Iridium spark plugs?

[ArmyJoe]

My wife recently bought a Buell Blast and has been reading about mods. We came across this post (http://www.buellforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5061) which lists nine basic mods to increase performance.

Like many posts here, it discusses air box mods and after-market exhausts. One that caught my eye was the first one listed: an iridium racing spark plug. I've not seen that mentioned here and a quick scan with the search function shows only a few threads that contain the word.

Does anyone have expreience with these? Would the Spyder RS benefit from these types of plugs?

Thanks,
Joe

[Roger]

The only thing i new about them was my on test. i was watching a show called gearz they were explaining simple things to do to increase fuel mileage and one was to change to E-3 plugs so i took the plugs out of my 2009 scion xb which had the iridium plugs in their after awhile i felt their was no difference and put the iridium plugs back in at that time i did notice the car fired a little quicker. they are probably better than your average plug autolite,champion, this is just my opinion now on a bike idk. goodluck.

[woodz428]

They are or were at one time standard equipment on some sport bikes. They are expensive( in relation to standard type) and have extremely small diameter electrodes. I would almost have to believe that you couldn't get the best from them without some other ignition mods. I also believe that you wouldn't achieve a cost/benefit ratio that makes sense. They may be nice to have if you are racing, but probably not as long a mileage on the plugs as well as no noticeable increase in fuel mileage. But I don't think "splitfires" can support their hype either. Side gapping will likely gain you as much as either of those and all that costs is some time prior to installation. JMO

[Firefly]

I use E-3's on all my lawn equipment and tractors and they seem to work really well.

[boborgera]

Back in the early 60's way before all these new type plugs, i use to cut back the electrodes [champ. J6 ] They would take 2 tenths of a second off my times. But they were only good for about 4 1/4 mile runs. Then my times would go back to normal. So maybe these new plugs act the same way? Didn't mind using them only 4 runs only cost 25 cents Ea. back then, plus 2 tenths was the difference between wining and losing

[Dudley]

We have them on our SE5. Spyder runs smooth as silk. Have about 8,000 miles on them. Technician said they would go 50K or more. We'll see.

[NancysToy]

I switched to them on my BMW. I will probably do the same on the Spyders. The smaller electrode makes for slightly hotter spark, and they last a long time.

[DragonSpyder]

I am running the NGK Irridium plugs in the Spyder. It seems as if they make the Spyder idle smoother. Not so expensive if you get them at sparkplugs.com.

[ArmyJoe]

Dudley and DragonSpyder, can you post the brand and part number?

[SpyderByter]

NGK DCPR9EIX

Same number, add IX

[Dudley]

NGK DCPR9EIX

Same number, add IX

That's what I have. Really like them.

[SpyderByter]

That's what I have. Really like them.

Just put them in myself over the Winter. Bike is running great, but it is one of many things I changed, so I can't be sure its the plugs making it feel stronger.

I run them in my 4 cyl bike and it has started and ran flawlessly many seasons.

[bone crusher]

So, we're back to the beginning here...do the plugs make a noticeable difference to drive and/or efficiency or are they mainly hype?

[NancysToy]

So, we're back to the beginning here...do the plugs make a noticeable difference to drive and/or efficiency or are they mainly hype?

Not hype for my BMW. They greatly relieved a common problem with throttle surge in some of the RTs. Noticeably longer life, too, plus better throttle respose when I roll the throttle on. Not saying it will do the same for the Spyder, but if you believe the maintenance schedule, Spyders are hard on plugs. Sure can't hurt to increase plug life.

[SpyderByter]

It can, if it is disabling the anti-knock system........

In all seriousness, this is a question I'd ask Carlo(BRP) before I used them. As I said earlier, I've tried split electrode plugs in my Harley, that has an ion sensing anti-knock system, and the result was detonation under load and harder starting. I've been told by a factory tech from BRP that the Spyder uses the same system.

Prolonged detonation will damage your engine.....

Starting is good, I will listen for pinging under load. None so far.

