What are the right spark plugs for my XS11?

[RagWing]

I have been reading the posts here and there are some messages saying that the spark plugs may need to be changed if there is a loss of power along with a number of other symptoms. I read the one post on spark Plugs where there is a list of 6 manufactures from AC Delco to Splitfire Plugs along with as many as 10 different plug numbers associated with Champion's.

So the big question: What is the best plug to run in my 1979 XS11SF?

My driving conditions are: I ride from 45 to 65 MPH in Middle Tennessee. The temperature is not extreme in either direction and I ride about 3 to 4 times a week (28 miles to work). Less in the winter time of course, because I am a cold weather wussy,(and before you say it, at 59 I have the right to be ).

I would appreciate some feed back on what "YOUR" opinions are on the subject.

Thanks,
RagWing

[Bauer]

NGK plugs (though biased) I am going to say are the best. But thats my personal opinion. And I believe the # is BR6ES

Ive got a set of champions on my bike now (came with it) and am going to be replacing with NGK's next spring. If nobody has posted up the Champion number by the time I get home from my classes. ill go check it out for you.

[bandet01]

go to advance auto parts store tell them what you got and tell them you want the ngk plugs thats whats in my bike and it runs like a dream and if i remeber right it is a number 6 plug and if you want a hotter plug you can run the 5

[BLUEJEEPLAB]

Anyone have an opinion about the Splitfires and XS's? I put them in my 4 popper Jeep and noticed a gain in mid level acceleration (not much, but some) and about 1MPG better. Was wondering if they would help the Battle Cruiser at all

[RiskyBusiness]

NGK's web site says: BP6ES

[Bauer]

Originally posted by RiskyBusiness
NGK's web site says: BP6ES

Whoops, my bad, that is what it is, im going to edit my post now. Thanks for correcting me

EDIT, Guess I cant, some 5 minute restriction.


CORRECT NGK # IS BP6ES

[81xsproject]

I too was wondering about all the plugs on the list. Not that I am dying to change, but has anyone been been more impressed by something other than the NGK? Like bluejeeplab I noticed quite the improvement in my 4 banger toyota with the Bosch Platinum 4+.

[xs650mike]

The consensus here and amongst XS650 people seems to be that NGK plugs run best in our Yammies. I'm running NGKs but have run Champions in the past from time to time and noted no difference whatsoever on the bikes I ran them in (XS400, XJ750, XZ550) compared to NGK either for performance or plug life. OK NGK boosters, just what makes the NGKs better?

[TopCatGr58]

Well,
Mine came with NGK, but I've liked and used Champions in my cars, and got them for the bike. I'm running RN9YC, was using 11's, but they were a bit too hot, concerned about burning holes in pistons when I found out I was too lean, and also ride more in the warmer weather, so a not so hot plug was felt to be better. I've had no problems with them, and they seem to provide plenty of burning power!

I've heard stories(from parts counter people) about the splitfires burning too hot and burning holes in pistons, or contributing to detonation, too many hot spots in the combustion chamber!?

The platinums are pricey, but are not supposed to corrode or wear out the electrodes like conventional, and are supposed to allow 10's of K miles before changing.....in cars....jetted very lean for mileage, with strong electronic ignitions and hei coils.

Our conventional plugs provide a larger electrode to allow a larger spark surface area for better burning with our weaker coils. And the cost is easy to handle for changing out either every other season, or even each season depending on how many miles you put on it! My 2.5 cents!
T.C.

[bandet01]

i am a ngk fan and they work great in my bike and thats all i have ever ran in any of my bikes

[pggg]

Wow, this is my chance to make a million bucks. Plugs are plugs. They're all the same. I'll bet anyone, here and now, one million dollars, that no-one can tell any difference on their bike between champions, NGK's, N.D's, bosch, or whatevers. Any takers?

[xs650mike]

No taker here pggg but you reminded me that I've also used Nippon Denso plugs in the past and didn't notice any difference with those either. I'm using NGKs in all of my bikes right now and I've had just as many failed plug with NGKs as any other brand including 2 bad brand new plugs which caused me a lot of useless bother trouble shooting what turned out to be bad plugs!

[Bauer]

Originally posted by pggg
Wow, this is my chance to make a million bucks. Plugs are plugs. They're all the same. I'll bet anyone, here and now, one million dollars, that no-one can tell any difference on their bike between champions, NGK's, N.D's, bosch, or whatevers. Any takers?

Its not so much a performance issue, my best luck has come from NGK, I "THINK" I "MAY" have had one bad NGK plug in all the years ive used them, where as ive changed champion plugs out of my ice auger 4 times in half as many years. Dont ask me how it works that way, it just does.

[Czekus21]

AC Delco= GM ; Autolight= Ford ; NGK= Japaneeees ; Bocsh= German and exotics. I have noticed a difference in performance between different plugs. Champion is great. If your on the track and changing and inspecting all the time. I have yet to have a champion plug outlast any other plug in everyday driving. Whether it be bike or cage. I am a firm believer in platnum plugs except on a bike with a carb. I like the old fashion way of being able to read a plug. Split fires in my book are a waist of $$$. Plus fours seem to be pretty good in a fuel injected cage. ( multiport, not throttle body )
For the XS,I would stick with the NGK BP6ES. This is a medium heat plug for all around riding.

[RiskyBusiness]

Bauer makes a good point. Maybe the issue at hand is not one of which plug gives me most power or acceleration, (which I think is PGGG's bet) but which plugs hold up the best in rough environments or have the longest mean time between failures (MTBF).

I should probably stope there... but ff any of you want to totally geek out, here is a paper published by the NACA in the 1920s about what causes plugs to fail in aircraft. You could make the argument that modern plugs are all pretty much the same. This may be the truth but I wonder sometimes if all plugs hold up the same when my carbs are out of adjustment (mine are never quite right).

Link to geek fodder:

http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1920/naca-report-51/