silicone or copper ignition wires?

[Isamemon]

A bump and related to the NGK plug cap question.
Noticed that one company list the replacement wires for airheads as copper and another company, whose wires are $1.05 more use silicone wires.
One pm to me said that the silicone replaces the copper and it is better with electronic ignition, another reply thinks it might just be the insulation for the copper being listed as silicone.

Since new wires are on my list of things to do with next tune up here is the question.

Question, is one type of wire better for airheads, why, what is the advnatage?

Thanks

[lkchris]

Question, is one type of wire better for airheads, why, what is the advnatage?

Yes, the wires your BMW dealer sells are best.

[Isamemon]

I guess, at one time there was a plug wire that did not have a copper or aluminum core but some hybrid aluminum silicone fiber, much like a thick thread adn in some cases like a bunch of threads like a cheap rope
neither of the products out there now for BMW are that way

[Isamemon]

duhhh
I am not the sharpest tool in the shed
so thanks to those that answered here and "pm"
I dont want a pickle......just want to ride my moooootor....siiiiii.......kel

[28796]

Yes, the wires your BMW dealer sells are best.

Why??

[lkchris]

Why??

Tested.

Professionally made as opposed to homemade.

[28796]

Do you really think Rocky Point is making his own wires? Do you actually think BMW does? The only thing you gain by buying your wires at a BMW dealer is a lighter wallet.

[Isamemon]

I agree with John,
there are many things you might want to go dealer only on, but not the throw away stuff
I bet rocky point is not making the wires up when you order them
but maybe the e-bay guys are
but if done right, with good stuff, does it really matter
and many of the e-bay stuff will be good, and some crap
the trick is , is to konw the real price of things, and what you can buy it for from a good source
I am a builder, and I see all kinds of people go to Home Depot, cause its the best deal, thats what it says on tv, and tv is right, .......right...... not always right, and often crap
like these wire sets
Rocky point is selling good sets, yet people will spend more because...........it has to be a great deal ..........its on e-bay
they have not looked elsewhere
but it was on e-bay................
it was at home depot.............
........or I spent three times the street price at the dealer, got to be right
just open your eyes......your brain.............before your wallet

[cjack]

A bump and related to the NGK plug cap question.
Noticed that one company list the replacement wires for airheads as copper and another company, whose wires are $1.05 more use silicone wires.
One pm to me said that the silicone replaces the copper and it is better with electronic ignition, another reply thinks it might just be the insulation for the copper being listed as silicone.

Since new wires are on my list of things to do with next tune up here is the question.

Question, is one type of wire better for airheads, why, what is the advnatage?

Thanks

In this case, the airhead, you need a resistor cap like the NGK. I think 5K is what they were. Then you can use any stranded copper core wire. The silicone wire insulation is usually thicker and it may not fit into the coil towers. I used to use some fuel line over the wire to protect where it rested on the engine cover.
Personally, I like the original BMW wires. They last years and years and fit and look better, waterproof (except the early metal /5 ones...sometimes) than most aftermarket.

[lkchris]

Ah, but saving a couple bucks is SO important that anything can be rationalized.

[Isamemon]

true, I want to save a few bucks, but from what I read, not only would I save a few bucks, but the NGK are better caps anyway

but I do wonder how they will look on the bike

[cjack]

true, I want to save a few bucks, but from what I read, not only would I save a few bucks, but the NGK are better caps anyway

but I do wonder how they will look on the bike

I don't think they are better. The BMW ones fasten well. It may be that the earlier caps which would sometimes fail intermittantly when damp, etc. have caused a poor reputation for all their caps. The later ones, the heavy rubber ones don't do that and the failure rate is very low. I think they cost $25+ each complete with wire attached. That is probably the most damning thing about them in the forums.
Years ago, I found some "Mag" wires, I think they were called. They had a 2K resistive wire inside the insulation and a molded rubber cap. I found a set of four meant for a Fiat and you could get two sets out of one box. There were two that were slightly shorter than the other two. I never used them on my bikes (didn't need new wires often) but those that did, liked them.
Whatever. It's nice when you own a bike that you can spend your time thinking about what kind of oil, or plug caps would be good instead of whether it will leave you by the side of the road.
I think your original question was silicone or not. Silicone may not fit the coils or the plug caps you choose is the only question. The thickness of the silicone wires was greater as I remember. Silicone insulation has a higher voltage breakdown is why it is used on the newest high energy ignition systems. You probably won't gain anything by using it though if it fits.

[pmdave]

Apples and Oranges.

High voltage ignition "wire" can have a stranded copper core, or a fiber impregnated with carbon. The outer insulating cover can be rubber, vinyl, plastic compounds, or silicone rubber.

So, a "silicone" ignition wire refers to the outer cover. Silicone rubber is highly resistant to heat and ozone, and it doesn't seem to harden with age.

Personally, I trust a copper wire better than carbon impregnated into a string, but both work well when new, and the carbon is reputed to transmit less radio interference.

pmdave

[Isamemon]

thanks all for the info
I ride
I just want a good reliable ride that is fun
something that makes me do this :wave :wow :bikes :drink
I love my scooter
so if I can spend a few less bucks on a throw away part that is supposedly better , from the posts I said BETTER......:D and if its not better let me know
however
BMW's have a look , a feel, and those little bmw caps, well the ngk dont look right, too small, too..........I dont know........wrong
especialy wiht the letters NGK in white
it aint right
but do they work better
do they work better in the rain
here in rain county orygun
then me and my scooter, in the rain, well, what works best is what Ill have

its not like an asian bike where you barely see em

they are a focal point on these airheads
I dont know
just want to ride my motorrrrr.......cyyyyyyyyy.......kle.......
just want to ride
love my airhead
love my ride :german