Hey guys - I was on here a couple years ago, but I think my user ID was deleted from inactivity. I was living in Vegas and found a Drifter in Phoenix, flew down with nothing but a helmet and leather jacket, and then was surprised to find out the guy had lied about the mileage and condition of the bike. I was pretty upset and gave up on my search for a Drifter for a while and focused back on Ducatis which I've always loved. I currently ride a Monster and a CRF250X, but I am getting back in the search mode for a Drifter. Although I was looking for a 1500 previously, I think I favor the 800 now for the way the rear looks like a hard tail, and I've heard they even sound better which is very important to me :D
I'm only really interested in the 1999 and 2000 model years because I want the black forks and trim, and those are obvioulsy getting a little harder to come by. My question is what's a fair price for them since blue books aren't a good gauge any longer due to rarity. There's one listed on this board right now I'm looking at in Florida that's a 2000 800 with 4,500 miles for $5200. I have to add shipping on top of that of course, which is pushing up the price a little higher than I'd prefer to go. Is that a fair asking price?
BTW - here's my old thread about my first Drifter buying experience:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=14644.msg24334#msg24334
There were no 1999 800's in the USA, but there were some sold in Canada. So any you find in the USA will be Canadian imports. The KBB value is around $3000 retail. Of course it will vary with mileage etc but $5200 is pushing it for an 800.
;) Well Chief of course if it is a Canadian import it is well worth any extra cost.
Quote from: chief on March 04, 2014, 11:44:08 AM
There were no 1999 800's in the USA, but there were some sold in Canada. So any you find in the USA will be Canadian imports. The KBB value is around $3000 retail. Of course it will vary with mileage etc but $5200 is pushing it for an 800.
I agree it's pretty high. I was thinking something around $4k plus the shipping would be a fairly ok deal but still an amazing one. I have been finding a lot more 1500s these days rather than 800s interestingly.
BTW my girlfriend is from Franklin, TN and her family still lives. I just visited for the first time last year it's pretty out there.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 04, 2014, 12:13:47 PM
;) Well Chief of course if it is a Canadian import it is well worth any extra cost.
of course it is... really... honest.
For comparison, late last summer I bought a '00 800 with saddlebags, and quite a few other add-ons including a Corbin solo seat, fork bag, rear toolbag, roadhouse exhaust, and light bar for a cash+trade value of $3200. It had 6400 miles on it when I bought it. So there are better deals out there, you just have to look.
If you're in Denver? This one is a lot closer. Has a lot of value in just the extras. Paint is, well, odd, but bike looks to be in good shape overall.
http://topeka.craigslist.org/mcy/4313746917.html
And if you didn't want the 2-up seat, I'm sure someone (like the person typing this...) would be interested in it and the rear rack and could offset some of the price.
It's funny you posted the one in Topeka as I saw that last night night and thought what in the heck was that person thinking with the paint?! I personally prefer things to be factory stock when I buy, so the paint was a huge turnoff. It would cost a lot of money to bring it back to a factory look otherwise it could be a decent buy.
If you didn't like that one, you should see the 800 on eBay!
Quote from: Troll on March 04, 2014, 15:00:23 PM
If you didn't like that one, you should see the 800 on eBay!
LOL I saw this one last night and had to take a shower after looking at it!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-2005-Kawasaki-800-Vulcan-Drifter-Eye-Catching-Custom-Paint-/201044210977?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2ecf2b3521&item=201044210977&pt=US_motorcycles
I'd say $4500 plus shipping is a good price for a straight stock bike....they are out there. I'm not in the market, but I check all Craigslist....I've seen some low mileage 800s for good prices. Keep looking........800 unadulterated is a good machine.
Quote from: DenverDuc on March 04, 2014, 14:27:31 PM
It's funny you posted the one in Topeka as I saw that last night night and thought what in the heck was that person thinking with the paint?! I personally prefer things to be factory stock when I buy, so the paint was a huge turnoff. It would cost a lot of money to bring it back to a factory look otherwise it could be a decent buy.
It's been for sale for awhile. I'm guessing the paint is the reason why. It looks like quality airbrushing, but questionable taste... I've considered emailing about buying the two up seat and rear rack. Never have though. I might have to do that...
