Most of the problems of springers can be overcome by using a girder frontend instead. And, the girder has a cleaner look as well. Since the entire assembly is one moving piece, the brake setup is simpler and you don't have the ill-fitting mudguard you see on springers. If you have back issues of Torque, I think there is a picture of a Triumph girder in the winter 2003 issue, the one with the writeup of the Aussie who set the no engine stop endurance record in the late 30's.
As for handling and ride, they aren't bad, but they will never be quite able to match a telescoping fork, and here is why:
The moving part of a springer travels on an arc at the lower end, but the travel is linear at the top. This means that both wheelbase and caster angle are constantly changing. They don't change enough to cause serious problems, but you do have to get used to it, it will feel very wierd at first.
Light mounting is a bit tricky because you have all those moving bits and springs in the way.
Hydraulic dampers on springers tend to be ugly, go look at the late model HD springers. Friction dampers look better, but work a lot worse.
2 1/2 to 3 inches of travel is a lot on a springer.
The mudguard is usually mounted to the stationary part. This reduces the unsprung weight, but it can be ugly and look poorly placed.
The unsprung weight is usually less than girder and telescoping forks, which is a good thing.
The moving fork is usually welded or brazed into a relatively short single piece. This makes it reasonably rigid and immune to variation from side to side.
Spring tension is very easy to adjust on most springers.
A girder is mounted on 2 pairs of swiveling mounts. The wheelbase changes a lot, but the caster angle doesn't change.
Since the whole assembly moves as one piece, there is no problem with mounting brakes etc. This also makes it possible to mount the mudguard so that it looks like it belongs.
The amount of unsprung weight is much more than a springer and can be more than a telescoping fork.
Because the moving part is farther forward than on a springer, a hydraulic damper can be partly hidden so that it looks better.
Typical travel for a girder is 3 to 3 1/2, sometimes 4, inches. Better than a springer and worse than a modern telescoping fork.
Both require a lot more care. The swivel points must be lubricated manually and frequently checked for wear.
