Irridium Spark Plugs

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Well in preparation for the trip next week, decided on some maintenance. 16k+ miles

Oils- done

Fluids-done/good.

Lubes- done/good

Brake pads-60/40 both sides front..so good.

Rear pads - good.

[SIZE=14pt]Spark plugs[/SIZE]......not sure ..So let's change them.

Have put 6k miles on the bike since I got it in June. But, did not want to risk anything going across the dessert out west.

So, after reading a bit, took the plunge and picked up some Irridium Spark Plugs from the Local Yama shop..believe it..they had the best price I could find. $10.50 ea.

Installation seemed good, #1, #2, #3, #4 (Holy Crap) wire pulled clean out of connector; had to pull out with pliers.

No; sweat, pushed everything back soundly and put the bike back together.

To my suprise the Denso plugs didn't look bad at all, no black burns; light grey on all plugs, bone dry (whew!)

Bike was strong, but seemed not pulling as well in the higher rpm's....would have to really roll throttle to make it jet.

Well, button up the bike, turned the ignition and hit the starter....ZzzVrrooom on the first push....honestly I was suprised...and stoked.

Bike normally would be a bit hesitant when starting, just a tad. Hopped on and took a spin for a couple blocks.

First impressions; No hesistations in any gear, (sometimes before 2nd would kind-of slumber a bit-not often though)

The engine was Silky Smooth and strong.

This morning, rode to work and it was like the engine was quicker; smoother; had no trouble pulling through all the gears. My only thought was, does these plugs create this much surge power?

Another observation; I stopped at MC gear shop on the way in. Went in for a few min. Now before when I would come out to start the bike, it would not crank on first 1-2 pushes of start button, and the clock would reset.

Well, would ya know it....it started silky smooth. No clock resetting, just straight starting.

Normally product self-proclimations rarely are true....but this spark plug seems to have done something to energize my ride.

Or is it my imagination????

 

[bikesniffer]

Well in preparation for the trip next week, decided on some maintenance. 16k+ milesOils- done

Fluids-done/good.

Lubes- done/good

Brake pads-60/40 both sides front..so good.

Rear pads - good.

[SIZE=14pt]Spark plugs[/SIZE]......not sure ..So let's change them.

Have put 6k miles on the bike since I got it in June. But, did not want to risk anything going across the dessert out west.

So, after reading a bit, took the plunge and picked up some Irridium Spark Plugs from the Local Yama shop..believe it..they had the best price I could find. $10.50 ea.

Installation seemed good, #1, #2, #3, #4 (Holy Crap) wire pulled clean out of connector; had to pull out with pliers.

No; sweat, pushed everything back soundly and put the bike back together.

To my suprise the Denso plugs didn't look bad at all, no black burns; light grey on all plugs, bone dry (whew!)

Bike was strong, but seemed not pulling as well in the higher rpm's....would have to really roll throttle to make it jet.

Well, button up the bike, turned the ignition and hit the starter....ZzzVrrooom on the first push....honestly I was suprised...and stoked.

Bike normally would be a bit hesitant when starting, just a tad. Hopped on and took a spin for a couple blocks.

First impressions; No hesistations in any gear, (sometimes before 2nd would kind-of slumber a bit-not often though)

The engine was Silky Smooth and strong.

This morning, rode to work and it was like the engine was quicker; smoother; had no trouble pulling through all the gears. My only thought was, does these plugs create this much surge power?

Another observation; I stopped at MC gear shop on the way in. Went in for a few min. Now before when I would come out to start the bike, it would not crank on first 1-2 pushes of start button, and the clock would reset.

Well, would ya know it....it started silky smooth. No clock resetting, just straight starting.

Normally product self-proclimations rarely are true....but this spark plug seems to have done something to energize my ride.

Or is it my imagination????

Depends on what you were smoking... :glare:

 

[gearman]

My buddy has a finicky old 860 Ducati (kickstart only) and he claims noticably easier starting and longer plug life with the irridiums. I don't recall any mention of overall performance gains.

 

[happyPuppy]

One of my tasks slated for this winter is swapping plugs . The Bin O' Facts mentions 2 of them one is about $7.00(NGK CR8EIX) the other uses a dual setup (NGK CR8VX) and they are $25.00 or so at sparkplug.com. Any real advantage of one over the other?

