Good buddy Dan, a loyal ExNotes reader, enjoyed our recent blog on the Kawasaki Drifter. Dan wrote to tell us about his Drifter. Check this out, folks. It’s a beautiful motorcycle.
Joe:
My motorcycle is a 1999 Kawasaki Drifter 1500cc. Recently got it, love the combination of Japanese bike reliability that will go forever and the Indian style that is a real head turner. Changed up the seat, added some Indian badging including the tank decals and even an Indian VIN plate cover. Other adds on include the jockey shift that is actually linked to the heel toe shift, the book rack and the triple head lights. I couldn’t afford a 40s Indian and even if I could some of those you have to be a mechanic to operate, this is a great compromise that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
I think people who appreciate the bike for what it is might like the look of the seat and such. It’s funny as a tribute I was even on the fence about the Indian badging but at the end of the day I subscribe to “ride whatever, be safe, have fun.” I even had a rider of a current Indian tell me his was no more Indian than mine…they stopped making them in ’53 and as far as he was concerned anything after that was nothing more than a tribute.
Thanks and be well…I enjoy the blog.
Dan
Thank you, Dan. Your Drifter is a good-looking motorcycle and it’s one I’d be proud to ride. Great photos, too!