[NancysToy]

It can, if it is disabling the anti-knock system........

In all seriousness, this is a question I'd ask Carlo(BRP) before I used them. As I said earlier, I've tried split electrode plugs in my Harley, that has an ion sensing anti-knock system, and the result was detonation under load and harder starting. I've been told by a factory tech from BRP that the Spyder uses the same system.

Prolonged detonation will damage your engine.....

The NGK iridiums I use in my BMW are not split electrode, though. I am not sure about these particular ones. If a person pays close attention to possible knock conditions or harder starting, a trial run of these plugs would not be likely to hurt. I understand your concerns, and they are well founded, but I think I may try the iridiums soon, just for fun. BTW, unlike the GS/RS, the RTS appears to use standard knock sensors, according to the wiring diagram.

[bone crusher]

It can, if it is disabling the anti-knock system........

In all seriousness, this is a question I'd ask Carlo(BRP) before I used them. As I said earlier, I've tried split electrode plugs in my Harley, that has an ion sensing anti-knock system, and the result was detonation under load and harder starting. I've been told by a factory tech from BRP that the Spyder uses the same system.

Prolonged detonation will damage your engine.....

good call....

[SpyderByter]

The NGK iridiums I use in my BMW are not split electrode, though. I am not sure about these particular ones. If a person pays close attention to possible knock conditions or harder starting, a trial run of these plugs would not be likely to hurt. I understand your concerns, and they are well founded, but I think I may try the iridiums soon, just for fun. BTW, unlike the GS/RS, the RTS appears to use standard knock sensors, according to the wiring diagram.

They are not split.

[ThreeWheels]

I was told by the dealer that I need to use resistive plugs in order to have the computer happy and the spyder run well.
I don't know if that is pertinent to the iridium plugs.
On a side note, does Carlo actually answer new people, or is he most likely inundated with e-mails and just answer people he already knows.

[SpyderByter]

I was told by the dealer that I need to use resistive plugs in order to have the computer happy and the spyder run well.
I don't know if that is pertinent to the iridium plugs.
On a side note, does Carlo actually answer new people, or is he most likely inundated with e-mails and just answer people he already knows.

NGK DCPR9EIX

These are resistor plugs, that is the R in the string of letters. These plugs are the same dimensions, heat range, etc. as the stock plugs. Only difference is the tip. They are more expensive, but overall I am banking on less frequent checking and gapping The front plug requires removal of the airbox to get to it. I ran these in another bike and never had a problem. If they are not a problem, then the extra cost per plug is well worth it to me.

As far as Carlo goes, I never tried contacting him, but I will take HDX's advice and try. If I need to change them, I want to know now.

[BLACK WIDOW]

I use E-3's on all my lawn equipment and tractors and they seem to work really well.

Firefly I must say you are looking much better, good to see you are over the BLUES.

[bikeguy]

On a side note, does Carlo actually answer new people, or is he most likely inundated with e-mails and just answer people he already knows.

Back last summer when there had been several Spyder fires, I e-mailed Carlo to ask what, if anything, BRP was doing about the fires. At the time I didn't own a Spyder and had only been lurking on Spyderlovers.com. He didn't know me from Adam but I got a phone call from him. He said that BRP was aware of the problem and was working on a solution. We visited for several minutes talking about that and other subjects and he never seemed hurried or anxious to get off the line. I was impressed that he would spend that much time with someone who didn't even own a Spyder. I can't say that phone call convinced me to order an RT but it sure helped my decision along.

Cotton

[krb1945]

Platinum, gold and iridium electrodes all fire better. I used NGK gold electrodes in a GL1500 that seemed to always have a problem with plugs at about 4000 miles. After changing to the gold electrodes no more problems other than the fact the gold electrodes were 60 bucks a set. And that was back in the early 90's. /Ken

[j45p3r]

Just ordered a set from the local Honda shop I'll report any noticeable difference. $10 each , glad it's only a twin!

[krb1945]

Did you order the Gold or iridium? /Ken