Cruisers

1999Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter

29 fields on record

The 1999 Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter is a middleweight cruiser designed for riders seeking classic styling with manageable power. Its 805cc V-twin engine delivers smooth, accessible performance ideal for both beginners and experienced riders preferring laid-back riding. Known for its authentic bobber aesthetics and lightweight handling, it excels as an affordable entry point into cruiser culture.

Capacity: 805.0 ccm
Engine: V-Twin
Gearbox: 5-speed
Dry weight: 246.0 kg
Seat height: 760 mm
Power: 57.0 HP (41.9 kW) @ 7000 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (1)

Other years 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail10%

Cornering35%

City riding45%

Daily riding55%

Touring58%

Two-up55%

Track10%

Best for: Built for relaxed, classic-styled boulevard and weekend cruising rather than outright speed or sport handling.
Built for: A retro-styled V-twin cruiser that emphasizes styling, torque-driven low-end pull, and unhurried highway comfort over performance.
Not ideal for: Not a good match for riders seeking sharp cornering ability, off-road capability, or high-speed sport performance.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 760mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 1999 Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter, with a relaxed knee angle of around 125 degrees and an upright riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Reliability & safety

Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaints

Safety recalls

⚠ 1 recall may apply

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMApr 1999 · 99V067000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.

Risk: IF THE SENSOR IS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED, THE ENGINE CAN CRANK BUT NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP DURING CERTAIN RIDING SITUATIONS, LIKE LEANING OVER IN A TURN. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE THEIR BALANCE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.

These recalls cover some 1999 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA, use gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall in the UK, or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all Kawasaki recalls →

Bike Reliability

How the score works →

out of 100Average

The Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 81.7% of the time, 0.4 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 50% of models.

This covers every year of the model.

81.7%Passed first time

9.7%Failed outright

8.6%Fixed during test

16,000Typical miles

257Tests

Pass rate by miles ridden

0-10k

84.3%

10-20k

80%

20-30k

92.3%

All years of this model.

Against its rivals · ranks 5 of 6

#	Model (all years)	Score	Tests
1	Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Standard	81 Excellent	155
2	Kawasaki VN 800 Classic	67 Good	1,569
3	Harley-Davidson Sportster 883	62 Good	939
4	Suzuki VS 800 GL Intruder	56 Average	734
5	Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter	50 Average	257
6	Suzuki VZ 800 Marauder	46 Average	8,707

Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.

From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 805.0 ccm
Power: 57.0 HP (41.9 kW) @ 7000 RPM
Torque: 64.0 Nm (6.5 kgf-m) @ 3300 RPM
Engine type: V-Twin
Power/weight ratio: 0.2317 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 88.0 x 66.2 mm
Compression: 9.5:1
Cooling system: Liquid
Fuel system: Carburettor
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 5-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Chain

Performance

Top speed: 150.0 km/h (93.2 mph)

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1615 mm
Seat height: 760 mm
Dry weight: 246.0 kg
Wet weight: 271.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 15.00 litres

Chassis & suspension

Front wheel travel: 150 mm
Rear wheel travel: 100 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Single disc
Front brakes diameter: 300 mm
Rear brakes: Expanding brake
Rear brakes diameter: 270 mm
Front tyre: 130/90-H16
Rear tyre: 140/90-H16

Specs last verified against published sources: November 2026.

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Capacity	805 cc	805 cc	805 cc	805 cc	805 cc
Dry weight	246 kg	248 kg	246 kg	246 kg	246 kg
Seat height	760 mm	760 mm	760 mm	760 mm	760 mm
Fuel capacity	15 L	15 L	15 L	15 L	15 L
Bike Reliability ⓘ	Too few tests	Too few tests	41 Average	Too few tests	Too few tests