2024 Indian Springfield Dark Horse - Detailed Review and Test Ride

[@OutbackOutlaw]

Yep. Bare bones no bullshit is the way I ride and drive. I’m not a fan of digital.

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@OutbackOutlaw this is definitely the Indian Motorcycle for you then! I enjoyed it a lot. Reminded me of the fun times learning on my old Chief when I was still cutting my teeth on the road.

[@OutbackOutlaw]

@@MOTOBLADE I ride the old Chief Darkhorse platform, which is now the Springfield. Don’t think I would change either.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Nice! Mine was a 2015, what year is your chief?

[@OutbackOutlaw]

@@MOTOBLADE 2017, love it

[@MOTOBLADE]

Sweet! I miss mine sometimes. Love the chieftain but it was fun to have my face in the wind.

[@GEN084]

Springfield is the exact same bike as chieftain n road master without the front fairing so technically it handle better than those 2 because it lighter n quicker

[@MOTOBLADE]

Just a very slight difference between. Rake is the same, trail is a little different. Wheelbase is also longer on the Springfield.

[@sarkiskopushyan]

Man that’s a beautiful looking bike. Safe driving 👍🏻

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thank you! I will do my best - you be safe as well.

[@nickmcclellan9623]

Nice video. Thank you for staying away from brand bashing.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thank you! I own a Harley and an Indian. No brand bashing from me (I pick on BMW guys relentlessly, but it's all in fun 🤣)

[@stuwhyte479]

Great review as usual and i am a subscriber. Cheers 🍺🍺🍺🇳🇿

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@stuwhyte479 thank you sir!

[@DarrellTurnerJr]

I test rode one. It is an awesome machine. The lack of pull back on the bars is an issue for shorter riders. Some apes that curved back a couple of inches and then swept upward would be awesome

[@MOTOBLADE]

Turns out the one I rode had the shorty bars. Standard that it comes with have more pullback and more relaxed. I asked them at the demo are and they had just put different bars on across the Springfields they had so people could try different setups. I happened to grab the one with shortys and didn’t realize it.

[@DarrellTurnerJr]

@@MOTOBLADE my issue with the taller bars is that you have change the angle of the apes. I like apes that stand mostly straight up

[@terrysims2925]

Have a 21 darkhorse, put bars off the vintage on it before i took off floor. 19,000 miles , no issues

[@MOTOBLADE]

Nice!! I’m at 28k on my chieftain. Done nothing to it since the 500 mile break in service other than oil changes and air/oil filter. No other services and the thing hasn’t balked a bit. Awesome machines

[@jakedavid8187]

I should have driven one of these in sturgis. I rode the cheif bobber darkhorse and the challenger. I didn't know about this one. I might have been sold on this

[@MOTOBLADE]

So depending on how tricked out they had the chief engine - they’re the same stock. 116 Thunderstroke (a lot of dealerships throw a stage 1 on the chiefs though for fun). Only thing different is frame - a LOT more comfortable for long riding with the Springfield. Hard locking bags (which are quick detach if you want to take them off for weight/looks). Definitely try to take one for a ride if you can. I think you’ll love it. I probably passed you somewhere around Sturgis brother ✌🏻

[@vtbaggerbro6291]

Such a great looking bike! Love the Indian Springfield Darkhorse. Great video man, thanks 👍

[@MOTOBLADE]

I agree! Such an awesome looking bike. Thanks man ✌🏻

[@Dawgs241]

Thanks for the review. I love the look of the bike. Definitely would buy this over the HD Roadking. Watching your other Indian reviews, i think im going with the Chiefton or challenger.

[@MOTOBLADE]

I own a Chieftain, but I think the Challenger is my favorite. I'm a huge fan of the Challenger Dark Horse (Challenger came out 2 years after I got my Chieftain). Whatever you end up on, I'm sure you'll love it. Indian makes INCREDIBLE bikes!

[@RitoGuzman-rd2kd]

Why would you pick the Indian dark horse over the HD roadking?

[@MarcusTurner-db5qv]

Nice video nice bike MOTOBLADE

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thanks ✌🏻

[@chrishunter5041]

Wonder why they did away with the ability to fit a screen🤔 Good review.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Thank you! It’s a classic looking bike, maybe they will add the ability to add a tech package and put a round ride command gauge on it later on?

[@ChristianCMC]

Is this a good bike for a beginner? Was gonna go Harley, but not since they went woke.

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@ChristianCMC I had an older Chief (which at this point is basically what this Springfield is) back when I just started riding. I loved it. Learned a lot on it. It’s a “big bike” - but you won’t get bored with it. Has hard electronic locking bags for taking stuff with you, plenty of power for the highway if you need it, but it loves low-end torque which is nice for learning on. Not a high-end horsepower crotchrocket bike, great for cruising. That’s what it was for me when I was learning to ride, hope that helps!

