I just drove in today from Kansas City, (in my car unfortunetly)Via St. Louis, and Memphis (I70 & I55, then MS 78.)
Since the weather was cooperative (less than 100) the motorcycles were out in force.
i saw over 200 bikes today, mostly various Harley models and Goldwings, but I could identify a few Honda vtx's, 2 yamaha vstar's, and i saw 1 really lucky guy at a red light riding a smoking late 70's Yamaha TZ 750 2 stroke that had been modded for street use. (he pulled away before i could get a photo).
But I only saw 9 Kawasaki Vulcans, some nomads and some Classics,
but 0 I repeat 0 Drifters.
Where were we hiding today?
45 Bravo
Do you usually see some??? I'm surprised. My drifter, the one I bought is the first one I ever saw in person. There just aren't many around (here at least). I believe I've only seen one other drifter in person this summer, that was at a very large (800-1000 bikes) poker run. I'd like to see one once in a while...
No, Not usually but i figured in over 500 miles i would see 1.
There is at least 2 near here, but i have never seen either at any of the local rides.
I passed one here in town at a stop light while driving my car.
My friend saw a teal one in tupelo last week.
Later guys.
45 Bravo
I have only seen 2 here in BC.; one on Vancouver Island 2 years ago, and one 2 hours from where I live belonging to a fellow I know, Buck, (and don't you know there is a story behind THAT nickname!!!) which is the first Drifter I ever saw. Not too many of them around.
Regards and such,
49Reo
LOL... we travel constantly... I see maybe one a year. We took a 15 day, 5000 mile trip a while back... NO Drifters observed. These are simply RARE bikes... which is a good thing IMHO!
Years ago, when I was touring up ME, a guy pulled up next to me at a gas station and asked me if I was riding a new Indian. After I explained, he took me to his place and showed me his '48. We're out there and he is too. It's just right place; right time. Ride more!
Was at the Bunganut Pig in Franklin, TN last night. There was a 99 1500 sitting in the parking lot... never found the owner. I WAS wearing one of my Drifter hats... so he never found me either. I have only see 2 Drifters in this area since 2002... so.. .
I live in Bismarck, ND and there are two other Drifters besides mine, one is a white 1500 and the other is a black 800. There is also a 99 or 00 1500 with a side car at a town 45 miles to the north that I saw on a bike run as we we going through town, he had dog with him in the car with goggles on.
There are very few out there but not many and having two on the same block or patch of road at the same time is almost unheard of.
I have to drive on the interstate for my job and I always keep an eye out for Drifters I think that I saw one last year, but most of what I am seeing that could be Drifters are Indians (there is a dealer in Fargo). There are not that many Indians out there either.
There have been alot of bikes on the road the past few weeks because of the Stirgis bike rally going on right now and those numbers will subside after this weekend, according the the lstest numbers six bikers have died so far this year, I alway say a prayer for safe passage as they travel the biways and highways.
We're a rare breed gents! I still have yet to see a drifter in real life other than my own. I haven't been riding that long but have always been passionate about bikes. I love the edge it gives us when we meet fellow riders. They're always glad and interested to see a "rare" bike. Let's continue to to show our colours and fenders. ;))
how true.....I have lived in this town for 12 years and always am looking at bikes, never seen a 800 drifter in town yet, know that there is perhaps a couple of 1500 but never counted them. Today was chased around the mall parking lot by a guy who wanted to see my " Indian" I told him twice it was a Kawi...he said I was lieing to him.....ok ....
I rode to a town about 70 miles from home the other day for coffee; was meeting my cousin there. I pulled up in front of the coffee shop of choice, there were 7 Harleys and 1 Victory all in a row. I parked my Drifter,(around the corner from the other bikes) while being eyed up by those who owned the other bikes. Not one person said anything, but within 5 minutes, one guy got up to go out for a smoke; (can't smoke in public buildings up here) he went out the door farthest from my Drifter, lit his smoke, and oh-so-nonchalantly sidled all the other way around the building to where my Drifter was; within 2-3 minutes, all the rest of his group followed suit; out the far door, sidled around the building to my bike, and stood looking it over for about 10 minutes. The only thing that took their interest was when my cousin pulled up on his vintage Beemer; that drew a couple of them away. It was kind of funny; seeing all these guys (and women) feigning dis-interest but all standing around eying it up. That is about the only time I have parked the Drifter and NOT had people asking about it. Oh well, to each their own. I have my Drifter, and they only have Harleys. ;D
Regards and such,
49Reo
Not me Rio, I pull right up front, and park it in line like the rest of the bikes.
