Spark Plug Life

[DarkCloud]

Has anyone ran their plugs longer than the 12,000 mile change interval?

Can spark plugs be checked to see if they are good?

Are the twin sparks four spark plugs all the same?

Thanks, Dark Cloud

[lorazepam]

If you have one of the haynes manuals it will show you what the plugs should look like. As far as the +2 or +4 plugs go, I think it is a bunch of hooey. The spark is going to follow the easiest path from the electrode to ground. It will pic just one and not all 4 or both as they want you to believe. I found my bike runs the best on autolite plugs, and they are way cheaper than the bosch plugs. IBMWR has a listing of appropriate heat ranges for your bike.

[bmwterrien]

Dark Cloud-

I have nearly 27k on my original plugs and they are fine.

Steve
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

[DarkCloud]

Steve, have you had to regap your plugs? Has there been any change in gas mileage?

If an engine is hard on the plugs, shouldn't it be hard on the plug wires? I haven't seen a thread on anyone changing their plug wires.

JON

[knary]

Originally posted by bmwterrien
Dark Cloud-

I have nearly 27k on my original plugs and they are fine.

Steve
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it"

What bike? The k-bikes seem to be kinder to plugs than the oilheads.

[lorazepam]

UV rays from the sun, and crap thrown up from the roads are much harder on plug wires than the electric current going through them. You have to remember that a Spark plug is subject to tremendous heat and pressure, the potential of fuel and oil fouling it. Not to mention carbon deposits. The plug wires should last for years, I wouldnt worry about them at all.

[bmwterrien]

What bike? The k-bikes seem to be kinder to plugs than the oilheads


It is an 04 GS. I figure that other than oil/filter, tires, and valve adj, one shouldn't have to fiddle with it for a year or so. Hey, its got wear on everything from day one! If I wanted to fiddle with something, I 'd be riding my R90S on a daily basis.

Cheers,
Steve

[GlobalRider]

Originally posted by Dark Cloud
Are the twin sparks four spark plugs all the same?


On my 2003 R1150 GS Adventure, the main sparks plugs are NGK (didn't jot down the numbers) and the lower spark plugs are BOSCH YR6LDE.

The spark plugs are different. The main plugs are 14 mm from what I remember and the lower plugs are 12mm. All have a 3/4" reach.

I removed them during the first inspection to check their condition and to apply anti-seize compound to the threads.

Plugs will last far longer than their recommended service intervals if the engine is in proper running order.

[Scott]

I could easily go over 12,000 mi but the Autolites are afforable enough so I change at every valve adjustment. My R1100GS ran noticeably better with the Autolites. The R1150R does not surge enough for me to notice a differance.

[Mr. Frank]

I believe the recommended replacement interval for oilhead plugs is 24,000. How do they look at that point? Given the low cost, is there any benefit to an earlier replacement?

[Scott]

Don't know if there is any benifit. Since I quit smoking I have some extra dough to spend on motorcycle stuff. And in my mechanical ineptness even I don't screw up plug changing. Makes me feel like I am doing something good for my bike. Kinda like giving the dog a scoobie snack , just because?
SCOTT

[Colt03]

I had 28,000 miles on the plugs in my K1100lt and changed them to some NGK's which got worse mileage, I only ran them about 8000 miles and went back to the stock bosch plugs. I think I'll run these another 28,000 miles. oh yea the mileage went back up.

[bmwterrien]

Steve sez: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"......

[flash412]

Dark Cloud axed: If an engine is hard on the plugs, shouldn't it be hard on the plug wires? CLEARLY Dark Cloud needs a primer on how a motorcycle engine works. Henry "Credible" Pasternack has written a GREAT one (http://vmiglus.web.wesleyan.edu/vacek/ch1.html). If you do nothing else, read the second to the last paragraph. This is classic internet moto-literature.

[hetkind]

I was down at the local dealer getting some recall work done on my new Rockster, and I thought that a set of spare plugs would be handy to have....

first the parts guys said those last for years,

my reply was: if I have a set, gapped, anti-siezed and ready to go under my seat, I am sure not to need them

then he said: good thinking, but out of stock....

what is odds that a local auto parts store will have the lower plug available? where else is it used?

Howard

[kbasa]

Originally posted by hetkind
what is odds that a local auto parts store will have the lower plug available? where else is it used?

