17.400 mls, I changed the sparks today

[ledany]

and could you believe it ?! The bike becomes somehow sporty 

It's not difficult of course, provided that you've got the right tool  and that you can challenge the japanese Hulk who tightened the sparks in Fukushima 

[Robert]

Wow 17k, that's some mileage in a short time. What plug did you use? I am probably going to go with the Iridium ones. You can find them cheaper somewhere else and I do like the NGK Iridium they last longer and perform well. Not sure if these are the correct one for the bike but all the Goldwing owners have had them for 50k miles which is right in line with what I have seen in cars.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-10-HONDA-GOLDWING-GL1800-NGK-IRIDIUM-SPARK-PLUGS-KIT-/360300478022

[goldstar903]

Robert, manual calls for:

Standard: BKR6E-11 NGK
               K20PR-U11 Denso

High Speed (Colder Plug) BKR7E-11 NGK
                                     K22PR-U11 Denso

I've found differing specs on whether Iridium plugs can be used or not!?  It seems that IK20 (DENSO) and NGK fits our application!? I would call Denso and/or NGK to be sure. 

[Robert]

The Denso Ik20 is the Iridium plug that is cross referenced on the chart. The NGK plug number you gave as stock is the same as the 2010 wing, but 2010 wing in the NGK application also lists the Iridium plug I listed below. Id have to say its pretty safe bet especially since most on the wing board have already tried them. Not that it really makes all that much difference either really just a point of information. When the time comes I will do the Iridium, but does it call for a plug change at 17k or was this elected maintenance?  

http://www.globaldenso.com/en/products/aftermarket/plug/cross_reference/1037_3.html

Dennis Kirk lists the 2015 wing with the Denso plug
https://www.denniskirk.com/denso/iridium-spark-plug-ik20.pik20.prd/IK20.sku

http://www.ngk.com/Motorcycle-Spark-Plugs-NGK-c595.aspx
NGK 3764 BKR6EIX-11 IX Iridium Plug

[goldstar903]

16,000 mi.

[ledany]

@Robert : I have no car, I ride my bike nearly everyday (except when the roads are too icy, in Paris 2 or 3 days per year, maximum).

The plugs are the Standard: BKR6E-11 NGK because AFAIK, the difference with the iridium plugs (much more expensive) isn't worth the price. I bought the 6 plugs for 15 € at my door, too lazy to clean and brush the old ones  

[Robert]

@Robert : I have no car, I ride my bike nearly everyday (except when the roads are too icy, in Paris 2 or 3 days per year, maximum).

The plugs are the Standard: BKR6E-11 NGK because AFAIK, the difference with the iridium plugs (much more expensive) isn't worth the price. I bought the 6 plugs for 15 € at my door, too lazy to clean and brush the old ones  

 
I ride mine everyday also but do have a car down here in Florida unless its raining, I'm riding. The usual thought is the Iridium gets you better mileage and better running. I have noticed a slight difference in the running and starting on the Iridium other than that they last forever. But at the price you got the plugs for I understand.

[AdrianR]

@Robert : I have no car, I ride my bike nearly everyday (except when the roads are too icy, in Paris 2 or 3 days per year, maximum).

The plugs are the Standard: BKR6E-11 NGK because AFAIK, the difference with the iridium plugs (much more expensive) isn't worth the price. I bought the 6 plugs for 15 € at my door, too lazy to clean and brush the old ones  

 
I ride mine everyday also but do have a car down here in Florida unless its raining, I'm riding. The usual thought is the Iridium gets you better mileage and better running. I have noticed a slight difference in the running and starting on the Iridium other than that they last forever. But at the price you got the plugs for I understand.

Man, when it comes to my bike...I spare no expense for something worthwhile within reason...One just has to decide if it is actually worth the additional expense.

One thing is for sure...STAY with the NGKs or Denso...I remember back with my last bike I swapped the plugs with Champions due to expense...A MISTAKE...bike didn't run nearly as well...

[goldstar903]

Ledany, has done his homework.  Iridium plugs have longevity (~40,000 mi.) but, have less conductivity and tend to overheat. Copper on the other hand, has decent longevity (~20,000 mi.),which is well within Honda's maintenance, much better conductivity and controls overheating. The higher mileage Iridium plug becomes worse as it accumulates miles! You decide!   

[Robert]

Ledany, has done his homework.   Iridium plugs have longevity (~40,000 mi.) but, have less conductivity and tend to overheat. Copper on the other hand, has decent longevity (~20,000 mi.),which is well within Honda's maintenance, much better conductivity and controls overheating. The higher mileage Iridium plug becomes worse as it accumulates miles! You decide!    

Just curious where you got your information from I have never heard that in fact I will copy a few paragraphs from a page that pretty much says what I have heard and experienced about Iridium plugs. I have not noticed that much difference in the copper or the Iridium and on this bike a plug change is easy. But does the manual really say 17k plug change?  ???


http://www.sparkplugs.co.uk/iridium-spark-plugs
A lower voltage is required, this reduces load on a vehicle's ignition system (less strain = less chance of failure)
A larger gap can be supported without increasing load on the ignition system (Larger gap = larger spark = more efficient combustion)
A more precise spark every time, delivered in the correct position and with the correct timing (More efficient combustion)
Assuming a suitable Iridium plug is available, benefits you are most likely to see are:

    Improved throttle response
    Improved economy (though this depends largely on how much you enjoy the improved throttle response!)
    Increased plug service life (Depending on design, an Iridium plug could last up to ten times the life of a standard plug with little reduction in efficiency over the plug's lifespan)
    Increased engine power (Don't expect to double your horsepower but a 1 - 3% increase is possible)
    Improved (reduced) emissions.

