‘Baggers’ – touring-style custom cruisers – are big news Stateside, so much so that revived Harley rival Indian offers six different versions, all with big V-twin engines, a classic cruiser look, yet added pannier practicality. The Springfield Dark Horse is its most traditional (hence the historic Springfield name) but with extra moody, blacked-out (hence the Dark Horse bit) styling.
As such, US style baggers are a breed apart so it’s largely unfair (and irrelevant) to judge them modern conventional bike standards. Harley still sets the best-selling benchmark with its Street Glide, which was originally a ‘chopped’ ElectraGlide when launched in the mid Noughties, and which proved so popular it effectively spawned the whole new ‘bagger’ category. The Indian is right up there and, being American, the only really credible rival.
The Springfield Dark Horse is Indian’s most hard core yet traditional bagger. It ticks all the boxes (big V-twin, historic US badge, decent dynamics, hard panniers) yet adds extra blacked-out style and attitude, courtesy of ditching the windscreen and adding mid-rise ‘ape hanger’ bars. In terms of being a stylish, credible US bagger it’s hard to fault design-wise. Whether that’s your type of motorcycle is an entirely different matter…
Being one of Indian’s more traditional ‘big twins’ means the Springfield Dark Horse is powered by the latest version of the US brand’s air-cooled Thunderstroke V-twin which first debuted in 2014 (Indian’s more recent, performance models are powered by the newer, liquid-cooled, ‘Power Plus’ unit). That means the Springfield Dark Horse has a monster 1890cc motor, producing around 100bhp but even more significantly outputting a whopping 171Nm of torque. It all translates into a grunty, lazy, low-revving delivery that has serious urge off the throttle, despite its huge weight. The gearchange, as you’d expect of a bike of this type, is a little clunky and mechanical, but that’s part of the character, while mid-range cruising is lumpy and easy. It’s a classic American iron horse, big business at home even if they’re a bit niche over here.
As a long, heavy lump of metal with a fairly old school chassis designed primarily for cruising, handling expectations shouldn’t be too high, but it does a decent job. The ride is smooth enough, although the limited suspension travel can result in jarring over uneven surfaces. While the bike’s long, low and heavy nature, with a kicked-out front end and big 19” front wheel means there’s plenty of straight-line stability. Pushing the bike through sweeping turns takes a little effort but it’s amenable enough if not exactly nimble, and gentle carving through curves can be a pleasant if hardly dynamic joy.
Thankfully, the brakes, too, comprising big 300mm twin discs up front grasped by a similar single item at the rear, are also more than up to the job, although it’s still a heavy beast to haul up!
While the Springfield Dark Horse’s riding position looks fairly extreme, in reality it isn’t. Although undeniably a big, heavy and bold motorcycle, being a low-slung bagger also means the Dark Horse has an ultra-low (650mm) seat. Feet fall easily and comfortably onto large footboards rather than pegs and the reach to the high-looking, mid-rise ape-hanger handlebars is more comfortable than it looks. All that said, of course, it’s also so long and heavy that there’s no disguising that this is an awkward, hefty machine to manouvere at low speed and, unlike most baggers, there is no screen or fairing, so you’re exposed to the elements.
‘Practicality’ is something of a moot term, too. Compared to more conventional motorcycles, the Springfield Dark Horse is pricey, heavy and a fairly underwhelming performer with little weather protection, all adding up to bike that’s neither a commuter or real tourer and certainly no sports bike. In the US cruiser world, however, baggers have lots of appeal for their combination of custom style and touring and luggage/pillion carrying ability. And even without a screen, the Springfield Dark Horse is still more versatile than more extreme machines such as, say, Indian’s Chief which has neither pillion seat, panniers or screen as standard.
The Springfield Dark Horse is no luxo-laden full-dresser like Indian’s Roadmaster, so you shouldn’t expect lashings of fancy equipment – but it’s not bad. On top of the standard hard panniers, with a capacity of 68 litres, there is cruise control, three riding modes (Tour, Standard and Sport), keyless ignition and tyre pressure monitoring. On the downside, there’s no screen, Infotainment system and only a small tank mounted speedo and dash in place of the usual, large TFT display. But then, if you want more, Indian has five other bagger models and five more full dressers to choose from…
What’s it cost and should I buy?
There’s no getting away from it: The Indian Springfield Dark Horse, at nearly £27K, with an 1890cc engine and weighing a whopping 358kg fully fuelled, is a pricey motorcycle with the big running costs to match.
But as a classic, authentic American bagger with added, sinister ‘Dark Horse’ blacked-out style, it can’t really be criticised, beyond, perhaps, its value for money. It’s a very particular type of bike aimed at buyers who know exactly what they want. For my money, it works at its best in an American environment and seems something of a fish out of water in the UK. But if this style is what you want, you won’t be disappointed.
2024 Indian Springfield Dark Horse specification
Price: £25,695
Engine: 1890cc V-twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, air cooled
Power: 100bhp (estimated)
Torque: 171Nm (111lb-ft) @ 3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt final drive
Frame: Tubular steel double cradle
Suspension: (F) Non-adjustable 46mm USD fork, (R) Preload-adjustable mono shock.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 19 x 3.5”/16 x 5”
Tyres: (F) 130/80 x 19, (R) 180/60 x 16
Brakes: (F) 2 x 300mm discs, four-piston calipers, (R) 300mm disc, 2-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 358kg (kerb)
Wheelbase: 1,701mm
Seat height: 650mm
Fuel tank: 20.8 litres
Fuel consumption: 50mpg (est)
Service intervals: 10,000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 36 months unlimited mileage
Contact: www.indianmotorcycle.co.uk
Words: Phil West
Photos: Indian Motorcycle
