2021 Indian Springfield Dark Horse

Bad boy, streamlined styling meets traditional V-twin bagger. The result is a somewhat stripped-down ride with lots of power and good handling, storage, and a great look.

The 2021 Springfield Dark Horse deviates from the standard Springfield not only with its more modern styling, but also with the addition of the more powerful Thunderstroke 116 engine. The Dark Horse also ditches the base Springfield’s shield and adds taller mid-rise handlebars as well as more open fenders to go along with the taller 19-inch front wheel and slammed saddlebags. The result is a modern bagger with attitude, power, and good ride quality.

There are no updates for 2021.

Indian’s Springfield Dark Horse keeps its base MSRP of $22,499, the same as last year’s model, and comes in three color options: Thunder Black Smoke, Sagebrush Smoke, or White Smoke (the latter two options add $500 to the price).

There aren’t any truly direct competitors to the Springfield Dark Horse that we can think of; it occupies its very own, shield-less slot in the V-twin bagger universe.

The Springfield is powered by the Thunderstroke 116 engine, which Morgan Gales said had a “smooth delivery of power, putting out 102 pound-feet of torque and 82 hp on our dyno” in his long-term review. The Dark Horse comes with three ride modes—Tour, Sport, and Standard—so you can change the engine mapping to suit your needs. Gales also mentioned: “The clutch has handled my abrupt lever drops on both acceleration and decel quite well.”

Gales praised the Springfield Dark Horse’s handling prowess in his long-term review, citing the impressive chassis: “It’s rigid enough to feel stable throwing into turns at high speeds and deep lean angles (relatively, of course), yet the suspension is still supple enough to ride hundreds of miles in a day with ease. The front suspension is not adjustable but has been more than adequate throughout testing.”

Thanks to 300mm dual disc front brakes, a 300mm rear disc, and ABS, the bike stops quickly and without drama.

Over the course of several months, Gales recorded an average fuel mileage of 32.4 mpg, but also commented that “is low for a touring bike, but really doesn’t seem that bad considering how heavy-handed I am with that throttle.”

With a seat hovering just 26 inches off the ground along with full-length footboards and forward controls, even short riders are close to the ground. But the tall mini-apes might not be comfy for some—according to Gales: “Ergonomics on the Springfield Dark Horse are perfect for me right off the shelf, but I have a weird lanky body. The tall handlebars are the only thing that may give shorter riders some trouble.” Overall, the Springfield Dark Horse setup provides a relaxed and upright riding posture, with high marks for the “cushioned, supportive, and comfortable” saddle.

The Springfield Dark Horse takes pride in its minimalism so you won’t find a lot of electronic doodads here. It does have ABS, cruise control, a keyless ignition, and three ride modes—Tour, Standard, and Sport—that let you tailor the power delivery to fit your riding style.

Indian gives you a 24-month warranty with unlimited mileage.

With its clean lines and blacked-out and minimal accoutrements, the Springfield Dark Horse goes for a more industrial vibe. That said, details like the contrast cut wheels and well-designed ergonomic triangle and engine packaging all point to a high level of engineering (though there were some complaints about the bags’ latching mechanism).