Iridium spark plugs?

[jwhughes3]

Now you have

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/794350-iridium-spark-plugs-in-vintage-bikes/

http://www.vjmog.com/ftopic-6260-0-days0-orderasc-.html

Neither of those forum links say anything about fouling easier. One says it probably is a waste of money and they dont work well in contact point older bikes (we have electronic ignition). The other just says if you are not riding 30k miles a year they are not worth it.

John

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Plugs

Neither of those forum links say anything about fouling easier. One says it probably is a waste of money and they dont work well in contact point older bikes (we have electronic ignition). The other just says if you are not riding 30k miles a year they are not worth it.

John

True that, I can't explain to anyone that a VERY small electrod fouls quicker then one with a large contact area in a low tech rich running 30+ year old motor in less then three thousands words of common sence, and I don't have the time or intrest to do so Just buy the $$$ plugs and PM me as I have some swamp land for sale here in Florida you might want to invest in

[Bonz]

I can find more info saying Bigfoot exists than saying iridium plugs are sub par with old ignition systems.

In fact, iridium works better in lower voltage situations, which is your rub against using them because there won't be enough voltage to fire.

Just like some vehicles prefer one brand of gasoline over another when it comes to pre ignition or smooth running, feel what you want about the plugs you run too I guess.

I can tell that logic isn't going to win the day, it's all about what you believe in your gut.

You can't do it in three thousand words or less because it can't be done. I got an 80SG that proves it. Last I looked it was a 30 plus year old, old Tech rich burn motor, my plugs are clean as a whistle with a light tan. I want to hear from somebody who has fouled plugs on their XS while running iridium plugs in an otherwise mechanically sound engine.

Lord that was easy... heh, heh, heh.

Carry on.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

I can find more info saying Bigfoot exists than saying iridium plugs are sub par with old ignition systems.

In fact, iridium works better in lower voltage situations, which is your rub against using them because there won't be enough voltage to fire.

Just like some vehicles prefer one brand of gasoline over another when it comes to pre ignition or smooth running, feel what you want about the plugs you run too I guess.

I can tell that logic isn't going to win the day, it's all about what you believe in your gut.

You can't do it in three thousand words or less because it can't be done. I got an 80SG that proves it. Last I looked it was a 30 plus year old, old Tech rich burn motor, my plugs are clean as a whistle with a light tan. I want to hear from somebody who has fouled plugs on their XS while running iridium plugs.

Lord that was easy... heh, heh, heh.

Carry on.

Iam glad and sure they work for you, I am sure they would work for me on my bike also, IT'S A SPARK PLUG Some times so many fall into my trap of saying "mine is bigger then yours" posts, keeps it intresting I just have fun some times I said, they will work in our bikes, are they worth many times the $$$, maybe, maybe not, but it is your cash, if it makes you happy, maybe it is worth many times the cash$$$ Just have fun with your bike and have fun here if you can, I always do... heh, heh, heh, or "whatever"

[mmatches1]

I would be nice to have some scientific evidence before jumping in to these plugs. I haven't checked but perhaps there is a non biased study out there? Maybe I am dreaming?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

I would be nice to have some scientific evidence before jumping in to these plugs. I haven't checked but perhaps there is a non biased study out there? Maybe I am dreaming?

There are lots of studys and oppinions, just Google it. It all comes down to a great spark with a very had substance for an electrode, how be it a very small electrode. They are very good pluges and designed for todays lean high voltage computer controlled 100 thousand mile between tune up car's of today. Will they spark in our bikes, of course they will. Are they worth the $$$ of course they are if the make you You can't put a price on a

[motoman]

There are lots of studys and oppinions, just Google it. It all comes down to a great spark with a very had substance for an electrode, how be it a very small electrode. They are very good pluges and designed for todays lean high voltage computer controlled 100 thousand mile between tune up car's of today. Will they spark in our bikes, of course they will. Are they worth the $$$ of course they are if the make you You can't put a price on a

Big +1! Our Ford Escape reccomends a plug change at 90,000mi., Which I had done at 95,000mi. Didn't do it myself since I really didn't need the practice pulling the intake plenum to get at the back-side plugs(V-6) and it was December. Got the new intake O-rings and had it done. Iridiuns are NOT used in this application, and if they were, expect the individual coils to crap out shortly after........and some of you think coils for our ole' bikes are expensive....ha.....try pricing out individual coils on these new or newer vehicles. Sorry guys, longgivity to match up with some of the other high mileage service intervals as OEM4ME stated is the bigger reason for their use..........in SOME newer applications. And of course, higher ignition voltages sure don't hurt to fire off the corn squezzins' that's pumped into our tanks, which comes from coils, not plugs.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Thanks!

Big +1! Our Ford Escape reccomends a plug change at 90,000mi., Which I had done at 95,000mi. Didn't do it myself since I really didn't need the practice pulling the intake plenum to get at the back-side plugs(V-6) and it was December. Got the new intake O-rings and had it done. Iridiuns are NOT used in this application, and if they were, expect the individual coils to crap out shortly after........and some of you think coils for our ole' bikes are expensive....ha.....try pricing out individual coils on these new or newer vehicles. Sorry guys, longgivity to match up with some of the other high mileage service intervals as OEM4ME stated is the bigger reason for their use..........in SOME newer applications. And of course, higher ignition voltages sure don't hurt to fire off the corn squezzins' that's pumped into our tanks, which comes from coils, not plugs.

