I'd like to hear what people think a fair dealer price is for a 2000 Drifter 1500. Assume good overall condition and approx 20,000 miles on the clock.
I'm not sure what you mean by "dealer price" - trade in value, or dealer's asking price?
I've been shopping kind of hard for a 1500 lately, and I've seen then advertised, both privately, and from dealers anywhere from $2500 (with problems) to $9000. The vast majority of them are from $4000 to $7000. Most of these are towards the higher end, especially the dealers.
I always figured something was worth exactly what you can go by another one just like it for...
I meant what was a fair asking price by a dealer. I see the KBB retail value for a 2000 1500 is $3,620. A dealer in TX has a nice 2000 1500 for $5,600 which I thought was kinda high...
Personally, IMO, I don't think there are enough of these things in existence, let alone enough sold per year, to put much credence in KBB, or NADA for that matter. If I found the one I want for $3620, then I'd be all over it like Miley Cyrus on a sledge hammer. $5600 seems about average for what I've seen advertised from dealers.
Of course it's all dependent on 1) condition 2) mileage 3) accessories 4) market - not necessarily in that order. Personally, I'm shopping for a 1500 myself, and I'm looking a LOT at the more expensive accessories that I know I want. For example, I see some bone stock machines for lets say $6000. There is no way I will want to buy that when I see other bikes with bags, 2-up seat, windshield, etc. (this stuff is expensive) for the same $6000, maybe even with a few extra miles. Like you, I'm targeting 20K, but I'd actually consider more for the right bike. I don't put as much importance on little stuff b/c I might change a lot of it anyway, an like tires, b/c they wear out anyway.
IMO, if you can get a 1500 with the "major" options you want, in great condition, with 15-20000, it will most likely be advertised for $4-6000 (at least that's what I'm seeing right now). 'Course, prices may decrease some over the winter, but I've found that there are far fewer listed over winter it seems.
Not to say you can't find a GREAT deal - that's what I'm looking for, because I don't have to buy one right away. Maybe we can both find a deal like Troll if we are extremely blessed. Ask him about the steal he got sometime. I'm sure others have found great deals too.
Go to cycletrader.com (http://cycletrader.com) and do a search for Kawasaki Drifter. I found 24 listings from all over the country. Ten were for 1500s and the rest were 800s. You can get an idea of asking price range. When buying from a dealer you can usually negotiate 10 to 20% off of their asking price, depending on time of year, their inventory and even end-of-month when they want to hit a certain sales goal. When I bought my '05 1500 with 5,000 miles on it in 2011, they were asking $6,500. I got them down to $5,700 plus a really nice full faced helmet and new windscreen at their cost. It's my first motocycle and I've loved every minute on it.
testpilot, there is some decent looking rides there, prices seem fair and right, some do involve travel to pick up the ride but it might be worth it, if you can swing time from work. Wish we had a national way of doing it but our Auto Trader.ca is not very good.
$4500-$5500 depending on how it's outfitted. I bought my stock 99 with 20k on the clock from a private owner for 3500 and had 3 to choose from within 400 miles. Today I would buy one that already had most of what I wanted or at least the one critical component (The Doolies!!!) and I would be happy to pay for it. My first must have was the blackout version which should also be a premium I would think.
Quote from: dakuhosu on October 06, 2013, 10:56:42 AM
$4500-$5500 depending on how it's outfitted. I bought my stock 99 with 20k on the clock from a private owner for 3500 and had 3 to choose from within 400 miles. Today I would buy one that already had most of what I wanted or at least the one critical component (The Doolies!!!) and I would be happy to pay for it. My first must have was the blackout version which should also be a premium I would think.
I think I paid £3,000 for mine so that falls in line with the above..But if I'd realised how good it was going to be I would have paid more..
John.
If I were a wealthy person (these cult wives are starting to drain me dry), I'd get a barn or a warehouse and start accumulating Drifters. There are only so many of them out there and the number of them is not increasing!
Quote from: DC on October 07, 2013, 07:25:29 AM
If I were a wealthy person (these cult wives are starting to drain me dry), I'd get a barn or a warehouse and start accumulating Drifters. There are only so many of them out there and the number of them is not increasing!
Are we talking about money here?
The problem with collecting motorcycles is that unless you maintain them and ride them they start to seize up..I don't think collecting is a short term investment..the only way to make money on a collectors item is to sell it, and then the investment ends., and the only way to sell it is if someone want's it more than you do..Drifters are a great bike but I'm not sure how many owners wouldn't rather have one of the new Indians..
John.
Quote from: John Hopkins on October 07, 2013, 08:25:16 AM
Are we talking about money here?
The problem with collecting motorcycles is that unless you maintain them and ride them they start to seize up..I don't think collecting is a short term investment..the only way to make money on a collectors item is to sell it, and then the investment ends., and the only way to sell it is if someone want's it more than you do..Drifters are a great bike but I'm not sure how many owners wouldn't rather have one of the new Indians..
John.
