[Maverik]

I'm getting tired of replacing my spark plugs every other oil change, I wonder how many of you actually use platinum or iridium plugs.

Of course, I've searched previous threads in this site, wikipedia.com, about.com, I couldn't find much info about premium plugs.

But on sites like these, they claim those premium plugs have much longer life. Is it true on bikes? You've ever tried and found out true?
http://www.globaldenso.com/PLUG/tough/features.html
http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technical/iridium_spark_plugs.htm

And for oils, is there any oil that lasts longer than mineral oil? I've tried synthetic, and the package didn't say anything about service life so I just assumed it has the same life span as mineral oil. I also found 'High Mileage' engine oil at store, but the package says that's for the engine which got a lot of mileage, still needs to be oil changed at same frequency.

Now you can tell I'm a lazy guy!

 

[Hershey]

I use Irridium plugs in my car (4cyl), I noticed a difference in fuel economy and a bit of power especially on hills.

 

[Motorcycle Man]

There are two kinds of iridium plugs. The less expensive ones don't last any longer than copper plugs, in my experience. I haven't tried the more expensive ones, but they are supposed to last longer.

For a long-life oil, get some Mobil 1 MX4T oil. Or get Mobil 1 15W50 if you are cheap and like to live dangerously.

 

[Maverik]

Or get Mobil 1 15W50 if you are cheap and like to live dangerously.

What's wrong with 15W50, when I change it every 6,000km? And MX4T, it doesn't really say anything about longer life of oil itself...
http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENPVLMOMobil_1_MX4T.pdf

 

[Motorcycle Man]

lol, I was just joking about that. People take motor oil too seriously.

 

[marclapierre]

ooooooooooooo
33%
0%
33%
0%
33%

 

[TeeTee]

Many of the newer bikes already are using some form of precious metal center electrode. That's the small center wire you see that looks about the size of a sewing needle. If your bike uses the type with the fatter center then yeah, the fancy ones will last longer. Hard to say if it's longer enough to justify the cost but if it's a pain to get into your plugs then the longer period may be enough.

But even the cheapie plugs should last quite a while if you're running the proper temperature range and not riding in an odd way. What's happening to them?

 

[Guest]

why are you changing plugs so frequently in the first place? you should be able to get a bit more life out of them than every other oil change. even oil filters these days last 3 oil changes.

that aside, cross reference an iridium plug for your model bike and buy it at lordco. reap the savings. substantial savings.

 

[busa_tom]

Every oil change I loosen and look at the plugs. If they look perfect, I check the gap and back they go, not too tight, just snug. I once had a problem with an old grand-am where the plugs had not been loosened in years, I had one plug seize and stripped the threads damaging the head removing it when I wanted to change them. Since then, I check the plugs on all my vehicles at regular intervals. I found that oil change time was always a good time.
I put between 20 and 25K on my bike every year and have never had to change them under 20K.

I use NGK CR9EIX plugs

 

[TrueLies]

Every oil change I loosen and look at the plugs. If they look perfect, I check the gap and back they go, not too tight, just snug. I once had a problem with an old grand-am where the plugs had not been loosened in years, I had one plug seize and stripped the threads damaging the head removing it when I wanted to change them. Since then, I check the plugs on all my vehicles at regular intervals. I found that oil change time was always a good time.
I put between 20 and 25K on my bike every year and have never had to change them under 20K.

I use NGK CR9EIX plugs

Something to think about...

The seizing problem must be with aluminum heads. I believe a bit of anti-seize compound is in order.

Going with the variation of that old notion... the more you touch, the more chance of something going wrong... I wouldn't pull plug wires, loosen hose clamps, disconnect stuff or whatever unless there is a reason to. Inspecting plugs on every oil change just seems excessive for street bikes.

 

[lizard928s]

actually the copper center plugs may not last as long but they dont foul as easy and do give off a hotter spark.

