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Posted by 1SG CAV
- November 18, 2009, 21:45:15 PMhere's my 2 cents. You can't judge the drifter just by sitting on it, take it for a spin. I too am 6'3" 245lb. the only time I had a sore ride was when the air was out of my shocks. you can purchase shifter extensions so your legs aren't so cramped. I've never scraped the floorboards on my 2002 1500, I have on my GS850G. I have a friend 6'7" who has rode my bike and loved it.
So find one and ride it, Don't just love it for it's looks, Love it for the ride too.
Posted by Varooom
- November 18, 2009, 12:34:46 PMWow; what a friggin' fantastic Drifter sale site; so much better than going around Craig's list to all the states! Thanks.
and, Tall Guy in Goffstown: Get over here to Portsmouth and sit on my 1999 1500 and stop wondering how it fits; I'm here all the time and it's got the original long, high, wide seat. email me when you want to stop by from the members list herein.
Varooom
Posted by aclone
- November 18, 2009, 07:00:47 AMThis site lists all drifters for sale on ebay and craiglist. http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpmoto&itm=kawasaki&loc=&fil=drifter&ys=&ye=&submit=++++go++++drifter
Mark
Posted by driff
- November 18, 2009, 03:27:20 AMhi all
looking to buy a drifter 1999 or 2001 2002 model any one know of any for sale,
thank
driff
Posted by chief
- September 02, 2009, 17:55:09 PM$4-600... unless you do it yourself ... a LOT less than $400 in that instance - but more trouble! <LOL>
Posted by Varooom
- September 02, 2009, 13:15:15 PMReal simple question to ask is what type of oil they've used. If it's not motorcycle specific you can expect the clutch plates do deteriorate at about 30-35 k miles; mine did. $4-600 job.
Varooom
Posted by chief
- September 02, 2009, 12:05:17 PMYeah 27k isn't much on a bike like the drifter. I would check it out and look at maintenance... then get whatever upcoming pm's done.
Cheers.
Posted by Varooom
- September 01, 2009, 20:17:13 PMDean,
No problem. Do consider that my 1999 has 70,000 miles and has had no problems to speak of. I'm around next week mon through wed.
Gary
Posted by nhtallguy538
- September 01, 2009, 18:41:26 PMVaroom (Gary),
Thanks for the offer! That is very nice of you! This week is definately out for me as I am very, very busy at work but I am off next week. I'm still contemplating what I might do, whether I will even buy a motorcycle, if I do will I pursue a Drifter, etc. I'm the type who double thinks, triple thinks, etc. decisions such as these. If I'm still in Drifter land next week, perhaps I will give you a call and see if your offer still stands. I was a little more amped up about it when that local dealer had that Drifter that I think I now realize was probably an excellent deal! If that one was still at the dealer next week, I probably would have ended up buying it after some internal hemming and hawing 
. Now all I have to choose from is a couple of private sales in the area and I'm more of a purchase from a dealer type guy. I called about the one on the Seacoast and it has 27,000 miles which seems kind of high for a bike for a guy with no mechanical ability and no desire for any big repair bills in the near future after buying any motorcycle.
Anyhow, thanks again for the offer and I will give you a call if I decide to take you up on it.
Dean.............
Posted by Varooom
- August 31, 2009, 05:43:16 AMNHTall,
You're 40 miles away from me; come visit, sit, stretch etc. I'm working much of today but later in the week's fine. I've had no problems with my 1999 and love the look. I bought it partly because I'd rather ride that polish chrome all day; call me lazy but I spoke to lots of harley riders and the '3 hour cleaning' didn't impress me. I've got a damp garage and didn't want to see all that pitting.
The original two up seat gives a softer cushion and more position variation than any seat I've ever been on except for my old 1969 R60/2 BMW which was, like all the old Metrics, flat, front-to-rear.
By all means, give me a call and come check mine out: 431-7484 in your area code.
