Indian Springfield launched3rd March 2016 Thunder Stroke 111 | 1,811cc | Chief | Bagger ◄PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY► 
This bike is an open secret and has therefore been anticipated for a while. But Indian Motorcycles has now released pictures and details of its new heavyweight Harley-Davidson bashing, highway-hugging cruiser. It's called the Indian Springfield, so named after the town of Springfield, Massachusetts where Indian motorcycles were built between 1901 and 1953 (and today, Springfield is still the headquarters of Indian, although the bikes are currently built at Spirit Lake, Iowa). 
This motorcycle is based upon the current Indian Chief platform, and is essentially the same machine. Where it differs is its "convertibility". When you've got a long trip in mind, it's a hard-pannier bagger with a barn-door screen, footboards and buckhorn 'bars. But when you want to just pootle around town toting the minimum amount of accessories and mobile clutter, the panniers unlock (without tools) and the screen quickly detaches—which, come to think of it, sounds like the travelling package you get with a lot of other motorcycles. That aside, the engine is the stock Thunder Stroke 111 cubic incher (1,811cc) producing a claimed 102.3lbs-ft (138.9 Nm) of torque at a lowly 2,600 rpm. The transmission is a six-speeder, as fitted to the Chief. Final drive is by belt. The chassis is cast aluminium. The saddles are treated leather. The handlebars have internal wiring. Chrome plate has been laid on lavishly. And the bike weighs-in at a knee-breaking 818lbs dry. 
The Springfield also features ABS, a tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic cruise control, passenger footboards, and electronically lockable pannier lids. And you can accessorise this with different screens, heated seats, an upgraded exhaust system, plus a lot of other stuff from the big box of Indian goodies. Colours are Indian Motorcycle Red and Thunder Black. The price? That would be around £20,000 on the British side of the pond, and around $21,000 Stateside. And you don't need to make an Indian reservation to get one. The bike is available now. Check with your local Indian Motorcycle dealer. See also: Indian-Jack Daniels charity tie up www.indianmotorcycle.com ◄PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY► | 
