Across the 1999, 2000 and 2001 model years, the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter motorcycle has supplied dry weights ranging from 657 lb (298 kg) to 670.2 lb (304 kg).
Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter weight overview
The scale number is high enough that parking and low-speed balance deserve real consideration. Once the bike leans too far, recovering it takes much more effort than on a light machine. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.
Very Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter?
dry weight
Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter is heavier than about 76.1% of 23 Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry weight range
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative dry weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 657 lb (298 kg) to 670.2 lb (304 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,470 cc to 1,471 cc |
| Torque | 83.3 lb-ft (113 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.23 US gal (16 L) to 5.02 US gal (19 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 26.3 lb (11.9 kg) to 31.2 lb (14.2 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 1999 model is used as the baseline where data is available. Only later supplied values that differ are shown below. A year pill does not mean every individual weight field was supplied for that year.
Useful weight calculations
| Torque per 100 lb | 12.44 lb-ft / 100 lb to 12.52 lb-ft / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Displacement per pound | 2.19 cc / lb to 2.24 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 44.7 lb / 100 cc to 45.6 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 3.9% to 4.7% |
| Weight with full tank | 683.3 lb (309.9 kg) to 701.4 lb (318.2 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter weight FAQ
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter dry weight?
The available dry weight is 657 lb (298 kg) to 670.2 lb (304 kg). Actual ready-to-ride weight will be higher after fuel and operating fluids are added.
Is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter lighter or heavier than other Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles?
Compared with similar Kawasakis in this dataset, it is heavier than about 76.1% of 23 custom/cruiser motorcycles using the same weight basis.
Which Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter years have different weight specs?
The supplied data shows different weight figures across the 1999-2001 model years. Use the year-specific changes section above for the exact value attached to each changed year.
How much does a full tank add to the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter?
Based on the supplied 4.23 US gal (16 L) to 5.02 US gal (19 L) tank capacity, the gasoline itself weighs about 26.3 lb (11.9 kg) to 31.2 lb (14.2 kg) when full. This helps explain part of the difference between dry and ready-to-ride mass.
What is the combined Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter and rider weight?
Using the model’s representative dry weight and a 180 lb rider, the combined bike-and-rider mass is about 845.8 lb (383.6 kg) before riding gear, luggage or a passenger.
Is the listed Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter weight ready to ride?
The published usable figure is dry, not curb weight. A simple dry-plus-full-fuel estimate is 683.3 lb (309.9 kg) to 701.4 lb (318.2 kg), but that still is not a substitute for an official wet/curb specification.
What does the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter weigh with a full tank?
Based on the available dry-weight and tank-capacity data, a full-tank estimate is 683.3 lb (309.9 kg) to 701.4 lb (318.2 kg). Oil, coolant and market-specific equipment can still make actual ready-to-ride weight different.
How much torque does the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter have per 100 lb?
Where compatible torque and weight figures are available, the model works out to 12.44 lb-ft per 100 lb to 12.52 lb-ft per 100 lb. This gives more context than torque alone because it relates engine twist to the mass it has to move.
What is the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter displacement per pound?
The available figures work out to 2.19 cc per lb to 2.24 cc per lb. This is not a performance rating, but it is a useful way to compare engine size against total motorcycle mass.
Motorcycle specifications can vary by model year, market, equipment and the exact dry/curb-weight definition. Calculated fuel-weight and ratio figures on this page are estimates derived from the supplied specifications. Confirm critical figures in the owner’s manual or on the official Kawasaki website.