 

[FredandJeannesRacer]

One of my tasks slated for this winter is swapping plugs . The Bin O' Facts mentions 2 of them one is about $7.00(NGK CR8EIX) the other uses a dual setup (NGK CR8VX) and they are $25.00 or so at sparkplug.com. Any real advantage of one over the other?

"Price"

 

[petey]

Well in preparation for the trip next week, decided on some maintenance. 16k+ milesOils- done

Fluids-done/good.

Lubes- done/good

Brake pads-60/40 both sides front..so good.

Rear pads - good.

[SIZE=14pt]Spark plugs[/SIZE]......not sure ..So let's change them.

Have put 6k miles on the bike since I got it in June. But, did not want to risk anything going across the dessert out west.

So, after reading a bit, took the plunge and picked up some Irridium Spark Plugs from the Local Yama shop..believe it..they had the best price I could find. $10.50 ea.

Installation seemed good, #1, #2, #3, #4 (Holy Crap) wire pulled clean out of connector; had to pull out with pliers.

No; sweat, pushed everything back soundly and put the bike back together.

To my suprise the Denso plugs didn't look bad at all, no black burns; light grey on all plugs, bone dry (whew!)

Bike was strong, but seemed not pulling as well in the higher rpm's....would have to really roll throttle to make it jet.

Well, button up the bike, turned the ignition and hit the starter....ZzzVrrooom on the first push....honestly I was suprised...and stoked.

Bike normally would be a bit hesitant when starting, just a tad. Hopped on and took a spin for a couple blocks.

First impressions; No hesistations in any gear, (sometimes before 2nd would kind-of slumber a bit-not often though)

The engine was Silky Smooth and strong.

This morning, rode to work and it was like the engine was quicker; smoother; had no trouble pulling through all the gears. My only thought was, does these plugs create this much surge power?

Another observation; I stopped at MC gear shop on the way in. Went in for a few min. Now before when I would come out to start the bike, it would not crank on first 1-2 pushes of start button, and the clock would reset.

Well, would ya know it....it started silky smooth. No clock resetting, just straight starting.

Normally product self-proclimations rarely are true....but this spark plug seems to have done something to energize my ride.

Or is it my imagination????

If it makes you happy it must be so! Stopping the clock from resetting?....nah

 

[Checkswrecks]

Clock resetting is a symptom of a battery getting weak. May want to at least check (or change) it.

 

[Bike Effects]

Shameless plug:

WestCo Batteries at Bike Effects

See discount information below.

 

[Patriot]

I'm convinced that my classic Goldwing and ole Cruiser got better performance from Iridiums.

They are both carb bikes with chokes and marginal electrical systems.

The Iridiums are reported to have a hotter spark from less electricity power taken from the bike.

My main objective is not to have to change the plugs so often.

For me and others, I the plugs lasted four times longer than stock ones.

Advantage Auto sells them as a special order for $8 plus tax. They are also sold on ebay in sets of four.

I won't own a bike without having Iridiums installed in the engine.

It's mandatory IMHO to use "never seize" paste on the plug threads and dielectric or silicon grease on the inside of the boots future plug checks or replacements are easy and trouble free.

The plugs come gapped within spec, so I don't bother with that.

It's the NGK CR8EIX, but use the stock number 4218 which actually gets a cheaper quote

NGK, Part Number: CR8EIX, Stock Number: 4218

let's ride safe and be careful out there,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[C&C]

It sounds to me that the iridiums brought your bike to where it was supposed to be (in the first place). Your old plugs (or a problem with your wires that you alluded to) was giving your engine subpar performance. A new set of standards (or new iridiums) will work just as well. The iridiums have been known to last longer, that's all.

 

[Kromm]

What I have experienced is that as you ride the 10 -20 K miles on a set of plugs, the performance decrease is so slight you don't notice it until you install a new set of plugs and then take her out for a spin, and WOW, it's almost like a new bike again. Every time I have changed my plugs (on my last 3 bikes I have owned), they look almost as good as the new ones. I think what is happening is the internal part of the plug is wearing out and causing more resistance so the spark starts to degrade (I'm no tech engineer, this is just an opinion). Right now I am just at 17K on my FJR, and I am thinking of changing the plugs out this winter. I also prefer the iridiums, They do cost more, but I have always felt that you get what you pay for. When you buy a cheap part, that's exactly what you get a CHEAP part.....