So true, but with planning and proper care they would be an excellent investment no doubt. I love to ride mine but would be just as happy to have a few with all fluids drained and sitting in a climate controlled garage. It's a slam bang, sure fire investment in my opinion. When you look at one, without knowing anything, they look like 7-20k bikes. Never do they look like 2500-5000 motorcycles. I think it's because they are so obscure. I never even heard of one before. Plus it's cool to go out and look at real tangible assets, who wants to look at stupid paper.
I love my Drifters as much as anyone, but to buy one specifically for investment purposes I don't think so. As much as we love these bikes others love their brand just as much. I had 5 in my garage and sold one. It was a 2000 with Roadhouse 2 into 1, Fire and Steel black lightbar, Fire and Steel Black windshield, Fire and Steel black crash bar, Corbin solo seat, and 5000 miles on it. Sold for $4900. These are 10+ year bikes and there are newer and better bikes out there for less. There are many good deals out there on Drifters many with low mileage. I just saw one with 400 miles for $4500. That bike Pilgrim offered you looks like a quality bike at a very good price. If you are really serious don't talk, go get it before someone else does.
They do sell quickly. It's rare to see a listing last very long, if the price is in line with the mileage, mods, and condition.
Just saw this in my local craigslist, I can't have another one (trust me I already asked).
8118 E. Washington St.
2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter - Click Here for More Photos and Information
CUSTOM!!The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter motorcycle captures the essence of the 1940s an era when Route 66 was the scenic route of choice for many and the most desirable motorcycles were powered by big V-twin engines. The Drifter hearkens to yesteryear with a low slung chassis sculpted fenders and a fishtail muffler but underneath its retro styling and abundance of chrome is the advanced engineering and electronics of a modern motorcycle. A big 90 cubic-inch liquid-cooled V-twin engine provides the Drifter with modern cruiser performance. High compression and aggressive cam timing provide the healthy power output while each cylinder features a single overhead cam actuating four valves. Hydraulic valve lash adjusters reduce maintenance.
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Condition: Used
Mileage: 48,335
Engine: 1470 cc Four-stroke SOHC V-twin 8 valves Electric Start Liquid Cooled
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Exterior Color: White
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Nobody ever thought a real Indian would be selling for 30-45k either. Brand has nothing to do with it at all. I wanted a Drifter, it could have been made by anybody...just like Billy Joel wants a Drifter. It's a great investment. That brand nonsense is for small minds. I want quality and style. Show me a better bike that comes factory with these fenders and this style. You can't. You can take any bike and turn it into an Indian and it's still not a Drifter. 30 years from now those bikes will be worthless hacks while our Drifters will still be from the factory like that and very desirable. I doubt anybody who was selling their Hemi Cudas, during the gas crunch for $800 thought that a scant 35 years later those cars would be bringing in $100,000+ all day long. Keep your Drifters. That's my advise.
Quote from: dakuhosu on October 22, 2013, 14:51:40 PM
Nobody ever thought a real Indian would be selling for 30-45k either. Brand has nothing to do with it at all. I wanted a Drifter, it could have been made by anybody...just like Billy Joel wants a Drifter. It's a great investment. That brand nonsense is for small minds. I want quality and style. Show me a better bike that comes factory with these fenders and this style. You can't. You can take any bike and turn it into an Indian and it's still not a Drifter. 30 years from now those bikes will be worthless hacks while our Drifters will still be from the factory like that and very desirable. I doubt anybody who was selling their Hemi Cudas, during the gas crunch for $800 thought that a scant 35 years later those cars would be bringing in $100,000+ all day long. Keep your Drifters. That's my advise.
Yep, I agree with Dakuhosu!
But for me it's not even a question of money investment: it's a question of LOVE (but if Drifters should ever rise up their value, well, I think am gonna love it even more... ;))
Anybody know how to get information on the Production/Build Date of all 1999 1500 Drifters? Mine in particular is close to Serial # 005000. eg. Month/Day/Year
Quote from: yamaha101 on October 22, 2013, 16:30:25 PM
Anybody know how to get information on the Production/Build Date of all 1999 1500 Drifters? Mine in particular is close to Serial # 005000. eg. Month/Day/Year
The J1 started off at 000001 in 1999
The J2 started off at 010001 in 2002
Mine is 004527 and was first registered in July 2001, I suspect it was made about August 2000. Yours seems pretty close to mine.
John.
the federally mandated emissions sticker will have the build month and year. My '01 was built in July of 2000.
Quote from: Troll on October 23, 2013, 08:53:13 AM
the federally mandated emissions sticker will have the build month and year. My '01 was built in July of 2000.
Since you asked, John...here's the last 7 digits of my VIN. A000099 and a scan of the sticker from my owner's manual that I'm talking about. The build date would have been in the blank space near the top, and the VIN would be complete...My "W" has the same type of sticker, with a build date of May of 2000
That should mean mine was made 4428 after yours, allowing for the numbers being world wide I would have thought they made a lot of J's at the same time, or my bike was made a lot later than I figured.
John.
Except that mine is an "R", not a "J"....so yours was probably built either '98 for the '99 year, or early in the '99 production run...