Just rode home my "new-to-me" 2004 Drifter 800. Fifty miles of beautiful, Michigan backroads with nary a problem. Reminds me of my Yamaha Majesty 400 in that when you dismount after a long ride it does not feel like it has worked at all. Engine runs nice and cool, very strong. Shifting was excellent, even using the heel part. Brakes were great - nice having dual disks. Oh, and that Corbin dual seat it came with is amazing - very comfortable. I like the look of it with the stock seat, but I may just keep the Corbin on for a while since it feels sooooo good.
Only issue I had was there were some rather significant bumps in the asphalt and every time I hit one I could feel it in the front fork; back suspension was fine, but I think the front may just be too soft. I'm not sure, but it almost felt a little loose in the steering tube bearings (or whatever that is called - on a bicycle I'd call it a head set), but with only 4,000 miles on it and everything else in such good shape that would be an odd problem to have, no?
Anyway, happy to own one finally and if I can figure out how to post pictures I will!
Thanks to the forum for all the help in getting me to this point. I think I have a very clean bike here and judging by how it performed today, I am very pleased.
Mike
;D lol lol now you got to change your profile to what you do ride...an 800...lol
I have put a bit over 3000 kms on mine since I bought it last month, and I am riding it to work every day too.....
I just need to figure out a rack of some sort to haul my golf clubs around in so I can dress in my knickers and ride to the golf course.......
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 09, 2012, 19:28:59 PM
;D lol lol now you got to change your profile to what you do ride...an 800...lol
Thanks for pointing that out - I just did. Wow, on the ride home I notcied at least two groups of bikers who did a double-take on the bike. If we'd been going in the same direction I'm sure they would have stopped to talk about it.
Now that's a picture you need to post.... :D
Couple of us from work are planing a huge circle ride from here in ON and into MI so once we flesh out the plans and the route I'll get back to you and perhaps we can have a 2 person drift in....lol.....
One of my co-workers said they saw me out riding the other day and I looked like a 6 year old who stoled the candy with a s**t eating grin from ear to ear as I was going down the highway....never even seen him in his car...lol...
I"ve had mine for a while (6 yrs ) I like to put about 2 to 300 miles a week on it , I do alot of riding and every time I go into a place it seem's that women want to have their pic's taken on it , and of course I have to oblige them ,I line up with the Harleys but people pass them up just to see my Drifter and I ride with alot of harley's and have no problem keeping up with them ( and we do ride hard ) I have been very well pleased with mine , it's an eye catcher for sure @ bike ralley's and on the road . have fun and keep your wheels on the ground.
Congrats on your purchase MBK; ride safe!
Regards and such,
49Reo
Quote from: 49Reo on September 28, 2012, 20:09:26 PM
Congrats on your purchase MBK; ride safe!
Regards and such,
49Reo
Thanks - as you already can guess, I am just loving it. What an incredible bike. 800 is all I need.
So now there is 2 of us riding about with a silly a$$ grin on our faces.....makes me feel better
If you have your steering head lubed, you might consider doing this mod while you're at it to make it easier in the future: http://www.gadgetjq.com/harpo_steeringlube.htm (http://www.gadgetjq.com/harpo_steeringlube.htm)
And again, congrats on the bike! I know you'll enjoy it!
check tire pressure also, should be about 28 psi, so I have been told. It will ride too rough if it is higher than that.
Man Jamey your so right. When I got my bike it had 60 psi in the rear and 36 in the front. Wow! What difference, 38 in the rear 29 in the front and pumped the air shocks on my 1500 to 30psi. I mean it was like q new ride...that tire pressure and shock adjustment go a very long way and are worth a regular check.
After 2 riding seasons with my beginner bike (87 Virago 535) I just bought a 2003 Drifter 800. She is sexy beautiful...I named her RedRum (result of a personal joke with the family)!! I can't wait for the snow to be gone, so I can get out for a cruise!
I would like to add a driver's backrest to my solo seat; and saddlebag mounts...but all in good time.
Hubby will put a new heel shifter on for me, as my ankle is fused, so no toe shifting on RedRum.
The forums are interesting to read.
Happy riding, everyone! ;D ;D
Welcome to the forum!
Your bike didn't come with a heel shifter? They were standard on all Drifters. You can get a new one at Ron Ayers pretty reasonable: http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/3/Make/Kawasaki/YearID/42/Year/2001/ModelID/3508/Model/Vulcan_800_Drifter/GroupID/100389/Group/Gear_Change_Mechanism
By the way, we like pics, so when you get a chance, how about letting us Oooo & Ahhh at your new ride?
Welcome RedRum, nice name, and did anyone ask for pictures of your ride so we can see how nice it looks. Have fun with the cool kids on the block.......