SO FAR, I have not had any negative comments from any riders of any motorcycles, Harley or otherwise.
The only negatives have been generic anti-motorcycle comments from car drivers, and 1 mechanic.
The mechanic story: I stopped for breakfast at a diner near my house (the SHOP TALK Diner) with a classic 50's theme, it is in front of a autoshop, one of the mechanics finished his breakfast, and on his way out stopped to look at my Drifter.
After several minutes of walking around, looking close, and finally looking at the factory tag that says kawasaki on the neck, he stood up and looked around with a satisfied look on his face...
Here is the strange & disturbing part, he waited there by my bike until i came out (about 5 minutes or so) then when i walked up to my bike he said just as serious as he can be "You do know that is not a REAL Indian" (he emphasized the word REAL).
I said excuse me? He went on to say he wanted me to know that it wasn't a real indian.. I could not believe this fool, I asked him "you do realize I bought this bike, made monthly payments on this bike, registered it & insured it in my name, i think i might have seen the word kawasaki on there someplace".
He just said " just thought you should know it ain't a real indian.." then he walked over to the auto shop to go to work.
Now this man is a mechanic, and is POSSIBLY working on someones car as we read this...
45 Bravo
I hear ya.... seems like the only reason some people open their mouths is to change feet... I had the very same thing said to me one time; I pulled up on my Drifter, my son-in-law on his VFR 800, 2 Harley riders standing there: one would not even acknowledge us, (no great loss there) the older guy says "how do you like your Indian?" I looked at him and said" great," or some such, he said "you know its not a real Indian, don't you?" not much to say to that; some things aren't worth responding to.
As to parking around the corner from the Harleys, where they parked at that particular coffee shop, the parking lot is quite narrow there, they were all parked in front of the door, (I NEVER park near the door; too many people afraid to take more than 5 steps at a time).
My cousin parked his vintage Beemer out front at that coffee shop when he first restored it; was across the lot from the door, (keep in mind the "5 step rule" mentioned above) some lady thought she could squeeze in beside him, knocked his bike over, cost him one new (and hard to find) taillight, had to repair part of the fairing, and of course some paint.
Some peoples comments (and actions) are hard to comprehend; as one of our Forum members put it, when asked when he was going to "move up to a Harley", responded; " I owned a Harley once, been moving up ever since!" ;D
Regards and such,
49Reo
lol at all this....you need to know that there is no cure for stupid....some people are born that way and others work hard to get to that level........
By "parking up front" I mean with the rest of th bikes in line.
I never park near the entrance of an establishment if I can avoid it.
When riding alone and parking in a auto space, I try to Park diagonally to take up as much of the spaces width as possible to approximate the width of a car. But also leave enough room that if another bike wants to park there there is enough room.
Well the weather was nice today. Rode about 200 miles, saw many hogs, several wings, a few yamahas, and 1 Suzuki intruder.
The only Kawasaki was the Drifter we went to see about in Florence al.
It's a 99 with 30,000 it does have custom paint. But only a solo seat and windshield.
He's asking $4,500. A little steep I think for the mileage.
And a reconstructed title.
Once we found out about the title the offer price stopped at 3,200.
Ride safe.
45 Bravo
While stopping for a water stop a guy on a road king (he even had "road king" on his helmet) in stick on letters.
Pulled up next to me said nice bike. He got something to drink the came out and asked what was i riding. I i told him a Drfter and explained the Kawasaki/Indian chief thing.
He liked it in general and the we parted.
