INDIAN SPRINGFIELD (2016 - 2018) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £380
Seat height: Low (26.0 in / 660 mm)
Weight: High (820 lbs / 372 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Indian’s big twin cruisers came from nowhere to rival Harley for style and ability. This latest variant has the best blend of attributes yet – albeit at a price.

Named after the birthplace of Indian motorcycles in 1901, the Springfield is effectively a blend of two of Indian’s existing big twins – the Chief Vintage with its Harley Road King-style Plexiglas screen and the Chieftain with its twin hard panniers, or ‘bags’. And on the evidence so far it could well prove to be the American upstart’s best big bike yet.

This bike was replaced by the 2019 Indian Springfield Dark Horse.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The tubular steel chassis is basically the same as Indian’s other big twins, too, but with slightly sharper steering geometry than the Vintage (something to do with load carrying, apparently). Though undoubtedly an imposing, large, heavy bike the Springfield’s saddle is pleasingly low and, with much of its weight carried low it’s well balanced and surprisingly manageable. Footboards mean you can move your feet around while the new ‘Buckhorn’ bars have been canted further back to provide additional touring comfort. In short: it’s a natural, comfortable place to be. Overall, considering its size (whether true or not Indians definitely feel slightly larger and more substantial than their Harley equivalents), the Springfield’s handling composure is impressive. Simply: the engine and chassis ‘just do it’, without disappointing in any way.

Indian Springfield riding shot

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Like all of reborn Indian’s ‘big twin’ cruisers, the Indian Springfield motorcycle is based around the impressive and all-new-in-2013, aircooled, 1811cc ‘Thunderstroke’ V-twin. With its massive peak torque available at just 2600rpm, you easily pull away from barely more than idle.

Wind it on and stomp through the six gears (a heel-toe ‘change is available as an option) and it putt-putt-putts effortlessly up to 70+ with barely 4500rpm showing. Eighty-plus is just a twist of the wrist away with more to come if required. And if you still want more, a performance kit comprising hotter cams, free-er breathing air filter and louder cans is available which is claimed to boost performance by 10%.

For 2019, Indian updated the Springfield (alongside other models) to incorporate three riding modes, which can be adjusted on the fly. These consist of Tour, Standard and Sport.

Indian Springfield reliability shouldn't be too bad

'Tour' mode features a smooth throttle response for relaxed riding, meanwhile the 'Standard' setting offers slightly more poke for quick passing ability, yet remains dosile and predictable at low-speed. 'Sport' mode gives the most imidiate throttle response for a more aggressive power delivery.

Rear cylinder deactivation

Alongside modes, the bike now also features rear cylinder deactivation, to help keep the rider comfortable at a standstill. Essentially, the bike will drop a cylinder automatically when stationary once up to operating temperature, with an ambient temperature above 15-degrees.

This will then generate less heat in stop-start traffic. The rear cylinder instantly reactivates when throttle is applied.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Quality-wise the Springfield’s a mouth-wateringly gorgeous piece of kit. It’s literally awash with chrome (Indian claim it’s slathered with more than any rival) and generously appointed with stylish art deco touches: those definitively Indian flared mudguards or fenders, for example; or the illuminated Indian ‘headress’ mascot atop the front guard; or the tactile, studded leader saddle even. And while a little early to proclaim on reliability, Indian’s impressive (and industry-leading) five-year warranty should way-lay most fears.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Springfield has a hefty price tag, whichever way you look at it – being a couple of grand more than its most basic Harley rivals. But then it’s impressively well-equipped and beautifully finished, too all of which goes a long way to justify it. If you want the most lavish, most glorious, best performing American bagger, this is currently it.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

As the Indian Springfield is intended very much as a premium, touring machine it’s specced up with parts like cruise control, adjustable pillion footboards, ABS, tyre pressure monitors and even central locking for the saddlebags. You also get genuine leather seats and a quick-release screen.

Indian Springfield seat

Otherwise it’s fairly familiar Indian fare with a single big dial with the digital LCD tacho incorporated. Nothing much to write home about or be surprised by, but lacking nothing of note, either.

