare! very rare!
Just one mans option!!!!!
Happy Holidays
Mark

[chief]

Depending upon the season the number of drifters available for sale will vary. I've never found 50 to choose from - and I routinely monitor drifter resources.

Drifters are not as rare as Vincents, but not as common as HD Road Kings. Considering I see hundreds of bikes each year on the road, but only 2-3 Drifters would lead me to conclude they are "rare".

[aclone]

I have been looking and pricing Drifters for about a year. When I finally decided to buy one it took three months to find the one I wanted. My search criteria: 2001 or newer (chorme), 1500, two tone, under 12000 miles, with in 10 hours driving, most options under $ 6000.00 ! I know that Drifter are speical but I would not call them rare, at any given time there are 50 to 75 drifters for sale in the U.S. Check out the site mash link, also cycle trader and odel.  In my humble opition 1500 sell around $ 5000.00 depending on extras and 800 around $ 4000.00  and prices are inching down. I still think that Drifter are the best deal ( style, performance, lack of problems, cost) of any bike on the road.
Mark

http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpmoto&itm=kawasaki&loc=&fil=drifter&ys=&ye=&submit=++++go++++ark

[pcarrell]

They can be had, but if you want to compare production numbers, hit up Ebay for drifters, count how many there are, then hit Nomad and count how many of those there are.

[TC]

I didn't say they were cheap, I just said there are Drifters out there for sale

[Slick]

I have been watching Ebay for a couple months. There always seem to be Drifters on there. More 800's than 1500's but still, I have seen 1500's quite often.

There is on average less the 20 Drifters for sale between eBay and Nationwide craig's list. I spent 2 years looking for my 2002 800. I have not seen one like since I purchased mine. I have seen two 1500 2002's and they both sold for over 5 grand .

[TC]

I have been watching Ebay for a couple months. There always seem to be Drifters on there. More 800's than 1500's but still, I have seen 1500's quite often.

[pcarrell]

I've heard it said that there were probably less then 10,000 drifters total worldwide, including all years and models, but I've not seen any numbers to back it up.  From the obvious rarity of these bikes, that number might not be far off though.

[drifter1946]

in Germany until 30.01.09 -  987 - 800 on the road

[ski.dive]

DID THEY MAKE MORE 800 OR 1500 DRIFTERS?

[pcarrell]

99 800's weren't available in the states.  We had to wait until 2000 to get 800's, while the 1500's were left alone to carry the Drifter flag in 99.  If you had to get an 800 in 99 then you had to go to Canada.

[Slick]

Seems to be hard to find 800's also. I have not seen an 2002 800 for sale besides mine when I purchased it in several years. I have seen several 1999's available recently.