Well there were at least 2 drifters at Mount Cheaha State Park (http://{http://www.alapark.com/cheaharesort/%7D) here in Alabama Saturday.
my wife was on the 800 and I was on the 1500.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1079.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw507%2Fjeffrich6%2F007.jpg&hash=864c5c5da1a36df19019143679c0267637c249f3)
sorry I screwed up the link... here's a good one...
Mount Cheaha State Park (http://www.alapark.com/cheaharesort/)
Well, I took off a little early tuesday to burn some vacation time, and go for a ride.
About 15 miles north of New Albany, In a town called Blue Mountain (there are no mountains in Mississippi).
There is a small shop there that sells classic vw Bugs, he started carrying bikes last year, I just never had a chance to stop in.
I pulled up a couple was looking at a vulcan 1500, the owner of the place said "look another drifter" as i pulled up.
He introduced himself (Sherman Smith) and come to find out he owns a 99 1500, he just doesn't ride it much.
He showed me photos of his drifter, and photos of 3 others he has sold to people in the area.
(He is a buy here pay here place, you put a down payment on a bike (from 100 - 500 depending on the price), he parks it in the show room, you pay as you can, and he rides it about 3 miles a month, to make keep it fresh until you pay it off, and take delivery.
So within 30 miles of me i can directly account for 6 drifters, mine, his, 1 he sold to a person in Blue Mountain, another in Ripley (5 miles from him), another in Myrtle (5 miles from me), and the last one is in Walnut MS. (He is in our Gallery here on the drifter website.)
So with all these Drifters, why is no one riding them but me?
The one i saw a few months ago at the red-light is the VDR member in Walnut (he posted photos in the gallery)
Does anyone have an idea of how many 99 1500's were sold in America?
or How many Total US sales of all drifters??
thanks.
45 Bravo
I used to live in Walnut, Ms. no, Kawasaki won't tell us how many drifters they sold... don't know why.
God Morning All.....There are a least 2 drifters here in Sidney BC...1500 & ...800 (mine)
see a few as they head to the BC Ferry in Swartz Bay.....KEN.
I was coming back from doing some computer work this evening, stopped at a red light, and a guy pulled up next to me, driving a gsxr 750, He was wearing a full face helmet and a neon green mohawk hot glued to the helmet.
He popped his face shield, and said nice "Drifter", i said thanks, and complimented him on his suzuki, we talked for a minute, he said his dad had a 800 drifter, but it was not his style (obviously) you don't see many green mohawks riding drifters.
the light turned green, I said see ya, and accelerated smoothly to 55, and stuck it there, he followed along for about a mile and apparently got bored (we were on a stretch of 2 lane highway between 2 towns about 10 miles apart.)
I heard him drop 3 gears and grab a fist full of gas, he passed me on 1 wheel, waving, and in a few seconds he was out of sight.
About 5 miles down the road he was sitting on the side of the road having a talk with a state boy..
I waved as i went past, cruising at 55..
I have been there, and i still enjoy the speed,and the rush of acceleration, but highways is just not were you act that much of a fool.
Someday he might figure it out.
45 Bravo
I think there were 14 '99 Drifters sold in NSW (one state in 9 states/territories) , Australia. I've met or know of 6 of the owners. Saves buying theft insurance :) ;)
Less face it - we have discerning taste ;D (downside well - we aren't going to run into each other that much).
Quote from: 45 Bravo on August 24, 2012, 00:16:52 AM
I have been there, and i still enjoy the speed,and the rush of acceleration, but highways is just not were you act that much of a fool.
Someday he might figure it out.
45 Bravo
Hopefully in a painless manner.....
Regards and such,
49Reo
From Windsor, ON.
Had to go to Cleveland, Ohio to get mine back in April
Seen a few at Port Dover in July.
Yet to see another in Essex County....
Regards
My dad lived on University Ave in Windsor years back.....
Some place I read or saw something to the effect that there were only 900 Drifters in Canada, now not sure if that was all drifters or just the 800's.
I stopped at Kawasaki dealer in Napanee area and they heard of them but never seen one, and at the dealer in Kingsotn the really cute and really young redhead behind the counter would not believe me I was riding a Kawasaki till she went out to look at it.
