A Drifter hate letter to the editor of V-Twin. This oughtta make your blood boil

[cudaosix]

Mines pretty easy since it says Kawasaki in big letter across the tank. The thing is most people dont know what kind of Kaw it is. So I tell them, and they still dont know what it is.

[MeanWon]

I just visited the Indian web site and I think they are better looking than most HD's. However, I think the Drifter looks as good if not better and we all know what the reliability of the Drifter is. The Drifter, especially in person, gives me a woody. I can't help but think if one comes up for sale used in the near future that will be my next bike.

[cjjtulsa]

Originally Posted by MeanWon

I just visited the Indian web site and I think they are better looking than most HD's. However, I think the Drifter looks as good if not better and we all know what the reliability of the Drifter is. The Drifter, especially in person, gives me a woody. I can't help but think if one comes up for sale used in the near future that will be my next bike.

Still laughing.....

[WhatMap]

If it helps, I have 2002 chief and the reason I bought one was I wanted something USA other than HD. I also ride a 2005 Vulcan 1600 classic, and 1971 Triumph. So I think to take a Kaw and dress it up to look like something else maybe, I say have fun and ride it into the ground. I don't care what you ride I just want to ride, and when I do go for a run I ask differnt friends to go and I'll tell ya the ones that ride metric just seem to be happy to ride as well. Take care,
Oh and the indian has more USA made parts on it than any HD on the road, if that's a big deal to ya.

[Scruffy]

Indian died off the last time for the same reason it died the first time, outsourced parts and mismanagement. The latest incarnation? We'll see...

I liked the last batch of Indians, even if they did have Chinese transmissions and S&S knock-offs of the Evolution HD engine. Fit and finish was pretty good. The S&S E series carb was a bit touchy, but, so is the one on my 800A. Better forks and brakes than same era HDs. Better paint, upholstery and chrome than most other manufacturers (assemblers, whatever, stupid semantics).

Decking out a 1500 Drifter as an Indian Chief Roadmaster? I say go for it... Old or repop Indian parts fit like they were made for it, physically and aesthetically. The "baby Drifter" makes a nice full dress Scout by the way.

As for the bashing by the letter writer, each to their own. If I want a bike close to the originals, Kiwi Indian makes an all new 84 cubic inch flathead Chief bobber. Closer than the Drifters, closer than the late model Indians. Too rich for my blood...
-Scruffy

Oh, V-Twin magazine tends to be a waste of paper IMHO... I prefer Biker, Outlaw Biker and The Horse Backstreet Choppers.

[Mr_Lycos]

Originally Posted by Scruffy

Oh, V-Twin magazine tends to be a waste of paper IMHO... I prefer Biker, Outlaw Biker and The Horse Backstreet Choppers.

That is the only chopper magazine that actually understands what a chopper is.....

[PainlessWolf]

Morning Bikers,
I dunno, whenever I ride my Drifter 800 out and park it, I come out of where ever I went and theres always one or two people or more standing around admiring it. ...and theres not a single piece of Indian badgework on it anywhere... The Kawasaki icons are all I need to see on it and lots of folks like and appreciate it for just what it is, a beautiful and well put together motorcycle. Looks old(read classic), runs new. Just what I wanted back when I was researching new Bikes last year.
Painless Black Wolf
...Here for the Dawn...

Drifter 800

[joecruiser]

Originally Posted by Cabo

This one of the reasons I will not debadge my bike. When people ask what it is I tell them very proudly,,, It's a Kawasaki Nomad. Don't get much response other than that's a nice bike...

I'm with you Cabo. I'm not ashamed of my Vulcan Classic. For one thing, I want those Harley zealots to know who kicked their butt in every which way.

The Drifter was a tribute to the Indian and was not intended to replace the original Indian. As such, the Drifter should be praised for the fine machine that it is on its own merits without having to compare it to the original.

[ImpactG]

I think folks just don't like 'posers' (or whatever term you want to use). Heck, it's hard to respect someone who's misrepresenting themselves in any aspect of life.

Whether you ride Kawi or Harley - be true to the choice you've made. I choose metric and I'll proudly admit it to anyone. I have friends who feel the same way about H-D. Fine! That's great! Just be stand-up about it.

... but I better not see any of those Harleys with Kawi badges all over them. That'd just tick me off!

