KymcoForum.com

General => Technical | How To => Topic started by: jbcinzio on August 16, 2010, 01:23:39 PM

Title: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: jbcinzio on August 16, 2010, 01:23:39 PM
Hey guys,

I got my 1,000 Km Service done today, pretty reasonable @ $101.00.

The Like 50 4T is much smoother, accelerates slightly better and generally feels like it's got more torque to play with in the mid-range.

My question to you all is what kind of spark plugs do you prefer to use, and is there any point to using something like an NGK Iridium plug?

Your thoughts........

Josh
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: juice on August 16, 2010, 02:01:29 PM
absolutly!
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: art on August 16, 2010, 02:27:09 PM
  I did not think they were worth the extra cost when I used to ride offroad bikes. But for the 50cc scooter seems to be a great match if trying to get every bit of performancs out of it that you can.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: thebatman on August 19, 2010, 11:52:30 AM
should have tried that by now...gotta get me one of those plugs....
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 19, 2010, 01:34:44 PM
Average user on an average bike will not see any difference with hyper-blah-blah expensive spark plugs.

During 90s, spark plugs with several gold plated electrodes were all the hype and I was among suckers who paid in gold to buy them.

Looking in retrospect, it was a complete waste of money.

I also used to spend 30 US$ for plugs, and then realized when switched to 3 US$ plugs, that there is no difference other than keeping 27 US$ to buy some chow for my cats. It just takes being honest to yourself and admit it.

Buy the cheapest new plug within factory specs every 5.000 kms for 2strokes and every 10.000 kms for 4strokes, throw away the old one and forget about plugs. Even though they might last longer than 5/10K kms, they are so cheap it is not worth even thinking about them as being a source of some problem on a bike.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: juice on August 19, 2010, 02:14:52 PM
Sorry about your gold plated plug experience but iridium plugs are vastly superior . It has to do with the fine wire electrodes , they give improved combustion and they don't foul in 2 strokes .
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: thebatman on August 19, 2010, 02:51:48 PM
5000km on a plug???????????????? in my world, i change around every1500...went 2000 and started fouling some, was lean then also....no way for the 5000km....not gonna happpen       i have also heard good things about iridium plugs from different sources....
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: jbcinzio on August 19, 2010, 08:46:00 PM
Thanks for the comments guys.

In Australia, The OEM NGK Plugs cost me about $5 (retail, from my Kymco service centre so it's probably a $3 part).

The NGK Iridium Plugs from my local "Parts Boys" shop will cost me about $22, but I can get them on ebay for about $17 (Delivered).

Decisions decisions....

I guess even if they don't improve the performance at all, they will still last longer (apparently)

BTW, I'm looking at ordering one of those "Joe Costa" Variators, Any words of wisdom or past experiences or rumors of failure or stories of stratospheric performance gains (or any advice at all?).

No one I've spoken to locally has even heard of them, let alone bolted one on so any help would be appreciated seeing as I'm about to spend $200!

Josh.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: sidthesloth on August 19, 2010, 08:56:13 PM
Have a look at www.scooterinvasion.net (http://www.scooterinvasion.net) they had a look at those variator, I am posting from my phone so I cant post a link.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: thebatman on August 19, 2010, 09:02:06 PM
Thanks for the comments guys. In Australia, The OEM NGK Plugs cost me about $5 (retail, from my Kymco service centre so it's probably a $3 part). The NGK Iridium Plugs from my local "Parts Boys" shop will cost me about $22, but I can get them on ebay for about $17 (Delivered). Decisions decisions.... I guess even if they don't improve the performance at all, they will still last longer (apparently) BTW, I'm looking at ordering one of those "Joe Costa" Variators, Any words of wisdom or past experiences or rumors of failure or stories of stratospheric performance gains (or any advice at all?). No one I've spoken to locally has even heard of them, let alone bolted one on so any help would be appreciated seeing as I'm about to spend $200! Josh.
                    HOLY ARMED ROBBERY BATMAN:WHOA, THATS CRAZY.. even at a motorcycle/scooter shop here they are only $11..dam, id mail u one.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: art on August 19, 2010, 09:03:20 PM
 Ya a little under $10 at my local auto store.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: sidthesloth on August 19, 2010, 09:04:39 PM
Haha, the only problew with having any money is everyone else wants it.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: TechGuy on August 19, 2010, 09:45:48 PM
I bought my Iridium at a dealer for $8.00 but I saw NAPA had them for about the same price. Just put the number in the NAPA online and to a non-specific vehicle, competitive search. The non-specif take you away from the "it fits in a ...' question" and the competitive does the look-up by the vendor part number and not the NAPA number. Once you have the NAPA number, you can order it online or your local NAPA parts store.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: Hoolander2 on August 20, 2010, 03:23:29 AM
I tend to agree with Axy about the fancy plugs, However: I was told by a shop owner the iridium plugs take less voltage to fire so. . .  if you got problems in that department the iridium plug may indeed help. 

