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Driving report Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter and VN 1500 Drifter
Driftin ?? away
Freedom and adventure ?? Shut up, the 57th What, another chrome movie? So now it’s getting serious: With the Drifter design, Kawasaki is turning away from the conventional cruiser course.
It was anything but love at first sight. Something went wrong? I thought. In the beginning, when I didn’t understand anything. When I saw nothing more in the two Drifter models than two VN epigones, uninhibitedly trimmed for “retro”. With plastic fenders, the size of an underground car park, and seating that could unabashedly be called Chippendale. Then this black. All over. Fork, handlebar, lamp? all Black. Just because.
I didn’t understand anything. Searched in vain for the line, the style, the meaning. Until that evening when the Florida setting sun put that soft light on the 1500s. It was humility that gripped me at that moment. At least I thought it was.
Kawasaki had invited to the first test drives. In no less a place than God’s Own Country itself. But I’m sure that the spark would have jumped over to the Swabian Alb as well. After a day. No later than. As for the VN 1500 Drifters. Does it take longer in the saddle of the 800? whether in Trochtelfingen or Miami Beach. Because the 800 is different. Rather lively in character, the nostalgic outfit doesn’t really suit her. On the other hand, on the mighty, self-contained 1500, it creates a completely new cruiser feeling. Far from any vanity, without fuss, turned to the essential.
The secret lies in the black components. But you have to come to that first. Because at first they are extremely irritating. Because something is missing: the blue sky in the headlight housing, the distorted face on the fork bridge and handlebar. The gaze wanders over the front section without orientation. Senses every millimeter: world, where are you? And slowly the process of understanding begins. This is about the teaching of pure form. The lamp is a lamp, the handlebar is the handlebar, the motorcycle is a vehicle, genuine through and through. You don’t take a dressed up Christmas tree for a walk, but move on. Motorized, on two wheels, without frills and glitter.
Back to the roots. But not with all the consequences. E-starter, electric light and even an automatic turn signal reset are standard equipment on the VN 1500 Drifter. Also a catalyst. And an electronically controlled injection system. This is where it differs from the VN 1500 Classic from a technical point of view. In addition, the compression ratio has been increased from 8.6 to 9: 1. Innovations that, among other things, should reduce the fuel consumption of the 50-degree V2 engine.
Not a bad idea, because the drinking habits of the Classic models (MOTORRAD 9 and 10/1998) border on addictive behavior. Otherwise there was and is nothing wrong with the large-volume four-valve engine. With 64 horsepower and a curb weight of 321 kilograms, one cannot necessarily speak of concentrated power, but when it comes to glory, there is something required. This engine masters cruising in an almost perfect manner. The palpable pulse beat of the pistons under your buttocks, a full-sounding V-two-cylinder symphony in your ear, you can enjoy the soft chugging while standing and the gentle, yet emphatic step in the lower gears.
Anyone who is blessed with a gentle gas hand can do everything in the fifth from 50 km / h. Acceleration maneuvers too. Gross motorists, on the other hand, should use the solid rocker switch before applying the stranglehold, otherwise the displacement giant will die. In the absence of a flywheel. The gear changes are, by the way, extremely well-cared for. The gear-driven balancer shaft ensures that you are always in a good mood at higher speeds. Rigorously throws all nasty vibrations overboard, and the captain enjoys a crease-free nerve costume even in the evening.
The passenger, however, does not. While the drifter behind the wide handlebars? whether her first name is VN 800 or VN 1500? If there is almost excessive space, you will find third-rate conditions in the second row: the bench is simply too short and the high railing restricts freedom of movement. Fellow travelers are almost always hanging at half-mast with their torsos slightly tilted backwards.
Other similarities between the 800 and 1500 are more of an exception. Even if the two still look so similar. The big one drives with a cardan, the small one with a chain. One sports two struts, the other none. In favor of the rigid frame appearance, the centrally arranged rear wheel suspension of the VN 800 works hidden. And she works harder, takes more. The 800 also offers a little more reserves at the front. It also comes to a stop more quickly. In view of the almost identical brakes and 54 kilograms less weight, no wonder.
Everything about the little Drifter seems more agile. And more excited. It does not convey the serenity that comes with the saddle of the 1500s. It is much more likely to arouse exuberant feelings. The easy handling, the revving engine, the whirring sound – that’s where you really want to accelerate. Incidentally, the engine has gained a horsepower. Thanks to the new carburetor and map ignition. The chassis was also reinforced by means of a larger upper frame tube and tighter suspension, which noticeably brought more calm to the framework. Add four pounds of lean angle and the racing cruiser would be perfect.
What a request. Completely drifted. Mea culpa. I know this is about other values. But as I said, the 800s doesn’t quite get across. Encourages you to quickly scratch the next bend even at the cheesiest sunset instead of pausing for thought.
D.The case is clear: Heated minds choose the VN 800 Drifters, religious ones choose the gentle giant, which is also reinforced with undercarriages and whose calm manner is guaranteed to never tempt you to commit a single traffic sin. Of course, it costs a bar more: a whole 6,500 marks! But if you extrapolate what you could save in penalties and church taxes over the years, that’s fine.
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