The 2016 Indian Springfield is featured in Episode 2 of my Let's Ride series. Let me know your comments about the bike and the review! Thanks to MOMS Foxboro: www.moms73.com Blooper Music at End - Kevin MacLeod - Incompetech
After six years on my 2010 Victory Cross Country (longest I have had any one bike) Iam now riding the bike of my dreams. For my 70th birthday I got a 2015 Indian Chieftain. It was in demo service at our local Indian dealer here in Grand Rapids MI. After a test ride on this black and red Chieftain I was able to test ride a black Springfield. I was not disappointed at all but after being on a fairinged bike I found I wanted another. Being 5'6" I find both the Springfield and Chieftain handlebars to be perfect for me as well as all other ergonomics. MOMS is great for all your biking needs. I have rented from them twice now and will be renting sometime in Sept as we are visiting relatives in Tiverton RI. I love you vlogs. Keep up the great work.
my brother is also 5'6" and was wondering if he could handle the Springfield. No issues on your end? Have you ridden the Scout? How do you like the power of that 111?
The Springfield is the best handling big bike that Indian has in its lineup. It's easy to handle, slow speed maneuver and comes up off the sidestand very easy. The powerband on that motor is incredible. I find myself using sixth gear more so than on my Vic. I could go on and on about these fabulous machines but I won't unless you or your brother has another question.
I am a long time Japanese motorcycle rider ! Had 24 bikes since 1971 including a Valkyrie ,two GW,s and ST1300 and a 2014 FJR1300 ! Last year i rode seven 111 power strokes on a dealership test rides and absolutely was amazed how wonderful the comfort, ride, handling and the torque was on these bikes were! I rode a Springfield, three chieftains one stock, one with a cam kit and one with the 116 engine ! I rode two RoadMaster,s that weigh 934 lbs 30 lbs heavier then my gl1800 GW yet the handling and weight were like a bike 200lbs less ! What a fabulous motorcycle and this is coming from a rider that only rode Japanese bikes! My GW can not hold a candle to the RoadMaster in ride ,handling and comfort ! I retired last year I’m 66yrs old and my last bike will be an Indian RoadMaster, chieftain or Springfield depending on money at the time! Thank you for the info great job!
Thank you NightcruiserMA for this video. You succeed in making us feel all the good things this bike makes you feel. I replaced my Harley Electra Glide 2005 (130,000 km) with a brand new 2016 Roadmaster. Your videos helped me in the decision process by bringing to my knowledge Indian exists and it feels good. I don't regret i swaped from Harley to Indian and i thank you for the quality (image, sound, and comments) of your vlogs.
I took one of these out on a solo ride during a demo day, and my god it's such a crazy-smooth bike. the handling is other-wordly for like an...800? pound bike? i mean, it feels like it weighs half that in the curves, the ride is like the typical, classy "cadillac" ride. ridiculously smooth and plush. I just got a 2016 H-D Dyna Fat Bob and i nearly traded it in! Actually as soon as i finished my test ride and put the kickstand down the guy who had just taken the bike out before me had bought it. I talked to him a bit and he's a (now) former Road King owner. Your accolades, are SPOT-ON. i feel that when i get the chance this will definitely be my next bike. probably only criticism is the standard windscreen makes the air buffet a lot at the crown of my helmet; so I'd want either the shorter or the taller screen.
MmHm, the joys of riding A bike. Haven´t really been at it for 20 yrs or so. Crashed my 125cc at 17.... High speed, but came out OK. Pretty much. But... It requires a new, separate, license. Times 4 for that of A car, In Time and Dineros. #sweden Great vid, As Always!
What an amazing review... The music at the start matches exactly that Indian bike and heritage... And such a magnificent bike this is.... Its got everything
Best line of the vlog, "I'm 5'7", and I weigh... a lot..." Welcome to the party pal! Love the new format and some of the new features of the vlog, so much more viewable. The stuff at the beginning with the shots of the bike to the music really had me. Great job!
What a great review! I happen to like HD and respect the brand for what they have been able to accomplish but I decided to become an Indian owner because it was a better match for my wants and needs a little better, i.e., it's a more refined ride as well as a better looking bike, in my opinion. Thank you for making this video.
