Buying first Drifter 800, what to look out for

[shaman258]

Haha! It'll be about another week guys sorry! Trust me, no one is more on edge about it than I am! Wishing you all a great 2017!

[CDNRatMan]

    well no pressure but some of these people they live their lives through others......so you are just messing with their minds....lol......I am going to go upstairs and tinker on my bike now because there is nothing here to keep me.........

[shaman258]

Soooo, how did the Drifter work out?

Any news?

Sorry guys, didn't get up to see tit yet. Its been difficult to schedule with this guys since its the holidays. When he has been available I haven't been and vice versa. I'm looking at probably next week though. And I will DEFINITELY let you all know how it goes! Thanks for checking in everyone and I hope you all had a great xmas and got all kinds of new drifter goodies under the tree!

[Zoar]

We are all like little children around the tree waiting to hear the news........

Yea, true. And happy for the other kid with the train set or in this case his very own Drifter. But no pressure. I looked at a few Drifters before I bought mine.

So, even if it is just a good story about LOOKING at a Drifter, we'll take it. You don't need to buy it to satisfy our prurient needs.

[CDNRatMan]

  We are all like little children around the tree waiting to hear the news........

[Zoar]

Hey, I've been there, I've got 4 kids of my own so I know about $ issues believe me! I am definitely interested. I'm gonna go check out the other one (sorry, its cheaper and I saw it first) and see what kind of shape its in. If things don't work out then I will most likely make the drive up and have a look. Getting close to Xmas so scheduling might be a tad difficult but we can try and make it work...

Soooo, how did the Drifter work out?

Any news?

[dkeshish]

I've been flaking on sending him a video of my bike.  Will do it tomorrow since I was outta town.  Sorry man.

[Tfrank59]

hey, I hope you make the purchase of a drifter.  I have one as a second bike, my primary being a 1500 Honda cruiser, and the 800 drifter is a run-about for just having fun around town or secondary roads.  mine is an 06, last  year of production, with all the chrome kawi could fit on there, and it's a classic that gets me compliments almost every time I ride it--at least when it's warm enough that guys can say something from their cars at a red light;-).  One guy asked me how much one costs, so I held up three fingers--he though I meant 30k but I clarified. (I acutally got mine for under 3k)  I should have let it go and said "but I'll let you have this one for 20k!"   anyway, all that to say, these bikes are great looking, dependable and fun to ride.  what else matters?!  buy one and enjoy!

[greenbarn]

Keep us posted Shaman, We're all on the edge of our seats...    If you haven't been to see it yet, one thing the Drifter's are known to have problems with are steering neck bearings.  If it has a bad one, it will handle real squirrelly on corners, and you should be able to feel a "click" when you turn the bars back and forth.  Not a lot of money if you do it yourself, but something to check.

Did anyone mention pictures?  We really like pictures of nice shiney Drifters....

[shaman258]

Hey, I've been there, I've got 4 kids of my own so I know about $ issues believe me! I am definitely interested. I'm gonna go check out the other one (sorry, its cheaper and I saw it first) and see what kind of shape its in. If things don't work out then I will most likely make the drive up and have a look. Getting close to Xmas so scheduling might be a tad difficult but we can try and make it work...

[dkeshish]

I pm'd him with my info to sell my 800 the starfire pearl one :-) yes Ratman I still have it..  Couldn't pull the trigger since all u guys with your sob stories  made me regret it...  But now cash is what I need

Greetings! I will be purchasing my first Drifter 800 (hopefully) shortly. I have ridden motorcycles before (mainly Hondas) but this will be my first Kawasaki. I was hoping for some seasoned advice as to what to look for when buying a used one. Any advice on what to look out for so I don't end up buying something that is going to cost and arm and leg to fix would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

[CDNRatMan]

  I had my bike come with the stock 2 up seat, and had it customized to my specs. and it is perfect fit now. I am 5'11" and just tipping the scales at 245 lbs. I am the perfect weight for my height if I was 7  foot  9 inches but other than that, I can reach the ground flat footed and not a issue. I had a Corbin 2 up seat, but found it was to wide. Very comfortable while riding but when you stopped it was really wide.
Hope you get what you want.

[shaman258]

shaman 258, Just a heads up. The 800 Drifter with a solo seat sits high. I am 6' and 170. I consider myself average to lanky in build. My point is, that in normal thickness sole boots or shoes, my boots were not flat on the ground with the bike upright at a stop light. I opted for a Corbin seat that lowered ride height. Lowering springs are also available for our Drifters, but at a somewhat substantial price. Not trying to be a spoiler, but to give you honest info on the 800( as I see it). I love my Drifter in all ways. It is almost bullet proof, easy to work on and so unique that you will always be telling someone about it at the gas station or cruise night. Good luck on your purchase. CDD

Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it. They look pretty low but I guess I will see when I go tomorrow to check it out.

