[Molee]

I have a chronic condition that may limit my life span to less than 5 years. But hopefully God will see his way to giving me a few more.I bought a 2003 Suzuki Volusia 40th anniversary edition and I really like it but it's underpowered. I really like the looks of the Vulcan Drifter but but am worried about the color and some other things. I saw an Drifter 800 when I bought mine and wish I would have boughten it and I think it was maroon and black or brown and black or something with brown or maroon in it. I went to Kawasaki's website and it appears only black is available. Is that true? Is it able to cruise on the hiway with plenty of power to spare? How does it handle? Also what can I expect to pay for a 1600? Is the 1600 have plaenty of power to go cross country? Thanks for your answers. I'm hoping to have 2-3 years I can be without an oxygen tank around my shoulder and I want to ride around the country. I have narrowed my search down to a Honda VTX and a Kawasaki Drifter. I love the old style Indian look so if I can get a Drifter in the color I want, I'll be riding one from Indiana-Florida-California-Canada-N.Y and back to Florida and then home to Indiana.

 

[2WheelFun]

Welcome Molee!

I can't help you with the color issue but I can say....I have a 2003 1500 Classic Vulcan and I am very happy with it. I'm 6'4" tall and weigh 230lbs and with my wife onboard (I wont say her weight-I wanna live-much less than me) we can scoot down the highway with no problems at all.

I loaded the bike up this summer for a 10 day vacation with a tent, sleeping bag, two bed rolls, a full size luggage bag loaded with clothes and supplies and I had no problems at all with power.

I think you would be really happy with a 1600 as the ride is excellent on these Kawasakis and in my opinion the looks are second to none. I'm sure others who own a 1600 will gladly give you their take on the bike.

Sorry to hear about you having a chronic condition. I think you have an excellent idea as far as traveling and what better way than to enjoy it riding an awesome motorcycle.

Here is to wishing you the best and nice to meet you!

 

[JadeRider]

Man, Number one: My prayers are with you.

Number 2, while I have a Mean Streak and not a drifter, I have come to see the great craftsmanship behind the Kawasaki product. Having been on a VTX 1300 and an 1800 I can say that the balance and ergos of the Vulcan line is way better and less demanding. I am 5'8" and 165 lbs and manage the Mean Streak with a lot less effort than my V-Strom which was a 100 pounds lighter.

More than anything, I have found that riding is the thing that energizes my spirit and I pursue it as the thing means that allow me to stay true to myself.

Follow your own road and don't look back.

 

[ispeed77]

Molee
welcome to the forum and i am truelly sorry to hear about your situation. that said, i am going to agree with JadeRider that the ergos on the vulcan line are much better than the VTX. the VTX is more of a muscle bike, whereas people buy the vulcan to ride and ride. if you are looking for a cross country bike, then you can go wrong with Vulcan. as far as power goes, i hear the 1600 is a decent bit more powerful than the 1500 in my bike so i imagine you would be satisfied. i am a power junkie, but with a couple mods to my Nomad i am perfectly happy with it. best wishes to your health and enjoying your time on two wheels.
David

 

[xepathfinder]

I have the Vulcan 800 Classic which is basically the same bike as the Drifter 800 with different seat and fenders. I love my 800, like others have said here Vulcans are so easy to drive, shocked me how easy it rides when I took my first ride. The Drifter 1600 or 800 is one hot looking bike in my opinion, If I did not need to carry a passenger I would have gotten one in a second. And still may if or when my fiance gets her own bike to ride.
Sorry about your condition, I hope you get the Vulcan Drifter and enjoy it as much as we enjoy our Vulcans.

 

[Kenny]

Hi there Molee,Welcome my friend! As far as your health condition,"If you pray about it ,don't worry about it! If you worry about it,don't pray about it!! So pray,then go buy the bike of your choice and enjoy life,whether it be 1 year or 100 years!!! Like Whistle Clean,i too have a 1500 Classic(2003) that i like very much. Looks black,but is red when in the sun.Plenty of power,good ride,handles good,etc.so check these bikes out too.Talk back to us,let us know what ya find!! See ya,Kenny in North Carolina.....

 

[Kenny]

Hi there Molee,Welcome my friend! As far as your health condition,"If you pray about it ,don't worry about it! If you worry about it,don't pray about it!! So pray,then go buy the bike of your choice and enjoy life,whether it be 1 year or 100 years!!! Like Whistle Clean,i too have a 1500 Classic(2003) that i like very much. Looks black,but is red when in the sun.Plenty of power,good ride,handles good,etc.so check these bikes out too.Talk back to us,let us know what ya find!! See ya,Kenny in North Carolina.....

 

[Kenny]

Did'nt mean to put it twice guys! Sorry bout that. Kenny in NC.......

