[Ellul]

Like the GSXS1000, the GSXS750 will come with iridium plugs. Supposedly they're better, not sure, I've never used them.

Are they as durable as traditional plugs, what about cost?

while new iridium spark plugs initiate the combustion with a hotter, more powerful spark for a more efficient burn. Iridium plugs also reduce maintenance thanks to increased plug longevity.

 

[Ginger]

little in the way of gains besides longevity, you could switch to normal plugs if you really wanted to...

 

[Dawg]

Why would you switch back to regular plugs? Is there also a downside to the iridium plugs?

 

[999]

Why would you switch back to regular plugs? Is there also a downside to the iridium plugs?

That's what I was thinking as I thought Iridium plugs were better.

 

[Dawg]

Here is what I found about Iridium spark plugs on wikipedia.

Its resistance to arc erosion makes iridium alloys ideal for electrical contacts for spark plugs. Iridium has replaced other metals previously used, copper and platinum, as the electrode material for spark plugs in most all original equipment manufacture applications, is the recommended replacement spark plug for replacement on older vehicles and is especially favored by performance enthusiasts due to the increased performance. Iridium spark plugs have substantially higher life due to the low oxidation rate, as well as the high melting point that allows them to run hotter than other materials which keeps them clean and free of contaminates. While iridium plugs are at least twice the cost of standard plugs, performance and economy improvements along with the substantially increased service life have led them to replace copper and platinum as the standard plug choice for most all cars manufactured since the early 2000s.

 

[Ginger]

Like I said, you could switch back to regular plugs if you really wanted to. You're not going to impact the engine negatively, you're simply replacing plugs more frequently. Even so, how often do plugs need replacing 20-30,000 miles?

 

[Dawg]

If you had to replace the plugs then you could go with older non-iridium plugs, but I wouldn't go changing them for no reason. There is basically no difference other than the longevity of the plug, and obviously ones that last longer are better (though they are more expensive.)

 

[999]

Like I said, you could switch back to regular plugs if you really wanted to. You're not going to impact the engine negatively, you're simply replacing plugs more frequently. Even so, how often do plugs need replacing 20-30,000 miles?

That is true, not something you change too often, savings from going iridium is just minimal

 

[Dawg]

That is true, not something you change too often, savings from going iridium is just minimal

How often do regular old spark plugs have to be replaced on average?

 

[999]

I don't know exactly, never owned a bike long enough to do that.

 

[Stromer]

Like I said, you could switch back to regular plugs if you really wanted to. You're not going to impact the engine negatively, you're simply replacing plugs more frequently. Even so, how often do plugs need replacing 20-30,000 miles?

The maintenance schedule on page 6-4 of the service manual says to replace plugs every 7500 miles... which is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[blueglue]

do they actually cost that much compared to regular plugs?

 

[mattnz]

Iridium plugs are claimed to last 100,000km + in a car, replacing them every 12000 km is a bullshit sop to the dealer network imo. As is the tightening of all the bolts each service - as if its going to fall to bits, funny no other vehicles need this.
I guess the other possibility is there isomething going on in that engine which wears them out extremely quickly.

 

[ackack]

Higher revving engines can wear out a plug quicker.
Bikes have double the RPM of most car engines so I can't see the comparison between car and bike plugs being relevant.
I change mine with the coolant every 2 years.

 

[ackack]

do they actually cost that much compared to regular plugs?

In the UK they are about £10 more per pack. I pay about £4-6 per plug.

 

[mattnz]

Higher revving engines can wear out a plug quicker.
Bikes have double the RPM of most car engines so I can't see the comparison between car and bike plugs being relevant.
I change mine with the coolant every 2 years.

Double 12000km aint anywhere near 100,000 neither is triple or quadruple.
My last bike had iridium plugs - 40,000km interval between changes.

 

[ackack]

I'm not going to debate how long a plug should last and it's your right to change them whenever you want. Your bike will be out of warranty by the time you have to replace them (assuming you do less than 7500miles in two years)

I am happy changing my plugs every 2 years because a failed plug will cause me a lot more grief than 2 hours and £25 will.

 

[mattnz]

Your bike will be out of warranty by the time you have to replace them (assuming you do less than 7500miles in two years).

I do 20000+ ks a year. I buy bikes to ride not to look at.
Dealer has quoted them at $35 each
So yeah I'm not that happy at potentially spending $280 ( plus fitting) a year just on plugs.

 

[rcannon409]

A lot of this has to do with taking the plug out, and putting it back. No one will ever advise slapping an old plug back in.

So, why bother? You wont say that if you've ever taken plugs out of something like a 2005 inline 4 that had 6000 miles on it. If its been washed a lot, it scares you when the plug comes out of the threads. Especially if bike had been washed often.

 

[ackack]

I do 20000+ ks a year. I buy bikes to ride not to look at.
Dealer has quoted them at $35 each
So yeah I'm not that happy at potentially spending $280 ( plus fitting) a year just on plugs.

I would love to put on over 10k miles a year but weather and job keeps my mileage down.
I've been looking at other main brands of new bikes and they all have similar schedules with the plugs.
I can see your issue but if you're going to be putting that amount of miles on then I don't see why you're complaining.
I guess it's a question of how much is the warranty worth to you?