Indian Springfield Dark Horse: Specs, Features, Background, Performance, & More

Indian Motorcycle was founded by George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedroom in 1901 and became America’s first motorcycle-making company. Over the years, they have made many remarkable motorcycles that became favorites amongst motorcycle enthusiasts of that time. Even today, people still consider Indian motorcycles as some of the best motorcycles in the world in terms of design, style, engine power, and performance.

Indian Motorcycle has launched many models over the years. Since 2014, Indian Motorcycle has started to use the name “Dark Horse” for their bike brands. Aptly named for the color scheme, many people like the black color for their motorcycles. Indian Motorcycle manufactured and launched multiple Dark Horse with their models such as the Indian Chief Dark Horse, Indian Bobber Dark Horse, Indian Springfield Dark Horse, Indian Challenger Dark Horse, and Indian Pursuit Dark Horse.

Indian Motorcycle launched the Indian Springfield in 2016. The Indian Springfield was named after the location of the first Indian Motorcycle which was made in 1901. The Indian Springfield shared similar looks with both the Indian Chieftain and Chief Vintage, along with an easily detachable windshield and a rear air-adjusted shock.

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse is a bagger motorcycle . Like other Indian bagger motorcycles, the Indian Springfield Dark Horse can be fitted with luggage bags. The standard Indian Springfield has a traditional look while the Indian Springfield Dark Horse looks much neat and tidy. The Springfield Dark Horse’s handlebars are higher than the standard Indian Springfield but do not have a windshield. Both motorcycles are powered by the same engine but the wheelbase of the Indian Springfield Dark Horse is larger than the Standard Indian Springfield and the Indian Springfield has more ground clearance and slightly more width and length compared to the Indian Springfield Dark Horse. The standard Indian Springfield is also heavier than the Indian Springfield Dark Horse.

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse is fitted with the Thunder Stroke 116 cu (1890 cc) engine, much larger than the Indian Chief Vintage’s Thunder Stroke 111 cu (1811 cc) engine. The Springfield Dark Horse has a closed-loop fuel injection system with a bore size of 54 mm while the engine has a bore size of 103.2 mm. It can generate a maximum torque of 171 Nm at 3000 rpm and an approximate horsepower of 97.6 hp .

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse has a fuel capacity of 5.5 gallons (approximately 20.8 L) and a mileage of 32.9 mpg (approximately 14 km/L).

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse has dual disc brakes at the front wheel and a single disc brake at the rear wheel, both with a diameter of approximately 300 mm. The brakes feel comfortable, with the front brake feeling a little tighter when in use. It is better to apply both front and rear brakes for comfortable and reliable stopping power.

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse has the same transmission system as the majority of Indian bagger motorcycles with a six-gear transmission and a Gear Drive Wet Clutch. Its first gear can provide a powerful ratio of 9.403:1 while the ratio of the next gears gets lower and lower to allow for a smooth riding experience.

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse is a very comfortable ride because of its telescopic fork shock absorber at the front wheel with a displacement of 119 mm and a single air adjustable shock absorber at the rear wheel with a displacement of 63 mm while driving and 114 mm when at rest.

Bagger motorcycles are motorcycles that have extra means of storage attached to them called SADDLEBAGS. Bagger motorcycles are a type of touring motorcycle designed to travel over long distances. The main difference between a touring motorcycle is the overall design of the vehicle and the use of LUGGAGE RACKS.

There have been a lot of good motorcycles manufactured by Indian Motorcycle to suit different needs. For longer trips, bagger motorcycles and touring motorcycles are the best choices. The best option to pick is the Indian Springfield, Indian Chief Vintage, Indian Challenger, Indian Chieftain, Indian Roadmaster, and Indian Pursuit.

Riding experience can vary from person to person, but if you want a bike with good throttle power and a powerful engine, then Indian motorcycles will not disappoint you. Most Indian Motorcycles have good levels of comfort and reliable yet tight brakes.

If you are fond of long-distance trips, then baggers and touring motorcycles are the best options. If a person rides a motorcycle for daily commutes and travels through the city, then cruiser bikes like the Indian Scout, Indian Bobber, and Indian Chief are the best options.

It depends on the ride whether s/he like Harley-Davidson bikes or Indian models more. In general, most motorcyclists prefer Harley-Davidson motorcycles because of their reliability and aftermarket parts being better than Indian motorcycles. Other riders still prefer Indian motorcycles because of their engine power, riding experience, and looks.

The way some motorcycles are manufactured appeals to certain riders, making them prefer certain motorcycle companies over others. Riders usually do not apply modifications to their motorcycles.

The Indian Springfield Dark Horse has a matte and glossy color scheme which gives it its impressive look.

There are not many Indian Motorcycles parts available on the market, but there are websites like Viking Bags  where riders can easily find seats, saddlebags , luggage bags, and backrests for their Indian Springfield Dark Horse.

Riders can also change and upgrade other parts like the luggage rack , handlebars, sissy bars , crash bars , and fairings to customize the look of their bike.