I'd agree with the others but optional add on's are hard to come by, especially blackout add on's, so that could affect price.
I nabbed my 2002 800 for $2600. (Can see in the Introduction Thread). Craigslist is my bestest friend in the world. If i'm looking for something that's my first stop.
Got some exciting news. Don't want to jinx it, so I'll go light on the details but the long story short is I'm transferring some funds to someone today at lunch :D
Hope it works out for you!
Funds are transferred and shipping is scheduled! I happened to find a sweet 2000 800 Drifter on CL, called the guy, inked a deal, transferred the money, scheduled the shipping, and am going to be getting the bike next week here in Denver!
I'm pretty stoked as the first one seemed to be like it would have been a lot of work and a long wait as the guy was going to try to meet me in mid-April when he drove through the country. I think this one is cleaner and was obviously much easier. I'll add more pictures once I get it in Denver, but here she is:
It's going to be a bit of a change from this one, but at least it's still 2 cylinders :)
Looks like a nice scoot! Congrats!
DenverDuc: Glad to see you stuck to what your were looking for. Don't need the details on $$$ but will say, but in the blacked out years, I like this color combination. Indian motif not over the top. There are other options for how the bags attach, but it looks good. How much mileage?
Quote from: kw-retrorider on March 05, 2014, 15:38:22 PM
DenverDuc: Glad to see you stuck to what your were looking for. Don't need the details on $$$ but will say, but in the blacked out years, I like this color combination. Indian motif not over the top. There are other options for how the bags attach, but it looks good. How much mileage?
Thank you! It only has 7,100 miles and comes with: every receipt for service and parts since new, the stock seat, a deluxe cover, a brand new never used motorcycle jack, 2 helmets and basically all the other stock bits taken off over the years. The gentleman is in his 70s and decided to get rid of it and sell to an enthusiast. He was VERY excited I knew so much about it and was super easy to deal with. We basically had one long conversation, I transfered him money, arranged shipping and he Fedex'd the titled. Super smooth transaction!
ok so the big question we are all waiting to know is who won the bid,
we know Roy Garber has passed away in life so he cannot transport your Drifter for you.
Jennifer is in the family way?
So it has to be Marc, Jarrett, and final choice is Rob and Chris....so who did you pick..........
Nice ride glad it all worked out right for you.........
That looks good, I'm not familier with the 800 so forgive me if this is a stupid question but what is holding those bags on?
John.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 05, 2014, 16:11:45 PM
ok so the big question we are all waiting to know is who won the bid,
we know Roy Garber has passed away in life so he cannot transport your Drifter for you.
Jennifer is in the family way?
So it has to be Marc, Jarrett, and final choice is Rob and Chris....so who did you pick..........
Nice ride glad it all worked out right for you.........
Must be a smaller industry than I thought :) It was Robert actually! I'm excited because he said there will be room for the extra boxes with the stock parts. It's funny in a way because I used to live in Las Vegas for 8 years and looked high and low for a Drifter when I lived there, and then I move back to Denver and the Drifter I'm buying is out of Vegas!
Quote from: John Hopkins on March 05, 2014, 16:54:22 PM
That looks good, I'm not familier with the 800 so forgive me if this is a stupid question but what is holding those bags on?
John.
Not a dumb question - I actually asked the same thing. I believe they just rest on the rear fender and have padding underneath to keep them from scratching the paint. He claims there is no paint damage underneath, so I'll probably keep them off for the most part and only use them for longer trips. I like the way the rear fender looks too much to keep it covered all the time!
looks like there might be a fender rack there to hold the bags in place from the pictures. perhaps we will see the story of the Drifter shipping on an up coming episode of Shipping Wars.......lol........
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 05, 2014, 18:38:50 PM
looks like there might be a fender rack there to hold the bags in place from the pictures. perhaps we will see the story of the Drifter shipping on an up coming episode of Shipping Wars.......lol........
Haha! You may be right - I'll take a closer look when I get in my possession. I would definitely prefer a rack underneath!
Congrats on the deal, looking forward to the pics when she arrives!
'The Bride'