For cruiser enthusiasts who love the styling cues of the 1940s, the Kawasaki Vulcan® 800 Drifter® cruiser has all the class and technological virtues of its larger sibling, the Drifter 1500 – including a solo saddle, wire wheels draped with sculpted fenders, sturdy V-twin engine and a fishtail muffler. This smaller Drifter is also easier on the bank account for riders who are just getting started in their cruiser experience.
The Vulcan 800 Drifter is powered by a 805cc V-twin SOHC four-stroke engine with a single-pin crankshaft for a classic V-twin rumble and gear driven balancer to reduce vibration. Finned cylinders and four-valve heads are liquid-cooled for optimum thermal control. Concealed automatic cam chain tensioners preserve the engine's clean lines and allow more precise cam timing, while a spin-on oil filter helps make maintenance a quick and easy job.
The Drifter's 36mm carburetor features the Kawasaki Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC) throttle position censor, which is connected to the digitally mapped ignition system. K-TRIC varies ignition timing according to throttle position and engine rpm so that the ignition compensates for differing engine loads. The result is crisp throttle response and better fuel efficiency.