Gary
Posted by chief
- August 31, 2009, 02:22:21 AMMag reviews:
Posted by pcarrell
- August 30, 2009, 09:43:56 AMYou're not wasting anyones time. It's just that you need to do some recon, and thats OK. You want to be comfortable with your decision, no matter what it is.
The 1600 series Vulcans are a bit different ergonomically, so you'll probably need a 1500 series to get a better idea. Of course, a Drifter would be best. Can the friend of the dealer meet with you and let you sit on it to check it out? I'd let ya have a seat on mine, but thats a heck of a drive!
Yes, I will say that the extra 6" would make a big difference. I just don't know anyone that tall, so that was all I could muster.
You're right about some differences between model years. The 1999 (first year, and only the 1500 was available in the U.S., though Canada got the 800, so you do see 1999 800's once in a while) and 2000 model years are affectionately called the "Blackout Bikes". They had very little chrome trim. Most of the chome items you'd normally se on a bike were powdercoated black. The exhaust was chrome, as was the air cleaner covers, mirrors, and gascap. The cylinder heads were silver, with sort of a sandcast look to them. There was a trunkated cover on the lower left engine s well, leaving the rearward portion open to the world (not a bad thing, just a different look, thats all). This was done to try and capture the real feel of the post war Indian Chiefs, and it does an admirable job of it. In 2001 until the end of the model run (2005 for the 1500 & 2006 for the 800) the bikes got a generous helping of chrome, making them quite flashy. You can see them all here: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/historyp3.html
Mechanically speaking, there aren't a lot of differences. The blackout bikes had a slightly smaller gs tank and a mechanical speedo, while the 2001 and up bikes got an electric speedo and a slight boost in tank capaqcity. All the 1500's had fuel injection from the get-go, with the Drifter being the first Vulcan 1500 to get it, and other models followed suit later. There's a few other minor differences, but not much. The blackout bikes came with a 2up seat from the factory for example, while the chromaholic versions came with a solo. You could always buy the other seat though, so many owners have both along with the required "horseshoe bracket" to mount the 2up. Specs for the 1500 (with the differences broken out) can be found here: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/1500specs.html The 800 is here: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/800specs.html
There's a nice write up with some links (some don't work any more) here: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/VulcanDrifter.html
Posted by nhtallguy538
- August 30, 2009, 09:03:37 AMHey PCarrol,
Thanks for your comments regarding your friend that is 6'3" tall. That is helpful but I will have to say that the extra 6 inches that I have over him makes a big difference. As a matter of fact, yesterday when I was looking at bikes and felt cramped for example on a 1600 Vulcan Classic, etc. I was thinking that they seem to only make bikes for people 6'3" and shorter as far as really being comfortable on them. Since I cannot afford to have one custom built however, I decided yesterday that I just have to find the best fit I can in a stock bike and live with it if I want to ride again. I saw a funny quote on a discussion board when I did a search last week for "Tall Man Motorcycle" or something like that hoping to get some ideas on good bikes for tall guys. On guy said replying to a guy that was 6'7" I think that "No matter what you do, you will not find a bike that really fits you right and you will always look like a "Monkey Humping a Football"" Glad to know I look like that when riding!!
Question to Varoom from Portsmouth, NH. I live in Goffstown, NH by the way near Manchester. I see there is a 2003 1500 Drifter for sale in the SeaCoast area. It is black and is all decked out with an Indian light on the front fender, Indian lettering on the gas tank, Solo seat, saddle bags, etc. Not sure if I am to keen on the Indian lettering on the gas tank, sorry if I offend anyone, but it is not an Indian and just an Indian replica. Too each his own, I guess. Wonder if that is easily taken off. I was wondering if you knew the guy that is selling the bike, and if so, if the bike is in good condition, well taken care of, etc. It looks like it is in good condition maybe great condition from the pictures on Craigslist. I wouldn't be able to do much abougt it until Labor day week anyways as I am too busy until then but have that week off. I'm wondering if it has high miles as the guy does not list that in his ad but I guess I could call to find that out. I have absolutely no mechanical abilities except for changing oil, spark plugs, battery, etc. so I worry about high mileage bikes and them needing lots of repairs, etc. I have no easy way to get a bike to the shop and will have to probably buy some sort of a trailer too.
