This information is directly from KHI - Kawasaki.
1. ALL Drifters were made at the Akashi plant in Japan.
2. Global Total: 18,000
3. 1500 cc: 9000
4 800: 9000
Canada:
1. Total: 1200
2. 1500: 600
3. 800: 600
Australia:
1. Total: 50 (1999-2000)
2. 1999 - 49
3 2000 -1
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.
Murray Sayle
Homologation, Industry Relations & Technical Marketing Assistant
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
Unit Q, 10-16 South Street
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
Far more rare then I would have thought!
Thanks!
Wow. '99 through '05...Motorcycle Consumer News doesn't list the 2000 1500 at all, so then 6 years. maybe 5. Mine is a 2001 model, but with VIN 0099, it was built in July of 2000. Seems like the bulk of the production was in the first year. There are more '99s for sale than any other year...even if the production was steady, that's only 1500 world wide each year...I thought my W-650 was pretty rare, but I had no idea just how close to frog hair the Drifter is!
More rare then hen's teeth it would seem.......
The 1500 was from '99 to '05, the 800 was from '00 to '06, with no 800's going to the U.S. until '00 (though Canada got them in '99, making those like RatMan's blackout 800 more rare still). These are indeed rare birds!
Any numbers on the 400cc model? I think that was an Asian market only model, but I could be wrong. I know none were available to North America.
Just curious..........
from what I have read and been told the 1999, 800's were only sold in Canada and in Australia as a test market, and 900 were produced of the 1999 800 Drifters now as to how many were sent where I have not been able to find out. So I have a bike like me..... special......
I see far more 800 for sale here in The Netherlands (Europe) than 1500, Blacked out and chrome versions. So the 99 models are also sold in Europe.
Cool, I wasn't sure about that.
Sorry yes meant to mention that the Drifters were made for the European market mores so then the NA market, and a few of them were sent to CDN and Aus for a test run to see how they were looked upon there by riders. An for some reason the figure of 900 is always popping up in that. I'll have to see if I can track done some more info on that number.
Chiefs first post on this thread stated that 600 of each, 800's & 1500's, were sent to Canada....total. So that means RatMan's bike is one of 600 of the 800's. Seeing as that 600 number was spread across all the years available, I'd say there's a good chance it's one of less then 100 for that year. Add to that there were 2 colors available that year for 800's, and his could be one of only 50 made for Canada that year.
Does the 9000 units of each cc unit apply to the 400cc model sold in Japan?
Regards and such,
49Reo
P.S. Btw, my 1500 was a U.S. unit; it came up from Colorado.
Yes, rarer than chicken lips.
No word on 400cc production, except that they were intended for the Japanese market only.
I would like to get my hands on one, just for bragging rights!
I know, right?
I have notice that Ratman has been strangely silent since he has discovered his MAY be 1 of 50...
Either he is beside himself joy, passed out on the floor from the shock, or his head is slowly swelling over the new found knowledge of exactly how collectable his bike is over ours (yes i am jealous).
So, now that the numbers have been made public, how long do you think it will be before the blue books adjust their numbers as to the value of the Drifter?
Or do you think they will stay the same?
As it is, Drifters regularly bring over twice the book value, and that was before the low production numbers hit the street..
45 Bravo
Blue book values are what you make of them. Personally, I intend to keep my bikes until my estate has to figure out what to do with them. Never bought a motorcycle giving even the slightest thought to what it was "worth" in someone else's opinion. The W was a present to myself for my 60th birthday, and the Drifter was a chance barn find...I only bought 1 motorcycle new in my life, and that one I rode for more than 30 years.
I wasn't aware that they made a 400CC version for Japan. Here's a Japanese website that has listings for them.
http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html (http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html)
I am not looking to sell, i am talking about the buying side.
I bought mine for $1000, if in a year or so, i go to get my wife a 800, i would hate to be faced with a $8,000 + sticker shock..
45 Bravo
Quote from: 45 Bravo on November 12, 2012, 19:30:23 PM
I have notice that Ratman has been strangely silent since he has discovered his MAY be 1 of 50...
Either he is beside himself joy, passed out on the floor from the shock, or his head is slowly swelling over the new found knowledge of exactly how collectable his bike is over ours (yes i am jealous).
