SPOT THE FAKE - AN INDIAN CHIEF VERSUS THE KAWASAKI DRFITER

[@chiefjoseph8154]

The Drifter isn’t fake. It’s a tribute motorcycle.

[@bullpencycles]

I would think a tribute motorcycle would not be mass produced and sold for a profit.

[@silverback802]

I own a 2002 Kawasaki Drifter 1500. It is 64 horsepower. I just bought a right-hand side hand shifter for it. It is a great running bike.

[@bullpencycles]

Right on!

[@silverback802]

@@bullpencycles you have a great channel I'm glad I found it.

[@bullpencycles]

@@silverback802 thank you so much

[@markeverson5849]

Where can I buy the hand shifter for my Drifter 800? Also can I buy brackets I can't find them that will come off of the main frame I searched all over the Internet nothing for a rear cargo rack and sissy bar attachment

[@NoNameNoFace-rr7li]

i have the 1500 and 800... the 800 is more beautiful and the 1500 is more powerful and faster. both are excellent bikes. I could never afford the real deal and am perfectly happy with these bikes. I like the 800 a little more.. i also have a vulkan 1600..great bike.. i have a softail too which is the same length as the 800 and has the same tire size

[@bullpencycles]

Totally agree

[@izaak.salomon5048]

Jesteś szczęściarzem! To piękne motocykle! Zdrawiam z Polski! 🙏🇵🇱👍

[@claybornlewis276]

You call The Drifter of fake Indian it's not a fake Indian it's an Indian Drifter built by Kawasaki designed after the Indian it's not a fake fake is definitely the wrong word to use it is a custom motorcycle I own one and I love it it never claimed to be an Indian it's an Indian Drifter

[@bullpencycles]

Yes, but at the same time I gave it a good review. I figure, if there was no Indian, there would not be a Drifter. What word would you use?

[@claybornlewis276]

@@bullpencycles just what it is Indian Drifter that's the model of the motorcycle it's not pretending to be an Indian it isn't Indian Drifter

[@bullpencycles]

There is a small army of Drifter owners that put Indian decals on their tank, and even the Indian fender ornament.

[@silverback802]

I call mine an Indian Tribute.@@bullpencycles

[@Geriatric_Gaming]

I own a 1999 1500 Drifter and a 2017 Indian Chief Roadmaster. The Drifter is a Kawasaki knock-off of a 1948 Indian. It is NOT an Indian Drifter as Indian motorcycles had nothing to do with its production but merely inspired its design on a then current production Vulcan 1500 which it shares many parts including the drive train. Cobra's prototype was called the 'Super Chief' but Kawasaki received a cease and desist order as Indian motorcycles filed a class action suit against them for copyright and trade mark infringement. Besides the suit, withering sales, and the limited competition by Indian "Gilroy' motorcycles, Kawasaki pulled the plug on the Drifter in 2005 which in hindsight was a wise move. It wouldn't be until 2010 that Indian would be resurrected and produced by Polaris with the current production runs in 2014 powered by the Indian Thunderstroke engines thus reducing the Drifter into a footnote of Kawasaki history. Still a very cool looking bike just wish the fenders weren't plastic, but then again it is a cheap bike. Very cool video showing both motorcycles side-by-side. Thanks for sharing!

[@glengerdes4158]

I have three vn800’s. They are excellent bikes. Reliable

[@markeverson5849]

I've just bought one an 06 800 indian Drifter with only 5400 original miles and it seems a lot bigger and heavier of a bike than what I had imagined I have had a lot of motorcycles but this is my first what I will call Big cruiser bike and it takes some getting used to I guess I'll have to build my own cargo rack bracket that comes off the main frame and will also support a sissy bar to hold and carry fishing poles a backpack and or a long gun but I haven't found anything online it's got the solo seat Indian style with the metal handle on the back and Indian style Fring saddle bags. I'm going to put some more cool stuff on it it's very loud with the Vance and Hines exhaust system

[@glengerdes4158]

@@markeverson5849 I removed the big fenders, and seat on one of mine. Dropped about fifty pounds and I have not even done the exhaust yet. Enjoy your bike!

[@michaelwilliams6292]

I owned a 2002 model for 7 months. It needed a final drive gearing change (dropped 2 teeth in back) for the riding I was doing in Texas at the time. Above 70, it felt “busy” with stock ratios. I raised the preload on the rear shock too. Putting bags on was a nightmare. (Those beautiful fenders are plastic) Fun bike, but so-so handling in the curves. Good looker,and as you say, much cheaper than any Indian.

[@bullpencycles]

I didn't know they were plastic fenders

[@joshuaharris6735]

Not everyone can afford a 50s Indian. I have a 06 drifter. Love it! payed $4000 for it used.

[@dariojimenez708]

What can I say? I'm in love with my sky blue 800 drifter, crhistened "Sweet Caroline", because is as sweet as my wife Caroline.