Love your reviews. Could never personally ride a huge bike like that. I'm on a Honda Scooter 150! And I just go that this year so no desire to get anything bigger. But I do enjoy your shooting style, the great audio you get and like pretending I'm on a big bike.
I'm really enjoying the new test drive videos in addition to your regular ones. The intro for this one was great. It's good to have you back. Best wishes to you and your wife.
It's a beautiful bike! I just bought my first Harley. A 2014 Road King and I'm really happy with it. But I have limited experience with different bikes and the Indians have been 'knawing' at me for some time now. This bike (and I really liked the chieftain classic up till now) is without a doubt on my radar! Thanks for the ride!
Excellent review as always! I love the Chief Vintage which is at the top of my list. But I was able to test ride the Chief & Springfield back-to-back and you are correct, the Springfield is in a class by itself in terms of handling & overall comfort IMO. The Chief is a close second but the chassis and handlebars on the SF makes all the difference. Ascetically, I simply prefer the classic styling of the Chief Vintage and its still one of, if not the best handling bike in its class. Regardless, Indians are making quite a statement. I'm looking forward to more of your videos !
Tried a new chief and challenger...and a 16 springfield....and bought the 16 springy....this thing rocks! Handles nimbly for an 800# behemoth, power for days, very, very comfortable for my 6 foot self-its just plush. Fantastic. And it looks an absolute stunner! Really looking forward to racking some miles up on this thing.
So glad you reviewed the Springfield Nightcruiser! Been riding it everyday for a month straight. Great review, as far as the reach on the handlebars, the backrest takes care of that as well. It is a great time to be riding with Indian back in the game!
Good review! First time I've seen an American test ride that doesn't involve a big group of Indians crawling along boringly straight roads around town at 30mph. It's the Scout I want, but I tried a Springfield a couple of weeks back at Moore Speed Racing, Poole, UK, and it was a lovely bike, but the screen was wrong for me. I'm 6'2" and 80kgs and had lots of buffeting over 60mph which wobbled my helmet about. Don't know if taller or shorter screen would have helped. But must admit the comfort of sitting in still air below my lid was amazing. Never had that before, but then I'm used to sportier stuff.
Bought the 2017 Thunder Black with heated grips. Love the heated grips especially when one resides just outside Toronto Canada. Last 2017 in their crate - just hit the 800 Kilometres and now ready for its first service. Never thought I would spend 27K CAD on a motorcycle - Worth every single penny! Love the Road Kind too but this was my choice this time around. Ride safe - Ride Free!!
The opening music is so apposite for the legendary marque! For those wondering about whom we have to thank for it: "Headlights- The Wyrd Project". I wish Nightcruiser had left them an attribution. Great review! The Springfield is an exquisite machine; it is going to look captivating even decades from now when gasoline motorcycles may have become historical artefacts. I've booked the 2020 Springield; can't wait for it arrive in my garage. It'll have the Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition for company.
Hi there. Thanks for the kind words. The music is actually called "Cage" by Adam Riddle Music. I purchased it to use royalty free from PremiumBeat in 2016. Out of curiosity I looked up the song you referenced and it does seem that the "The Wyrd Project" took that song and added words to it. Their release was 3 years after the original. I don't know if they had permission to do that with the song or not. Congrats on the 2020 Springfield! I was so close to buying one! And that Bonneville is awesome as well. Ride safe!
NightcruiserMA Thank you for your response. Also, thank you for that information on the music. I’ll look them up. You have a keen eye for great music. Keep the reviews comin’!
The intro to the video is AMAZING! Great review. Like these review videos. Also like your normal vlogs too!! Hope to see those again as well. As always ride safe.
Hi Nightcruiser, because of this great video and others like it, I finally have my dream bike, a 2019 Indian Springfield in Metallic Gray and Burgandy. My wife bought her Vuclan S from Mom's in Foxboro but I got my Indian at Mom's in Manchester. I resided in Methuen MA , but now in Londonderry NH. I hope I see you on the road someday.
Hey there Rogue. Congratulations! That is a GORGEOUS bike. I have a friend that bought that color combination on the Springfield about a year and a half ago and I always love seeing it. Congrats again and ride safe!
