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Posted by Tfrank59
- February 23, 2019, 12:50:23 PMWell 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.
Posted by Corsacreek
- February 23, 2019, 08:25:56 AMQuote from: Tfrank59 on February 20, 2019, 00:35:48 AMYes of course, I had Ducatis....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:
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.
Posted by KEN.
- February 21, 2019, 03:10:14 AMHELLO ALL.....TO ME THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ANOTHER BIKE!...KEN.
Posted by Old Drifter
- February 20, 2019, 14:01:28 PMQuote from: OR Seedman on February 20, 2019, 13:02:35 PMI guess to Harley riders the 1500 Drifter is like a gnat that they just can't out run and it keeps buzzing around them. lolI 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!
Posted by Pilgrim
- February 20, 2019, 13:30:07 PMLOL..awesome!
Posted by OR Seedman
- February 20, 2019, 13:02:35 PMI 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!
Posted by Tfrank59
- February 20, 2019, 00:35:48 AMQuote from: Corsacreek on February 19, 2019, 20:01:05 PMdoes a Vulcan 1500 have that much uumph? My six cylinder Valkyrie 1500 has around 100 HP, and believe me that's a muscle bike170'sh horse power
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
Posted by Corsacreek
- February 19, 2019, 20:01:05 PMThere 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.
Posted by mittico68
- February 13, 2019, 12:25:41 PMI'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... 
)
Posted by chief
- February 13, 2019, 12:21:52 PMThey are two very different bikes. Having one of each makes sense. Each has its own use and appeal.
Posted by OR Seedman
- February 12, 2019, 19:24:48 PMhad 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.
Posted by Tfrank59
- February 11, 2019, 13:29:51 PMYeah 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
Posted by Bucko
- February 11, 2019, 12:36:42 PMQuote from: rob f on February 11, 2019, 08:40:03 AMYes.800,1500 or both?
Posted by rob f
- February 11, 2019, 08:40:03 AM 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