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Posted by UGLY
- December 08, 2017, 10:28:44 AMHi Ugly here in Coombs Van Island. I see on C/L a 99 1500 I used to own for 4400. I AM 75 AND 5.5 and found it a tad heavy in town.I sure would be happy to deliver it to you .l.o.l I have another 99 1500 that is customized to my frame, and ride for the last 4 years to Kelona, Beaverdell , Red Deer, Blackfalls. And on to Edmonton. I also have a Delray trailer hitch new for your1500 when you get it. I love the style of the 800 and I love the no problems of the 1500. Good luck .Coming out your way this summer on my 1100 virago towing a trailer with my tent and coleman stove
Posted by rob f
- December 08, 2017, 10:07:02 AMThanks for the input guys.
To answer some of Ratmans questions:
I am on a ranch about 1.5 hrs NW of Calgary.Most of my riding is local stuff and usually not more than 2hrs one way. Edmonton, Calgary, Banff and the odd trip into BC. Retired a few years back after doing 33 years of mechanicing. Thought that I would be doing some long hauls in my retirement but have only done 1 so far from here to halifax with the Military Police Charity Annual run. Great cause and memorable ride but found out that I am not a pack rider, more of a loner.
Sold the Royal Star that took me on that ride and switched to 2016 Dl 650 V-strom that I gotta say is an incredible machine. Use it for the ugly rides where dust ,snow and mud don't matter. Have my Chromed out 98 Virago for putting here and there. But when I spotted that drifter last summer i thought that it would be a cool showpiece kinda bike for special occasions. So here i sit on the fence. Don't really need one but would be nice. Getting rarer every day so thought I would study up and ask questions. Am appreciating the input that I am getting here. Starting to lean more on getting one after reading your posts.
As far as the 800 mechanical issues- i am not a fan of sprockets and chains or carbs which the 1500 has neither. Shim adjusted valves also turn me off. I know that i just have to get over it!
Sounds like valve clearance issues are not much of a problem according to your bike and that makes me feel a bit better. Single carb vs double (or Quads like the Royal star) is also acceptable. And I guess with sprockets you can customize (as OR has done) where shaft you can't. Kinda sounds like I am talking myself into an 800 doesn't it?
I will send a pic of the 800 that I have been checking out for the last few months. looks like a good deal and has been up for sale for a time. Just gotta suffer thru 8-10 hrs of driving to bring it home 
Posted by OR Seedman
- December 08, 2017, 06:57:33 AMRatman is correct on the seating position....definitely a noticeable difference....but I am not sure how to describe it...I don't have the stock seat on my 1500, so I sit a little lower on it than you would with the oem seat....I am 6' and have no issues with my knees, so balance at a stop light on either bike is not an issue...both have low seating heights to begin with...but the weight difference between the two is a factor for some....anyway, best of luck finding the one you want...and when you do, post lots of pics....and check out the galleries here so lots of ideas on customizing....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- December 07, 2017, 23:59:43 PMRob F; here is my last three trips on Red, and the ride to Drift In 15 was 5,149km and a hoot, then to Sparta and out was and then home the trip was 6,946 km and I had a real blast,then this summer to PEI and covered 5,389km.
I can say that after 17,484 km I have had nothing go wrong with the bike and had a blast riding it.
Last picture is Red on the morning we left for PEI.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- December 07, 2017, 23:46:24 PM Welcome rob f of Alberta. Where abouts in the province, I know a few Drifter riders in Alberta. Ok so your questions, lets see what we can talk about here. I have for the last few years been dealing with ankle and knee issues and so when buying a new bike I test rode a bunch of the 1200 to 1600 size machines and found them hard on the legs for one reason or the other. Then by chance I came across my Red. which I ended up buying. Ok I'll not post on the deal I got because some of the lads get upset.
Not sure where you got the impression that the 800 was prone to mechanical issues. Could you be more specific on that one. When I bought Red I drained all the fluids and replaced them with new and started life out as it was new.
Valve issues none, I had some thing 27000, on Red when I bought her and the valves when checked the front was supposed to be between 6 and 8 both mine were 7 and the rear was 8 to 10 and mine where 9, so living in North Bay and getting dry rain all winter long and lots of snow I decided to use the time to do valve checks every winter just because I can. Last winter all valves were within specs again. As for the liquid cooling never had an issue in all the miles with any of it.
As anyone on this forum can say I have racked up some decent miles and long trips on my 800. I run a tad above speed limit speeds and so at 150 km I am looking for a fuel stop at 175 I am sort of really looking and at 200 km I am in a panic, but not on reserve yet. I ride about 2.5 hours and then take a break for about 5 to 10 mins and go again, I have put on 8 to 12 hour days and not an issue. This year I did from Antigonish the Cabot trail and back to Antigonish and we were on the rod for a bit over 12 hours. So the 800 can handle but can you.
