VN800 Drifter

I'm shortly going to start a 60 mile round trip to work each day and have a
half baked idea that a VN800 Drifter is just what I need.
Has anyone had one and are they any good? Any common probs to look out for
buying?
Due to varying degrees of knackeredness / impracticality none of the bikes
in my sig are suitable.....

Cheers

Steve

 

If it's got a screen on it you should be OK, without one (if it's
anything like the 1500) any speed above 50mph is fucking hard work.

The Drifter's a bit ugly though innit?

I've got a VN1500 Classic, so I probably can't help with the 800. I'm
not aware of any problems to look out for though.

 

You might be right.

Paging Platypus!

If the one you're looking at seems to have upside-down forks, check that
the rest of the bike isn't inverted too.

<pedant mode>

*is* suitable.

 

Spend some of the money that you would spend buying a drifter on fixing
the ST.

I owned an ST for a few years, and I've also ridden Platy's VN800. The
ST is a significantly more capable machine and far better suited to a 60
mile commute day in day out.

I've not known an airhead Beemer that's too knackered to be fixed

 

What's wrong with the ST?

Can I have it?

 

<waves>

I'll give the V-Max a good home.

 

<Des mode>
None may be followed by either a singular or a plural verb, whichever is
logically appropriate.
</Des mode>

 

Heh, I've always seen you as a potential V-Max owner.

Dunno why.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
Space in shed where NSR125 used to be
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005/6), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow), OMF#11

 

'Cos I have well-documented views wrt Maxes?

I was loaned one for several months after I killed my CB750 and I
loved it. The constant challenge of cornering: write a polite request
and slip it under the headstock at least 50m pre-corner, await
bar-wiggle to signify assent, assume the position, crank over and gas
at the apex ... oh, happy (wayward) days ...

 

Had one? Yes
Got one? Yes
Any good? Yes, very.
Recommend it? Ho yuss!

Common problems? Cracked platics cost a fortune to replace.
Lack of Kawasaki dealer knowledge.
Not marketed well in the UK so very few of them around.
Lots of good stuff in the Forums and on Yahoo groups.
Try google for VDOG (Vulcan Drifter Owners Group), UKDOG, and VROC
there is a newsgroup on the other side of the pond.
1999 was the first year of production, so mostly blacked.
2000 onwards start of the chrome years. Usual caveat on lots of chrome.

But mechanically bomb-proof.
Brakes might need cleaning for best performance, given the exposed position.

Remember this is a grunty cruiser not a sportsbike.
Performance Bikes tried to ride one of these and failed!
There is a gear lever (heel and toe) but learn not to use it!
I have been known to start in second gear and not change gear until I leave
town. (0-30mph)

Top speed I have had out of an 800 was 105mph at Avon Park Raceway. Very
hard work to get there,
so if speed is important then look elsewhere. If 100 miles in comfort is
desirable then take one for a test ride.

the Drifter is a polarising motorcycle, people either love it or loathe it
with a vengeance, there are no half measures.

YMMV

Dave
UKDOG #12
VDOG#560

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, someone here

But there are half-rolls.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - To stay young requires unceasing cultivation of
the ability to unlearn old falsehoods.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

*snigger*

 

Don't recall having seen such views, but prolly have.

Don't take this the wrong way, but the main reason is that most of the V-Max
riders I have encountered have some very Pip-like characteristics.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)

My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
Space in shed where NSR125 used to be
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005/6), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow), OMF#11

 

YES It is a blindingly obvious point, V-Twin cruiser handles differently to
a sports bike,
but it needs to be said before someone spends money. The OP needs to be
placed in
a cruiser mindset before the test ride.

The Performance Bikes test rider had a great problem with the test bike not
responding to gear changes and hard braking in the same way as the Kawasaki
ZX6

I would imagine that you would declare my bike to handle like brown sloppy
stuff
with carp acceleration, I know that I found the two bikes you mentioned to
be unrideable
after twenty minutes, possibly less now.

Dave

 

What's that like then? "like shit off a landing net"?

 

It has been described that way! LOL

But then you should have heard what I said about his pride and joy.

 

'Fraid not - theres nowt wrong with it apart from the fact I took it bits
for a refurb that I an out of time to do. Anytime now [1] it will be back
together.
Of course large sums of cash change all viewpoints. How badly do you want
it?

Steve

[1] Ok , maybe next year.

 

Its got one I'm afraid its just that it goes something like:

Smile, Smile, Change Trousers, Smile, Smile, Splutter, Reserve, Slow, Petrol
Station.

Repeat above ad infinitum.

Not much good for commuting you see.

Steve

 

Yeah I got one. Don't bother. Its not that sort of bike, honestly. Its great
fun, girlfiend loves it, but you want something more practical ie a plastic
bike (race rep, trail or what have you), but not meaning that in a bad way.
I actually fancy a race bike but no space.
You will regret it otherwise.

 

emailed