Indian 1890 Springfield 2022 — Specifications

Springfield. The name rings out like a gunshot through American motorcycle history — that of the Massachusetts city where Indian set down its first cylinders over a century ago. To carry this name is to carry a legacy. And Indian makes no secret of it.

This dual-identity bagger plays a precise role in the Minneapolis manufacturer's lineup. Neither a full-blown long-distance cruiser nor a rigid grand tourer set in its ways, the Springfield stands out for its ability to change its outfit in minutes, without tools. The XXL windshield disappears in under a minute. The hard bags detach cleanly, leaving no unsightly hardware exposed. What Harley-Davidson attempted with the defunct Switchback or the current Sport Glide, Indian offers here in a decidedly more upscale register, with a finish that partly justifies the €28,590 asking price at delivery.

At the heart of the machine beats the Thunderstroke 116, a 49-degree V-twin displacing 1,890cc. Ninety horsepower appear on the spec sheet — a figure that doesn't set the imagination alight on paper — but that's not where the story unfolds. Torque, however, hits hard with 170.6 Nm available from 3,000 rpm. It is this low-rev availability that defines the machine's character, that ability to propel 376 kg laden with an almost unsettling composure. Indian has integrated three riding modes, from the smoothest to the most spirited, along with a rear-cylinder deactivation function at standstill to limit the heat radiated between the rider's legs. A welcome consideration on an air-cooled twin in summer.

The rest of the standard equipment holds up against the best in class. ABS, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, keyless start, chrome controls, studded dual leather seat, adjustable rear air shock. The seat sits just 660 mm from the ground, making the machine accessible despite its stature. The 20.8-liter tank allows for generous stretches between fuel stops. At a top speed of 180 km/h, this is not sporting territory — but that is neither the ambition nor the audience of this motorcycle.

The Springfield targets the comfort- and style-conscious touring rider, one who covers thousands of kilometers at a leisurely pace and wants to be able to strip down their mount on weekends to make an impression along a coastal boulevard. Against a Harley Road King, it shows a touch more technological modernity and more convincing modularity. Its price, however, positions Indian in the most exclusive segment, far removed from what Milwaukee charges for its entry-level offerings. That is a deliberate choice. The brand has rebuilt its image around premium, sometimes to the edge of the unattainable, and the Springfield is its most balanced expression — somewhere between genuine practicality and assured character.