There is no quantitative statement from someone here that will validate that point, other than people's opinion, you know what that is worth.
Hi Joe. This will be my first SF due to being a new owner this past April. I will be ryding from KC so it'll be a short 2 hr trip. I can't speak to how great SF is in itself...vendors, group rides, commaradire etc. I believe it's the location being a big part of it. I'm from Springfield, and the area has many interesting destinations. The topography of the Ozarks offers great rides..especially south of town through Branson and into Arkansas. Springfield boasts having the most restaurants than most cities it's size. You have to eat at Leong's for the cashew chicken, Mexican Villa for the burrito enchilada-style, and catch a throwed roll at Lamberts just to name a few. Shopping is decent at the headquarters of Bass Pro Shops, The Branson Landing and the outlet malls in Branson. As someone mentioned above, there are a couple of Civil War Battlefields in the area. The second one being a couple hours SW in Pea Ridge Arkansas. You need to go to Silver Dollar City and step back into the late 1800's. Read the short book "The Shepard of the Hills" and then Branson will make sense. The outdoor play of the same name is very entertaining. The rolling hills and winding rivers of Christian and Taney Counties south of Springfield are great for ryding. The new Pitbull Powersports in Bolivar looks like a gravel parking lot because it was an old quarry which is now a off-road course. The building is nice and had a nice grand opening which I attended. The new Springfield location will offer more space. Lamonster's Garage is in Nixa south of Springfield. A must visit for any Spyder Ryder. I met Jacob there last fall...super guy and nice operation. I hope this helps.
Rob