Thanks Motoman! I was not trying to start a argument, but it was kind of fun to see the views of others. When car's became, "remove the intake system, pull half the crap on top of the motor, then losen the left motor mount and jack up the motor to change the plugs, The ease made perfect sence, and with 6 /8 and even 12 coil's per car, well, times have changed. But, if you have a spark plug with a gap that your coil can bridge, you got a spark Good luck with your bikes and God Bless

[motoman]

Actually, JWHughes with his response in post ten pretty much resolved any debate. All in all, as OEM4ME stated, a healthy debate that is regularly done here with different opinions has saved me alot of diagnosic time whenever my bike decides to throw me a curve, and because of the debating and bantor actually have in some 7-8yrs only had a specific question I believe one time a few yrs. back. The site pertaining to my ST too often tends to be too polite and formal at times lacking questioning some suggestions and at times causes me to have to go thru a longer process to resolve an issue, which definitely isn't very often with the ST. I have noticed though that alot of the similar electrical/ignition issues are starting to pop up with several of the ST1100 owners seeing how these bikes are starting to show their age, and of course the common neglected electrical/ignition systems. Fortunately, already been thru that with the XS scoots and transferred that knowledge and maintenance(cleaned all electrical and dobbed with dialectic grease for example) to my ST BEFORE it became an issue a few years back. Payed off, as I can let that bike sit for months on end, jump on it, fire it up and ride clear across the country to either coast if I choose without an issue or hiccup. Preventative maintenance, especially primary/secondary ignition and electrical goes a long way for a permanent grin riding, no matter what the age of the bike. These issues are NOT specific to our XS11's........nube's, take heed to the debating and opinions here as the wealth of knowledge here CANNOT be matched by any shop, dealer or otherwise, and I have over the years associated with alot of bike shops, most of which would get a schooling 101 on motorcycle mechanics for ALOT of different makes if they lurked here.

[Bonz]

The good discussion in this thread started around the issue of fouling. I have not seen anything to show iridium is more prone to fouling than a standard plug with older lower voltage systems, other than speculation and opinion.

I've seen that Champions are thought of as junk plugs, that NGK's may or may not be "No Good Kind", etc, etc, etc. But what is that based on? A bad experience at one point? Where is the bad experience with fouling Iridium plugs that is being spoken of so surely, so we can put some facts behind our fancy?

Just trying to keep things going toward some real issues with fouling that are at the root of this thread once it got started.

What I am seeing is the debate comes down to cost when you take it all apart and look at the posts. I've never seen the cost of a plug make it more or less prone to fouling. Cost tends to be related to plug longevity, nothing more. The health of the ignition system that provides the spark, carburetion and engine oil tightness are what control fouling or not. And running the right heat range of plug...

So, I'll stick with the Iridium plugs in my XS, probably never have to replace them again in my life time as long as periodic inspection shows healthy life inside the cylinders.

I highly recommend them.

[ManagerMike]

I'll throw this out there...
1996, the OBDII legislation took effect for all new cars and light trucks sold in the US. A key part of that legislation required manufacturers to WARRANTY both the engine control module and the CATALYTIC CONVERTER for 8 years or 80,000 miles. This is when the platinum and "double" platinum spark plug became popular. Research leading up to the rollout of the new legislation had already proven that traditional copper core plugs would not last long enough to prevent damage to the catalyst due to fouling caused by normal wear, and had shown that platinum electrode spark plugs would endure for the warranty period.
By 1998, most manufacturers had seen more than enough warranty cost increases to realize that their lab based studies on platinum plugs did not translate well into the real world where a large segment of vehicle owners stopped maintaining their vehicles properly once the "3yr-36,000 mile warranty" expired, and that platinum plugs would not cut it for 8 years or 80,000 miles in an otherwise poorly maintained engine, but they were still bound by law to warranty the highly expensive catalytic converter.

By 1999 most new vehicles had iridium plugs as standard equipment as well as recommended replacement for prior model years when warranty replacement for spark plugs was deemed necessary.

The advent of iridium plugs, despite their higher up front cost, is explained by the simple economics of their unsurpassed durability under a wide variety of operating conditions to maintain proper functionality, and ultimately save (manufacturers) money.

In conclusion, will they make your bike run better? Probably not, but if you've shelled out the money for them already you may have convinced yourself that they did make a difference. On the other hand, they will likely be the last set of plugs you will ever need to buy for your already 30 plus year old bike.

[Bonz]

Good Post!

'Nuf said!

[Dragon Tamer]

Have not tried the Iridium plugs in the XS and most likely won't. For many years I ran the recomended No Good Kind and usually after 9,000 miles or so one or more of the set would just quit sparking, not fouled, just quit. Out of desperation one day about three and a half years ago and over a hundred miles from home I installed a set of Champion Copper Plus plugs because that was all I could get. That was over 70,000 miles ago and that set of plugs is still in there and still working well! As they cost no more than the NGK this cuts my cost per mile down some and I see no reason to try a more expensive plug.

[CaptonZap]

Have not tried the Iridium plugs in the XS and most likely won't. For many years I ran the recomended No Good Kind and usually after 9,000 miles or so one or more of the set would just quit sparking, not fouled, just quit. Out of desperation one day about three and a half years ago and over a hundred miles from home I installed a set of Champion Copper Plus plugs because that was all I could get. That was over 70,000 miles ago and that set of plugs is still in there and still working well! As they cost no more than the NGK this cuts my cost per mile down some and I see no reason to try a more expensive plug.

What is the number of the plugs? Last time I tried to get some Champions, the parts guy said that they quit making that number, and since I didn't have a heat range chart for NGK, so I didn't bother trying to find a crossover number.
I have always had good luck with Champions, and would like to try some in the G.
CZ

[Dragon Tamer]

The plugs themselves are marked N9YC. However I just picked up a set for the Maxim and the "New" Champion number on the box is 300. The plugs are still marked N9YC.