During my ride down to Kingston I saw lots of bikes and a veriety of makes but not one drifter.....
It was the fall "flood run" today. Literally thousands of motorcyclists and Bikers descend on the Great River Road from Illinois and Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It starts at 7 am and runs until 10 pm. They are everywhere, in small groups and packs of 50 or more....It took me 10 minutes to get through the town of Nelson, which is about 1/4 mile long....I road about 250 miles today, and saw 4 bottle cap 'Indians", one blockhead scout, and just about anything else you could possibly imagine, including a guy riding a restored WL 45, but NO DRIFTERS except my own. I saw a guy on a black bottle cap riding through a town, I pointed at him, he waved back...and then the look on his face changed to a huge question mark....I'm sure he had no idea what he was looking at....
There ya go, Keep them guessing...
45 Bravo
I had two instances of Indian dissapointment from guys walking up recently. On guy walked up with a big smile... as soon as he got close enough to the tank to read the eblem. he just stood there with this big goofy lookin smile on his face. He was speechless. I asked.. Do you ride? He said he had a Harley. I said oh yea? He said it was a Roadster, I said oh yea, the XL1200R. Still with the goofy smile on his face and looking at the bike. I just said.. Its a Drifter... a Vulcan. He said nothing else and still with the big dumb founded grin on his face he walked off. I guess there are just lots of people who just never saw one. Another guy saw me pull into a restraunt in Elizabethtown Ky. Came and found me to ask what kind of bike it was. When I told him, he said "oh". And that was about it. LOL I purchased some KAWASAKI traditional emblems a while back, while looking for Drifter emblems. Im thinking about painting the white lettering inside to the Grabber Red sort of color that matches my stripes and switching emblems for awhile. Just to see what happens. Most of the time people have good things to say. When we rider together for awhile.. And they see that what they can do performance wise. They come back and ask more about them. I am starting to think that most of the Indians around where I am in Central OH are Drifters. I have figured out that you can tell fairly quickly by looking at the engine/transmission casing. At least I think that is right.
My wife and i went for a short ride, (100 miles, up to Tn. buy a Lottery Ticket,) and just spend some time together.
No Drifters sighted, no Indians, several Harleys, a few wings, and one guy on a clean late 70's Honda cb750F super sport (the 4 into one chrome trombone).
And a semi nice looking, Honda vtx1300 sitting on the side of the road in a guys front yard half covered in weeds, out near the road like it was for sale..
We rode through the 3 towns where other Drifters in this area live, but none sighted.
But the weather was nice and cool, dodged a few showers, but had a good time.
45 Bravo
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 10, 2012, 18:29:44 PM
how true.....I have lived in this town for 12 years and always am looking at bikes, never seen a 800 drifter in town yet, know that there is perhaps a couple of 1500 but never counted them. Today was chased around the mall parking lot by a guy who wanted to see my " Indian" I told him twice it was a Kawi...he said I was lieing to him.....ok ....
Oh crap man...you must not get much ridin' weather up there... I used to be stationed up in Sault St. Marie, Mich.area in 1975-77 at an Air Force Base called Kincheloe (Carter closed it in 77) and there wasn't much summer up there. I remember working in -20,-40, and even -60 BELOW ZERO on B-52's !!! I'm originally from Detroit but I got smart and after I left the military i moved to San Antonio,Tx. Now I'm thinking of moving to Chattanooga, Tn. Just LOVE that area...great town and the Smokey Mts. there. Still decent riding weather there too but not as long as Texas i would imagine.
Let's KEEP THEM DRIFTERS ON THE ROAD AND MAKE EVERYONE DRROOOOOL.. HEHE...later.. -MIKE
;D We are planning a 300 km ride tomorrow as a fall leaves ride and look at the changing colours of the leaves.....lol they have already changed.....about 2 months left before I will park my ride...never wait till it is to late.....and before the snow is on the ground because it will come fast. We are about 5 hours east of SSM. Most of my military time since 72 has been north of 55 and in the bush....love the isolation but I am really happy here and some awesome riding around here for a small northern town.
if anyone is ever passing by or close should drop a line and we could met and do a bit of a ride.