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

shaman 258, Just a heads up. The 800 Drifter with a solo seat sits high. I am 6' and 170. I consider myself average to lanky in build. My point is, that in normal thickness sole boots or shoes, my boots were not flat on the ground with the bike upright at a stop light. I opted for a Corbin seat that lowered ride height. Lowering springs are also available for our Drifters, but at a somewhat substantial price. Not trying to be a spoiler, but to give you honest info on the 800( as I see it). I love my Drifter in all ways. It is almost bullet proof, easy to work on and so unique that you will always be telling someone about it at the gas station or cruise night. Good luck on your purchase. CDD

[shaman258]

shaman258 I bought my 800 for the same reasons as you have said, just to ride around the local area and to and from work. I worked really fine for that and it was really fun to ride. But I got tired of all the people with their big engine bikes telling me that the 800 was too small for any touring. Real sad but I can remember when the Honda 750 four was the big bad bike....I also remember my Honda 550 four which I rode near across canada one summer.
I have customized my 2 up seat on the 800 I now can ride for 8 to 10 hours without issues, and while the 800 runs really well at the 80 to 120 km range, this summer I ran in the 120 to 130 km per hour range for the full day and the bike never flinched,faltered, it ran strong and was a dream to ride.
It is all about what you can afford and what you can make due with.....my 800 fits all my needs and I make it work.....
It would be nice to have your bike under the tree xmas morning with a big bow on it........

I'm with you 100%. I know what I want and what I'm looking for and from what I've read the drifter is the bike to give it to me. I'm 5'10 155lbs so I don't need a huge engine to get me moving. I had a little Honda 400 that was fun as hell and plenty fast for me! Big Harley guys always razzed me until they saw how fast I got going. An 800 has all the guts I need I believe. Thanks for your insight!

[pcarrell]

I was merely suggesting the 1500 for touring because it has a 2 shock rear suspension, verses the monoshock on the 800.  The 800 would certainly work, but I just thought the 1500 might be more comfortable for 2 people and a bunch of gear.

[CDNRatMan]

shaman258 I bought my 800 for the same reasons as you have said, just to ride around the local area and to and from work. I worked really fine for that and it was really fun to ride. But I got tired of all the people with their big engine bikes telling me that the 800 was too small for any touring. Real sad but I can remember when the Honda 750 four was the big bad bike....I also remember my Honda 550 four which I rode near across canada one summer.
I have customized my 2 up seat on the 800 I now can ride for 8 to 10 hours without issues, and while the 800 runs really well at the 80 to 120 km range, this summer I ran in the 120 to 130 km per hour range for the full day and the bike never flinched,faltered, it ran strong and was a dream to ride.
It is all about what you can afford and what you can make due with.....my 800 fits all my needs and I make it work.....
It would be nice to have your bike under the tree xmas morning with a big bow on it........

[pcarrell]

Yes, I should have clarified, I will only be riding rarely with my wife. Its primarily just going to be for me to cruise around town and go to work on. No rush on the dual seat. Really hoping that this deal goes through, Im going to look at it tomorrow (maybe xmas present? fingers crossed!)

An 800 will work great for that!  I hope that the bike you're looking at is everything you're looking for!

[mittico68]

It would really be a GREAT present...
Good luck!

[shaman258]

The 800 is a great bike, and it can do many things, but I see that you mentioned riding with the wife.  If it's just an occasional ride, no problem, but if you want to do some touring, like state to state stuff, a 1500 might be a better choice.  The 1500, with it's dual rear shocks, is better suited to touring then the 800 with it's mono-shock.

Don't get me wrong.  The 800 is a fantastic bike.  It's just that you mentioned a passenger, and the 1500 is better suited to touring.

Yes, I should have clarified, I will only be riding rarely with my wife. Its primarily just going to be for me to cruise around town and go to work on. No rush on the dual seat. Really hoping that this deal goes through, Im going to look at it tomorrow (maybe xmas present? fingers crossed!)

[pcarrell]

Plus Indian_fan travelled from Jamestown ND to Ingalls IN to buy a broken 1500 for parts....

That was a sad, yet happy day for me.  Sad to see her go, yet glad she kept another Drifter on the road.

[pcarrell]

The 800 is a great bike, and it can do many things, but I see that you mentioned riding with the wife.  If it's just an occasional ride, no problem, but if you want to do some touring, like state to state stuff, a 1500 might be a better choice.  The 1500, with it's dual rear shocks, is better suited to touring then the 800 with it's mono-shock.

Don't get me wrong.  The 800 is a fantastic bike.  It's just that you mentioned a passenger, and the 1500 is better suited to touring.

[CDNRatMan]

  Well FYI I travelled 3 hours (one way) to go and get mine. I know MikeakaFred travelled from Nova scotia to Montreal to get his.......Plus Indian_fan travelled from Jamestown ND to Ingalls IN to buy a broken 1500 for parts....lol so we all do what we think needs doing......

[shaman258]

Thanks! I'm in San Diego. I'm going to go and look at it for sure, its not very close to me (2hr drive away). I really hope all is well with it. I will definitely let you all know how it goes!

[CDNRatMan]

  Here is one.......

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-motorcycle-parts-accessories/cambridge/2up-seat-and-custom-cover-kawasaki-drifter-800/1224695424?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true