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The 1500 weighs in only about 140#'s, give or take a few, heavier than the 800.  The 1500 is easier to lower, and sits lower in stock condition,   - the 800 has a mono shock - you can lower it, but it's not easy.  The 1500 is about a foot longer than the 800.  My 800 has a carb and I have ridden it at least once in December, January and just last week took it 45 miles with an outside temperature of 43 degrees - started great and ran great - Carbs are fine you just have to keep them clean and keep moisture out of your fuel (with additive, etc.).  My husbands 1500 starts harder than mine does.  Chain drive on the 800 means you have to tension it every so often, you don't on the 1500.  The 800 also has to have the valves ran every 6000 miles - not necessary on the 1500 - this is a zero tolerance motor - if you do not run the valves like you are supposed to you will blow it up!  Neither bike has any issues like oil leaks or consumption, but then again regular maintenance is key to longevity with any bike.  Fuel efficiency is a bit lacking, but that can have a lot to do with how you ride it - if you're hard on the throttle you get to fill up more often.....Also, most bikes have only enough fuel once you hit reserve to go 10 miles or so....the 800 has .8 gallons in reserve.  So you can actually go a lot farther on a tank of fuel than you think you can.  1500 has a fuel gauge, 800 does not.  With a good set of pipes the 800 will give you a better sound than the 1500 - not sure why, but it's true.  1500 has hydraulic clutch rather than a cabled one......both are nice, both require maintenance........

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Posted by ratze

- February 09, 2012, 23:09:19 PM

well i will most certianly take that as good advice, especially comen from you. an ill tell ya why, experience is #1, mine is limited. i guess iam still ole school, not only that but this last tinker job made me realize that iam to dam old ta be fussen with em anymor. pullen motors en such. my brother says the same thing, start em an go, no mus no fus. RIDE ON

Posted by Tom Erwin

- February 08, 2012, 08:47:56 AM

we have one of each.....wanna go fast..1500 wanna nice ride and better sound 800 no doubt... power is not alot dirrerent but the bottom end torque of the 1500 feels good ..I want to get a 400 !!! gonna have to find a importer i guess..just my 2 cents

later Tom

Posted by Kimbershooter

- February 08, 2012, 08:31:38 AM

The best Drifter is the one that is paid for! I am partial to my 1500. Best style and reliable bike on the planet!!

Posted by Troll

- February 06, 2012, 19:07:19 PM

I have a 1500. I like it a lot. Never rode an 800, so I don't really have a good frame of reference. I had H-Ds for 45 years, and this Drifter makes me mad I didn't see the light earlier. I'm a tinkerer, always have been. I have been working on the fuel system to make it more efficient. Some people like the injection...I don't. I made a set of custom jets for my last 2 H-Ds...One was a 98" SuperGlide, and I was able to get 50-55 mpg if I didn't beat on it. The other one was a TourGlide, and I could get a reliable 48-50 mpg out of that. The Drifter's electronic fuel injection has been a challenge to make more fuel friendly, but I have made some progress. Yes, it's nice not to have to worry about cold running hiccups, etc, but I really miss the adjustability of the carb. I like the shaft drive for ease of maintenance, even though my TourGlide had an oil bath chain, and chains would last about 75,000 miles....removing the rear wheel was a major undertaking. I did put a u-joint in this past season, and that was a big job, but not as big a job as replacing the chain case seal on the H-D.....Sooo, in closing, I have 62,000 miles on the Drifter and so far, except for tires and brakes, oil changes and the U-joint, it's been pretty easy to afford.

Posted by ratze

- February 06, 2012, 19:01:39 PM

LOL, iam shur shes a real beaut chief. as for me, ive still got the fever. ill have me a full grown drifter soon. i gota tell ya tho, if the 1500 is half the bike of the 800 its one helava machine.

Posted by chief

- February 06, 2012, 17:19:57 PM

Question: Which Drifter is better?

Answer: MINE!
<LOL>

Posted by espiros

- February 06, 2012, 15:09:37 PM

Thank you Darth...
Great explanation!

Posted by Darth Wraith

- February 06, 2012, 13:17:29 PM

The chain is more responsive; the big Drifter is more "beastly", but very noice to ride, also. The injection system is superior, no doubt; you can start the bike in the winter and ride, no stall, no backfire, no carburetor related problems. It's also true that the carburetor is set very lean and it's a Keihin like those on the Harleys, so you have a lot of rejetting options. Like I said, 800 is more like the classic Indian, 1500 is high-tech, big couple, heavy...

Posted by espiros

- February 06, 2012, 10:11:02 AM

Thank you.
As far as chain or drive shaft?
Which one would you like better??
Also,
Carb or fuel injected?

Posted by Darth Wraith

- February 06, 2012, 04:18:45 AM

I ride both 1500 and 800 - nice bikes; 1500 is heavier, more like a better Harley, 800 is elegant, comfortable, lighter, more like an Indian...

Posted by espiros

- February 05, 2012, 18:44:06 PM

More reliable?
More efficient?
Less out off pocket expenses?
Is the 1500 worked the extra money to be paid to get it?

Do any one care to help me decide???

I like them both but, I can not decide which one would bethe wiser buy?

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