[@patland73]

Awesome video like usual buddy, great editing after eating a few beaver tails in your neighbour's Country!😜🤣👌

[@MOTOBLADE]

I’m ashamed to say it wasn’t just a few 👀😂 yall been hiding stuff on us Canada! Beaver tails, poutine, I am never going to look at French fries the same way again!

[@patland73]

@@MOTOBLADE😂😂😂👌🏼

[@Rambiker2023chief]

Is this the same bike the previous chief used to be? If so, it’s probably way cheaper to find a pre 22 chief dark horse

[@MOTOBLADE]

As far as looks go, they are very similar, but there are some differences in the shape/size/frame and suspension dimensions. The Springfield model was around with the pre-22 chief- they are not the same bike, but share very similar looks.

[@Rambiker2023chief]

@@MOTOBLADE thanks for the info. Have you ridden a pre 22 chief? I’m wondering how it compares to the new SFDH

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@Rambiker2023chief I owned a 2015 Chief Dark Horse. Springfield has slightly better handling and it has the hard, locking saddlebags (part of the reason I went for a chieftain, locking saddlebags were a 'must' for me). I have some videos back on my channel of my review of the Chief when I bought it, but I would say now that the 116 engine and the new tech in the thunderstroke make the Springfield worth it. Just my opinion 🤷🏼‍♂ hope that helps!

[@Rambiker2023chief]

@@MOTOBLADE thanks again for all that great info! Did you end up selling the 2015 chief

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@Rambiker2023chief yes! I traded it in for a 2018 Chieftain Dark Horse. Have had that bike 5 years now. Favorite bike in the world. But sometimes I miss the open feel of the chief. That’s why I like the Springfield so much. Good memories of when I was first learning to ride.

[@MattieXMoto]

What award did Indian win for the 111? Everyone refers to it as the award winning. But I can't find anything specific. Thanks

[@MOTOBLADE]

You’ve got me down the rabbit hole now. I’ve been searching, checking old articles - and nothing! Indian makes the claim directly on their website - quote: “The award-winning Thunderstroke engine delivers exceptional torque.” - that’s an excerpt from the 111’s page but they make no citation of the award or accolade. I’ve found plenty of articles and accolades from publications like Motorcycling magazine, stuff like that, but that was all high-praise for the bike. Obviously the engine is in the bike but NOTHING on the engine specifically. I repeated this because it was told to me by Indian reps and dealers and even on their website. Took them at their word but I want proof now! Next step: I’m reaching out to Indian directly for an answer.

[@MattieXMoto]

@@MOTOBLADE lol. And I wasnt calling you out. I read it everywhere and on their website too. But the amazing thing to me in my own rabbit hole research is that both the 111/116 and 108 seem capable of high odometer with simple maintenance. Just read the forum re Larry s and his 500k mile chieftan. I want a usa made bike as my next bike and take multi day road trips.. But i also dont want to be stranded. And even if it were a brand new road glide I would be very nervous about reliability. Seems the indians would be no problemo.

[@MOTOBLADE]

Just did 7200 miles around the U.S. on mine. National parks, Sturgis, Route 66. Just did an oil change before I left. No problems I’ve never done a service to mine other than air filter/oil changes since the initial 500 miles around break in service. That was 30k ago

[@MattieXMoto]

@@MOTOBLADE i just know on a hd i would need a dealer visit of some kind on a road trip like that. As we chatted before i am waiting to see what the 2025 challenger brings. Very least I can than shop for even a preowned current challenger or a steal on a leftover 2024. But i do want to test ride the new road glide too

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@MattieXMoto new road glide is nice, screen is buggy unless they’ve fixed it with a software update. Worked great when I rode it but I heard from owners that it needs a lot of work to make it better. Sounds like an easy software thing but something to be aware of. Bike itself is awesome

[@JacobRamsey1979]

Such a good-looking bike... I wish my skinny ass was bigger cuz I would look stupid on it otherwise I'd have one

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@JacobRamsey1979 that sounds like the best problem to have. Buy a bike and get to eat a few dozen donuts. Win-win!

[@WindyPine1131]

I currently ride a 20 LRS. Although just love it, I won’t buy another Harley after this one due to the woke stuff they just did. I’ve heard Indian did it prior but I haven’t looked into it yet. I love the road king but now my mouth is grossed out by the brand. I also really like the Springfield dark horse too so we will see

[@MOTOBLADE]

@@WindyPine1131 buried deep on Indians website in their company page they had some little line and I’m paraphrasing here, but it was something like “we are committed to inclusion and our community” and stuff like that. Nothing bad. They didn’t make a big show of it and it’s been there forever, probably a Polaris copy and paste thing. Nothing like what Harley did. And from what I’ve heard from folks at Indian they are very aware not to make the same mistake Harley did. I think we’re fine.