First of all, I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question. I've been riding for three years. My current bike is a Honda Magna 750. I'm looking to get something bigger as a highway bike. My Magna gets a little overmatched on the superslab. My preferred type of bike would be a touring cruiser, and I'm perfectly happy to get the 'cruiser' and put the 'touring' part in it myself. So, my question is, is a Drifter 1500 realistic as a long distance touring bike? I'm already aware of the saddlebag situation and how to address it; I'm happy to do all that work myself. I've had Corbin seats on my other bikes and I'd probably get one for a Drifter unless it happened to have one. I'll only be riding solo since my wife has her own bike. So in terms of comfort, highway capability, etc., is this a bike that someone could realistically put a lot of miles on? Obviously the combination of the looks and the reliable mechanicals are what attracts me. Love the Indians but can't plunk down 24K for a new Chieftain. There are some Drifters in my general area that are priced fairly attractively. Thanks for any comments or advice.
I guess it depends on how far towards the "touring" spectrum you want to go. I'm sure there are bikes suited better to touring than the Drifter. If you want the "best" touring bike, I would guess there are better - more capacity, more brakes, better charging amps, more aftermarket options, etc. But none of them look as good as these Big-Fendered-Beauties.
Troll can speak more directly to this post- he's put like a million miles on various bikes, as have others. I have not - I just love the Drifter for it's beauty and it's nostalgia, and am willing to live with any shortcomings. The 1500 is better suited to touring than the 800 IMO. It just wants to get out and go.
As greenbarn said, a 1500 is way better for touring then an 800. That being said, the 1500 has shortcomings in the touring department. The electrical issue is probably the biggest one, as you'll have to be careful what kind of electrical add-ons you use as power is limited by the single stator. Converting to a dual stator, like most bikes, is not an easy, but very costly proposition. If you want 35 watt driving lights and a cigarette lighter to charge your phone you should be OK though.
The 1500 is nice because it doesn't get blown around on the highways very much. That said, wind control is important because it can cause fatigue on longer trips. Fortunately, this is easily done! The Nomad style windshield (it's a big shield) is a good start. Lowers will be money very well spent. With that, touring can be done. A full fairing with lowers is the ultimate in luxury, but the wallet has to come out a bit more for that.
Since you're by yourself on this steed, the stock suspension should be quite adequate. You stated that a Corbin seat was in your future, so that's sorted. One other thing I'd suggest budgeting for is some good grips. I have Iso Grips and I love them. I've covered them with leather for a more classic look, but I still get all the advantages of the vibration dampening, and they're great.
The rest is just all about luggage, and that is more of a personal taste. As it is, just about anything can be done with a few tools and some time. Heck, I managed to fit a Harley Shovelhead tour pack with a modern Harley backrest onto my Drifter! *** The look is a work in progress. ***
Thanks for the advice, and keep it coming.
Modding a bike that doesn't have a wide variety of accessories ready-made isn't a problem. I've done that with my Magna. It has Hardstreet Classic Tour bags (that aren't supposed to fit but in fact fit nicely with the proper tweaking) and a custom billet luggage rack (by me). I've seen the 1500 with the Buco bags, and that's definitely the direction I'd go. Like I said, I just want to get the lay of the land before I start seeking one in earnest. But they are beautiful bikes with an identity of their own, and that's what I like. Keep the thoughts coming - nothing like the voice of experience.
I only skimmed through the replies because I have my own opinions..
I own and ride a 1500, I also own other bikes. I have heard people say that the Honda Goldwing is the best tourer, comfortable, reliable, 300 miles on a full tank and will go forever..
I've never owned a Goldwing but I do own a Drifter..
A few years ago I rode for several hundred miles on a Kawasaki 750/4..I found it very uncomfortable but reliable..
I rode 1100 miles in four days on a Vmax, It was fun but they have a tendancy to overheat under certain conditions.
I rode a Honda Shadow VT1100 for 4,500 miles in two weeks and it broke down almost every day, once again through overheating..