Great review. That is a nice looking bike. I like the Indian badges on the tank. Am debating on whether or not to get them for my Roadmaster. Enjoying your new vlogs :). Cheers - Kevin
Excellent job on motorcycle review you really encapsulated the whole ride and experience keep the bike reviews coming and I'm now looking at buying an Indian also because I'm not a cookie cutter or fad chaser I like to stand out and this is the bike for just that
Test road a Springfield recently and I'm in love! Your outstanding video isn't helping any as I'm too mesmerized by it to do anything else! I love the camera work and background music for it floods my senses and time stops. Would please provide a link to the background music? I enjoyed it very much! Thanks for the review! I see a new Springfield in my future!
That, is an absolute art piece of machinery right there. I would and hope to own one soon! Also, do you have the track you used over the walk around of the bike showing off its features? If so, shoot me a link! Its to epic not to own!
Good video. Liked the intro with the music. Would get the lower wind deflectors and chaps that go on the engine guards. I, like the handle bars too wish the heal toe shifter came STD equipment.
Excellent video on the Springfield, NightcruiserMA. MoM's South is pretty cool place (I'm a local)~ Hopefully you can review them all! One minor critique: There is a noticeable audio hum (especially during pauses) while you are giving the overview of the bike. A quick pass in Audacity would clean that right up. What is your in helmet audio solution? Subscribed. Thanks for the good work, and keep it up!
Here's an odd question: three years ago, you rode a yamaha stratoliner 1900. It's been a while but how does that bike compare to the modern indians? You've become much more confident as a rider since then, so that might influence your opinion.
That’s a great question. Thank you for checking out my old stuff! I will one day soon ride a Stratoliner again, because I owe it that. I was completely overwhelmed by the size and weight and not being able to get my feet flat. Nowadays, you’re right - I’m more confident, much more experienced and just a much more skilled rider, as anyone would be after a few years. Your question has made me draw a comparison in my head that I really hadn’t drawn before. The most comparable Indian is probably the Chieftain, but the Chieftain and Roadmaster ride very similarly, so while I’ll talk about the Chieftain, the Roadmaster is in the same discussion. I can, nowadays, think more clearly about the Stratoliner than I did back then. To me, they are paradoxically different as far as riding. Obviously, the features are different - the Strat has a pretty basic/empty fairing. The Chieftain has a much more finished set of features. But the riding is the most important thing. The Strat’s engine is smooth. It doesn’t really rumble very much. It’s powerful and torquey, and at times almost feels like you’re riding an inline 4. The Indian’s ThunderStroke 111 is much more like a traditional v-twin. It has the lump. It has the character. That’s not to say it’s not smooth - it is silky smooth. It’s just somehow more motorcycle-like in the engine compartment. It also has a better sound when compared stock pipes to stock pipes (all subjective, of course.) Unless the very new Stratoliners are a lot different, the Chieftain wins hands down in suspension. Bumps that killed me on the Strat go unnoticed on a Chieftain or RM. It’s not terrible on the Strat - it’s just that once you get to the bigger holes in the road, the difference becomes more noticeable. Over slightly bumpy roads, they’re both fine, but hit a pothole on the Stratoliner and you’re suddenly 2” shorter. I don’t remember a lot about the Stratoliner’s handling, so I’m reluctant to draw any comparisons there. The Stratoliner has unique and very cool styling. So does the Chieftain or Roadmaster. They’re both big and roomy and pretty comfortable, though the Stratoliner’s seat is a lot wider than the Chieftain’s. This results in a little more comfort when seated for long periods, but less comfort when you have to put your feet down. The two bikes must look very similar on paper, except for the Yamaha’s larger displacement, and yet they fall, culturally and stylistically, on very opposite sides of the coin.
Great Review ... I have a chance to pick up a 2016 .. waiting for details ... Its been used a bit but am hoping that there is something there worth picking up. This review was 4 years ago ... silly question I guess but none the less quite pertinent to me ... anyone .. how do these big birds age ? 5 years now will be up in 2021 if I pick it up ... does one expect a lot of issues cause repairs etc are not really what I want to get into . Cheers
did you notice any high speed vibration say around 70mph. I rode a Vintage and was put off by it. My Road King is much smoother at highway speeds although the suspension is not as good as the Indian. I have noticed this on many manufacturers using counter weights to remove vibration. Could have been the unit I was test riding
Great Video.. Always like watching your reviews. I was looking to getting a Indian Scout from my Victory Judge. Seeing how you owned a Judge, would you recommend the move?