And a semi nice looking, Honda vtx1300 sitting on the side of the road in a guy
45 Bravo
[/quote] i think I saw that Vtx in the weeds by the rd when I went down to Memphis to see my Sister off of rte 40. It just looked odd sitting
there by the driveway facing the highway. Maybe they bought a Drifter and are turnibg the Honda into a mailbox or a trellis for growing morning glories.
Well, there was a poker run this weekend, supporting a local organization.
I did not participate as it is not one I choose to support, but I was at the bike shop when it departed and returned..
It was scheduled to make 5 stops "at old stagecoach stops around the county"
The cost was $25 a head to ride, they were back at the start point in 1 hour & 5 minutes.
that was too fast and short of a ride for the cost in my opinion.
There were about 20 bikes, about half rode 2 up..
Mostly Harley's, 1 Beemer, 2 or 3 old yamahas (1980's) and 2 vulcans.
After my buddy had his new rear tire installed (thats why we were at the shop to begin with)
We rode the back roads to tupelo, went to Elvis's birthplace.
Had a burger, and rode the twistys back to town.
Good weather, good friends, saw a lot of bikes, but just my drifter...
Oh it got lots of attention before the ride started, all positive, I answered lots of questions..
The 2 Vulcan riders never knew about the drifters until yesterday.
45 Bravo
I would have to agree with you 100% on most of your rant. My brother in law has a pair of Harley Chaps...$400.00 I bought a pair off Amazoncom Jafrum for $39.00, figured if I got one summe rI got my moneies worth.....mine are thicker and better made then his Harley ones made in China ones....lol
and a very nice picture of your ride....
2 thumbs up for your "rant". You are 100% correct; booze and bikes (vehicles too for that matter) don't mix. I try stay at the back of a pack when on those runs where there are more than 2 or 3 bikes; I would rather stay out of the way and let them "Macho up" without being involved.
Some nice looking bikes there; especially the last one!!!
Regards and such,
49Reo
I had my first Drifter sighting down in Nelsonville, Ohio 2 weeks ago. Looked like a 1500.
Quote from: Boaski on October 16, 2012, 17:58:53 PM
I had my first Drifter sighting down in Nelsonville, Ohio 2 weeks ago. Looked like a 1500.
I bet that was me my friend. The better half and I were at a Abrios in Athens for lunch, we live in Chillicothe.. We went to drive through the square in Nelsonville and it was closed for a local event. We need to get together for an oHIo Drift in.
Quote from: ChilliDrift on September 17, 2012, 10:01:07 AMI am starting to think that most of the Indians around where I am in Central OH are Drifters. I have figured out that you can tell fairly quickly by looking at the engine/transmission casing. At least I think that is right.
Easiest way I've found to tell "on the fly", is look for a radiator. Indian's don't have them, and VERY few drifters have moved them to hide it. The cover over the brake caliper on the front fender is another good one. Indian's have that caliper hangin' out in the wind.
My quickest way to tell depending on the angle I see the bike from is the radiator first, or the silver soccer ball behind the drivers right foot..
Or from the left side from the rear of the bike I look at what would be the "primary" drive cover.
It is a lot smaller on vulcans since the gearbox is inside the engine, not behind it..
Just my .0012cents worth..(2 cents after taxes =.0012cents....)
45 Bravo
I live in "Harley Country" near Milwaukee. We are on one of the main routes to the back roads area in SE Wisconsin. Every summer weekend I will see hundreds of bike ride by. As you would expect ninety percent of these are Ha-Ha-Harleys. To date I have seen exactly two Drifters. That's it! Two. Well now three including mine.
Even though this is the home of HD we have a huge non-Harley bike show called Rockerbox. Every year they block off several blocks in mid Milwaukee and fill it with classic, vintage, and modern Euro/Asian bikes. Quite a thing to see especially in HD country. Seven city blocks with three rows of bikes handle bar to handle bar and that only the show. Even more bike line the surrounding streets and parking lots. But to the point last year I saw my first and only Drifter at the show. I expect there will be at least one more next year.