He's probably hatching some Pinky & The Brain style plan to take over the world!
Quote from: 45 Bravo on November 12, 2012, 20:20:58 PM
I am not looking to sell, i am talking about the buying side.
I bought mine for $1000, if in a year or so, i go to get my wife a 800, i would hate to be faced with a $8,000 + sticker shock..
So wit a minute......you're telling me you picked up a Drifter for $1000? It'd serve you right to have to pay $8000 for the next one just to balance things out! ;D
Yes Pc, I bought my 99 1500 for $1000, with a kaw/corbin 2 up seat, saddle bags, and backrest & Luggage rack, AND a corbin solo seat that was customized by a man in Tupelo ms with a Ostrich skin cover, and a solo backrest (also Ostrich skin), and bracket for the solo backrest.
I figure I got a $1000 in seats and backrest/luggage racks.. the bike was free...
The only money spent on the bike was a new front tire, new rear shocks, and gas & oil as needed..
Oh, and thanks for the karma you gave me there on the price of my next one, I love you too....
45 Bravo
Don't mention it! That was one smokin' hot deal!
Sorry folks been sitting here just thinking finally I got a deal and won on it...paid $2,500.00 for my blacked out 1999 Drifter 800, all original parts, other then the mirrors......so cool.....45 I hope you can find your spouse a nice 800, she deserves it. PC is just having the green monster rise up again.....
QuoteHe's probably hatching some Pinky & The Brain style plan to take over the world!
don't know who they are so can not be doing that ......
Quote from: jmbo on November 12, 2012, 19:54:55 PM
I wasn't aware that they made a 400CC version for Japan. Here's a Japanese website that has listings for them.
http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html (http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html)
:o They're not exactly giving them away, are they? :o
Regards and such,
49Reo
Quote from: 49Reo on November 13, 2012, 09:19:30 AM
:o They're not exactly giving them away, are they? :o
Regards and such,
49Reo
I noticed that......and ya still have to get them here!
What do you think it would cost, to ship one here? Providing it doesn't get stripped on its way here!
Regards and such,
49Reo
Shipped to Vancouver and then to ride it to ON......now that would be a cool trip and long .....I think 45 and 49 would look cool having a 400, 800 and 1500 sitting in thier garages.......I like that idea
Yes the wife wants an 800.
And my daughter would love a 400..
But it will have to wait for the lottery winnings..
lIFE IS GOOD and geting so much better yr to yr haveing rides on the dark side #150 #495 thanks woodcarver. how are the grand kids ? bullride28 MC&HNY TO ALL.
Merry christmas folks, i had no idea how rare these beauties really are. now i love em even more. :)
I finally had a look at the my serial # on the neck of the frame.....KEN.
It's a good idea to make a pencil etching of it and keep it with the title or your insurance papers.
First of all I didn't think there was anyone in the world who did'nt know the phrase "What are we going to do today Brain?"
And second..
some of those 800s and 1500s were probably sold in Japan, they were certainly sold in Britain and Europe so your North American ones might be rarer than you think..
John.
That's probably true...and my other Kawasaki, a 2000 W-650, is so rare here in N. America that it makes me angry when I see someone in, say, Australia chopping one...
Quote from: 45 Bravo on November 13, 2012, 11:58:40 AM
Yes the wife wants an 800.
And my daughter would love a 400..
But it will have to wait for the lottery winnings..
45, my previous offer is the same: I'll still be glad to double your money on what you paid for your 1500 -then you could go buy them BOTH a bike. ...assuming you could get another really good deal.... twice..... ;D
I doubt I will ever get that lucky again.
I build ads for a local "buy here pay here" car lot, he keeps offering cars in trade or my drifter.
I was delivering an ad proof one Saturday morning, it was about 35 deg.f.
I was on my drifter, he started offering me a 99 dodge Dakota, with 215,000 miles.
Then a 1996 mini van with 240,000.
I politely told him thanks for the offer, but no thanks.
This is my only means of transportation.
AND, they only made 9000 of them.
Then he really got insistent, offering others in the $2500-$3000 range.
To shut him up, I said I would trade or a truck, he got excited until I pointed to a 2011 f150 for $18,000 with 25,000 miles.
