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Posted by chief
- February 21, 2014, 19:55:28 PMQuote from: John Hopkins on February 21, 2014, 14:40:01 PMVery astute observation. I didn't paint/make my Drifter look like an Indian... I have always removed tank badges preferring my own badges. If price were not an issue I'd go with the Indian... but its very hard to think of a VN2000 looking like a Drifter.Both bikes are very rare in Britain, and they don't make the drifter anymore..but be honest, forget the price, if you could buy a new Indian or a Kawasaki VN2000 with Indian style fenders..Which would you go for..and before you answer..if you choose the VN2000 would you remove the Kwak badges and paint it to look like an Indian..
John.
Why:
1) I like the Indian engine
2) The Indian will have a LOT of accessories available... Drifter never has and never will.
3) My Dad rode an Indian.
4) I can't adequately imagine a fantasy Drifter ...
Posted by John Hopkins
- February 21, 2014, 14:40:01 PMBoth bikes are very rare in Britain, and they don't make the drifter anymore..but be honest, forget the price, if you could buy a new Indian or a Kawasaki VN2000 with Indian style fenders..Which would you go for..and before you answer..if you choose the VN2000 would you remove the Kwak badges and paint it to look like an Indian..
John.
Posted by 49Reo
- February 19, 2014, 21:38:59 PMAnd way more powerful....
If they still made the Drifter, it (to me) would take away, a bit, from owning one. Now, they are a unique and rather scarce bike, with a "privileged" few able to own one, vs them being available as just another cruiser style bike.
Posted by chief
- February 19, 2014, 19:50:13 PMWho knows what a 2014 Drifter would be... If I am going to select from an fantasy bike and a real bike, I will always select the fantasy bike because it will always be better, cheaper and better looking.
Posted by pcarrell
- February 19, 2014, 16:54:25 PMGuess the Indians have come down in price quite a bit under the Polaris banner.
Those price differences would make the choice tougher. I guess I'd have to give both bikes a better look. I know that they both appear to be quality products, so I'd say a closer look and a test ride of each would be in order.
Posted by jmbo
- February 19, 2014, 15:33:47 PMProbably the closest comparison would be the Indian Chief Classic which lists for $18,999. The soft bagger Vintage lists for $20,999 and the big dog Chieftain comes in at $22,999. Naturally this does not include any of the dealer add-ons, do-dads, or senseless charges for doing nothing but turning the lights on but list to list we are talking about $2500 to $3000 between the two bikes.
Posted by pcarrell
- February 19, 2014, 08:21:47 AMA new Indian Chief Retro was in the $35k neighborhood last I looked. $16k for a new Drifter would be a no brainer!
Posted by jmbo
- February 18, 2014, 21:03:31 PMI think the Drifter vs Indian and the whole idea of what-if Kawasaki continued to built Drifters today is an interesting topic. How would they fair as competition in today's market. Price wise the $11500 for the 1999 Drifter would run around $16000 in today's dollars comparable to a new Nomad and giving it a small price advantage over the Indian. No doubt it would have a 1700 motor w/six speed as opposed to the 1800 indian. Kawasaki might have ditched the driveshaft and "inchworm" suspension in favor of a belt drive and fixed fender. Maybe some better colors and a better seat and a little more sparkle. The question is would you buy it over the Indian? Tough call. Thoughts???