I was swapped out the plugs at 8K and....

[AdrianR]

It needed it!!!

Seriously...the manual recommended 16K miles.  I noticed the past couple days that my baby just didn't have that same hyper snap it normally does, especially in cooler weather.

Thought it was all in my head...until it persisted.

Went to Advanced Auto Parts..and bought 6 NGK plugs as specified by the manual...installed them and BAM...it's baaacckkk!   God do I LOVE THAT FRICKIN ENGINE!!!   I just love how the power really gets serious at around 5.2K rpm...almost as if it has some kind of turbo charger....

I should note that the plugs from the factory were Denso...and they did look quite used...even at only 8K.

[Shrubbo]

I did mine considerably past whatever the recommended was but noticed no difference what so ever. That is probably a good thing. What is your fuel quality like? I have little idea if that could be a contributing factor but I think I have only once fueled at a small dodgy brand station and only because I had no choice. I also use premium 95 mostly and sometimes premium 98. Extremely rarely 91 and never anything with that ethanol crap in it. I would have to be dry for that.

I totally agree with you on the engine, it is the best engine I have ever had and kind of limits my choices in the future.

[Robert]

Changed mine out with Iridium's a while back.

[AdrianR]

. I also use premium 95 mostly and sometimes premium 98. Extremely rarely 91 and never anything with that ethanol crap in it. I would have to be dry for that.

Yep.  Ethanol is pure garbage for gasoline engines man...  Really is hard on them and ruins performance/efficiency.  Read the manual...  It clearly states indirectly that it is not good for the motor.   Anyone whom has yet to try ethanol free fuel, or fuel that has been treated to neutralize the effects, has no clue how much better then bike can run...

[bscrive]

Robert,

What was the number on the iridium plugs that you got?

Did you happen to notice if there was any improvement over the regular plugs?

I am at 22k kms and it is time for me to change them.  I was wondering if it was worth getting the iridiums.


Update...

I did some checking on iridium plugs and the main benefit from them is that it takes less power to have a spark jump across to the electrode.  This makes it easier on the coil and wires, so they last longer.  Also, the electrode is really tough, so you don't have to worry about it wearing down.  Some guys on the wing board said that they have had them on their bikes for 50k miles with no degradation in power or fuel consumption, and the plugs still look like new.

I think I will get some.


Adrian,

I think these are right up your alley.

The plugs to get are NGK BKR6EIX-11

[AdrianR]

Robert,

What was the number on the iridium plugs that you got?

Did you happen to notice if there was any improvement over the regular plugs?

I am at 22k kms and it is time for me to change them.  I was wondering if it was worth getting the iridiums.


Update...

I did some checking on iridium plugs and the main benefit from them is that it takes less power to have a spark jump across to the electrode.  This makes it easier on the coil and wires, so they last longer.  Also, the electrode is really tough, so you don't have to worry about it wearing down.  Some guys on the wing board said that they have had them on their bikes for 50k miles with no degradation in power or fuel consumption, and the plugs still look like new.

I think I will get some.


Adrian,

I think these are right up your alley.

The plugs to get are NGK BKR6EIX-11

All I know is that from past experience replacing the plugs with anything different then what they came stock with was a mistake.  The manual gives you two choices.  Denso, or NGK.  I have had nothing but great luck with NGKs...and at $2.50 a plug...geezz...no brainer.  My bikes runs great!!!

[bscrive]

The iridium plugs are NGK. 

I don't know Adrian. 

$15 for some plugs that you have to change every 8k, or $42 for some plugs that will last 100k is good economics for me.  That means that if you pay $2.50 for each plug every 8k.  Those plugs will cost you $187.50 over the 100k duration.   :cool smiley: 

Even if you change them out after 50k it will be $42 vs $93.75.

A lot of the wing guys have been using iridium plugs for years without any issues.

[AdrianR]

The iridium plugs are NGK. 

Yeah, I saw that...but only after I bought the standard 'V-power' NGKs (whatever that means).   All I know is the bike runs really good now... 

[Robert]

Robert,

What was the number on the iridium plugs that you got?

Did you happen to notice if there was any improvement over the regular plugs?

I am at 22k kms and it is time for me to change them.  I was wondering if it was worth getting the iridiums.

You listed pretty much the reasons to get the Iridium.

They do last longer and are consistently more even through their life. In Requiring less voltage it puts less wear and tear on the coils or any insulation in the wires and provides quicker starts. I have used them even in my lawnmower for easier consistent starting. The heat ranges are a bit wider and they do not wet foul as much.

There is not a whole world of difference but enough to be worth the money. If for nothing else the maintenance piece of mind.