And I rode my Drifter for 1250 miles in 23 hours and 7 minutes..I fitted a sheepskin rug over the seat and it was comfortable, I rode it like I stole it and found it had a top speed of 107 mph which dropped to 90 mph in heavy buffetting wind..but above all it didn't ever let me down...I found that without a windshield or crashbars it handled very well, it leans into the curves and sticks to the road (with Michelin Commander ll's) it takes a little getting used to because of the weight and the length, 8ft 4", the hardest thing to do on it for me, was riding a narrow 1 in 4 mountain road with very short hairpin bends..I have ridden this bike through deep mud, rain, wind and hot sun, country roads, highways, mud tracks and loose gravel..
I know not all bikes are the same so if you buy one you may not have the same results as me but I would rather rely on this bike than any other I have ever owned.
John.
I will let you know in a couple of weeks as I begin my adventures on Thursday, many miles to ride everyday. Will post a pic once I have her decked out for travel. As an aside related to this, I caved in yesterday and actually went to a mechanic to just take the bike for a ride and give me feedback on any issues, $25 well spent in my opinion. He told me that there is a guy in my area with a 1500 that has put approx. 450 000 km on his bike and is shooting for 500 000 km, original engine, trans etc., I would say that's touring. I guess it's all about what type of touring you want to do, if you want all the comforts Golwing is it, personally I find it like riding a la-z-boy which is enjoyable but I more of a bike feel. A lot of guys I ride with love the adventure touring style, again fun but not what I am looking for, so far the Drifter seems the best fit for me. Will let you know after two weeks of riding if I still feel the same.BTW the mechanic said in his opinion they were pretty much bullet proof, you pretty much had to try to break them.
Ok...this is my forte. I replaced my H-D TourGLide with my Drifter 1500 5 years ago, now. Not looking back. I've done some 800 mile days on the Drifter, and in the time I've had it, I made it into the kind or tourer that I had back in the 60's...Bags, windshield, trunk, and double seat. It reminds me a lot of my '57 pan, but without the issues, vibration, and inevitable break downs on the road...I love it. On the 11th I'm embarking on my trip to my second Drift-In. Last year, I put 2,500 miles on her in a week, this year, I'm anticipating the same thing. I went out to Wyoming in '12, and put on 2,000 miles in 4 days...I normally run 70-75 mph on the Interstates, and my induction mods have gotten me a consistent 45 mpg at those speeds. Define what you mean by touring, please....Anyway, hare's a couple of pictures of what I have done since I put it on the road in the Spring of 2010...going on 48,000 miles ago. By the way, I've had no issues with the charging system, like some others may have stated. I have a stereo with a 500 watt amp, and the driving lamps, which I use at night...As soon as I saw it, I knew it was my next LDR...and I'm VERY satisfied.
Quote from: Troll on August 02, 2014, 08:40:41 AM
Ok...this is my forte. I replaced my H-D TourGLide with my Drifter 1500 5 years ago, now. Not looking back. I've done some 800 mile days on the Drifter, and in the time I've had it, I made it into the kind or tourer that I had back in the 60's...Bags, windshield, trunk, and double seat. It reminds me a lot of my '57 pan, but without the issues, vibration, and inevitable break downs on the road...I love it. On the 11th I'm embarking on my trip to my second Drift-In. Last year, I put 2,500 miles on her in a week, this year, I'm anticipating the same thing. I went out to Wyoming in '12, and put on 2,000 miles in 4 days...I normally run 70-75 mph on the Interstates, and my induction mods have gotten me a consistent 45 mpg at those speeds. Define what you mean by touring, please....Anyway, hare's a couple of pictures of what I have done since I put it on the road in the Spring of 2010...going on 48,000 miles ago. By the way, I've had no issues with the charging system, like some others may have stated. I have a stereo with a 500 watt amp, and the driving lamps, which I use at night...As soon as I saw it, I knew it was my next LDR...and I'm VERY satisfied.
What a beautiful bike! Thanks for the response. And to define 'touring' - for me, that's long distance riding, 500 miles or more in a day, probably a lot of it on the Interstate. I'm less worried about electronic add-ons than I am comfort and reliability.
Thanks. It's a barn rescue...kinda like a rescue dog, but with more mechanical issues, at first. Going on 88,000 miles, now, and so far, it's cost me less to run for the time I've had it than I would have spent on my TourGlide in one season. Since I modded the intake, I've gotten as much as 52 mpg. I did have to replace the drive shaft u-joint, and I had the bevel drive input bearing fail at about 79,500, but I put at least 4 sets of heads on my TourGlide, and that was always a $600+ situation...
