The low down on spark plugs

[BladeBoy]

What is the go with spark plugs these days, $3.85 or $28 flash ones-
make any difference?
Mark.

[Ratmick]

There seems to be a whole industry based around finding high-tech ways of separating the money from the rider doesn't there...

I think it's mainly a quality thing, the more expensive electrode plugs (Iridium/Platinum et al) have a more exclusive cachet due to the 'technology' surrounding the perceived increase in sparking efficiency. However, they are meant to be made better, and they say you do get a better/brighter/hotter spark. I would want at least $80 difference in performance(!) for me to fork over the dough for top-of-the-line plugs... about the only time it'd be good to have a single-cylinder bike

How much difference that makes to your average Joe Blow riding his bike down the street I have no idea. I buy mid-top range of plugs for the car, and the only difference seems to be they last longer.

I personally I think a lot of bike gear is way overpriced...

...btw, I'd pay more for a mower spark plug than $3.85

[Felix]

$28?

'bout normal...some differences in plugs voltage handling and so forth 10kV vs 40kV - depending on what the motor manufacturer specifies. Cheap plugs won't stand up to higher voltages at high RPM - they will break down rapidly - one of the key differences between car sparkies and bike sparkies. You will lose the difference in excess fuel consumption pretty quickly.

Mind you, plugs for my folks 929 cost $30+ each ($30 X 6)...

[Ratmick]

Mind you, plugs for my folks 929 cost $30+ each ($30 X 6)...

Ouch

...that's gotta hurt.

But if you had a bike which ignition system puts out the lower 10kV, it's not really any use buying the shmiko 40kV rare-earth, cobalt-enriched, you-beaut el-fasto kevlar-lined plugs (individually wrapped in yak skin with triple racing stripes) if your bike is not going to take any advantage of the extra 30kV carrying capacity...is it?

[Neka79]

yea my plugs are $28 a pop, as per recommendation from honda....they last 12000km & seem to go ok...i dunno, its wot i gotta put in...

[aardvark]

I put new plugs in a couple of weeks ago. I asked the mechanic if I should get the $4 ones or the dual spark ultrotilithiumenergizerbunny ones.

He told me to save my money and put the $4 ones in.

[mike-s]

well i know that if you have a early 90's magna it is worth buying the frigging expensive irridium's for the simple fact that to get to the rear bank of plugs you have to remove the intake manifold and other ancillary crap, which can take a hour + to do without even the plug change (putting the cost of a plug change up by at least $120 not including parts).

The less often the plugs die, the less often you fork out for the labour.

[Smitty]

yea my plugs are $28 a pop, as per recommendation from honda....they last 12000km & seem to go ok...i dunno, its wot i gotta put in...

whaaaaa..???
$102 plus fitting every 12000..bloody Hoonnnds

me????
stuck a set of $4 jobbies in when I got the old girl
and 25000k later stuck another set in
so..... out with the abacus and
total $32 ! in 10 years and 42000km

neka..BUY A KAWASAKI
or you just like being poor......

cheers

[Smitty]

Seriously....
after asking a few with mechanical knowledge
(my A grade brother and shop foreman at my local car dealer
and bike shoppie)
here is the goss....
Cars and bikes with modern FI systems generally need a plug
that gives an exact spark all the time every time
and the most reliable plugs to do this are.....
the platinum type of plug
otherwise the poor old FI computer goes off its mind
trying to adjust the system ("stoichiometric" mixture and ignition
timing) to meet power and emmissions requirements

Cars and bikes with carbies (like mine) do not need this
and can get by with a standard style of plug....

The platinum style of plug may last longer than a standard
style of plug, because they burn cleaner in an FI system
Sticking a platinum plug in a car or bike with a carb
is a waste of $

hth

ciao

[Ratmick]

well i know that if you have a early 90's magna it is worth buying the frigging expensive irridium's for the simple fact that to get to the rear bank of plugs you have to remove the intake manifold and other ancillary crap, which can take a hour + to do without even the plug change (putting the cost of a plug change up by at least $120 not including parts).

The less often the plugs die, the less often you fork out for the labour.

My '98 V6 Magna specifies iridium plugs for the rear bank as they run hotter than the front three.

[mfzx6r]

Thanks Mick Thanks Mick !!! we hear you the first time

[MickLC]

hahahaha I hope the irony was intentional

[mfzx6r]

hahahaha I hope the irony was intentional

[Smitty]

wtf????

[zbeast]

I know people in the trade and get my plugs reasonably cheap (about $16 for iridiums) and have a set of 8's and a set of 9's for my ZX2R. I bought the 8's then was told I should have bought 9's if I do track riding. I hardly get to ride so I want to be sure that it will fire right when I do get a chance to jump on.