[QUOTE="Steve"] 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.....[/QUOTE] I had my Drifter for 5 years and 30K miles. It was comfy, reliable, economical etc. Performance-wise, it was no ball of fire - probably comparable to your R80ST. Cornering will be comparable to the V-Max, except you'll be grinding the floorboards sooner. This will happen less as you learn not to go so fast in the corners. The wide handlebars shouldn't be a problem - they're fine at speed if you sit well back in the seat. You'll fine your inner thighs ache for the first few days as you get used to holding your legs together in the breeze. Hours on the motorway/autoroute/whatever at 80+MPH are no problem once you're used to it. Tank range will be between 100 and 130 miles to reserve under normal circumstances, depending on how you ride. My daily commute was 52 miles, and the Drifter was my main bike for most of the time I owned it. I've done 14-hour days in the saddle without pain. 60 miles a day wouldn't be a problem. It's rubbish for pillions - the saddle's fine, but the rear suspension is far too soft. There's a seven-position preload, which should be cranked up to the max for solo use. Damping is non-existent. Hagon do a monoshock and progressive fork springs, and Haynes do a book of lies. You'll go through rear brake pads quicker than fronts. You can fit a snotoiler out of sight behind the offside sidepanel. People riding behind you will be freaked by the movement of the rear mudguard. Wheelies won't be a problem, no matter how much you thrash it or dick around with the clutch. If I was getting another one, I'd go for a decent 2nd-hand one that hadn't been camped up by the ersatz Indian tendency. I wouldn't be bothered by high mileage - although you're unlikely to find a high-miler unless you happen on my old one - and I'd go for a dual seat rather than one of the solos if you're likely to have luggage: the rear mudguard is mounted on the swingarm, so there's nowhere to put panniers.