[Xlr8n]

I personally feel that since the Drifter was produced as an obvious copy/tribute/replica or whatever else you what to call it of an classic Indian motorcycle, that by adding the fender ornament and badges, you are just finishing out the look. Nobody should feel offended by what someone wants to do with their bike. Any true biker should be able to tell the obvious differences between the two bikes anyway. I really don't feel the guy was trying to misrepresent himself or his bike, but merely paying homage to the classic Indian style. If he is happy with his bike, that's all that matters IMHO.

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

I personally feel that since the Drifter was produced as an obvious copy/tribute/replica or whatever else you what to call it of an classic Indian motorcycle, that by adding the fender ornament and badges, you are just finishing out the look. Nobody should feel offended by what someone wants to do with their bike. Any true biker should be able to tell the obvious differences between the two bikes anyway. I really don't feel the guy was trying to misrepresent himself or his bike, but merely paying homage to the classic Indian style. If he is happy with his bike, that's all that matters IMHO.

And if that's the case... sure! There's no problem with someone doing that. However, it's hard to guess another person's motivation when you don't know the guy or his situation. Meet him, ask him questions about the bike before an opinion is formed. It seems riders or bikers can be quick to stereotype. I'm sure some of us are as guilty of that as the next.

I try my best not to be.

[cudaosix]

Dont we have a member that did just that? Place Indian badges on his Drifter? I remember seeing a thread about that. Mabey he will chime in.

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by ImpactG

And if that's the case... sure! There's no problem with someone doing that. However, it's hard to guess another person's motivation when you don't know the guy or his situation. Meet him, ask him questions about the bike before an opinion is formed. It seems riders or bikers can be quick to stereotype. I'm sure some of us are as guilty of that as the next.

I try my best not to be.

After having read the short magazine article in question, that is the feeling I got. One of the benefits of being an American is be able to express yourself through the design of your personal motorcycle, but on that same note, being the "Land of the free" also give others the right to object to that design as well. To each there own.

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by cudaosix

Dont we have a member that did just that? Place Indian badges on his Drifter? I remember seeing a thread about that. Mabey he will chime in.

I believe the bike you are thinking of can be seen in this current thread (Nice bike): http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...t=18782&page=2

[cudaosix]

Yes, thats the one. Man those Drifters are sweet looking cruisers.

[elr658]

You can go to Canal St in Manhattan and buy fake Rolexes for $20 all day.

The following opinion is not meant to disparage the Drifter.

Before anybody gets the scalp in a twist, listen to this Schatgicoke Indian.

The Drifter is a fine bike. I enjoyed my time on one immensely. I even liked working on it. Great bike, among the best of the cruisers. I've ridden everything including the last incarnation of the Indian. Harley clone with skirted fenders built from a Custom Chrome catalog. They started being individual when the Powerplus engine came out.

Why not be proud it's a Kawasaki. Indian emblems no.

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by elr658

You can go to Canal St in Manhattan and buy fake Rolexes for $20 all day.

The following opinion is not meant to disparage the Drifter.

Before anybody gets the scalp in a twist, listen to this Schatgicoke Indian.

The Drifter is a fine bike. I enjoyed my time on one immensely. I even liked working on it. Great bike, among the best of the cruisers. I've ridden everything including the last incarnation of the Indian. Harley clone with skirted fenders built from a Custom Chrome catalog. They started being individual when the Powerplus engine came out.

Why not be proud it's a Kawasaki. Indian emblems no.

Fair enough. In my book, given your heritage, you should have the last word on the subject.

[oletaterhead]

Saying that people shouldn't do this or that with their own bikes is in direct opposition to the reason I own, customize, and ride...to be an individual; to make it my own.

Ride and let ride. What someone else does with their bike is their own business.

[ejshotgun]

Originally Posted by oletaterhead

Saying that people shouldn't do this or that with their own bikes is in direct opposition to the reason I own, customize, and ride...to be an individual; to make it my own.
Ride and let ride. What someone else does with their bike is their own business.

I couldn't have said it better my self.

Originally Posted by cudaosix

The thing is most people dont know what kind of Kaw it is. So I tell them, and they still dont know what it is.

I know what you mean Cudasix, though I don’t have any badgs on mine (bought the Bike that way and I’m still debating if I should put my Kawasaki badge back on the tank or not. But I’m defiantly going to put the KZ1000LTD badges back on the side covers).

Bottom line is....
I'm proud of my in-line four Kawasaki.

[The Vol-can]

Originally Posted by jukief

Maybe there's a bit of rotten grapes involved, no?

He did say "wine" in the first sentence....