VN 800 Drifter

1999 Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Kawasaki for the custom - cruiser motorcycle segment, the 1999 Kawasaki VN 800 Drifter relies on a 805 cc (49.1 cu in) liquid-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 57 HP (41.6 kW), transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 70.8 HP per liter, the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the VN 800 Drifter measures 298 kg (657 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.19 HP/kg (5.23 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 1,615 mm (63.6 in) wheelbase engineered for planted straight-line stability. The 15-liter (4 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 150 km/h (93 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Kawasaki archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1999 to 2003, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.