 

[jroskelley]

I have a 2002 Drifter 1500 and wouldn't trade it for the world. It has all the power you need for cruising at freeway speeds, and it's very comfortable. However, you should be aware of the stock drawbacks of a bike like the Drifter for cross-country cruising. It's not properly equipped. No windshield, hiway pegs, saddlebags, etc. I would never take it past a day ride without some additional equipment...unless of course I had a car traveling with me. I would truly recommend the Nomad if you're looking for an excellent bike, now with a 1600 engine, and ready to roll across the county.

However, do yourself a favor and buy a Vulcan. Your choice. Any model will make you very happy with your choice.

Cheers,
John

 

[centerpunch]

Molee,
My brother had the 04 Valusia 800 and I had the Kawi 800 Classic. My bike was slightly faster. I could take him off the line by a couple of lengths then the bikes stayed even from then on. Maybe that will help you with the power issue. I am upgrading to the 1600 Nomad because of all the good things I have heard about it on this forum and reading comparison articles with other bikes. I too am doing a lot of cross country cruising. God Bless and happy riding. Nothing better than buying a new bike and hitting the road.

 

[Alex214]

God will decide when you go, not a bunch of doctors! Carpe diem! Get the Vulcan! Also, welcome to the forum. As an afterthought, I bet if u do go on oxygen, you could still ride with a full face helmet and put the tank in your saddle bag.

 

[bjones]

I'm sorry to hear of your illness, I have a 2002 1500 Drifter I bought new last year. I love it I ride with my wife and myself it is a excellent ride. I would recomend the windshield and lowers. I don't have highway bars but plan to get some. The power is good and I love the thing. God bless go buy the Vulcan. Mine is burgandy and black.

 

[bikeaholic]

re

absolutley yes - without question

 

[PickYourPockets]

I agree with Jros. If you are looking for a Kawasaki tourer, you'd be better off with the Nomad as it is dual-bagged and ready to travel long distances. The Drifter could be adapted though.

Throttle therapy heals. Grab a handful.

 

[Da Ova Cussa]

Man, If we don't have our health nothing else matters much. Hope everything gets better on that front.

I have an 800A which I think is pretty much identical running gear as the 800 Indian.. haha. I Love my bike and recommend it. the 800's do get a little buzzy on the highway If your going to be on the open road, Heaver is better and there is no substitue for cubic inches. If you can afford it, a great bike for what you describe would be the new 1600 Nomad, or (dont shoot me guys) Royal Star tour deluxe these would be my choices if I were saddling up and going to California or something.

IMO steer away from VTX, Plastic parts on the motor for a 15K bike is inexcusable
I've heard it is not very well balanced. I've looked at it very close, when you look at it up close, leaves you thinking cheap.... very japanese...

Good luck and God bless you.

 

[flynsouth]

Although all of us would like to avoid thiking about it, like the current country hit says "Live like you were dieing". I've watched too many family members fade and utter regrets and apologies so all I can say is be true to your heart and don;t make any choices or scarificies you question. This isn't about what each of us think but how you feel when you sit on the bike and how it makes you feel. The input and opinions from everyone are great but what you really need to focus on is the smile factor. Which bike lights you up.....that's your choice and your ride. Our hearts are with you and your condition but most of all our dreams are with you in the tour you have planned. If you let us know your plan I'm sure many of us would join you for a day or so as you cruise the nation, we'd love to see your beeming smile.

 

[ispeed77]

Although all of us would like to avoid thiking about it, like the current country hit says "Live like you were dieing". I've watched too many family members fade and utter regrets and apologies so all I can say is be true to your heart and don;t make any choices or scarificies you question. This isn't about what each of us think but how you feel when you sit on the bike and how it makes you feel. The input and opinions from everyone are great but what you really need to focus on is the smile factor. Which bike lights you up.....that's your choice and your ride. Our hearts are with you and your condition but most of all our dreams are with you in the tour you have planned. If you let us know your plan I'm sure many of us would join you for a day or so as you cruise the nation, we'd love to see your beeming smile.

very well put.
as far as going for a ride, definitely.
Molee, if you do end up doing some kind of cross country deal or whatever, try to keep us informed of your schedule. i agree that a lot of people on here would love to get together for rides, and your reason is about as good as they get.

david

 

[TimR]

Sorry about you health problem,but as other mentioned, put it in gods hands and leave it there.I lost my wife about two years ago (age 32) to a rare blood disease. My faith most of all and my bike is basically what kept me going.I have an 03 nomad that you can really use to "clear your head" , a good ride just seems to help.
it doesnt matter whether it is 5 miles or 500 the vulcans will handle either with ease.and on the bad days when you are in a rotten mood you can take you frustrations out on the bike and the kaw engines will never falter.I have really abused mine and the bike has yet to give me any major problems..as others mentioned if you do a cross country i will join and ride as far as i can.

 

[bikeaholic]

re

good idea speed :wink: keep us posted on your route and if you come through
my area my scrc chapter will gladly escort you through town :grin:

 

[ispeed77]

good to know. i may be hitting Daytona for one of the bike weeks, maybe this coming Oct, or even next March (or is it Feb, don't remember). so that may involve riding through your area, not sure though, i know very little about FL. thanks.