I have sat on the 1500 a number of times never really rode on far, but you sit vert different on each machine.
Posted by rob f
- December 07, 2017, 21:27:15 PMThanks for the unbiased evaluation OR. That's the kinda stuff I need to know.
I'd listen to your girl as gals seem to know things we guys don't ( so I've been told)
Maybe she is eyeballing the 800 for herself?
R.
Posted by OR Seedman
- December 07, 2017, 19:46:24 PMWelcome....
I have both an 800 and 1500....as far mechanical issues on the 800...none so far but only 10k miles..I rescued the 1500 from the original owner off of ebay when he didn't want to pay to have a shop fix the front bevel gear bearing...got it for a steal..
differences to me: 800 is more nimble and handles better in traffic. I changed from 17/40 sprockets to 18/38...much better on the highway with no noticeable loss of acceleration. the 1500 is smoother on the highway (slightly longer wheelbase, heavier and shaft drive). More low end torque. but....it does not handle as well at slower speeds in traffic...feels a little "ponderous" compared to the 800....
My 800 gets 46-49 mpg depending on how I am riding that day...the 1500 gets about 35 mpg....
I haven't decided yet which one I am going to keep and which I will sell in the spring....very tough decision as I really like both bikes....my daughter says to keep both...LOL
Posted by Old Drifter
- December 07, 2017, 14:51:38 PMHi Rob and welcome to the forum. I have a '99 1500 Drifter and love it! I'm sure others will chime in here especially CDNRatman, he likes the 800's so much that he has two. When you find a Drifter, I'm sure you'll love it too. Good luck.
Posted by rob f
- December 07, 2017, 10:30:33 AM hello guys and gals. Rob from up here in Canada checking out your forum and looking for tips on Drifters.
Didn't have a clue that they even existed until one day this summer whilst filling up at my local gas station, a cool looking bike pulled up at the next pump. Of course had to go look and say hi.
I asked the bro if it was an Indian or a Harley and was stupefied that it was a kawi ! I guess that resurfaced my one and only addiction.... owning motorcycles. My brain said that I had to have one.
But which one or both? asked the big head. After cruising your site as a lurker and seeing all the opinions it looks like i may have to find a 800 and a 1500.
The pickin's are slim up here especially this time of year. So far I have found a 2002 800 about 4hrs away and a 1500 about a day and a half away. From comments I have read is that the 800 is more prone to mechanical issues which is sort of ok as I like to tinker (at home,not on the road). I would prefer the 1500 for power and the missing carb but like the looks and handling of the 800. Over the last 45 years I have owned a multitude of bikes from 125 to 1560 cc's . My first bike being a kawi 125 enduro at age 16. My next 2 were a kawi 350 Big horn and a brand new (1977?) KZ1000. Presently own a 650 v strom and a virago xv1100. An 800 and a 1500 would fit in there nicely. I haven't owned a kawi since 1977 and have strayed away mainly due to lack of Dealer support. Also, no disrespect, but Kawi was like the Mazda of the auto industry. I never had complaints about the ones i've had. It will be interesting to revisit this brand.
I have a few questions for your members;
Valve adjustments sound like a regular bitch to do and not a fan of the shim style. Of course if I do get a Drifter I would check the clearance just because, but every 6000 miles? really? Any comments about what intervals you would use? Are vanishing clearances a problem with these engines or is this just a regular ( unnecessary) maintenance item? Oh yes I am aware of what tight clearances would do. My son owns a Honda crf 450 that is in need of shims once a year and on the other side of the coin, I owned a 1300cc Royal Star with 80,000 kms that had 16 shim adjusted valves . Only 2 valves were out by about .001" Just kinda wondering where these Kawi engines fall.......... Always checking or do it once and don't worry?
Mileage wise what is the average life expectancy?
Not a fan of liquid cooled engines , so any common cooling system issues?
Parts availability and costs?
Vibrations at hyway speeds? Average hyway ride time before rider needs a break?
Handling at slow speeds? I got rid of my Royal Star because it scared the crap outta me in parking lots. The combo of short legs (30")and a 950lb top heavy bike doesn't go well. I am sure that the 800 is fine but wondering about the 1500. Asking because buying at this time of year doesn't allow for a test ride.
Thanks in advance for any replies and a pat on the back to those who keep this forum alive.
I belonged to the Royal Star Venture forum for a while and found them an excellent source for advice. It takes special people with a love of the product/ comradery to moderate and keep a forum going. I appreciate their efforts.
rob f