Either the Denso or the NGK will be good and the number the Denso is IK20. I like the NGK's but decided to go with the Denso, I have found in general they seem to sometimes be a better plug. The electrode is a bit thinner and the ground electrode has a v cut in it (just like the NGK v power) so the spark goes to the sides, again difference is slight.

[AdrianR]

Robert,

What was the number on the iridium plugs that you got?

Did you happen to notice if there was any improvement over the regular plugs?

I am at 22k kms and it is time for me to change them.  I was wondering if it was worth getting the iridiums.

You listed pretty much the reasons to get the Iridium. They do last longer and are consistently more even through their life. In Requiring less voltage it puts less wear and tear on the coils or any insulation in the wires and provides quicker starts. I have used them even in my lawnmower for easier consistent starting. The heat ranges are a bit wider and they do not wet foul as much. There is not a whole world of difference but enough to be worth the money. If for nothing else the maintenance piece of mind. Either the Denso or the NGK will be good and I will find the number the Denso is IK20. I like the NGK's but decided to go with the Denso, I have found in general they seem to sometimes be a better plug. The electrode is a bit thinner and the ground electrode has a v cut in it (just like the NGK v power) so the spark goes to the sides, again difference is slight. I had to look at the earlier wings because they dont list them for our bikes or even the later wings. I have no idea why.

A short story, and the reason for my NGK only mentality.    My older Shadow had four plugs.   When I went to change them out for the first or second time, cannot remember, I was at an auto parts store.  I know the NGKs at *steeler* were close to $8.00 ea..maybe even 9.  Anyway, the auto parts store at the time did not have NGKs so they cross referenced some Champions that were cheap.  I put them in the bike and forgot about them.  They seemed to work fine...but man, the power wasn't quite there...thought it was all in my head.   Well...a year or two later I decided to change them out again.  Went back to the same parts store and this time they had the NGKs..and for only like a couple dollars ea.  I was stoked!  Put them in and WOW...nice little increase in snap and acceleration.  This is why I have always stuck with the stock NGKs...  A great deal of stuff out there involves snake oil man...the Iridium seemed to be in that category...especially considering how Motorola's Iridium cell phone escapade basically bankrupted the company!  Maybe I will try them out next year.  If not Bob...I want a refund!!!!

[bscrive]

I am a NGK fan as well.  I have never had any luck with champion in anything including my cars.  I have only ever had NGK in all of my bikes.  If I couldn't get them at one place I would go somewhere else.  I do agree with you that most plugs out there with the multiple electrode, side firing, etc are just snake oil. 

[Robert]

Wouldn't disagree with anything either of you said but when you change say 10 sets of plugs a week and get to experiment on different plugs in different vehicles you have an open playing field to see exactly what each plug does or does not do.

 I agree NGK is probably the best all around spark plugs out there still. Like everyone here we all look for that little edge that makes one better than another. I have noticed that the Denso do better in some vehicles over the NGK or visa versa. The issue like all things is to know the right plug for the right vehicle. That is where experience will come in. Its what made you guys use NGK in the beginning experience in that being the best plug for that application.

As for the plug end configuration in most cases its mainly for the longevity of the plugs for specific applications. I have not found any advantage outside of the Iridium for the end. But have found several disadvantages. Like the Bosch plug that had the 4 electrodes placed around the tip almost like a surface gap plug had to be the absolute worst plug I have ever seen. Bosch was taking such a beating on these plugs that they had to revamp their line and actually give you a good plug. I found out that OEM plugs are different from aftermarket plugs also. I'm not sure exactly why but they are admitted to me by a couple of plug representatives. In comparison to the early Bosch plugs to the redesigned plug there is a world of difference. I would have never considered putting Bosch plugs in my Chevy truck but since the rep gave me a set I have had them in there for many thousands of miles and they have performed flawlessly.

Ok so Denso seems to manufacture their plugs a little more meticulously than most. Things like the center electrode is smaller and the metal on the base seems to be a bit better and small things like that. I have noticed the durability seems to be a bit better but not across the entire line. Like the NGK I have seen them make a noticeable difference in the running of the vehicle they were put in. So giving them a try on the Valk is a no brainier and so far I am happy with them.

If I have any question on which plug to use on a car I would default to the NGK Platinum then the NGK v power for a good cheap plug. I have seen them hold up when other plugs fail and they are not expensive either. Putting NGK Iridium  in all vehicles is not the answer either since I have seen them miss and fail at not to many miles and had to be replaced. The heat range on the NGKs is about the best out there, and some Champion copper or heavy duty plugs are also good consistently again I think because of heat range. But unless you try another plug you never know for sure. Just a bit of plug info you guys may not know.