Howard

Got a part number? Most autoparts stores have a cross ref that will give some suggestions for substitutions. The dealer will only sell you the exact plug specified by the service manual - probably Bosch.

[Chickenman_26]

Hey Flash,
That is absolutely priceless. Thanks for the link!

CM

[1flyer]

Chickenman, I wonder how many other people "caught" it?

[Chickenman_26]

Even more interesting to ponder...how many people actually believed it? But then that was the author's point, and yours, too I assume. ROTFLMAO. Cheers.

CM

[uechifsataol]

I am considering new plugs for two of my 2004 R1150R Rocksters and I am trying to figure out what is best. I have looked at Bosh, NGK, Champion, Autolite, & Brisk Performance plugs.

But I'm really considering Brisk because it says;

INCREASES ENGINE POWER!
BRISK PREMIUM Sparking plugs New!
Better ignition, longer life !
Content: 2+2 pieces
BRISK:
2x BOR12LGS + 2x DOR14IR
Long Life:
max. 20 000 mile

BMW
Dyno Chart
R1200GS with 4x BOR12LGS
about + 4-5 HP improvement.

"Brisk Premium LGS spark plug has been developed after two-year cooperation with Lamborghini Morori Marini. This spark plug utilizes extremely long glide-spark and massive integrated side electrode. Massive integrated side electrode ensures superior heat removal from active part of the spark plug even in the most extreme conditions, therefore eliminating electrode burn off seen on conventional spark plugs in race applications. Extremely long glide spark (almost 3mm) protrudes deep into combustion chamber, carries more potential charge and is unshielded by the conventional side ground electrode. The air and fuel mixture is ignited more spontaneously and flame front spread is unrestricted and more uniform."

Can anyone verify this or if they really work?

Thanks Fred (uechifs@aol.com)

[bikerfish1100]

Bosch 4417s on my R11S. typically change around 35,000 miles. Never noticed an improvement from the changeover. i suspect that they could go 50,000 miles with no concerns. unleaded fuel is pretty easy on plugs.

[Pauls1150]

"Brisk"? Never heard of 'em, sounds like recycled snake oil... What the hell is a "glide" spark???

I have changed my "lower" wire set, along with that coil (below the tank\behind the steering head). My lower plugs had been getting darker than before, along with an intermittent stumble at idle, and I don't have a way of checking their operation under load, in a combustion chamber, at all RPM, so I just shotgunned the system and all is well. Others in this forum have done the same ("Search" is your friend...).

I used to use Autolite Platinum plugs, and they ran great and lived a long time;
I now use NGK: BKR7EKC-N (part # 2095) in the center, and DCPR6E (part # 3481) in the outer/lower. They also live a long time, but I hear that NGK is now selling a longer-lasting (and more expensive; platinum tip?) replacement for those. The NGKs I have now are cheaply and easily available at the local Kragen\O'Reilly auto parts.

[ragtoplvr]

another vote for 4417. Yes, they are 4 electrode. I tried autolight but my light surging came back in about 1000 miles. OEplug the surge returns in about 2K. These have been in about 15 K now and still surge less than OE at 2K.

I change side to side at each valve adjust to equalize wear. I will probably replace at the next change, more to get a new gasket than for plug wear. They do make a difference.

Rod

[Happy Wanderer]

Bosch 4417s on my R11S. typically change around 35,000 miles. Never noticed an improvement from the changeover. i suspect that they could go 50,000 miles with no concerns. unleaded fuel is pretty easy on plugs.

Any idea what's different about the R11S motor to a R1100RT? Amazon's fitment app says the Bosch 4417 will not fit my bike.

[Pauls1150]

The S has hotter cams and higher compression.

[R1100RS]

Any idea what's different about the R11S motor to a R1100RT? Amazon's fitment app says the Bosch 4417 will not fit my bike.

I tried the autolites, but didn't notice any surge reduction.

right now i run 93 octane and Bosch 4418s in my 99 R1100rs and she seems to like the Bosch better...

I think the 4418s might be too hot... I didn't see any color when I pulled them, but then again, I didn't put a whole lot of miles on them either..

this spring I will try different combinations of octane 89/93 and the 4417/4418 and see what works best for me.

they're 5.99 ea at the auto store