I have always loved these bikes. I was at a national antique motorcycle meet (AMCA) in Davenport, Iowa when these were new and someone had wheeled one of these at the end of a line of beautifully restored '30s-'50s Indians as a joke, like it was to be judged in the show. I'm sure someone heard about it when the judges discovered it, but at the time I was there, people were just walking past it, not giving it a second glance or saying anything about it, like it belonged there. That's a good copy!
I love the old time styling that never goes out of style! I never did keep up with the Joneses I would drive old school into eternity one school always cool Bad Company run with the pack
I've got the 800 2006 Indian Drifter 5500 original miles 3 Grand cash actually I seen several of them this spring come up for sale there was another one that was just beautiful with all the leather saddlebags ostrich seat everything it was Immaculate for three grand in Arkansas put the one I bought was in the neighborhood so I got it anyways I've been having a lot of fun on it
I love the 1500 Drifter. I think the 800 Drifter looks more retro with the hidden rear shocks but obviously the 1500 is a better road bike. I remember seeing them on the dealer showroom floor in 1998 or 99 and feeling Wow! Good price too. But that wasn't my priority then, wife and children were. Now I want one.
I've got a 1999 1500 Drifter just like this with 14k miles. Kawasaki says that there were 9,000 1500 cc made between 1999-2005. Only the first two years were blacked-out to mimic a 1948 Chief. Drifters from 2001-2005 were chrome.
@@JVWinalberta Agreed. The 1948 Chiefs were mostly black-out and also had two visibly mounted 'plunger style' rear shocks (albeit slightly different location than the 1500 Drifter) while the Harleys of the era were still using a rigid frame with their 48 Hydra-Glide.
There's one like it for sale in Harrisonburg, VA. Same color. I showed it to my g/f and she said it was very pretty. Which bike or bikes are you gonna get rid of before you go get it? I hate having to make a choice! Beautiful bike, I hope you have many miles and smiles on it.
@@JVWinalberta I told my girlfriend what you said, she didn't find it humorus. I thought it was a great idea. But maybe a storage unit near the grocery store.. "Honey, I'm going for some hamburger. See in a couple hours"
I'm looking for some used Fish Tales for my vn800 Drifter if anyone has access we can do some trade and have them shipped I'm in southern Missouri Ozarks thanks also some rear saddlebag crash bars thank you it's a 2006 model
You forgot to mention radiator, short stroke, under square Bore 103mm Stroke 90mm. No torque, constantly changing gears. Typical Japanese bike, but with Indian fenders, with no pleasure in riding.
True, a little less refined from some other offerings like the Yamaha XVS1900, but kind of makes up for it with that look, eh?. And that engine, man, goes back to 87 or 88, kind of long in the tooth, except at the time it was quite the V twin.
@@JVWinalbertaI've got a 2006 VN 800 Drifter I really love the bike I want to put fish tales on it but will that mess up the tuning in the exhaust? Right now it's got Vance and Hines on it ? I always love to the old Harleys and Indians of course I had a wife and kids back in those days .so I can afford this bike for $3,000 with with 5,000 original miles. and it's got the old time look that I love. you know I was a barn painter in Wisconsin and in 1994 there was an original full dress 47 Indian chief in the barn and it had everything on it. I probably could have bought it .he said right out his family was not interested in it ! the bike he drove it there and parked it after the war!! I just never had a bank loan in my live 😮so I didn't even throw him an offer! That's before prices went crazy on old Harley and Indian .I was painting his barn and I was a barn painter .how can I forget my one opportunity at a full dress 47 Chief right
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I have always loved these bikes. I was at a national antique motorcycle meet (AMCA) in Davenport, Iowa when these were new and someone had wheeled one of these at the end of a line of beautifully restored '30s-'50s Indians as a joke, like it was to be judged in the show. I'm sure someone heard about it when the judges discovered it, but at the time I was there, people were just walking past it, not giving it a second glance or saying anything about it, like it belonged there. That's a good copy!
Yep, they really do look the part!
Super cool bike. What a great look
I love the old time styling that never goes out of style! I never did keep up with the Joneses I would drive old school into eternity one school always cool Bad Company run with the pack
Was aware of them but I don't believe I've ever seen one in person . Cool bike .
