Fuel injected, shaft driven, water cooled, and startlingly reminiscent of a 1940 Indian Chief: The Kawasaki 1500cc Drifter is one of those bikes I always wanted. They were only made from 1999 to 2005, I think, and other than what I’ve read on the Internet, I have no idea if they were any good. The most common complaint seems to be that the plastic gear that drove the water pump was prone to failure (Kawasaki used a plastic gear on at least one other model that was also problematic; these guys were slow learners, I guess). But in my eyes, they hit a home run in the styling department. They just look cool.
I spotted this one in a San Francisco Bay marina parking lot, and I instantly wanted it. Don’t get me wrong: Doug Bingham notwithstanding, I have absolutely zero desire to own a sidecar. If I had this bike, the first thing I’d do is lose the sidecar and sell it. But ah, that motorcycle. That I would keep. And ride, and ride, and ride.
The later years had different colors; the first year, I think, got it right with the deep burgundy, red pinstriping, and those beautifully valanced fenders. Kawasaki got a little weird from what I’ve read with the rear fender design; it pivots up and down with the rear suspension. Ah, what’s a little unsprung weight between friends, especially on a motorcycle that no one bought because of the handling. I also read that the fuel economy was abysmal on these bikes, but other folks said it was okay. Whatever. I wouldn’t buy this bike to save fuel. But I would buy it if the price was right, even though I could get a used Sportster for the same kind of money. I like it.
Kawasaki made both a 1500cc and an 800cc Drifters. The 800cc version came in a pastel blue that was stunning. When one of my friends first saw these photos, he asked if the bike was a 1500 or the smaller 800. I was pretty sure it was the 1500, but I wasn’t sure. Then I remembered one of my photos caught the VIN label and I was able to zoom in enough to know.
I shot these with my phone, and I guess that iPhone 12 does a good job. It’s a 1500cc Drifter, as you can see above.
If I owned this bike, I think the only thing I’d do (other than a regular service and a good detailing) is to maybe get the seat redone. It looks just perfect to me as is.
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Hey, how about this supercool World War II US Navy Indian 30-50?
You can see the Indian 741 featured in the above video in person at the Chino Planes of Fame Museum, and you can read our feature story on it in Motorcycle Classics magazine.
I remember at the time reading a review on that bike and the reviewer said that Kawasaki had made a better Indian than Indian did.
There are others who have done that. I think Royal Enfield’s Interceptor is a better Triumph Bonneville than Triumph is currently making.
At the time, I think that was true, I have a 2015 Vintage Chief, and it is a completely different beast from the “Gilroy” Indians. I have found the Drifter to be an appealing design as well, it would be nice if there was a metal replacement impeller for the water pump.
Agreed, the Drifter is truly a beautiful motorcycle. It would have been nice to of had one with that 2000cc monster Vtwin Kawasaki put out, but honestly, the existing variants ran better than they had any right too IMHO.
Kawasaki hit a few home runs to empty bleachers.
But it was better to have played than not.
“Kawasaki hit a few home runs to empty bleachers…”
Well said, El Stevo. I may borrow that one.
I rode a friend’s 800cc version. It was nice to look at, but wasn’t much for handling. Limited ground clearance made dragging floor boards pretty common. The easiest way to tell the 800 from the 1500 is the rear suspension. The 800 had a hidden rear shock and appeared to be a hard tail, while the 1500 had dual rear shocks. I prefer the cleaner look of the 800, but the 1500 would be my choice for the power and hopefully better handling.
Good input, Alvin. Thanks very much.
Wow! When I lived in the Chicago area there was a guy who had a bike, sidecar unit in black like this one. I never get drive it, but it was a lot faster than my Ural. I would be a great bike for long tour!