He got pale and looked like I had stabbed him.
He said "that bike ain't worth that much!" I told him to me it is..
I handed him his ad, got on the Drifter, and went or a ride...
He hasn't been by in 2 weeks to run an ad.....
But since we are the only paper in this town, he will be back..
45 Bravo
Quote from: 45 Bravo on February 04, 2013, 23:04:29 PM
He hasn't been by in 2 weeks to run an ad.....
But since we are the only paper in this town, he will be back..
45 Bravo
Ha! Good story! 8) ;D
Nice thread. I have not come across another drifter here in Melbourne. One of the Vulcan Group members said that the other locals would love to see my ride as most had never seen a Drifter. I will have to oblige some time soon.
I can better the deal of $1,000. FREE. Ok my father had to die and leave the bike to me so I suppose its real cost was a heck of a lot more. He only paid $1,200 for it, all original with only a sissy bar and extra lights added.
It would be great to find out how many are still around down here in AUS.
19 of the '99 when I got mine, new, in early 2000. I think that's all states & territories.
But I can't remember how I extracted the info - it was 13 years ago :-[.
Quote from: 45 Bravo on February 04, 2013, 23:04:29 PM
I doubt I will ever get that lucky again.
I build ads for a local "buy here pay here" car lot, he keeps offering cars in trade or my drifter.
I was delivering an ad proof one Saturday morning, it was about 35 deg.f.
I was on my drifter, he started offering me a 99 dodge Dakota, with 215,000 miles.
Then a 1996 mini van with 240,000.
I politely told him thanks for the offer, but no thanks.
This is my only means of transportation.
AND, they only made 9000 of them.
Then he really got insistent, offering others in the $2500-$3000 range.
To shut him up, I said I would trade or a truck, he got excited until I pointed to a 2011 f150 for $18,000 with 25,000 miles.
He got pale and looked like I had stabbed him.
He said "that bike ain't worth that much!" I told him to me it is..
I handed him his ad, got on the Drifter, and went or a ride...
He hasn't been by in 2 weeks to run an ad.....
But since we are the only paper in this town, he will be back..
45 Bravo
Great story! Love it!
Quote from: jmbo on November 12, 2012, 19:54:55 PM
I wasn't aware that they made a 400CC version for Japan. Here's a Japanese website that has listings for them.
http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html (http://motorcycle.goobike.com/motorcycle/bike/kawasaki__vulcan_400_drifter/summary.html)
I couldn't find any 800 Drifter in Japan...Really curious... In Japan mainly 400, in Europe mainly 800s, and in the States mainly 1500s...
Curious...
I knew they were rare. I was talking to a friend the other day and the only other one either of us has seen was a 1500 at a ride we did last year. And the woman riding that was with her husband, he was on an old Indian I think it was a 1946.
Does anyone know how many were sold in Australia?
Quote from: Washbrook on March 27, 2013, 20:54:46 PM
Does anyone know how many were sold in Australia?
Sorry, no idea... but I will bet there were few sold.
Al 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?
like that springer front end.....wow
terry
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 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.
You may even have Ratman beat for rarity!
Dear 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 :o.
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. :) :) :)
DP, 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.
DP, sorry prefer not to talk about SAO, we was robbed! :-[
How 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
Chief,
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?
Quote from: chief on July 29, 2013, 16:27:30 PM
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.
OK, 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?
Griz01,
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
Further 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
Both 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.
Thanks Philip. This is a confusing, and convoluted topic based on when, where, what etc. A pity Kawasaki Japan could not come out with a definitive exact statement based on their records that would eliminate all confusion.
A formal written request from Chief [Head of VDR] to Kawasaki Japan Head Office asking for a full break down by model, year and country etc might get a response.
Quote from: Washbrook on July 31, 2013, 18:40:49 PM
Thanks Philip. This is a confusing, and convoluted topic based on when, where, what etc. A pity Kawasaki Japan could not come out with a definitive exact statement based on their records that would eliminate all confusion.