[@bullpencycles]

It is a good color

[@dennismundt7378]

Thanks for the direct comparison. Both bikes are beautiful. For me the Drifter is not fake. It is a tribute to the beautiful design of this “Indian” shown in the video. If Kawasaki had not released the Drifter, there would have been no strong attempts to reactivate and bring the “Indian” brand back to life. With the Drifter, the Japanese manufacturer brought the design and the old “Indian” brand back into the conversation. Anyone who always thought an “Indian” with a 1940s design was great could fulfill their dream, which was also affordable and had a guarantee as a new motorcycle. A modern classic had been purchased by Kawasaki, where the idea of ​​reactivating the “Indian” brand was reinforced. Without the Kawasaki Drifter, the new “Indian” brand would not exist today. Therefore, Kawasaki deserves our thanks for using this design. That's why I don't see the Drifter as a fake, but rather as part of the resurgence of the "Indian" brand, in which the drivers of a Drifter are also part of this community and meetings.

[@wolfeyes9357]

50 grand for an Indian from the early 1950s or a Drifter with Japanese quality for a few grand....i will take the Kawasaki and save 45 grand!

[@bullpencycles]

I understand that!

[@paulgrogan8032]

Great topic, I love the concept of this machine for pennies on the dollar and much less oil on the garage floor🤭 in comparison to the actual. Now "For me" it would have to be a second or third bike as apposed to a number 1 daily. Great content Sir.🤝

[@bullpencycles]

Thank you Paul

[@glbaker5595]

Hi Dave I was trying to tell a buddy of mine he moved down from Connecticut he's putting my place and down around clear springs or something I can't remember where he said he was at but what town are you in, I know he would like your shop you can cut sort of the same type of stuff going on so anyway glad see you doing okay have a safe weekend

[@bullpencycles]

Hi. Yes, I'm just south of Daytona on the east coast. Edgewater FL

[@kopynd1]

its just a vn with plastic indian style mudguards thats it, 50 to 52 tele forks on the indian, swinging arm on the 1500 vn drifter, the very first drifter had a mint exhaust simular to the harley panhead but because of the cost they changed to the standard exhaust same as the 1 your viewing but in all the kawasaki is a bike that can be ridden without problems, i had a drifter which i built from frame up with vintage leaf spring forks and bars looked well

[@bullpencycles]

Yeah, the plastic mudguards say alot.

[@markeverson5849]

I'm trying to buy one in a few days soon as the weather warms up we're getting together down here in Ozarks 800 Drifter but I'd like to see a picture of your bike

[@Phuc_Socialist_You_Tube]

​@bullpencycles Plastic mud gards say a lot? Really? Like they won't rust or dent like metal? They won't rattle or echo every stone thrown? I own a 2002 vn800e. The fenders have proven to be damn near indestructible. Boring you say? That's damn near every motorcyle made. They are all, if nothing else, predictable. Granted, the six ton stock muffler practically sterilized the bike. I installed staggered fishtail straight pipes on mine. The engine sounds amazing. Turns heads everywhere it goes. Build quality is exceptional. Especially when compared to a Yamaha Turd Star (I own one. XVS 650 loaner bike) or a Honda Shadow.

[@tracylinder8503]

I love the white super 90 I saw in one of your videos, is it gonna gonna be sold

[@bullpencycles]

Thank you. Yeah, that was sold. I think it went somewhere near Atlanta

[@tracylinder8503]

There is a 77 maico in Houston area on market place guy name is John Shockley ,selling because of health very nice bike very nice price see if you can find it ,

[@bullpencycles]

Thank you, but well gee. I got so many bikes already!

[@tracylinder8503]

If I knew how to send pics I would he is asking 4500, but I've seen same year go for 12 to 15 k in this condition

[@bullpencycles]

I'm not in the market, but you can always reach me at [e-mail]

[@kevinfaherty9887]

Good video

[@bullpencycles]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@randy-pk1rb]

what`s the name of that indian manual again

[@bullpencycles]

Let me go look. I keep forgetting to do that

[@bullpencycles]

www.amazon.com/Indian-Motorcycle-Restoration-Guide-1932-1953/dp/0615251501

[@delray06]

Hey Dave, love your channel , but man it’s time to let go the hair style, 👍

[@bullpencycles]

Man, I'm not really sure that's gonna happen, balding mullet for better or worse I'm afraid.

[@markeverson5849]

Worry about your own haircut what's wrong with people that you judge people? What's with that crap I thought I whooped all the Rednecks years ago already I suppose we have to shave our beard too right to match your agenda just saying

[@tracylinder8503]

Maico is a GR500

[@bullpencycles]

Sounds really cool

[@francisgiles8623]

Hate it all ya want Opinions are like assh*les Everyone has one And some stink😅

[@bullpencycles]

I don't think I showed it hate.