In the late 1940s, Americans turned on their radios to listen to big band music, drove large, powerful cars, and their motorcycles were as stylish as they were functional. The Kawasaki Vulcan® 1500 Drifter® captures the mood of this era with its low, slung chassis, sculpted fenders and fishtail muffler. But underneath its beauty is the advanced engineering of a modern Kawasaki motorcycle.   A big, 90 cubic-inch, liquid-cooled V-twin engine provides the Drifter with modern cruiser performance. High compression and aggressive cam timing provide the healthy power output, while each cylinder features a single overhead cam actuating four valves. Hydraulic valve lash adjusters reduce maintenance.

The big cylinders breath through the dual 36mm throttle bodies of a Mitsubishi digital fuel injection system. A separate intake tract for each throttle body provides smooth engine operation, and the tip of each injector contains four nozzles, with two of those aimed at each intake valve. The system "brain" uses readings from sensors that monitor engine coolant temperature, intake air temperature, atmospheric pressure, intake air pressure and throttle position to adjust the amount of fuel delivered. The result is excellent engine response and power with enhanced fuel efficiency.

The Drifter's five-gallon fuel tank incorporates an electronic speedometer for a clean, sleek look and includes an LED display for the odometer and tripmeter, as well as the clock.

Starting is made easy via an automatic fast-idle system. The pilot can simply turn the key and push the starter button to get the engine roaring and keep it rumbling smoothly during warm-up. The fast-idle knob can be utilized for extremely cold weather or high altitude starts.

The Drifter's frame uses large-diameter tubing as well as a large-diameter steering head for strength and rigidity. The front fork and rear shocks provide a comfortable ride and superior handling, and the Drifter's floorboards and wide handlebar provide an easy-going, upright riding position. Other conveniences include self-canceling turn signals, single multi-reflector headlight and a storage compartment beneath the left side cover. 

1,470cc OHC V-Twin

- Engine design evolved from the Vulcan® 1500 Classic

- Exhaust system has a single fish tail muffler on the right side

Liquid Cooling

- Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use

- Auxiliary fan keeps things cool, even in traffic

Four Valves per Cylinder

- Boosts low-end torque

Hydraulic Valve Lash Adjusters

- Keep valves quiet with no maintenance, no adjustment required

Digital Fuel Injection

- Provides excellent engine response and power with less fuel consumption

- Two different systems are switched and used automatically according to engine load for accurate fuel injection control

Dual Throttle Bodies

- Dual 36mm throttle bodies use one injector for each cylinder, with a separate intake tract for each throttle body

- Four nozzles at the tip of each injector, with two nozzles aimed at each intake valve

Idle Speed Controller

- Helps stable idle and good throttle response at ultra-low engine rpm

Gear-Driven Engine Balancer

- Counter-rotates at engine speed to cancel vibration

- Allows use of single-pin crankshaft without the heavy vibration

Rubber-Mounted Engine

- All but eliminates engine vibration at all speeds

Five-Gallon Fuel Tank

- Rounded-edge finish for clean, upscale look

- Larger capacity for extended cruising

Five-Speed Transmission

- Five-speed transmission combines great around-town acceleration with relaxed highway cruising

Positive Neutral Finder (Kawasaki Exclusive)

- Just lift the shift pedal from first at a stop to find neutral easily, every time

Disc Brakes

- Solid 300mm disc with twin-piston caliper up front for style and quiet braking

- A single 270mm rear disc with twin-piston caliper located below the swingarm

Shaft Drive

- A reliable and quiet, low-maintenance system

Hydraulic Clutch Release

- Easy to operate and maintain

Self-Canceling Turn Signals

- Automatically shuts off after eight seconds or after traveling 213 feet 

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