On the other hand, using one may mask voltage problems? 
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 20, 2010, 08:04:45 AM
5000km on a plug???????????????? in my world, i change around every1500...went 2000 and started fouling some, was lean then also....no way for the 5000km....not gonna happpen       i have also heard good things about iridium plugs from different sources....

Had a number of 2stroke scoots, and changed plugs every 5000 kms. Usually NGK, but also Champion and some other brands.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 20, 2010, 08:10:47 AM
Sorry about your gold plated plug experience but iridium plugs are vastly superior . It has to do with the fine wire electrodes , they give improved combustion and they don't foul in 2 strokes .

No spark is going to foul in 2 strokes if the rest of the engine is OK.
If you have worn piston rings, piston, if you have wrong mixture and try to fix that with spark plugs, that brings a whole different set of problems.

Fancy spark plugs are a gimmick, a fad, but that kind of fad has its own audience. I always say that if spending a few bucks more will ensure one's peace of mind, it's worth it. It is all about psychology - people feel better if they pay more, because they think they have a "premium good" with them just because the price is higher.

The spark plug story is just as old as synthetic vs. mineral oil discussion. People have started exaggerating so much with Internet and stuff that they change oil every 500 or 1000 kms, while 3-5000 kms change intervals for scoots with modern oils are just as good. Also, people use expensive synthetic oils in small scoots, while air cooled motorcycle engines that spin to 12.000 rpms and develop 150+ hp /1300 cc do just good using semi-synthetic oils that is changed every 8.000 kms.

Once again, people are free to decide for themselves, but that does not change hard facts.

The only thing I can promise is that fancy spark plug / synthetic oil thread will resurface next week on this and every other scooter/car forum again, again there will be someone realistic like me, and someone who swears in unparalelled quality of fancy plugs and esther-nanotech-synt oils...
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: juice on August 20, 2010, 10:28:57 AM
Is there ANYONE on this forum who has TRIED the iridium plugs that is disappointed , dissatisfied or feels like they are not superior ? I rest my case .
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: dont_tread_on_me on August 20, 2010, 12:11:56 PM
   Can anyone tell me the Iridium equivalent for the Kymco Super 9 plug?  The NGK part number for the stock plug is NGK-BR8HSA and the best place to get them?
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 20, 2010, 01:41:02 PM
Is there ANYONE on this forum who has TRIED the iridium plugs that is disappointed , dissatisfied or feels like they are not superior ? I rest my case .

I have tried, was very satisfied and feel they are equal to any other spark plug I ever used. Also feel they are superior.

In price.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 20, 2010, 01:45:35 PM
   Can anyone tell me the Iridium equivalent for the Kymco Super 9 plug?  The NGK part number for the stock plug is NGK-BR8HSA and the best place to get them?

BPR8HIX

ebay or Amazon.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: art on August 20, 2010, 06:01:03 PM
The bpr 8hix Is correct. I believed much the same as axy from my expierience in my dirt bike days,but I just started running them in my kitted 50cc bike and there was an improvement  ??? and only a few bucks more what the hell.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: axy on August 20, 2010, 07:42:48 PM
The bpr 8hix Is correct. I believed much the same as axy from my expierience in my dirt bike days,but I just started running them in my kitted 50cc bike and there was an improvement  ??? and only a few bucks more what the hell.