Hey Jay I like the video of my bike , Marlene loves it , runs great thanks for all the work you did five stars 👍I’m a subscriber now thanks again.
Cheers! Thank you as well.
I've got the 800 2006 Indian Drifter 5500 original miles 3 Grand cash actually I seen several of them this spring come up for sale there was another one that was just beautiful with all the leather saddlebags ostrich seat everything it was Immaculate for three grand in Arkansas put the one I bought was in the neighborhood so I got it anyways I've been having a lot of fun on it
Just broken in. That's a good deal for 3K.
Really like these Drifters, but I hate it when I see people putting Indian stickers on them.
Drifter 800 was a lot more successful sales wise and a lot more affordable .
I love the 1500 Drifter. I think the 800 Drifter looks more retro with the hidden rear shocks but obviously the 1500 is a better road bike. I remember seeing them on the dealer showroom floor in 1998 or 99 and feeling Wow! Good price too. But that wasn't my priority then, wife and children were. Now I want one.
They are out there, but shop hard
I've got a 1999 1500 Drifter just like this with 14k miles. Kawasaki says that there were 9,000 1500 cc made between 1999-2005. Only the first two years were blacked-out to mimic a 1948 Chief. Drifters from 2001-2005 were chrome.
That's interesting. Personally, I like the black better. Kind of stays true to an image they were copying?
@@JVWinalberta Agreed. The 1948 Chiefs were mostly black-out and also had two visibly mounted 'plunger style' rear shocks (albeit slightly different location than the 1500 Drifter) while the Harleys of the era were still using a rigid frame with their 48 Hydra-Glide.
There's one like it for sale in Harrisonburg, VA. Same color. I showed it to my g/f and she said it was very pretty. Which bike or bikes are you gonna get rid of before you go get it? I hate having to make a choice!
Beautiful bike, I hope you have many miles and smiles on it.
I know some guys that rent aircraft hangars with their buddy's, hide bikes in. Not saying, just saying! lol
@@JVWinalberta I told my girlfriend what you said, she didn't find it humorus. I thought it was a great idea.
But maybe a storage unit near the grocery store.. "Honey, I'm going for some hamburger. See in a couple hours"
I had the same identical bike. I got it up to 90 and blew the rear head gasket. I ride Harleys now.
Crappy luck on that one for sure.
My KZ1000Police bike leaked like a siev at 35000 miles, ans didn;t like the cold Ohio weather
There is 800 and 900 ccm version...
I remember them.
I’m trying to find one great video
I'm looking for some used Fish Tales for my vn800 Drifter if anyone has access we can do some trade and have them shipped I'm in southern Missouri Ozarks thanks also some rear saddlebag crash bars thank you it's a 2006 model
Sure, but will it wake up the entire neighborhood, leak oil, and require ruinously expensive maintenance like an American cruiser? hahaha
Someones never owned a Japanese cruiser
You forgot to mention radiator, short stroke, under square Bore 103mm Stroke 90mm. No torque, constantly changing gears. Typical Japanese bike, but with Indian fenders, with no pleasure in riding.
True, a little less refined from some other offerings like the Yamaha XVS1900, but kind of makes up for it with that look, eh?. And that engine, man, goes back to 87 or 88, kind of long in the tooth, except at the time it was quite the V twin.
@@JVWinalbertaI've got a 2006 VN 800 Drifter I really love the bike I want to put fish tales on it but will that mess up the tuning in the exhaust? Right now it's got Vance and Hines on it ? I always love to the old Harleys and Indians of course I had a wife and kids back in those days .so I can afford this bike for $3,000 with with 5,000 original miles. and it's got the old time look that I love. you know I was a barn painter in Wisconsin and in 1994 there was an original full dress 47 Indian chief in the barn and it had everything on it. I probably could have bought it .he said right out his family was not interested in it ! the bike he drove it there and parked it after the war!! I just never had a bank loan in my live 😮so I didn't even throw him an offer! That's before prices went crazy on old Harley and Indian .I was painting his barn and I was a barn painter .how can I forget my one opportunity at a full dress 47 Chief right