Maybe something like this?
@ Troll I have also installed a 600w stereo and run driving lights and have had no issues wiyh charging since I put a decent battery in it, sure the old one was at least 10 years old.
I owned a 98 Magnum 750. It was a fun bike, especially around town. However I found that at 5'11" with a 34" inseam I could go for about 1.5 hr and my legs were cramped. I don't have that issue on the bigger drifter. If I had to put money on it I think that v4 Honda 750 would take a 1500 drifter in a drag race. I know I beat several big cruisers with mine again and again. The v4 is high reving engine that makes excellent hp for its displacement. One guy dump $4k in souping up his Harley engine and still didn't want to race after watching me beat his buddy. This said the magnum was pushing it gearing and torque at highway speeds. The big vtwin in the Drifter still pulls nicely at any speed I have had it up to.
My bike in between my Magnum and my Drifter was a BMW R1100RT. These bike are great. They are about as fast as the magnum with a smooth power band. I often found myself in triple digits. 7 gal fuel tank that will take you 250+ miles between fill ups. Tool free seat height adjument (0 to +3"). Electric actuated windscreen and full fairing that puts your legs and torso completely out of the wind. The sattlebags pop off like suitcases and can be carried right into your hotel room. I rode long trips where I spent most all of the day on the bike and at the end of the day I was as fatigued as if I had been riding in a car. All this said I felt like the bike was boring and not sexy at all. I prefer riding my drifter. If you are looking to do long distance touring I would go ride a Honda ST or BMW RT.
Quote from: Drifter1500 on August 03, 2014, 07:08:59 AM
Maybe something like this?
Yeah, something like that! How do you like those Mutazu bags? I've heard they're a bit flimsy, but I love the look.
I like the tail light swap to match the bags.
Quote from: moosewing3 on August 03, 2014, 19:23:40 PM
I like the tail light swap to match the bags.
Agreed! That's SMOOOOOTH!
OK, first thing I have to say is that the Drifter is fantastic for "cross country" rides ... and I do mean cross country. Be it Interstates or two lane blacktop, they are damned good on either. They are not "canyon racers" but they handle the mountain passes, like those in the Rockies just fine. It may take a bit of effort to fit your Drifter for touring but it'll be worth it in the long run. I have a Rifle windshield & lowers up front, a Vista throttle lock/cruse control, Lutz leather saddlebags, travel trunk & barrel bag. The stock 2 up saddle is more than comfortable for daily ride of around 750 to 850 miles a day. I have other accessories on her but those are the major touring accessories I believe are the most useful for long rides and short weekend hop-ride (under 300 a day).
Tom is SOOOO right about the Drifter for the long haul. Here's a pic. of mine before I left for Maggie Valley...2,700 miles in a week, 46.3 mpg, and a really smooth, comfortable ride. 675 miles the first day, 470 the second...625 going back home the first day (Sunday), and 450 on Monday...I rode all over the country on a series of bikes, and finally got a "touring bike" in 1995...I thought I would get spoiled by the FLT, but the Drifter has it beat by (a lot of) miles....and a shot in Beloit, WI for my first fuel stop @ 180 miles..
Here's mine all decked out for the road. You'll even note in one pic a dozen beer strapped to the bike lol. Was comfortable and I only got stiff after being held up repeatedly in road construction. My eight hour trip home ended up taking 13.5 hrs. Mix of interstate and and some fairly challenging riding in the Adirondacs north of Lake George.
Unlike "purpose built" or "type" bikes, the Drifter can be anything that you want it to be, but always with the underlying theme of grand style....
Hi there,
2002 Drifter 1500 (Approx 17,000 miles on the ODO now)
I just did a run from Lincoln, NE through the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, then through Idaho to the Washington State coast. (Taking every NON-INTERSTATE road that I could use (Big Horn pass, anyone...Beartooth Pass anyone? BEAUTIFUL!!!))Over 5500 miles in 3 weeks in SEP 2014.
