Anyone tried other spark plugs?

[BajaRon]

Bajaron had done some Spark Plug Testing on the 1330 RT's several years ago trying to come up with a better plug...He had several beta testers...

Hopefully Ron will see this post and follow up on his findings...

Or maybe someone can find the links???

larryd

I am surprised at how much negative press the NGK spark plugs are getting here. I don't know how many thousands I've sold with zero issues since 2009. I encourage customers to give me feedback. Positive or negative. I want to know if something isn't working just as much as if it is. I have never had anything but positive reviews on the NGK's for the Spyder and Ryker. However, I've only ever offered Iridium IX spark plugs. And that may be the rest of the story.

Not saying anyone's experience is not valid. I can only speak for mine.

In the beginning, Lamont and I were among the first ones on the planet with a Spyder. And we put a lot of miles on them. My engine started to miss and I just assumed new spark plugs were the cure. Motorcycles seem to go through spark plugs much faster than cars. At the time, BRP was using common copper core plugs. Tried and true. But way behind the current spark plug technology. Always wanting a better mousetrap, I upgraded to the NGK Iridium IX plugs. But when I saw the OEM spark plug wires. I realized that it was probably the wires going bad and not the plugs. That is when I started making my own wire kits.

When people started purchasing and installing my wire and spark plug kits. BRP came out with a statement saying that the NGK Iridium Spark Plugs were not compatible with the Spyder. I got a lot of calls on that. I was, of course, using the same heat range, etc., as the OEM plugs. Just in the IX configuration. Which is a fine thread, Iridium center electrode instead of the much fatter copper core BRP was using. Spark jumps more easily from a fine electrode than from a fatter electrode. And Iridium lasts much longer than copper.

I assured customers that the Iridium plugs were not only compatible (contrary to BRP's notice). But worked better and longer than the OEM spark plugs. Some believed me. Some did not. And I completely understand. But the proof in the pudding was that 2 years later. BRP started putting Iridium spark plugs in their engines from the factory. How about that!

I am always testing new stuff to see if I can provide a better product. I am in the process of testing another spark plug. This is a difficult product to test. So, we will see where this one goes.

If you ever have a problem with any NGK spark plug from me. Or, anything else I sell. Please let me know. I must say, that you usually do. And I appreciate that.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have no claim to inside knowledge at BRP engineering or the pencil pushers making their financial decisions. My question to you is there another “motorcycle tire” equivalent or better than the Kenda? I’m not talking car tires, strictly motorcycle. Something a Motorcycle manufacturer would look at for a new 3 wheel design motorcycle? I don’t know of any other tire manufacturer who had a tire design ready to go for a 3 wheel motorcycle in the weight class of BRP’s Spyders and Rykers.

There is or was another company making Spyder tires .... Vee Rubber, they made the " arachnid " tires which IMHO were No better than the Kenda's ( tho they may have had LESS Defective tires ) ..... In case you arn't aware of the fact that Harley Davidson sells their Trikes with " Dunlop " car tires as OEM ..... This really blows the " Spyders MUST have - " for special motorcycle use only on them "..... to me this statement doesn't make the tires MOTORCYCLE tires. Kenda tires ( and the Spyder wheels ) have " J " type ( according the US Fed DOT regs ) rims/wheels. So are in reality " AUTO tires " ... Not motorcycle tires .... Idaho Mountain Spyder has done an enormous amount of research in the Auto vs. special motorcycle Tire thing .... He has found NO explanation ( in the DOT rules ) that says anything about this. If you have an HD dealership near you go and look at the Tires on their Trikes. ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I have no claim to inside knowledge at BRP engineering or the pencil pushers making their financial decisions. My question to you is there another “motorcycle tire” equivalent or better than the Kenda? I’m not talking car tires, strictly motorcycle. Something a Motorcycle manufacturer would look at for a new 3 wheel design motorcycle? I don’t know of any other tire manufacturer who had a tire design ready to go for a 3 wheel motorcycle in the weight class of BRP’s Spyders and Rykers.

There is no such thing as a 'Motorcycle Tire' for the Spyder. What BRP sells is a car tire that is too lightly built to be safe on a car. The 'Motorcycle' designation is there only to prevent someone from putting one of these Kenda OEM tires on a car. I know what you mean when you say 'Car Tire'. But using this terminology gives the wrong impression that the OEM Kenda is a motorcycle tire, which it is not.

The simple truth is. The correct car tire is a much better product for the Spyder than what the manufacturer recommends. (And can be less expensive at the same time) What people do with that truth is up to them.