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Posted by rob f
- March 03, 2019, 17:43:59 PMThanks 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.
Posted by greenbarn
- March 03, 2019, 12:44:45 PMI 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.
Posted by rob f
- February 23, 2019, 15:38:06 PM 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.
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