The stripped-back Dark Horse edition also features smatterings of tech, including ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition and tyre pressure monitoring.

Specs

Engine size 1811cc
Engine type Aircooled V-twin
Frame type Tubular steel double cradle
Fuel capacity 20.8 litres
Seat height 660mm
Bike weight 372kg
Front suspension 46mm telescopic forks no adjust
Rear suspension Single rear shock with air preload adjust
Front brake 2 x 300mm discs with four-piston calipers. ABS
Rear brake 300mm single disc with twin-piston caliper. ABS
Front tyre size 130/90 x 16
Rear tyre size 180/60 x 16

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £380
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Five years

Top speed & performance

Max power -
Max torque 102.4 ft-lb
Top speed 115 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

2016: Indian Springfield launched, basically a big twin cruiser mix of Indian’s Chief Vintage and Chieftain in having Harley Road King style Plexiglass screen with hard panniers.

Other versions

Indian Springfield Dark Horse is a similar model, featuring a more stripped-back look, but enjoying a similarly well-specced overall package.

Owners' reviews for the INDIAN SPRINGFIELD (2016 - 2018)

3 owners have reviewed their INDIAN SPRINGFIELD (2016 - 2018) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your INDIAN SPRINGFIELD (2016 - 2018)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Engine: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Equipment: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £380
5 out of 5 Our Indian Springfield is simply Magnificent
25 October 2019 by Hugh

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £500

We bought our bike in Seattle commenced touring North America in February and during the next 7 months cirmnavigated America and Canada. We rode in storms snow deserts traffic and high heat. Our bike was fitted with an oil cooler from new and a trunk and rack. We are now riding in Australia. I strongly recommend the oil cooler we never experienced excessive engine heat. Ditched the standard tall screen for a much shorter flared screen which I could see over. Still get some buffetting but acceptable and safer in bad weather. No mechanical issues although did find some dealers didn't change oil correctly. You must follow the owners manual exactly. Brilliant touring machine very stable in extreme cross winds. High tyre pressures 46 psi front mean dirt performance loaded 2 up on fine gravel is skittery! Overall absolutely love the bike. Very comfortable and still looks like new!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Very good. More comfortable than my BMWR1200R but handling is not as good. However the BMW cannot carry 2 up full touring gear as well.

Engine 4 out of 5

Lovely lovely engine with real character and loads of torque. It cannot however overtake the way the BMW can.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Completely reliable. Battery terminal loose a dealer fault not installed correctly. All chrome is still perfect. Paint perfect. Leather is polished to look after. Read owners manual carefully and learn to check oil properly. This is critical with this semi dry sump engine. Many dealers underfill because of problems with testing a hot engine in a service situation. You cannot check cold.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I only use Indian Oil filters and other items.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Strongly recommend heated grips touring seat with heat settings and for me a must have is the optional oil cooler. These big air cooled engines can get seriously hot in a San Diego traffic jam when it's 110 degrees. Ours never did. Most of the time I can put my hand on the rear cylinder finned cover.

Buying experience: Bought from dealer. Most dealers are excellent. A few require training. Sydney dealer was definitely 5 star.

4 out of 5 Mr
01 November 2018 by Wayne Dilworth

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £250

For a cruiser this is an awesome bike, the only problems have been recalls

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Ride quality is excellent with more than 4" of travel at the rear Brakes are good for a cruiser, far better than my old bike ( 13 Harley Roadking) but not brilliant

Engine 5 out of 5

Awesome stomp, upgraded it with V&H pipes, S&S air filter and Dynojet PVCX

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Nothing has failed

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

With a large purchase comes a large depreciation. Tyres being changed in May should have about 10k on them by then MPG according to the bike itself is 52.2 imperial gallons Never used any oil

Equipment 5 out of 5

Everything on it except for heated grips which have now been added

Buying experience: Bought from dealer and had good service

5 out of 5
17 July 2016 by niafit

Year: 2016

It has a cast aluminium frame and not tubular steel as the MCN review says.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Front brake is a little "wooden" feeling.

Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
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