Motorcycle specifications Indian1890 Springfield Dark Horse 2023 A night between roads

Little by little, the dark spirit took hold of the Indian range. Darkness was first abandoned on the Chief, then spread to the Chieftain. This time, it's the Springfield that blends into the Dark Horse correlation. And it's a good thing it did: no sooner had it been introduced than 2019 brought it a host of improvements. Several colors, engine improvements and styling tweaks. First, we welcome the return of the Sioux head on the front mudguard. The highway bar and detachable windscreen have been removed. Last but not least, bright black accents have been added to parts of the engine, exhausts and saddlebags.

2023 offers a little more flexibility and less clutch effort. An ounce of relaxation in a mechanical moment full of force. The twin 1811 had recently gained a nice ladleful of horsepower. This 116 version puts even more into the sauce. Showing off its muscles with 1890 cm3 at present, it delivers over 17 mkg once it reaches 3,000 rpm. An organ in the image of the Americans, gargled with metal and taxation. But these days, the results of a foundry can only be expressed through the raw material. It's all about letting it pulsate, triple-cheese style.

Riding assist technology has caught up with the manufacturer, who is proud to offer an 'à la carte' Thunderstroke. The rider can choose between 3 injection mappings to let himself be taken on the road. Tour' mode for cruising, 'Standard' for everyday use, and 'Sport' for getting a bit more worked up. More details at the bottom of the page.
And that's not all. Under certain conditions, the rear cylinder can be deactivated, to throw off less heat during stops. A light sleep - on acceleration, everything resumes smoothly. A motorcycle first.

An imposing bagger, this variant is subtly dipped in black. But with a certain conception of the dark, far from taciturn. The Dark Horse alternates between matte black paint and glossy elements. This nocturnal whirlwind takes with it the 12-inch ape-hanger handlebars, forks, mirrors, headlamp cowling, instrument console, footrests, mudguards, crash bars, turn signals... almost everything. But the engine has a sense of rebellion and style. Its cylinder head covers and crankcases have also succumbed to black. But the cooling fins and the exhaust line claim a faith in light.
A dark color that would suit Darth Vader perfectly. And not just Darth Vader: another stormtrooper-esque black-and-white color has been added. The mood is the same, as the white bursts into the night.

the Springfield Dark Horse has also opted for a more airy front end. Here, no traditional skirt to protect the 16-inch wheel, but a flared mudguard (in reference to the Indians of the 20s and 30s) overhanging a large 19-inch wheel.

A more ethereal invitation to travel than the big Tourers in the range, with a more welcoming rhythm. It's not so much the engine as the spirit of this bagger/cruiser that makes the difference. Heavy, the Springfield exceeds 350 kilos with a full tank, but is clearly more refined than the manufacturer's larger models. Leading the way is the Roadmaster, the most statuesque of the Indian-headed productions, weighing in at over 400 kilos and looking as wide as the road. The Thunderstroke 116's big torque will then intoxicate you, with the delicate or fierce caresses of the air.

If the "Bagger's" instinct for existence makes us think of an almost stripped-down Tourer, focused on the essentials, the Springfield subtly reminds us that technology is abundantly present beneath the nocturnal dress. There's its cast aluminum frame, fuel injection, ABS, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring and keyless start and lock system. Thus adorned, this member of the Dark Horse family (a parallel with Dark Customs?!?) is purposefully heading for a long destiny.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos

engine mapping :

- Tour" mode offers progressive acceleration for optimum driving smoothness.
- Standard" mode features responsive throttle control and balanced, progressive power delivery.
- Finally, "Sport" mode offers instant throttle response and aggressive power delivery for even more pronounced acceleration.