I have the stock one-seater and used some medium leather saddlebags and a (third) tail bag just large enough to hold a full-face helmet (just to give you an idea on size). Glacier had a 9-mile repair/dirt stretch on the Going to the Sun road, which irritated me and my street tires....and I elected to get on some rough gravel roads here and there...also not very cooperative with street tires...
That said, I had a blast, was comfortable as I have ever been (I've done some "Louisiana to the West Coast" rides in my time) and I had NO mechanical or otherwise motorcycle-related issues with my Drifter.
I am gearing up for a 2400 mile trip to Florida here in just a couple weeks.
Lessons learned (mostly personal, not to do with anything wrong with the motorcycle):
1. Not enough luggage room! (I am remedying that now. Just installed these Victory Saddlebags http://www.vikingbags.com/indian-chief-classic-trianon-motorcycle-saddlebags-7136-prd1.htm (http://www.vikingbags.com/indian-chief-classic-trianon-motorcycle-saddlebags-7136-prd1.htm). Had some clearance issues as they are very long in length, but overcame those)
2. Gravel Roads and sloppy old Dunlop street tires are not always copacetic! (Not much I can do there....I am on the street 99% of the time)
3. Some sort of fender trim or guards would have been nice. Ended up with a few chips here and there.
NOTHING about that long ride would stop me from getting on my Drifter and riding even farther!
Here is a pic from the Columbia River Basin. Notice the two hastily purchased and strapped-on bags to give me room for my cold-weather and rain gear. :)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wintermoonpublishing.com%2FMC%2F00002.jpg&hash=1e2bf70a9d74dd52cc1fae52f5afa2ff493cd648)
Better tires will really enhance the experience...I've put 52,000 miles on my '01 since 2010, when I got it running.
Quote from: Racewriter on August 02, 2014, 09:49:02 AM
What a beautiful bike! Thanks for the response. And to define 'touring' - for me, that's long distance riding, 500 miles or more in a day, probably a lot of it on the Interstate. I'm less worried about electronic add-ons than I am comfort and reliability.
Quote from: Troll on August 02, 2014, 08:40:41 AM
Ok...this is my forte. I replaced my H-D TourGLide with my Drifter 1500 5 years ago, now. Not looking back. I've done some 800 mile days on the Drifter, and in the time I've had it, I made it into the kind or tourer that I had back in the 60's...Bags, windshield, trunk, and double seat. It reminds me a lot of my '57 pan, but without the issues, vibration, and inevitable break downs on the road...I love it. On the 11th I'm embarking on my trip to my second Drift-In. Last year, I put 2,500 miles on her in a week, this year, I'm anticipating the same thing. I went out to Wyoming in '12, and put on 2,000 miles in 4 days...I normally run 70-75 mph on the Interstates, and my induction mods have gotten me a consistent 45 mpg at those speeds. Define what you mean by touring, please....Anyway, hare's a couple of pictures of what I have done since I put it on the road in the Spring of 2010...going on 48,000 miles ago. By the way, I've had no issues with the charging system, like some others may have stated. I have a stereo with a 500 watt amp, and the driving lamps, which I use at night...As soon as I saw it, I knew it was my next LDR...and I'm VERY satisfied.
I have a 2001 drifter I added a rockford fogate pbr300 (300 watt amp) and in stop and go traffic my battery gets weak what type of battery are you using my battery is an interstate a year old does anyone know what I can dot to improve the charging system someone told me to add another battery?
I bought my battery from the dealer a couple of years ago, when the original Yuasa finally died. I got the 20 A/h version, largest that will fit in the hole...the brand is, well, I don't know, it's from Parts unlimited, and cost about $25 less than the Yuasa of the same output and had the same one year warranty. It's a AGM just like all the rest, and probably was made in the same shack in China the Yuasa would have been, but without the "name Brand" price...I would put a good volt meter on your battery and check the output with the engine idling and at say, 2000 rpm, just to be sure the system is working correctly. One thing I did that you probably didn't is move my rectifier to the front, under the radiator. It will stay MUCH cooler there, and the thermister inside won't overheat in slow traffic.
I have two Iron Butt ride on my Drifter and too many 400-500 miles days rides to count. The only thing I did was change the risers on my bars and lowers to the forks to manage the wind.