Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter

The Vulcan 800 Drifter is a 1940s styled cruiser loosely based on the lines of the circa 1940 'Chief' produced by the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company.

The Drifter 800 is powered by a modern, carbureted, single overhead cam, single pin, liquid cooled 805cc 55-degree V-twin engine. The twin cylinders have 'cooling fins', but they are almost entirely for show.

The Drifter has a hidden rear mono-shock to make it appear to be a hard-tail, akin to a Harley-Davidson Softail. The front and rear fenders cover about half of the respective wheel, and are the most striking visual cue.

The Drifter 800 model is produced in relatively low volumes by Kawasaki. If the 'Kawasaki' badges are removed from the motorcycle, most people unfamiliar with the Drifter assume it is a Harley-Davidson or Indian Chief derivate.

2006 Suggested Retail Price for a Drifter 800 was $7,399USD.

When Kawasaki revealed its 2007 models, the 800 Drifter no longer appeared in the Vulcan line-up.

References:

[http://www.VulcanDrifterRiders.com Vulcan Drifter Riders] - Information, specs, pictures and historical data.

[http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/history.html Vulcan Drifter Pictures] - Pictorial history of the Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter