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Kawasaki Drifter, Is This A Fair Price?


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this would be for a girl. a girl that really wants a indian bad but can't afford it right now. i told her to buy a drifter, take good care of it, ride it for the next year or so while you save for the real thing, and then probably get most or all her money back out of it.

 

i know pretty much nothing about them cause i never cared to. chances are, i'll be the one helping/supervising the preventave maintance on the bike. most all the reviews i'm seeing on them are pretty positive.

this one looks nice, but i think its priced about $1,200 too high cause of the milage, no extras, and its a 800cc. any input is greatly appreciated :Cheers[1]:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Vulcan-VN800-Drifter-800-Drifter-very-nice-condition-Indian-look-a-like-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c189638e2QQitemZ120671582434QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles

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I think for that price she could get herself into a Sporster or an 883 , then she wouldn't get so much kidding from us. ( NOT) There is quite a difference between a 1500 and a 800 ( looks wise ) and theres just something about that seat that has me :smileypuking: But never mind what I say cause I am only half Cree and my other half wears a kilt

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Good bikes.

Price seems high though, did you check what it should be worth through KBB or NADA

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I think for that price she could get herself into a Sporster or an 883 , then she wouldn't get so much kidding from us. ( NOT) There is quite a difference between a 1500 and a 800 ( looks wise ) and theres just something about that seat that has me :smileypuking: But never mind what I say cause I am only half Cree and my other half wears a kilt

 

$4,000 is her max borrow limit. her payments will be around $80 a month. easily do-able for her, and can save for a indian.

i figured for that price, a reliable bike that needs no work would be better off with a ricer, than a harley.

 

nada puts it inbetween $3100 and $4000

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.........digging.gif

 

..Mcds.jpg

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and by no extras, i mean no extra bolt on stuff.....2 up seat, bags, etc.... does have a windshield though

 

Those fake John White war bonnet gizmos on the gas tank made me think it it wasn't a real Indian. But it does say "Indian Drifter" on the front fender in good old god fearing American chrome and that's good enough for me. If it says Indian it's an Indian just as sure as my 1937 Sport Scout or Brock's Red Hot Bitch is an Indian.

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The bike's worth between $3k and $4k according to NADA.

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if she wants to ride a Pretendian on the cheap....

most Indian riders don't really mind the Drifters,,,BUT...it's the Drifter dudes who put Indian tank badges on them, that I got a problem with..

I'm sorry, but none of the classic Indian lines and that saddle is ready for the Gay Pride Parade.... where this bike belongs..

 

Indian01.jpg

 

notanIndian.jpg

Edited by HARLEYNOT
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she loves the big fender and vintage look. I won't touch a copycat bike that says "indian" on it. the indian badge on the fender would come off. I agree re-badging a drifter with a indian logo is pretty fuckin redneck.

seat is gay, but probably comfy. I think I already found a better deal for her though

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lol! i just made all you guys watch every bit of that! :Cartoon_1238::Cartoon_1238::Cartoon_1238::rotfl:

 

 

well...a couple of us bailed out early, and have learned to never go back!

the 800 cc drifter will be nice if she's a rookie rider, as they're not real quick...and they do have a low seat height. i'd think you could find one for less, and closer to home

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You can put an Indian tank decal on a turd... but in the end it's still a turd.

 

 

Cough up another 3 or grand for her so she get a Scout, you might even get some

 

 

In my youth (when I didn't know any better) I rode a KZ-900 and KZ 1000, both were really good bikes FAST and never gave me a lick of mechanical trouble.

 

Beer-Chug[1].gif

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..................made me think it it wasn't a real Indian................... If it says Indian it's an Indian

i think their blasphemy,
if she wants to ride a Pretendian
You can put an Indian tank decal on a turd... but in the end it's still a turd.

 

Hmm, interesting comments. Do they apply to Ki wi Indian too? His bikes have the Indian badge or are we just pick'n on the Drifter because, well, it's a Drifter? (Just stir'n the pot.) wink.gif

Edited by Vintage229
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i am still wet behind the ears, another words... still pretty stupid about indian history.

what exactly does the kiwi brand do? and how are they associated with indian?

They build/sell parts for the older Springfield Indians and provide restoration services. They also make their own bikes (replica's). Click on the link provided and look in the "Kiwi manufactured models" section to see their bikes. They also make an 84 cu Indian flathead motor of which I have for my custom '47. No association with the Kings Mountain folks. They are just one of many who cater to owners of the Springfield era. Edited by Vintage229
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They build/sell parts for the older Springfield Indians and provide restoration services. They also make their own bikes (replica's). Click on the link provided and look in the "Kiwi manufactured models" section to see their bikes. They also make an 84 cu Indian flathead motor of which I have for my custom '47. No association with the Kings Mountain folks. They are just one of many who cater to owners of the Springfield era.

 

then no.... me personally,... i would not put them in the same boat as the huge japanese kawasaki brand motorcycle company that made the obvious vintage indian chief knock-off's. however, i hold no bad judgement on kawasaki for their drifter series model run. as long as they didn't go putting the name "indian" or "chief" anywhere on the bike

 

just my 2 cents

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Hmm, interesting comments. Do they apply to Ki wi Indian too? His bikes have the Indian badge or are we just pick'n on the Drifter because, well, it's a Drifter? (Just stir'n the pot.) wink.gif

 

because up until about a month ago Mike (at kiwi) was building bikes that were way more than just a bastard step child...those Drifters are Pretendians...Kiwi's are not. They are much more than a tribute bike...I saw and heard that x-wedge he built a couple of years ago and it was for real..

 

.cool...CHIEFTIN...

 

To be specific, putting Indian badges or tank stickers on you Drifter is a bad move. You might as well wear a fake Rolex and put some swap meet Louie Vuitton saddle bags on it while your at it..

 

..not cool..PB300006.jpg

Edited by HARLEYNOT
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