Across 4 covered model years from 1999 to 2003, the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter motorcycle has supplied dry weights ranging from 542.3 lb (246 kg) to 657 lb (298 kg).
Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter weight overview
This is a substantial motorcycle. The weight matters most when stopped, backing it up, parking on a slope or recovering from a lean. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.
Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter?
dry weight
Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter is heavier than about 58.7% 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 800 Drifter weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 542.3 lb (246 kg) to 657 lb (298 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 805 cc |
| Power | 56 hp |
| Torque | 45 lb-ft (61 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.96 US gal (15 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 24.6 lb (11.2 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
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 10.33 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 9.68 lb / hp |
| Torque per 100 lb | 8.23 lb-ft / 100 lb to 8.3 lb-ft / 100 lb |
| Displacement per pound | 1.23 cc / lb to 1.48 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 67.4 lb / 100 cc to 81.6 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 3.8% to 4.5% |
| Weight with full tank | 567 lb (257.2 kg) to 681.6 lb (309.2 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter weight FAQ
How much does the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter weigh?
The source data gives 542.3 lb (246 kg) to 657 lb (298 kg) as dry weight. A fueled, road-ready bike will weigh more than this figure.
How does the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter weight compare with similar Kawasakis?
It is not an extreme outlier for the category. The model ranks around the 59th percentile for weight among 23 compatible Kawasaki custom/cruiser motorcycles.
Are all Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter model years the same weight?
There are year-to-year differences in the supplied data. The earliest covered year is used as the baseline, with later changed values shown separately above.
What does a full tank of gas weigh on the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter?
A full tank works out to about 24.6 lb (11.2 kg) from the listed 3.96 US gal (15 L) capacity. Actual fuel density varies slightly, so treat it as a practical estimate.
What does the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter weigh with a 180 lb rider?
The approximate combined total is 724.5 lb (328.6 kg) with a 180 lb rider, based on the representative dry weight used on this page.
Is the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter strong for its weight?
The calculated range is 10.33 hp per 100 lb. This ratio is usually more informative for acceleration comparisons than horsepower alone. That places it around the 72nd percentile within the compatible Kawasaki custom / cruiser power-to-weight comparison.
How much heavier will the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter be than its dry weight?
Do not treat dry weight as curb weight. Adding the listed fuel capacity alone produces roughly 567 lb (257.2 kg) to 681.6 lb (309.2 kg); the true ready-to-ride figure can still differ because dry-weight definitions vary.
What is the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter full-tank weight estimate?
Using the listed dry weight plus the calculated fuel mass, the estimated weight with a full tank is 567 lb (257.2 kg) to 681.6 lb (309.2 kg). That still may not equal official curb weight because dry-weight definitions can exclude other fluids or equipment.
What is the Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter torque per 100 lb of bike weight?
Available data gives 8.23 lb-ft per 100 lb to 8.3 lb-ft per 100 lb. That ratio helps explain how strong the engine is relative to the bike’s mass, especially at lower speeds.
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.