Hello All,
New to the board. I've run across the Drifter as I look to add a Cruiser to my garage. ( currently I ride a 650 Burgman ).
I love the classic look and have found one at a dealer. Its a 2002 1500. I've yet to do the personal inspection but have a couple of questions:
1) Aside from the usual, anything specific on a 2002 to watch out for?
2) I'm a basic wrench ( oil change, plugs and the like ) but I'm not set up for, nor do I have the skills for in depth service and repair. Is buying a 15 year old bike asking for trouble? ( I could by a $15K Indian I guess )
3) What do you think will need to be done to bring her into a condition of safe and reliable service to the years to come. Cost?
Finally, I plan on using it to cruise around town, occasionally, the Mrs. will allow her hair to get messed up and join me. Am I better off with a 800? I'm a big man ( 6'4" / 240 ) and plan on keeping the 650 so I'm thinking 1500. Make sense?
Thanks all,
Larry
Somewhat new to the Drifter world myself, bought a 1500 in May and picking up an 800 this Saturday. I am 235 6.0 and so far I am over the moon happy with the bike. I also have 1500 Valkyries and was pleasantly surprised with the awesome feel of the Drfter 1500. Smooth well balanced, just a joy to pilot. And not top heavy! Lastly I am starting to feel my way around this bike as fork parts getting PC and new paint the bike is in pieces. I like wrenching this Drifter much better than the Valks! I can see it is built very well and no you should not be overly concerned as this Japanese stuff is high quality.
Well seeing as you have the manhood swinging going on ...I am 5'11' and 245, and ride a Drifter 800 and am really happy with it......so there....
Quote from: LarryBud on July 24, 2017, 06:03:34 AM
Hello All,
New to the board. I've run across the Drifter as I look to add a Cruiser to my garage. ( currently I ride a 650 Burgman ).
I love the classic look and have found one at a dealer. Its a 2002 1500. I've yet to do the personal inspection but have a couple of questions:
1) Aside from the usual, anything specific on a 2002 to watch out for?
2) I'm a basic wrench ( oil change, plugs and the like ) but I'm not set up for, nor do I have the skills for in depth service and repair. Is buying a 15 year old bike asking for trouble? ( I could by a $15K Indian I guess )
3) What do you think will need to be done to bring her into a condition of safe and reliable service to the years to come. Cost?
Finally, I plan on using it to cruise around town, occasionally, the Mrs. will allow her hair to get messed up and join me. Am I better off with a 800? I'm a big man ( 6'4" / 240 ) and plan on keeping the 650 so I'm thinking 1500. Make sense?
Thanks all,
Larry
The 1500 is a pretty heavy bike for 'around town' cruising. I love my 01 1500 but it's definitely more at home on the open road. Not sure if 800 is better; I don't have any experience with that but there are those on the site that have both - hopefully they'll chime in.
As far as thing to look out for on the 1500...
I've had my share of electrical issues, all related to connector pins breaking. A royal pain in the ass but not that difficult to repair with the right tools (i.e crimper) and a good supply of connector pins (which I had to order from Japan).
My 01 tends to ping (i.e. detonate) when it's hot even with 94 octane fuel. Been that way since new - I took it back to the dealer several times to investigate but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. It got better when I replaced a bunch of ECU pins but it still pings.
I've always been very disappointed with the level of mechanical noise emanating from the engine. It makes all manner of knocks, pings, tapping, and other embarrassing noises. Other Vulcan 1500 owners say it's normal but if so, there's some shitty design in there somewhere. The last few years I've had some loud top end noise (always been there but now it's louder) I suspect a lifter has gone south or there's a problem with the compression release.
It's not uncommon for the rear differential seal to leak at the drive shaft input. Oil creeps up the swing-arm and drips from the rubber boot at the U-Joint. Mine leaked early and was fixed under warranty and hasn't happened again. If you can do the work yourself, I don't think it's an expensive or complicated fix (but I've never done it).
The clutches are a bit dodgy and a lot of folks have slippage issues. Mine lasted about 60k kms before I had to put in upgraded springs from a Meanstreak (and I changed the fibre plates - probably could have got away without doing that as the plates were well within tolerances). It's a pretty easy job. Some folks have installed a washer kit to put more pressure on the clutch springs which has a side effect of disabling the slipper clutch - not a good idea on such a torquey motor IMHO but some people prefer it that way.
Well, the 1500 got away from me as it was sold before I could check it out. I'm now on the hunt for a nice Drifter. I'm waffling between the 1500 and 805. 90% of my riding will be tooling around the town and poking around the back roads. I would like to load up the Mrs. so I'll see what shows up around the Midwest.
Thanks for your advice.
Quote from: Bucko on July 25, 2017, 14:55:17 PM
The 1500 is a pretty heavy bike for 'around town' cruising. I love my 01 1500 but it's definitely more at home on the open road.
Dang, compared to my 1520 Valkyries the Drifter 1500 is a mini bike, as far as the feel - ease and excellent agility!
Quote from: LarryBud on July 27, 2017, 20:29:09 PM
Well, the 1500 got away from me as it was sold before I could check it out. I'm now on the hunt for a nice Drifter.
The nice ones don't last long. Especially if they have accessories added or included as they are getting hard to find.
O.D.: On the 800....
- simpler machine; less mechanical issues....just read the forum....most problem solving is about the 1500
- the 800 is an easy bike for around town...the monoshock suspension makes for nice handling...and don't sell it short on long distance....I drove 500 plus miles each way to a Drift-In a few years back.....it is fine on the highway for fill-up to fill-up driving without modification
- if you are riding one up and don't need the extra power, the 800 is more than adequate and will get you started. If you really need more, you can always trade up
- 1500, because of more conventional frame/suspension is easier to accessorize when it comes to saddlebags, luggage, etc.
Bought my 800 5 years ago not knowing what to expect, but have put about 20K miles on it....so it is just about to turn 30K...no issues of note...have only changed the original chain and tires as necessary. Drive it around town and to work (70 miles round trip). Good solid, old school feeling machine....in a Japanese kind of way.
Hold out for one that hasn't been screwed with....you won't be sorry. Since most people going for the 1500, there may be more 800s to choose from.
You can't go wrong either way, but thought you should hear from an 800 rider. Very happy with the machine.
Good luck
Me too, I own a 800 (since 1999) and I'm really happy with it.
I've been drivin' her both around town and on highways on long trips, and never ever found something wrong with her!
I've been also drivin' with the 2-up set and now with the mono seat, and all I can say is that I've never felt the need for extra power.
Just my 2 cents...
Hello, Larry. I know that you posted this a few months ago. Did you find your new drifter? If you are still looking I'm selling my 99 1500. I haven't posted it in the classifieds yet though. But pm me if you are interested.