The Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter motorcycle specifications include a 1,470 cc (89.70 cu in) engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 298 kg (657 lb).
Key specifications
The 1999 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.
How the Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter compares
This compares the motorcycle with all Kawasaki models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the Kawasaki database average.
About 114% higher than the Kawasaki database average. Around the 94th percentile across Kawasaki models.
Very close to the Kawasaki database average. Around the 47th percentile across Kawasaki models.
Kawasaki database percentile rankings
Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the Kawasaki specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.
1,470 cc — larger displacement than about 94% of Kawasaki models.
16 L — larger than about 47% of Kawasaki fuel tanks in this database.
Mechanical overview
Model information
| Category | Custom / cruiser |
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Engine specifications
| Engine type | V2, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,470 cc (89.70 cu in) |
| Cooling system | Liquid |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft drive (cardan) (final drive) |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes | Single disc |
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Dimensions and weight
| Dry weight | 298 kg (657 lb) |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 1,655 mm (65.2 inches) |
Fuel and emissions
| Fuel capacity | 16.00 L (4.23 US gal) |
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Performance
| Top speed | 177.0 km/h (110.0 mph) |
|---|---|
| Power/weight ratio | 0.2181 hp/kg |
Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from Kawasaki models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official Kawasaki information before relying on them. Visit the official Kawasaki website.