Really nice review, and I do like the look of the bike. Beautiful powerful smooth. How would you compare the ride quality to your roadmaster? Thanks for sharing
I think the Springfield looks great! I am 5'7 and wonder if the bike is tall and how the handlebars/footpegs/seat ergos will work for me. I will go to the dealership tomorrow and have a seat on one.
I'm a Harley owner and I'm looking into something new. I've never ridden a Indian but this bike looks outstanding. Thing is I've heard some stories about the 111 having heat & serious noise issues. This is what's got me thinking about longevity. Any input would be appreciated! Anyway I'm looking to test ride it. Thanks
Thanks for your review. Got a few questions I hope you can answer. I have a '16 Scout, love it, super fast, lots of fun, but thinking I might want to trade up to the Springfield. Was wondering if you have ridden both? I know these are two totally different approaches, but I don't want to give up my brutal power and I don't want to give up my cornering (to a point). The issue I have with the Scout is it's really a one person bike. Yes I can bag it, yes I can put a second seat on it (and have), but with the super limited rear suspension travel and the fact it would cost me $2500 for bags, back seat rest and other parts, just thinking about the Springfield instead. I haven't ridden the 111 bikes. All the video's I have seen are all test rides and no one has really gotten on it hard. I'm just wondering what kind of power they really make.
+Steve Dambrogio I'm hoping too on Thursday. Indian is ovlffering $1500 trade in till the 25th, so who knows. I just got back from a nice ride with my wife and as nice as it is, the Scouts rear suspension is just to short.
How would you compare this bike to the c50t? I just bought a 2020 c50t and I'm sort of happy with it but I feel like anything over 55 it's trying to tell me to slow down. Lol
Thanks for an excellent and informative review. I've been watching this bike for a while and now will be going for a test ride thanks to you. We are about the same size are you able to plant your feet on the ground at a light? Is maneuverability at low speeds difficult? I'm 54 and just started riding last year. I'm on a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic which I enjoy but don't like how it shakes in the wind at times. I presume the Springfield is better handled for those situations. Do you think it s too much for a rider with only 2200 miles in the seat?
Hi there. My personal opinion is that the Springfield would fit your needs very well. It's about 200 lbs heavier than your Kawasaki, so it should be more planted in the wind. I can put both feet on the ground without a problem. My inseam is 29". I think you'll find that the smooth clutch engagement (just due to having a better clutch and more torque) will put you more at ease around the parking lot, considering you can use the friction zone of the clutch with less worry about stalling. It's well balanced with a low center of gravity, so that helps a lot with low speed maneuvers as well. With 2,200 miles under your belt, you should be okay as long as you remember to keep the wheel straight when you come to a stop. 850 lbs will get heavier as it gets off-axis :)
legend anybody who tours is worried about fuel mileage. You don't want to be packing that much fuel because your bike pours the fuel straight through the motor. And there's no excuse for poor mileage on these things. A car with a 2l motor better get good mileage, why not this light engine on wheels? My ktm touring bike gets 50mpg with 95ftlbs and 160hp.
vulcanman64 - yeah that seems my feeling too. Too similar. OTOH no other Indian bike looks too similar to a Harley IMO. That's one thing I like about them.
There have been minor recalls on my Roadmaster - nothing too drastic. But overall it has been very reliable except for one incident where somehow the electrical system went into the Twilight Zone and the bike wouldn't start. Besides that happening once, nothing has gone wrong with the bike.
These Indians are what you'd expect when you pay a lot of money for a bike. Harley not so much. I like the Road king, but when compared to this bike, it just doesn't measure up. Maybe Harley will step up their game with the competition.
Very nice bike, but It will be a while I believe before I step down to an Indian from my Triumph Rocket 3. I do like Indian motorcycles, better than Harley's!
Lose weight, no alcohol except holidays, no bread, no cereals, no grains, no sugar and only natural oils. Sandwiches replaced with lettuce wraps, and dinners of lean proteins like tuna steaks and real steaks and shrimp and scallops and vegetables.
I thought this was a bike review, and a good one at that. But thats an unfortunate aspect of RU-vid, there's no shortage of "individuals " compelled to offer out of context, unsolicited, tactless advice and criticism.