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Clock resetting is a symptom of a battery getting weak. May want to at least check (or change) it.

Was brought up before; pulled battery took it to interstate batteries to have them do a test...they report full cranking amps. I have since pulled battery and did a full charge...went from 75% to 100% in short time. So, it's not the battery...thanks anyways....Wiring loose; plugs- I'm happy the issue is gone (at least for now).

True what Mike said, I did not gap the plugs, ready to go from the box....just checked one with old one and they were there.

Those irridiums have a very fine pointy tip at the firing end...almost needle size....It works.

 

[dbvolfan]

Can't tell the difference personally between stock and iridiums however I strecth my replacement interval to 16k with the iridiums. Based on my last 2 changes, I'll probbaly stretch it to 20k.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Performance increases with iridiums may lie in the mind of the beholder...?

If there were any (extra) horsepower 'left on the table' -- I'd think Yamaha would've liked to have taken advantage of it (for a few bucks extra in spark plug cost)?

It'd be good to see some quantatative data (dyno runs).

They do last longer, tho -- I guess that's a performance increase, of sorts?

The battery thing and clock re-setting -- I'm of the opinion that the culprit lies in dirty/high resistance multi-pin electrical/wiring harness connectors.

 

[exskibum]

The battery thing and clock re-setting -- I'm of the opinion that the culprit lies in dirty/high resistance multi-pin electrical/wiring harness connectors.

And I'd be agreeing about that and the desirability of running down any potential resistance or low voltage culprits once you get an electrical problem indicator like clock resetting. The FJR is notoriously susceptible to pitching some kind of a gremlin fit it it ain't getting its full dose of virile electrons. A good contact cleaner is your friend.

 

[RadioHowie]

If you think your Feej is better now, wait 'til you put nitrogen in the tires. You'll be scraping pegs when parked, it makes such a difference.

Improved love life, stronger 401k, world peace....iridiums are only the first step to universal harmony.

 

[wfooshee]

Nitrogen!??! Why bother. It's already 78% nitrogen!! That's close to pure!!!

 

[Fred W]

Only half of your cylinders are enjoying the renewed vigor of iridium.

Clicketh

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Only half of your cylinders are enjoying the renewed vigor of iridium.
Clicketh

Warchild

Jun 16 2009, 11:50 AM

Post #2

Benevolent Dictator

Group: Admin

Posts: 4,568

Joined: 8-June 05

From: Tri-Cities, WA

Member No.: 4

Bike: 2003 (N. America)

While I fully understand and appreciate that there are complex engineering aspects with regard to our ignition systems, I let my actual, real-world experiences form my opinions of spark plug performance/longevity.

I can find no meaningful difference in plug performance between a new set of the garden-variety NGK copper plugs that came with my bike, and a new set of equivalent Irridums. If there is a difference, my highly-calibrated butt-dyno can not pick up on it.

But the tune here changes after around 10,000 miles, or so.

After 10K or so, the bike has a slight but noticeable decline in its pulling power on the copper NGKs, where the Iridiums are still pulling just as strong as the day they were installed. With the Iridiums, I don't start to detect the slight loss of "snort" until around 16K-17K, and I'll generally replace them before 20K.

In my experience and through direct observation, the Iridums are worth it primarily because of their longevity. A long spark plug life is quite valuable on bikes where it is a COMPLETE ***-pain to remove/replace plugs (such as the GTR1400, or the 2nd-generation Hayabusa). On bike like the FJR, where it is a relatively trivial exercise to replace plugs, I could go either way. Yet I use the Irridums on the FJR as well, which allows me to typically ride most of the summer without having to swap out plugs.

YMMV, etc.

--------------------

- Warchild

FJRForum.com Benevolent Dictator

https://www.FJRTech.com/

[SIZE=14pt]Yea, see this is what I was speaking about........Bike is at 16.5k..............I just rejuiced the engine with fresh plugs - I suppose any would have done; but I got the irridiums.......so THERE![/SIZE]