I've only seen 5 or 6, besides my own.
Brillo lives near by me and we both have ours wrenched on by the same shop (when we aren't twisting our own wrenches Fattys Cycle is the BOMB!). I saw his there one time. Somehow, even though we only live 15 or 20 miles apart, we never seem to catch up to each other.
Sandy (AnnieOakley) and I put together a small Indiana drift In a few years ago down in Nashville, Indiana (GREAT riding country!). Saw her ride and a couple others there.
Then I saw a red 800 peeking out of some guys garage a few miles from here a while back. Turns out it was the guys brothers bike or something. I guess the guy came and got it, because I never saw it again.
I also saw a champagne colored 2000 1500 on the hiway once, but he was headed the other way so there was no chance of catching up to him.
That's about it........we are a rare breed!
Funny; with a lot of bikes,(and vehicles) if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. Not so with the Drifter; it's like every one you see, it's "WOW! what a gorgeous bike!
Regards and such,
49Reo
That's true!
That sounds strange to me, the fact seems to be that Drifters are a very rare breed in America, I would have thought that because they are cheaper new than a lot of other bikes and because there are so many bikers in America and that they have a classic look that there would be more of them sold than Honda Shadows..I love the look and sound of mine it will probably be the last bike I ever buy..
John.
The big fenders aren't for everyone. I try to stay aware of new models of various bikes, but I didn't know Drifter existed until late 2001! I searched the State of TN, every Kaw dealer, and only found TWO in stock. If they don't show them, they don't sell them. The shadow is cheaper, smaller and looks more contemporary. I think all of that had something to do with it.
I have a tendency to hang onto things for long periods. I ran my '78 ElectraGlide for 32 years, 250,000 miles, and my '80 TourGlide for 15 years and 200,000 miles. During that time I saw some Drifters, but didn't think much about them, other than they looked nice...I had a rider ed student tell me his brother in law had a 1500 Drifter for sale, quite by accident. I was looking for something a little easier to ride after surgery, but I didn't mention it to him. I had carpal tunnel surgery in 2007, and it made things worse. I sold my E-Glide and replaced it with a 2000 W-650 Feb. of '09, and then the Drifter came along in Aug. of '09....I've put 32,800 miles on the Drifter since I bought it, and 11,000 on the W since I bought it....If they hold up as well as the H-Ds, then they are going to be my last motorcycles....unless I buy a third one....
Quote..I love the look and sound of mine it will probably be the last bike I ever buy..
sentiments of a lot of us for sure....
seems not many were sold in NA, and Canada for example is so large and the majority of people live down south so there is more down there in the north country....
Quote from: pcarrell on October 16, 2012, 19:43:03 PM
Easiest way I've found to tell "on the fly", is look for a radiator. Indian's don't have them, and VERY few drifters have moved them to hide it. The cover over the brake caliper on the front fender is another good one. Indian's have that caliper hangin' out in the wind.
Hey PC,,you stated very few have relocated the radiator.. where in the heck do they put them?
Chilli I think that was one of them retorical statments not for real.
perhaps they put the rad between the forks......
but do the indians not have the lifter arms on the side of the ciylinders like an H-D, or am I wrong? Now I'll have to go and look after make that statment.....
Its my damn literal logic,,, I'm a natural born straight man. Easy to get one over on me.
now then... where did I put my meds :o
I travelled 16 hrs to pick up my drifter(sleeping beauty) and prior too that had never seen one, and still have not seen one other than mine.
Had her parked the other day at the local store in town. Older gentleman pulls up, gets out and circles my bike several times. asked if she was an indian and the conversation started.
These are pretty rare where I live . I frequently get long looks when I am riding around town and elsewhere. great feeling!!
Quote from: ChilliDrift on January 04, 2013, 05:27:56 AM
Hey PC,,you stated very few have relocated the radiator.. where in the heck do they put them?
I've heard of 2 guys that relocated them to the area between the transmission and the rear tire after the goats bladder has been removed. Neither one of them was able to completely solve cooling problems though.
WIBD. Thanks PC.. interesting stuff for sure. How long have you owned your Drifter?