Confusing it further, just like in cars: The same bike in Phil's example, built in 1999 (let's say Sept.) - (but model year 2000) - , delivered to the dealer, let's say Nov '99, and let's say it's in a slow market and doesn't sell until 2002, then is titled as a 2002! SO now what is it?? Is it a '99, a 2000 or a 2002? As far as the DMV (and probably your insurance) is concerned it is a 2002, but realistically, it is a 2000. I don't even consider anything but the 10th digit of the VIN - which tells the model year. This is what determines definitively what version it is. I've seen cars built as early as April (rarely) and June (often) that bear the next year's 10th digit designation (e.g build date 6/2003, but 10th digit "4" - takes parts for a 2004).
Quote from: Washbrook link=topic=18150.msg49612#msg49612 date=1375314049
A formal written request from Chief [Head of VDRto Kawasaki Japan Head Office asking for a full break down by model, year and country etc might get a response.
btw: I think that's "Chief [Chief Indian of VDR]"
Ok, so here's another mystery. My W-650 was built in May of 2000, and it's a 2000...my Drifter was built in July of 2000 and it's a 2001...but in fairness, it's an R not a J, so there is a big production change from J to R. The changes they made to the W-650 from 2000 to 2001 are more like the differences between a J-1 and a J-2.
I need a panadol (thats Advil to youAmericans).
My original post indicated how many total were sold throughout the WORLD... later an Aussie member got more info about his country... 50 99/00 1500's... no later models were imported to Australia.
While it would be nice to have a nation breakdown, the fact remains - these are rare bikes ... really rare in some places.
Quote from: chief on August 02, 2013, 10:10:49 AM... really rare in some places.
Like Ratman's living room in January! ;D
PC just shows how much I value my ride.....lol.....and it makes a really nice xmas tree.
With the Drifters being so rare, do I lose value painting mine? Seems like my 2004 silver/black is quite common among the Drifters, and I really want to make it a nice nostalgic Indian red - but am I lowering the value by doing so, since I'll never get it back to stock? perhaps best thing to do is find used fenders and tank to apint so i can keep all the stock parts intact? Mike
Quote from: mbk on August 15, 2013, 09:06:27 AM
With the Drifters being so rare, do I lose value painting mine? Seems like my 2004 silver/black is quite common among the Drifters, and I really want to make it a nice nostalgic Indian red - but am I lowering the value by doing so, since I'll never get it back to stock? perhaps best thing to do is find used fenders and tank to apint so i can keep all the stock parts intact? Mike
Well, you know somewhere down the road... perhaps long after we are gone, an original bike will be worth more than one which has been modified. But in the foreseeable future I don't think making the bike your own will have much impact on the value.
That's good - that'll save me money buying new fenders and tanks.
Quote from: chief on August 15, 2013, 09:48:54 AM
Well, you know somewhere down the road... perhaps long after we are gone, an original bike will be worth more than one which has been modified. But in the foreseeable future I don't think making the bike your own will have much impact on the value.
Let me qualify that... if you paint it green with purple polka-dots and add 837 led lights and cow skull to the front... it might negatively impact the value - immediately!
Quote from: mbk on August 15, 2013, 09:06:27 AM
With the Drifters being so rare, do I lose value painting mine? Seems like my 2004 silver/black is quite common among the Drifters, and I really want to make it a nice nostalgic Indian red - but am I lowering the value by doing so, since I'll never get it back to stock? perhaps best thing to do is find used fenders and tank to apint so i can keep all the stock parts intact? Mike
I agree with chief - I've seen some for sale that will be pretty hard to sell at any price, but I don't see how you could go wrong with a classic-themed paint job.
Quote from: chief on August 15, 2013, 18:27:48 PM
Let me qualify that... if you paint it green with purple polka-dots and add 837 led lights and cow skull to the front... it might negatively impact the value - immediately!
How did you know what I was planning?
thought that would be 49's new paint scheme.....
Washbrook,
Just to complicate things further -
Back from a 3500k trip to Rockhampton, QLD and came down the coast to catch up with my folks and see a Drifter in Maryborough.
Leanne has a 2002 - chrome forks, handlebars, cylinder heads, but the history was sparce - so it may be imported.
Paul :-\
Paul,
Thanks for making a simple issue hard. Yes either kawasaki are wrong, it is a private import or the owners are wrong. Did you see the VIN? If you have their contact details try and get the VIN to see what year the bike is.