[Robert]

ledany
 Have any pics of your bike in Paris, could you post please?

[goldstar903]

Robert, I found some of the info here:

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/copper-spark-plugs-vs-iridium-and-platinum-understand-for-top-performance

The website doesn't sell spark plugs like www.sparkplugs.co.uk

I reported in post #5 that spark plug replacement is at 16,000 mi.

Like I said, you decide. No worries.   

[Robert]

Robert, I found some of the info here:

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/copper-spark-plugs-vs-iridium-and-platinum-understand-for-top-performance

The website doesn't sell spark plugs like www.sparkplugs.co.uk

I reported in post #5 that spark plug replacement is at 16,000 mi.

Like I said, you decide. No worries.    

Thanks for the information, did a bit of research. But I think next plug change Ill still go for the Iridium.  

[ledany]

ledany
 Have any pics of your bike in Paris, could you post please?

This one at the entrance of Père-Lachaise graveyard :

[Robert]

ledany
 Have any pics of your bike in Paris, could you post please?

This one at the entrance of Père-Lachaise graveyard :

Ledany

 Thanks very much, my wife and I loved the pic. 

I noticed a grey strip between the tank and the radiator pod is that factory? I have not seen another bike with them.

[Robert]

Robert, I found some of the info here:

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/copper-spark-plugs-vs-iridium-and-platinum-understand-for-top-performance

The website doesn't sell spark plugs like www.sparkplugs.co.uk

I reported in post #5 that spark plug replacement is at 16,000 mi.

Like I said, you decide. No worries.   

The parts place that I usually deal with had the ik20 Denso so I bought a set and installed them. Took all of 15 minutes and Im kind of glad I did. I think one of the factory plugs was ng the electrode was off to the side a bit. I unbelievably do notice a difference in idle. Will report back further. I know 3k and change the plugs,  just couldn't resist  They do not have anti seize on them and came out with a squeak.

[ledany]

@Robert : hell no, it's not factory, it's me ! 
3M is the secret, so easy to fix (use a transparent sheet you tape on the tank, draw the contour, cut, report on the 3M sheet, be smart - unlike me - because the left side is different from the right side  , cut and that's it !).
It costs less than 10 $ and I think the bike looks more classy, more like a Guzzi California III than a HD  (that's why I chose a red Valk instead of a black one, no offense Jerry  ).
I wanted to upgrade the bike this way because the tank looks thinner AND you avoid the knee scratches.
Long ago I ordered a mirror 3M sheet but I don't know where I've put it in my personal mess 

And as long as you like the Valk and some nice places in the ancient world, this pic. I took this summer in Les Baux de Provence (heaven on hearth).

[Robert]

@Robert : hell no, it's not factory, it's me ! 
3M is the secret, so easy to fix (use a transparent sheet you tape on the tank, draw the contour, cut, report on the 3M sheet, be smart - unlike me - because the left side is different from the right side  , cut and that's it !).
It costs less than 10 $ and I think the bike looks more classy, more like a Guzzi California III than a HD  (that's why I chose a red Valk instead of a black one, no offense Jerry  ).
I wanted to upgrade the bike this way because the tank looks thinner AND you avoid the knee scratches.
Long ago I ordered a mirror 3M sheet but I don't know where I've put it in my personal mess 

And as long as you like the Valk and some nice places in the ancient world, this pic. I took this summer in Les Baux de Provence (heaven on hearth).

Nice job on the 3m I know that stuff well, with the pic you could not see it takes the curves of the tank, it looks like its not on the tank but a cover. It looks very good nice job.

Love the pics start a riding thread and post on there. Thanks by the way would love to see more. My bike is red too so now I know what it would look like in Paris. 

[moto78]

J’ai l’impression que tu as réduit la hauteur de ton parebrise Secdem ou c’est une illusion d’optique sur la photo ? Si oui pourquoi ? (j’ai aussi un parebrise Secdem depuis 10 mois sur ma F6C).
I have the impression that you have reduced the height of your windscreen Secdem or it is an illusion of perspective on the photo? If yes why? (I also have a windscreen Secdem for 10 months on my F6C).

[ledany]

Summer season, I lowered the windshield in order to get the breeze like a real roadster.
Winter season, the windshield is up in order to ride comfortably in the cold, like a real GT 

[nogrey]

I decided to try the Iridium plugs in my '97 Tourer. I've had a slight "miss" on decel and startup since I got her. It's ever so slight and I've tried everything, even new plugs. Carbs have been completely gone through. Changing the slow jets from stock 35's to 38's helped a lot. Pilots have been adjusted several times to various suggested settings and are currently at 1.5 turns. Current plug color reflects a nice "mocha" color, so no black to show too rich, and not white showing too hot. I went to the '38 jets as a suggestion from several on this board. The only aftermarket mods to the bike (performance-wise) are a K&N air filter. Exhaust is stock except for cut piggies. Baffles are intact. I de-smogged bike when I got her and all rubber has been changed...a couple of times. Tightness of all air seals has been verified at all points. Purchased a digi-sync at last years inzane and sync is good throughout RPM range. Just a tiny "gurgle" at startup and low rpm's. A few on this board have suggested that going to an iridium plug might help, so I figure it's worth a try. I sure can't tell by the information I read. It's a little like talking about oil or going to the dark side. Folks are vehemently on both sides of the fence. So, just going to have to try them myself and see what happens.