Kitted bikes are a whole different story!

If we are talking about 2 strokes, kitted 2 strokes require higher mixture of oil and gasoline than stock machines, almost double percentage (usually 2-4 % vs. 1.5-2% for stocks). One of the newbie kitting mistakes is not adjusting oil pump to inject more oil into gasoline, resulting in worn piston, cyl and rings, very quickly and blocked/dead little engine.

Under these circumstances, it is vital to have a strong spark with adequate temperature constant of the spark plug to achieve self-cleaning.

Kitted bikes also run at least +1000 rpm compared to stock bikes, that also requires different spark plug behavior/type.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: dont_tread_on_me on August 20, 2010, 08:58:25 PM
  Thanks everyone,very helpfull!
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: Glennza on September 02, 2010, 11:02:10 PM
Hey guys,

I got my 1,000 Km Service done today, pretty reasonable @ $101.00.

My service also cost $101. Coincidence or are we going to the same place? GC Motorcycles in Adelaide. Are we neighbours?
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: sidthesloth on September 02, 2010, 11:16:20 PM
Hmm, they have a fuel tap for me, their supplier had none, then he rang back saying he found one in a box of parts. :)
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: oswaldters on September 04, 2010, 02:31:56 AM
I splurged for the $8.39 and picked up the Denso iridium plug for my agility 50.  Have only had it in for a week now so I'm trying not to jump to any early conclusions about the performance until I have some more time to ride and see how it goes. 

That being said, so far I haven't noticed any significant difference over the stock NGK plug I was using before.  Then again, my scoot is stock - but has been derestricted so it might be a different story for those who have gone for the performance mods.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: art on September 04, 2010, 03:30:52 AM
  Ha! Hey oswalders time for some mods to match the plug  ;D. That was my findings with stock and slightly modded dirt bikes,but my kitted bike was night and day  :o  I didn't believe in them what so ever. Now I will spring for them on my scoots. They are suposed to last longer also.  :-\
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: wordslinger on September 04, 2010, 03:35:03 AM
Ha! Hey oswalders time for some mods to match the plug


..yup!!...

 ;)
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: oswaldters on September 04, 2010, 05:50:48 PM
Oh no - peer pressure!

Sure, I know, everyone's doing it....

Just try it once.......

A little won't hurt....
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: art on September 04, 2010, 06:00:38 PM
  Ha! Caution!!! it is addicting!!!  ;)
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: wordslinger on September 04, 2010, 07:45:42 PM
it is addicting!!! 

..dang art...wasnt supposed to tell os that til it was too late!!
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: oswaldters on September 05, 2010, 01:28:35 AM
But I'm sure you could give it up any time you want.

Right???
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: sidthesloth on September 05, 2010, 01:47:05 AM
Right....anytime....???
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: wordslinger on September 15, 2010, 02:43:26 AM
..just so it's out there..

 :-\

..i recently ran my scoot on 6 different runs using NGK iridiums and regular plugs...

..comparing uphill, straight out and downhill runs...

..MY scoot performed best with a regular plug...

..only benefit i saw was with "cold" starting...

..iridium started the instant i touched th button...

..just what I saw...


peace
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: sidthesloth on September 15, 2010, 02:47:33 AM
That is good to see, at least now we know what to expect. Thanks.
Title: Re: NGK Iridium V OEM Spark Plugs - Do they make a difference????
Post by: Calothrix on September 15, 2010, 03:20:15 AM
When I started riding my P150 this spring, I installed an NGK iridium plug and started using synthetic oil for the first time.  I was hoping to see a little increase in fuel economy, but the opposite has occurred.  Last year, I was typically running in the low 70's for mpg, but this summer I was usually in the high 60's.  Not sure if I was a little more twisty with the throttle this summer or not.  Scoot still ran great but next spring I think I will stick with the synthetic oil and go back to the conventional plug and see what happens.