Question to anyone I guess. There is also a 1999 Drifter for sale in NH. Is the 1999 model a good one or is it better to get a later model? I think I recall reading about some flaw or difference in the 1999 versus I think a 2000 or 2001 and later models?
BTW - I apologize if I end up wasting peoples time with my questions. I have no idea if/when I will buy a bike and if it will be a Drifter. The Drifter is pretty cool however and seems to have pretty good leg room so it is high on my list if I do.
Thanks!
Posted by nhtallguy538
- August 30, 2009, 08:36:29 AMHey Everyone!
Thanks very much for all your comments! They were very helpful! I went out yesterday with the intention of not only looking at the Drifter that I had seen at a local dealership recently but to also sit on some other bikes to see how I fit. I started out at some other dealerships that the Drifter was not at and did not find many bikes that I fit on very well. There was a Yamaha Roadstar I think it was at one place with forward mounted controls that was not too bad but the forward controls are foot pegs not floorboards and I think I like floor boards. At that point, I was still thinking about the Drifter and wanted to go see it. I got to the dealership and it was not there!! Bummer!!! It was still listed on their website but I guess it had been sold a week or so ago but the guy that updates the website was on vacation. The sales guy said it only lasted about a week. I guess a friend of the owner of the dealership bought it. I'm sure it does not surprise any of you that it went so fast. When I continued to see it on the website, I figured I was going to get lucky and no one was interested in it in the area and I could get some $$$ off the price, etc. It seems as though the Drifter only appeals to a certain crowd and I was hoping none were in the area. I'm Ok with it though as am still not sure if ready to purchase or not yet as I am concerned how my back will do with riding and all. I have started to go to the gym again however so I hope my back will be a lot stronger soon!
In case anyone is interested in the deal that it was, it was a 2002 1500 Drifter with only 2300 miles on it. It was owned by 1 female. It was black with a windshield, solo seat, chrome seat guard/rail??, white wall tires, engine guard bars (sorry my terminology may not be correct on some of the stuff), etc. It was in excellent condition, very clean. It was a consingment sale and they wanted $5299.00. Since it was still on the website, I was I guess stupidly thinking I could maybe get it for $4500.00 as they had told me the owner needed to sell it bad. Oh well, you win some you lose some. At this point, I really just wanted to sit on one again to see how it fit me. I had sat on it a couple of weeks ago for a few minutes and it seemed OK although of course not great due to my height but it seems like one of the better fits for me along with a 2002 Victory V92C Deluxe that I sat on that was at the same dealership. The Victory is a nice/OK bike but no where near as interesting looking as the Drifter! Very plain compared to the Drifter and in general.
There are a couple of private sale Drifters out there on Craigslist in New Hampshire so perhaps I will check them out. I wish Kawasaki still made them so it would be easier to look at them and sit on them at local dealerships.
To Varoom in Portsmouth, perhaps if I buy a Drifter I will see you out and about at some point. The Seacoast area is a great place to ride!
Later guys, thanks again for your help! If I decide to go on a quest for a Drifter, I will keep you all updated.
Posted by pcarrell
- August 30, 2009, 08:33:40 AMVarooom, I've heard that there's a vast difference between the stock 2up and the Corbin Fire & Steel 2up. I know the Corbin moves me forward about 2 inches it seems over the stock solo, which would be bad for our tall friend here. When I have it on I don't feel the need for the risers as much.
nhtallguy538, I had a friend of mine who's 6'3" (tallest guy I know) sit on my bike with my stock solo seat on last night and he said he was very comfortable. He was sitting up virtually straight and reaching the pedals & grips nicely. The only thing I think he'd need is the streched brake pedal, then he'll be good. He's a rider too, and he is thinking about a Vulcan 1500 and wanted to see if it'd fit. He'd found one he was interested in, but didn't want to make the drive if it wasn't going to fit him. He's going to see it today.