Importing a bike privately is a lot of effort to go to for a Drifter. I read of a guy claiming to have a mid 90's Drifter, aparently he got a classic 1500 and converted it into a Drifter, could the one you saw be a private conversion?
All Kaw can do is tell you how many THEY imported. I know of at least one guy who lived in GB, has 3 Drifters and moved them back to AUS a couple of years ago... I am sure that has happened more than once.
Mak, they guy I met at drift-in said he has 2 "J"s and an "R"...He was here from Australia...
That's who I was talking about. His bikes are over on the Member Pages...
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 17, 2013, 12:38:41 PM
thought that would be 49's new paint scheme.....
....not fond of purple polka-dots.........pick a different color.....
Through contacts [various other forums] I can place roughly 26 Drifters scattered across Australia. Then others pop up but there is no definitive list. When I get some time I might try to track them all down.
I am up here in Canada and there was a reply here said that the Kawasaki Drifter 800 was only available in 2000....well I own a 1999 Kawasaki Drifter 800 and from what I have found when researching this bike is that the 1999 were not available in the States, only Canada for that year.
I have no idea about the 1500's and when they were first introduced, (actually the 800's were made first).
I have changed over my Drifter to suit my tastes, but everything I changed out, I kept the original parts incase I ever thought to sell my baby!
Welcome aboard!. I have to warn you, though: sooner or later, (sooner, or I missmy guess) someone is gonna say;
IT AIN'T REAL WITHOUT PICS!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
What a post and no pics, ah but he is from North Battleford that explains a lot, the 99's in both 800 and 1500 were available in Canada as a test market. Even in Canada the 800's were not sought after like the 1500s, the province with the highest number of Drifters seems to be QC for some reason.
Just my own personal opinion about this is that a lot of people think an 800 is not big enough to tour on, if you ride solo, and ride the speed limit it will more then meet the expectations you are looking for.
Smart idea to keep all the original parts for if you ever return the bike to stock or if not to sell parts to people who are looking for them. Parts are really hard to find and really hard up here north of the 49th.
So cool to met badasscdn54 now another stopping point when I go to visit 49 in the mountains..........
Welcome to the forum. Did anybody mention, WE LIKE PICS....
Well!, I'm glad to hear that I purchased a rare bike, as well as a cool one!
I've always wanted one of these Drifters, so when I found this one('02 1500)within 100 miles of me, with Roadhouse Doolies.........I just had to have it!!!! Like the Troll, I'm kinda sorta a recovering Harley Rider. Still got mine, but a few years back I bought a used 1500 Classic for 2up riding and ended up riding it more than my Softail when I was alone. It was just so comfortable.........and reliable......there you have it!!!! Nuff said......So here is my new to me Drifter(found here in the classifieds) and my Softail. The Softail is not even a Harley.......it's a handbuilt, all after-market.
;)
Nice bikes! And if I haven't said it yet, Welcome Aboard!!
And, besides the ultra rare (now) Roadhouse exhaust, it has the much coveted and unobtainable solo seat rail!!!
I missed out on the Roadhouse Dooleys, by 3 months. Did manage to score a seat rail, though. And now that I have my V&H "Dooleys" (Longshots, one down each side) I'm not disappointed about the Roadhouse. Didn't know the seat rails were going to become extinct when I bought mine or would have bought more of them.
Thank You for the Welcome! I've got two 1500 Classics too.....one is down with a bad bearing, a 1998........and a 2001.........with Roadhouse 2into1 Classic. I just got spoiled by the 1500's and the rest is history!!!.............and here I am!!!!
So far.......I like it here......I've gotten nothing but good vibes from this place....and good advice and info. Thanks everyone.........
Hello Iowa from frozen Wisconsin
Semper Fi..............Troll......you're not that far from me......a nice day ride and then a trip down 35 to Prairie Du Chein......back across the Big River.........and a nice evening ride home............I'll keep that in mind for the Summer.......I like to visit and wander
I make that trip a lot when I have no place else to go...I like the Blackhawk bridge @ Lansing, too...I hope they have both lanes open this year....
Yea..........I like it over by the River..........BTW I like the use of the word, "coveted".........it makes me feel so cheap!!!..................LOL, next thing you know I'll be writing bad checks................
