T
he Indian Springfield model line was launched in 2016 as a way to attract riders who wanted something between the Chief and the Scout. Some thought it was the perfect offering. I typically gravitate toward mid-size motorcycles because of their practicality—most riders can only afford one bike, so it’s easy to split the difference. The Springfield Dark Horse starts with practicality and follows up with styling that leads the pack. The first thing I noticed about the Springfield Dark Horse was the nineteeninch blackedout ten-spoke front wheel and the open front fender sans headdress light. This gives the bike a more strippeddown look, and when I took the windshield off, I was surprised at how different it looked compared to the standard Springfield. The flat black theme of the bike was complimented by gloss black accents on the front and rear highway bars,
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July ‘18 - CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE
as well as the handlebars—just enough gloss to tie it all together. I packed up my extra gear in the standard remote-locking saddlebags and got ready for my first trip down the road on this good-looking machine. I was sure the Dark Horse would handle similarly to the standard Springfield. What I found, as I maneuvered through the streets, avenues and highways of central Florida, was a stableyet-nimble steed equipped for whatever was thrown at it. I initially thought some performance would have been sacrificed with the nineteeninch front wheel wrapped with a Dunlop tire (that has less sidewall than, but is the same width as, the standard Springfield). That wasn’t the case, though: the nineteen-inch not only looked great but also handled well at both low and highway speeds. Obviously, this machine is not purpose-built to tour, but the saddlebag connection allows for the addition of a trunk that
