TESTED: 2016 Indian Springfield
2016 Indian Springfield.
Photography by John Zamora
I recently attended the launch of the 2016 Indian Springfield in Daytona Beach, Florida. Let’s face it, unless your hitting the high banks of the Daytona Speedway, Florida isn’t really the place to test the cornering capabilities of any motorcycle with the off ramps being the only place where the road actually turns more than a few degrees. But to be honest, that’s not as important when it comes to the Springfield.
2016 Indian Springfield.
Photography by John Zamora
I’ve always found it funny to read the same review again and again where basically the spec sheet is rewritten into the standard story with the same photos in the same spots saying the same thing. In this day in age, with the minuscule attention spans of the digital age, let’s cut through the crap and talk about why I love the Indian Springfield.
The mighty 111 Thunderstroke motor.
Photography by John Zamora
There is finally an Indian model for the rider that wants everything and sometimes nothing at all. Looking for a versatile highway cruiser with hard bags, trunk, and a windscreen? You can have that with the fully optioned out touring package. Looking for a mean and lean blacked out hot-rod-style bagger with nothing but the bare essentials to rip solo around town? You can have that too with the optional blacked out performance package with fishtail Stage 1 pipes, performance cams, and high flow air cleaner. This is the first model that really has the broad base for making a bike whatever you want.
How does it ride? Well, it rides very much like the the Indian lineup, and trust me that’s a good thing! Get this beast a barrelin’ down the road, and that Thunderstroke 111-inch motor pulls and cruises with ease.
The larger Indian script on the gas tank is exclusive to the Springfield.
Photo: John Zamora
Stopping? Dual 4 Piston Calipers squeezing two 300mm floating rotors in the front and another single two piston caliper squashing another 300mm floating rotor in the back means the 850-pound beast will still stop, especially with the standard ABS brakes.
Comfort? The Springfield is made for all day cruising without a second thought, and that’s the way we like to play. Through the Rucca on the back, fill the tank up and get to where your going with the typical pokes and prods from the passenger begging for break.
2016 Indian Springfield
Photography by John Zamora
What excites me the most about the Springfield is the aftermarket potential and variation that are possible. I happen to own another bike that rhymes with toad ring, and up until the Springfield was the only choice for me. But now this Midwest bad boy has this Cali kid seeing a new base for a proper Vicla custom. If the Springfield were a lowrider, it would definitely be a bomb with it’s heritage, sleek covered body and classic Playboy looks. If you fall more along the lines of the the lay-and-play crowd you need to take a good look at this new old-school classic.
2016 Indian Springfield
Photography by John Zamora
Plus:
– Heritage and style
– All day comfort
– Ultra versatility from hot rod to lowrider
Minus:
– Only available in solid red and black
– No wire wheels
– It’s not in my garage
Optional hi-flow air cleaner
Photography by John Zamora
RELATED: MORE FIRST TEST BIKES AND GEAR
2016 Indian Springfield in Thunder Black
Photo: John Zamora
2016 Indian Springfield in Thunder Black
Photo: John Zamora
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | |
| Engine Type | Thunder Stroke 111 |
| Displacement | 111 cu in / 1811 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.976 x 4.449 in (101 mm x 113 mm) |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 : 1 |
| Electronic Fuel Injection System | Closed Loop Fuel Injection / 54mm Bore |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Primary Drive | Gear Drive |
| Drive/Driven | ClutchWet, Multi-Plate |
| Final Drive | 2.2 : 1 |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Peak Torque | 119.2 ft-lbs |
| Peak Torque RPM | 3000 rpm |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Suspension: Front – Type | TravelTelescopic Fork / 4.7 in (119 mm) |
| Front Fork Tube Diameter | 46mm |
| Suspension: Rear – Type | TravelSingle Shock w/ Air Adjust / 4.5 in (114mm) |
| CHASSIS | |
| Brakes Front | Dual / 300mm Floating Rotor / 4 Piston Caliper |
| Brakes Rear | Single / 300mm Floating Rotor / 2 Piston Caliper |
| Tires Front | Dunlop Elite 3 130 / 90B16 73H |
| Tires/Rear | Dunlop Elite 3 Multi-Compound 180/60R16 80H |
| Wheels Front | Cast 16 in x 3.5 in |
| Wheels Rear | Cast 16 in x 5 in |
| Exhaust System | Split Dual Exhaust w/ Cross-Over |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Wheelbase | 67.0 in |
| Seat Height | 26.0 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.6 in |
| Overall Width | 39.0 in |
| Overall Height | 56.8 in |
| Overall Length | 101.7 in |
| Rake | 25° |
| Trail | 5.2 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gallons |
| Weight | (Empty Tank / Full of Fuel) 818 lbs. / 852 lbs. |
| FEATURES | |
| Color / Graphics | Thunder Black or Indian Red |
| STANDARD | |
| Standard Equipment | ABS; Cast Aluminum Frame with Integrated Air-Box; Cruise Control; Highway Bar; Indian Script Tank Badge; Keyless Start; Quick-Release Windshield; Quick-Release Hard Saddlebags, Tire Pressure Monitoring |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Gauges | Tank Mounted Electronic Speedometer with Odometer; Dual Tripmeters; Digital Tachometer; Ambient Air Temperature; Fuel Range; Average Fuel Economy; Battery Voltage; Gear Position Display; Real-Time Clock; Vehicle Trouble Code Read-Out; Heated Grip Level (If Heated Grips Installed); Low Engine Oil Pressure; 9 LED Telltale Indicators: Cruise Control Enabled, Cruise Control Set, Neutral, High Beam, Turn Signal, ABS, Check Engine, and MPH or Km/H Unit Designation; Tank Mounted Electronic Fuel Gauge with Low Fuel LED Indicator |
| Lights | Headlight; Driving/Tail/Brake Lights; Turn Signals; License Plate Light; Speedometer with Indicator Lights |
| MSRP | Starting at $20,999 |
Get the all the latest issue of Hot Bike magazine! Subscribe directly from us.