 

[BLADERUNNER 954]

my 954 has those fancy ass irridium plugs in them. i tried getting them through lordco, with no such luck, so i bit the bullet and got them through the dealership, at 25 bux a piece.i had 28,000 kms on those plugs and when john replaced them, the old ones still looked good. i don't expect to buy another set of plugs til i hit the 50,000km mark

 

[gsxr_45]

I,m using Brisk plugs documented 1-2 hp on the rear wheel increase , get them at opp in coq. big money but what good is'nt

 

[gixxer_76]

Documented how? Before and after dyno runs with all other variables constant including temp. and humidity?

Some say a brand new plug is worth 1Hp over a used one (not even talking a worn one). I say you will NEVER know the different without a dyno or a lap timer.

Just go enjoy the ride while there is still some dry weather.

 

[Maverik]

why are you changing plugs so frequently in the first place? you should be able to get a bit more life out of them than every other oil change. even oil filters these days last 3 oil changes.

that aside, cross reference an iridium plug for your model bike and buy it at lordco. reap the savings. substantial savings.

Well, my manual says I should inspect plugs every 6,000km and replace them 12,000km. They always look clean except a bit of carbon, I don't take chances and replace them. On top of that, I carry extended warranty, I don't want to void it if they take as a neglect if I didn't change plugs as they recommended.

Oil filter...yes I change it every 3 oil changes, that is at 18,000km, as my manual recommends.

Lordco....I went to the one on Marine Dr. I brought the part numbers of regular plugs only with me. All of them except cashier were busy with other customers or on the phone, yet, there's no place you can make a line or take a number, so I just waited behind a customer who seems to have simple request. After 5 minute-wait, I was called. The guy said I should go to Denso's and NGK's website to cross reference...I was like 'ok', but why can't they do it for me? It takes only a few seconds if they had internet access.

I got home, found out iridium plugs from both makers. They don't seem to manufacture any platinum plugs for my bike. Called Lordco, I was on hold for a few minutes (a bit better this time), but they don't have any of them, except they found something called 'Fast Ignition' or something from AC Delco. I asked her if it's same as regular, platinum or iridium, she was like 'I don't know.'. I don't think I'll ever go back to Lordco, their customer service sucks.

 

[gsxr_45]

yes dynoed one run after another on a 600 rr not mine as fast as you can change the plugs , 2 hp for the rr . seat of the pants dyno says the same , if you don't believe talk to patrick at opp .he sells tons of them and no one complains ,cause they work . he got the same thing (neg)from a hi pro shop in the eastren states , he sold him a set he tried them , then ordered 20 sets of 4 the next week at 25dollars a plug .if your hi pro go with a racing plug and the brisks are the best bang for the buck .if you ride around at 6k stay with your ngk wat ever thing.

 

[Guest]

i gotta start taking ESL classes to understand that ^^^^^^^

 

[Guest]

yes dynoed one run after another on a 600 rr not mine as fast as you can change the plugs , 2 hp for the rr . seat of the pants dyno says the same , if you don't believe talk to patrick at opp .he sells tons of them and no one complains ,cause they work . he got the same thing (neg)from a hi pro shop in the eastren states , he sold him a set he tried them , then ordered 20 sets of 4 the next week at 25dollars a plug .if your hi pro go with a racing plug and the brisks are the best bang for the buck .if you ride around at 6k stay with your ngk wat ever thing.

if you believe anything patricia says then i guess that's the final word. maybe it's a coincidence that patrick is czech and so is all the carbon he sells and so are the plugs he promotes? how many superbike teams use ngk and then how many use brisk? that should be your answer in most cases.

 

[Stewy]

I am running the NGK iridiums in my bike. CR9E-IX is the model number. Got them from Lordco, can't remember what the price was exactly. I've been very happy with them. The plugs that were in the bike were the original NGKs, the previous owner had not changed them. Iridiums perform better than copper or platinum plugs in lean environments as well.

 

[gsxr_45]

right , the ngk race plugs are 65$ each they make them for a reason you know . if you think a 3 dollar plug is as good as a race plug then you got something else going on . ride safe