I was having some trouble (after 3k+ overhaul) at low rpms so I called for advice-they said probably need to change the plugs. I had them to change the plugs, and it seems to have solved the problem. They advised they had installed a new(?) hotter plug called a BOUGIE PLUG, and charged me $19.99 each . I asked if they had an NGK number and they gave me NGKDCPR8E, so I checked with the local O'reilly store thinking I might save some money on the next set by getting them now. BIG SURPRISE--they keep 10 of them in stock--$2.30 each. I think I got ripped off. I'll check back with the dealer and see if they have an explaination for the markup. If not ,I'll be looking for another Service . this is on a 08 Spyder with 30K miles.
Even with labor that's pretty steep unless that's all you had done. A lot of work just to change spark plugs. And these are not "New". These are a standard OEM NGK spark plug that has been around for a long time.
I have seen these for as little as $1.90 each. Chances are, any new spark plug would have solved your low RPM miss problem (unless it was spark plug wires that were bad). The hotter heat range seems to be a universal fix for the issue you were having. If you don't ride your Spyder hard, or if you lug your engine (which I think is more common than many realize), the colder 9's can't burn off deposits. These build up on the spark plug and you start to get missfiring.
I hightly recommend the Iridium spark plugs. They deliver a stronger spark and deal with deposits better than the OEM design, and they will last a lot longer than OEM plugs. This is a good place to put in a 'Plug' (Pun intended) that I sell the NGK Iridium spark plugs for $17.00 delivered for the pair. Not too bad up against $19.99 each for $1.90 parts. But whether you get them from me or otherwise, it's just a good idea. But I digress..
Bigger is NOT ALWAYS better!
The big difference between these 2 designs is in the size and material used for the Center Electrode. Spark jumps best from a small surface with a sharp edge. The center electrode on an OEM style plug is big. The center electrode on the Iridium plug is very small. Each time the spark jumps, it blows away a small amount of metal. With this happening several thousand times a minute you can see there is going to be wear. Wear rounds the edges (increasing the amount of energy required for spark to jump). And as material is removed, the gap widens over time.
As all of this is taking place making it ever so slightly harder for the spark to jump each time, you may also be getting deposits building up on the electrodes. This greatly increases the difficulty of spark jumping the gap until it doesn't, at times. No spark, no ignition of the fuel charge in the cylinder. When this happens the deposits build up more quickly and you're in a vicious downward cycle.
Iridium plugs use a much harder material than OEM plugs. So, Iridium plugs are much more resistant to wear and very little material is removed even after thousands of miles. Because the center electrode is so small, it greatly limits the surface area availabe for deposits to accumulate. Everything is working in favor of a strong spark, every time, for a long time.
Though I don't recommend it in the Spyder, most appications recommend replacement at 100,000 miles for an Iridium plug.
Iridium Plug ------------------------------------------------- OEM Style