I don't write checks anymore, I use a bad debit card...it looks more official and it fools 'em better....You need to check out the Vulcan riders in Boscobel..they have a ride and a meeting on Father's day weekend...nice ride for you. I'll see if I can find a link.
Boscobel?.......isn't there a Big Mouse on the road somewhere around there.....and ad for a cheese place(in Wisconsin!?!?!)
Lots of twisty roads around there. The Wife wants to go to Spring Green(House on the Rock) this Summer. I like up North, .....Tomahawk........areas up there....above Wausau.
Now that is God's country! (along with Montana) Lived there for awhile quite a few years ago......Man!,............if only the Californians hadn't discovered the Rockies..........what a shame.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1194.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa366%2Fjesse10886%2Fdrifter%2F20140930_113850_zpsmjiwfgck.jpg&hash=2aec256a94225d06781927a60ef918d26fff3959) (http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/jesse10886/media/drifter/20140930_113850_zpsmjiwfgck.jpg.html) glad my bike is rare as well as badass 03 1500
I've always wanted one of these Drifters
Does anyone know a way to get a letter from Kawasaki confirming the number of Drifters made?
I asked their customer help line and they say "because of the competitive motorcycle industry we don't release that information."
TIA
Quote from: chief on November 10, 2012, 12:12:38 PM
This information is directly from KHI - Kawasaki.
1. ALL Drifters were made at the Akashi plant in Japan.
2. Global Total: 18,000
3. 1500 cc: 9000
4 800: 9000
Canada:
1. Total: 1200
2. 1500: 600
3. 800: 600
Australia:
1. Total: 50 (1999-2000)
2. 1999 - 49
3 2000 -1
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.
Murray Sayle
Homologation, Industry Relations & Technical Marketing Assistant
Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
Unit Q, 10-16 South Street
Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
Took a quick look through this thread but didn't find an answer to this ....
Does anyone have a break down of the world wide numbers by model year - i.e. how many 1500's were produced for each model year for 1999 to 1995?
I had a momentary lapse of reason a few weeks ago, almost sold Black Bettie. The sale fell through. Returned to my senses. She's not going anywhere,
Quote from: Tim on March 03, 2021, 13:38:54 PMDoes anyone know a way to get a letter from Kawasaki confirming the number of Drifters made?
I asked their customer help line and they say "because of the competitive motorcycle industry we don't release that information."
TIA
I'm really interested in this as well. BC's collector vehicle program provides a huge insurance discount for applicable vehicles, typically for vehicles 25 years and older, but they have special provision for vehicles 15 years old when worldwide production was less than 1500 units per model year. I approached Kawasaki Canada for the numbers but they could only provide the Canadian numbers. Anyone have an official contact at Kawasaki Japan?
Read the thread... the total was 18000 globally.
Quote from: chief on June 11, 2021, 13:48:27 PM
... the total was 18000 globally.
Yes, I read that. I guess I should be been more specific: I'm looking for a break down of how many 1500 were made for each production year
Quote from: Bucko on June 11, 2021, 14:13:23 PM
Yes, I read that. I guess I should be been more specific: I'm looking for a break down of how many 1500 were made for each production year
Ah, I see! Kaw has been very tight lipped about Drifter production numbers, we had some heavy duty bike people asking. The info from Australia was the first time we got any info on production numbers. Anyway, the bike has been out of production for more than a decade (15-16 years), so maybe they would be more willing to release that information now. I guess you could average it... 9000 /1500's sold over 7 years. Probably made more in the early years and fewer each of the latter years.
Quote from: chief on June 11, 2021, 15:01:02 PM
...Probably made more in the early years and fewer each of the latter years.
Ya, that's what I was thinking.
I'm puzzled by the response of kawasaki Australia's murray sayle who states that after the 1999 model importation, there weren't any later models brought in.
This can't be right.
I have a Drifter VIN JKBVNAR112Axxxxxx and the so the bike is a 2002 model. However Ox blood red and pearl ivory was a 2001 colour. Apparently the tinware and tank was swopped over with a 2001 model at the dealers.
There are two drifters at Grafton but I only know for sure that one of them is in 2001 colours. There is a 2001 drifter currently on sale in Brisbane.
So there seem to be a number of post 2000 models that were sold here.