MPG with iridium spark plugs and first oil change

[SportsterDoc]

First fuel stop: Most of the miles were the Red Rock Canyon run after switching to iridium spark plugs. 65.4 miles / 1.785 gallons = 36.64 MPG.

Second fuel stop: Typical speed 55-65 MPH. 68.1 miles / 1.824 gallons = 37.33 MPG.

Third fuel stop: Interstate 15 at 70-75 MPH, with 15 MPH headwind. 55.3 miles / 1.731 gallons - 31.95 MPG.

The iridium spark plugs (NGK 4218) seem to make an improvement.

Wanting to switch to 10W50 for the summer, as the BRP XPS 5W40 is only rated to 104 F, today was oil change day.

Ryker went on ramps easily. Floor jack brought rear level.

Both engine drain plugs broke loose easily.

Magnetic drain plug had very little debris.

Oil came out darker than expected from dipstick readings.

The 2020 Ryker manual appears to be correct. 3 quarts out and 3 quarts to full mark on dipstick...but will check again, after an in-town run.

Replaced both 18 mm aluminum and 8 mm copper crush washers on engine drains.

While up on ramps, I went ahead and replaced BRP XPS 5W40 transmission fluid with Mobile One 75W140 for hot climate operation. Thanks to CanAmRyder for educating me on drain plug location.


Gearbox oil was ugly. Magnetic drain plug almost filled with goop. Cleaned with 1/8" screwdriver and brake cleaner.

Used Dorman 095-016 18 mm ID aluminum crush washer on trans drain plug, $0.69 each from O'Reilly Auto.

Makes me consider changing final drive fluid very soon. But, not easy with wheel on. Save that for another day.

Extremely glad that I did not wait until 6,000 miles for first engine oil change, nor 12,000 miles for gearbox fluid change.

[vindex1963]

I change final drive fluid every oil change on my Triumph Rocket 3, easy to do and really, why not.

[SportsterDoc]

It was easy on my Moto Guzzi, but it had a top fill plug.
Wish the Ryker had one

See post #2

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?132220-Maintenance-photos

[SportsterDoc]

Plan to change final drive fluid, wheel on, after working at son's ranch today.

[Tslepebull]

What height ramps are you using? How was general access under the engine bay while up on the ramps?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Unless the original plugs were fouled to the point of mis-firing ( or a wire issue ) the difference will not be measurable without using some very sophisticated equipment..... and the actual difference will not be meaningful in any real sense ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

[SportsterDoc]

What height ramps are you using? How was general access under the engine bay while up on the ramps?

7 inches. Clearance is only adequate for drain plug access and drain pan. Others have added wood blocks under ramps for more lift, but this was suitable for fluid changes.

[SportsterDoc]

Unless the original plugs were fouled to the point of mis-firing ( or a wire issue ) the difference will not be measurable without using some very sophisticated equipment..... and the actual difference will not be meaningful in any real sense ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

Reviewing earlier posts, any MPG improvement may be minimal. I had 37 MPG trips, before.

This was a follow-up to BajaRon's iridium thread, post 21

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?125366-Ryker-Spark-Plug-Upgrade&p=1522795&highlight=iridium#post1522795

"The plug change was primarily for longevity...perhaps 50,000 miles on the iridium, based upon Ryker cruising RPMs double of most vehicles which expect 100,000 from iridium spark plugs."

Due to posts about front plug access, I was curious and since I already had the plugs, changed them (saved original).

If I keep the Ryker 4 years (age 77), it will probably have 40,000 miles, but expect these iridium plugs to be good for maybe another 10,000 miles.

My 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe went 140,000 on original. At 100,000 miles, I pulled a spark plug every ~5,000 miles to check. Gap unchanged.

[SportsterDoc]

Final drive fluid changed.
350 ml 75W90
Access to fill plug OK, with rear jacked up to turn wheel.

[PMK]

Reviewing earlier posts, any MPG improvement may be minimal. I had 37 MPG trips, before.

This was a follow-up to BajaRon's iridium thread, post 21

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?125366-Ryker-Spark-Plug-Upgrade&p=1522795&highlight=iridium#post1522795

"The plug change was primarily for longevity...perhaps 50,000 miles on the iridium, based upon Ryker cruising RPMs double of most vehicles which expect 100,000 from iridium spark plugs."

Due to posts about front plug access, I was curious and since I already had the plugs, changed them (saved original).

If I keep the Ryker 4 years (age 77), it will probably have 40,000 miles, but expect these iridium plugs to be good for maybe another 10,000 miles.

My 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe went 140,000 on original. At 100,000 miles, I pulled a spark plug every ~5,000 miles to check. Gap unchanged.

Often, the change interval is based on how hard the ignition settings, ignition output and cylinder pressures destroy the spark plugs internal resistor. The spark plugs physically look great, but should be tested under pressure to ensure proper firing. realistically for how inexpensive automotive spark plugs are, they get changed. Even precious metal style spark plugs.

[SportsterDoc]

Monitoring MPG is also helpful in evaluating spark plug life.

Platinum, then iridium were developed for long life, but, unlike Spyder, the Ryker came with copper.