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Posted by Gazrat
- March 29, 2026, 20:16:12 PMQuote from: Washbrook on February 15, 2013, 00:46:03 AMNice thread. I have not come across another drifter here in Melbourne. One of the Vulcan Group members said that the other locals would love to see my ride as most had never seen a Drifter. I will have to oblige some time soon.
I can better the deal of $1,000. FREE. Ok my father had to die and leave the bike to me so I suppose its real cost was a heck of a lot more. He only paid $1,200 for it, all original with only a sissy bar and extra lights added.
It would be great to find out how many are still around down here in AUS.
I have one here in ballarat
Posted by werewasi
- May 12, 2022, 23:55:56 PMI'm puzzled by the response of kawasaki Australia's murray sayle who states that after the 1999 model importation, there weren't any later models brought in.
This can't be right.
I have a Drifter VIN JKBVNAR112Axxxxxx and the so the bike is a 2002 model. However Ox blood red and pearl ivory was a 2001 colour. Apparently the tinware and tank was swopped over with a 2001 model at the dealers.
There are two drifters at Grafton but I only know for sure that one of them is in 2001 colours. There is a 2001 drifter currently on sale in Brisbane.
So there seem to be a number of post 2000 models that were sold here.
Posted by Bucko
- June 11, 2021, 18:27:45 PMQuote from: chief on June 11, 2021, 15:01:02 PMYa, that's what I was thinking....Probably made more in the early years and fewer each of the latter years.
Posted by chief
- June 11, 2021, 15:01:02 PMQuote from: Bucko on June 11, 2021, 14:13:23 PMYes, I read that. I guess I should be been more specific: I'm looking for a break down of how many 1500 were made for each production year
Ah, I see! Kaw has been very tight lipped about Drifter production numbers, we had some heavy duty bike people asking. The info from Australia was the first time we got any info on production numbers. Anyway, the bike has been out of production for more than a decade (15-16 years), so maybe they would be more willing to release that information now. I guess you could average it... 9000 /1500's sold over 7 years. Probably made more in the early years and fewer each of the latter years.
Posted by Bucko
- June 11, 2021, 14:13:23 PMQuote from: chief on June 11, 2021, 13:48:27 PMYes, I read that. I guess I should be been more specific: I'm looking for a break down of how many 1500 were made for each production year... the total was 18000 globally.
Posted by chief
- June 11, 2021, 13:48:27 PMRead the thread... the total was 18000 globally.
Posted by Bucko
- June 10, 2021, 11:56:04 AMQuote from: Tim on March 03, 2021, 13:38:54 PMI'm really interested in this as well. BC's collector vehicle program provides a huge insurance discount for applicable vehicles, typically for vehicles 25 years and older, but they have special provision for vehicles 15 years old when worldwide production was less than 1500 units per model year. I approached Kawasaki Canada for the numbers but they could only provide the Canadian numbers. Anyone have an official contact at Kawasaki Japan?Does anyone know a way to get a letter from Kawasaki confirming the number of Drifters made?
I asked their customer help line and they say "because of the competitive motorcycle industry we don't release that information."
TIA
Posted by Easy Drifter
- March 07, 2021, 15:34:43 PMI had a momentary lapse of reason a few weeks ago, almost sold Black Bettie. The sale fell through. Returned to my senses. She's not going anywhere,
Posted by Bucko
- March 06, 2021, 15:03:05 PMQuote from: chief on November 10, 2012, 12:12:38 PMTook a quick look through this thread but didn't find an answer to this ....This information is directly from KHI - Kawasaki.
1. ALL Drifters were made at the Akashi plant in Japan.
2. Global Total: 18,000
3. 1500 cc: 9000
4 800: 9000Canada:
1. Total: 1200
2. 1500: 600
3. 800: 600
Australia:1. Total: 50 (1999-2000)
2. 1999 - 49
3 2000 -1The Kawasaki Drifter was imported in to Australia for the 1999 Model Year. There were approx 50 units sold in 1999-2000. There was one 2000 Model Year unit sold, sales were slow of the Vulcan 1500 Drifter model and it was not imported again after 1999.
Murray Sayle
Homologation, Industry Relations & Technical Marketing Assistant
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
Unit Q, 10-16 South Street
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
Does anyone have a break down of the world wide numbers by model year - i.e. how many 1500's were produced for each model year for 1999 to 1995?
Posted by Tim
- March 03, 2021, 13:38:54 PMDoes anyone know a way to get a letter from Kawasaki confirming the number of Drifters made?
I asked their customer help line and they say "because of the competitive motorcycle industry we don't release that information."
TIA
Posted by facembani223
- May 22, 2016, 08:26:40 AMI've always wanted one of these Drifters
Posted by kawasaki.addict
- October 05, 2014, 14:58:35 PM
glad my bike is rare as well as badass 03 1500
Posted by bikerbob5864
- February 27, 2014, 17:18:04 PMBoscobel?.......isn't there a Big Mouse on the road somewhere around there.....and ad for a cheese place(in Wisconsin!?!?!)
Lots of twisty roads around there. The Wife wants to go to Spring Green(House on the Rock) this Summer. I like up North, .....Tomahawk........areas up there....above Wausau.
Now that is God's country! (along with Montana) Lived there for awhile quite a few years ago......Man!,............if only the Californians hadn't discovered the Rockies..........what a shame.
Posted by Troll
- February 27, 2014, 17:05:30 PMI don't write checks anymore, I use a bad debit card...it looks more official and it fools 'em better....You need to check out the Vulcan riders in Boscobel..they have a ride and a meeting on Father's day weekend...nice ride for you. I'll see if I can find a link.
Posted by bikerbob5864
- February 27, 2014, 16:59:33 PMYea..........I like it over by the River..........BTW I like the use of the word, "coveted".........it makes me feel so cheap!!!..................LOL, next thing you know I'll be writing bad checks................