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Posted by pcarrell
- July 31, 2013, 12:36:44 PMBoth comments are correct. Like the new model year of car is available in September, so to it is with bikes. You can buy a 2000 model year bike in late 1999, but it still is a 2000, with whatever updates a 2000 model has, and it's titled as a 2000. The new model year of bikes doesn't actually go on sale January 1.
Terry is right thought in that I mistakenly said no 800's were available in the United States until '01. I must have been half asleep when I posted that because I know that 2000 model 800's were available in the U.S. and 800's arrived in Canada in 1999.
Posted by Washbrook
- July 30, 2013, 18:50:21 PMFurther feedback:
I posted some of this information on a facebook group page [ https://www.facebook.com/groups/86884781539/10151504727976540/?notif_t=group_comment ] and included a link back to this discussion. I received this response from a Terry Rogers who is in Asheville, North Carolina.
RE: "HOW MANY DRIFTERS MADE" --Part of this comment by Philip Carrell is wrong: "The 1500 was from '99 to '05, the 800 was from '00 to '06, with no 800's going to the U.S. until '01 (though Canada got them in '00, making those like RatMan's blackout 800 more rare still)".
He indicated: "The Drifter 800 was sold in the U.S. beginning in late 1999, the color choices were Beige, or Sky Blue. My 2000 Drifter 800 was ordered by the dealership I worked at, MR Cycles, and arrived in the crate in Dec 1999."
I have no idea who is correct but thought it worthwhile posting this. I think sometimes information gets a little confusing and contradictory, it is all a complicated research project.
Regards
Posted by Washbrook
- July 30, 2013, 18:25:55 PMGriz01,
Based on the email response from Kawasaki Australia your summary sounds correct. He did say approximately so the numbers may be plus or minus 1 or 2 but lets say 50 all up for simplicity. Your suggestion of the year registered in lieu of titled may be correct however the 2000 model that was mentioned could have been a J2 that was imported late in 1999 [I recently bought the then new 2013 model Yamaha V Star in late 2012]. I could go back and seek clarification but it took me long enough to get this response and I'm not sure I want to wait another few months, if they can / will tell me exact details. They were helpful and I appreciate them giving me the response they did.
If anyone is quoting something different then:
a) Kawasaki Australia gave me the wrong details [possible but unlikely]
b) The bike is a private import [something impossible for me to track down]
c) They have made a mistake, or
d) They are being creative with the truth (read - talking crap). [I see no reason or benefit for anyone doing this so not my first choice]
I read in a post somewhere of a guy [in QLD I think] who quotes himself as owning a mid 90's Drifter [pre-dating the 1999 models]. He then explained that he did a conversion of a Vulcan 1500 into a Drifter so I am not sure how to classify it and of course it wold not be in the number supplied by Kawasaki.
In case you are interested I think my Drifter is J1 607, [bike is away getting repaired so I cannot check] which if I am reading it correctly is number 607 made in 1999, not one of the first but a reasonably early bike.
Regards
Posted by griz01
- July 30, 2013, 09:37:18 AMQuote from: chief on July 29, 2013, 16:27:30 PMOK, So if I read this right, 50 J1's were imported to Australia in 1999: 49 were sold in 99 as 99's and one of those original 50 was sold as a 2000? Titled for the year sold not year made? So nothing but J1's were ever officially imported?How Many Drifters were sold world Wide?
The 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.
Posted by Washbrook
- July 29, 2013, 18:34:08 PMChief,
Are you asking how many were sold world wide? I assumed your original post was correct at approx 9000. Or have I misread your post?
Posted by chief
- July 29, 2013, 16:27:30 PMHow Many Drifters were sold world Wide?
I have been trying to get a definitive answer on how many Drifters were sold in Australia. Kawasaki Australia sent me a response today which blew me away:
----------------
Dear .
The 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.
Thank you for your enquiry.
Kind regards,
Murray Sayle
Homologation, Industry Relations & Technical Marketing Assistant
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
Unit Q, 10-16 South Street
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
Posted by Washbrook
- July 27, 2013, 05:24:44 AMDP, sorry prefer not to talk about SAO, we was robbed! 
Posted by Washbrook
- July 27, 2013, 05:21:50 AMDP, i know of about 8 but have only seen 1 other. I hope to ride to Canberra later this year with a drifter owner down here (not met him yet, only said hello on another forum). His friend apoarently owns several so I suggested a ride up to check them out. I'm also going to a rally in Katoomba in March then up to my home town of Newcastle, we may be able to catch up on one of these trips.
A AUS Drifter rally would be great to get as many in 1 spot as we can.
Posted by drifter-paul
- July 27, 2013, 04:49:09 AMDear Washbrook,
That Australia-wide figure ties back to my 19 registered in NSW for 1999-2000.
Victoria being approx same population (say 19) ,Queensland, say 6 population wise (I know of two in my old home town) , Perth/WA say (2) - a vague memory this is accurate, SA say(2), Nt (1), Tasmania 1 known (thru this site i think).
Keep down Mechico way mate , and you are approx 1/20 in the whole state 
.
Cause, if you come north of the border to NSW, would love to meet up. I'm Queensland born & inbred (thought I wept for NSW at the 'State of Origin' - just because it was so pitiful)
That either means we have exceptionally discerning taste, or the majority is right - mind you at one stage the majority thought the world was flat. I was initially surprised the Drifter didn't sell better, but I guess at heart we're a conservative lot.
I'll stay with my Drifter - spent $5000 refreshing and modifying it last year because I intend to have it for another 14 years. 
Posted by pcarrell
- July 26, 2013, 08:52:37 AMYou may even have Ratman beat for rarity!
Posted by Washbrook
- July 25, 2013, 22:03:28 PMI have been trying to get a definitive answer on how many Drifters were sold in Australia. Kawasaki Australia sent me a response today which blew me away:
----------------
Dear Norman.
The 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.
Thank you for your enquiry.
Kind regards,
Murray Sayle
Homologation, Industry Relations & Technical Marketing Assistant
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
Unit Q, 10-16 South Street
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
---------
Based on the above I own 1 of only 50 bikes in Australia. There are probably a few which are no longer on the road so this is indeed a rare breed.
Posted by tmassey
- July 04, 2013, 19:16:11 PMlike that springer front end.....wow
terry
Posted by Washbrook
- March 28, 2013, 18:24:26 PMAl I hear was that there were not many but no-one can tell me a number. Anecdotally there appears to have been only a few hundred but verification would be nice. Know Any contacts in japan that may know?
Posted by chief
- March 28, 2013, 10:51:16 AMQuote from: Washbrook on March 27, 2013, 20:54:46 PMSorry, no idea... but I will bet there were few sold.Does anyone know how many were sold in Australia?
Posted by Washbrook
- March 27, 2013, 20:54:46 PMDoes anyone know how many were sold in Australia?