Iridium Spark Plugs

gsatterw · April 30, 2012, 01:11:32 PM

So I just replaced my god knows how old stock spark plugs with iridium ones and damn. I'm not sure if its because my plugs were more or less shot, but when I popped the iridium ones in and took her for a spin, she picked up much faster with no fuss and seemed to tug harder at all rpm's. Maybe it's all in my head, but I'm very satisfied.

Bought a pair for $17.11 shipped from ebay (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=iridium%20spark%20plug%20gs500&_sop=15)

Graham

adidasguy · April 30, 2012, 02:16:01 PM

It is always interesting to see when companies break down GS500 models into groups when we know all of them use the same spark plugs. And they list 04-08 ignoring 09.

They list 89-00 then 04-08. Same part number for the plug. Not sure why they just don't put 89-12.

Ordered some and I'll see what they do. They might be here by this Saturday's wrenching day.

reload · April 30, 2012, 04:09:05 PM

more likely you just got back what the bike had to begin with lol.

ojstinson · April 30, 2012, 04:14:17 PM

If nothing else they last a whole lot longer, I'd say it was a win win.

BaltimoreGS · April 30, 2012, 04:49:04 PM

The main advantage to irridium is longer plug life because the tips don't errode. That is beneficial in motorcycles (and cars) where the plugs are hard to access. They do give slight power gains in dyno testing but it is usually only realized on high performance/highly modified engines. Your plugs were probably just worn and a new set of standard spark would have had the same effect. I don't see an advantage to running higher priced irridium plugs in a GS. I'm done peeing in your corn flakes now...

-Jessie

Suzuki Stevo · April 30, 2012, 04:55:55 PM

I would never bother putting a standard plug in anything, if there was an Iridium equivalent for it, you will probably sell off your GS long before it ever needed a second set of Iridium's.

adidasguy · April 30, 2012, 05:05:31 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 30, 2012, 04:55:55 PM
I would never bother putting a standard plug in anything, if there was an Iridium equivalent for it, you will probably sell off your GS long before it ever needed a second set of Iridium's.

We could put them in Junior to see if he runs better. Oh, wait - he's broken. How about coming over to help fix Junior then we can put iridium plugs in

and see if the runs better? (or runs at all?)

jestercinti · April 30, 2012, 06:24:26 PM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on April 30, 2012, 04:55:55 PM
I would never bother putting a standard plug in anything, if there was an Iridium equivalent for it, you will probably sell off your GS long before it ever needed a second set of Iridium's.

I dont' think they make one for my 1980 F engine lawn boy 2 stroke mower

. So much smoke when I cut the grass, no skeeters near me.

I digress. I have iridums in my GS, and I think it runs better. Not sure. Maybe it's a placebo since I did a bunch of other stuff at the same time like jetting and lunchbox air filter.

slipperymongoose · April 30, 2012, 07:28:07 PM

I only use iridiums for their longevity so next plug change I'm going to em.

Suzuki Stevo · April 30, 2012, 07:54:13 PM

Switching to Iridium Spark Plugs
Eliminate misfiring by upgrading to Iridium spark plugs

"What does size have to do with it? Less voltage is required for a smaller center electrode and results in better ignitability. The smaller the electrode, the more centralized the electrical potential is around the electrode tip. The required voltage can be reduced because the level of the electric field is made stronger and local insulation (air gap and electrode surface oxidation) breaks down more easily. The bottom line is that it takes approximately 5,000 volts less to fire a Denso Iridium Power spark plug versus a conventional platinum spark plug."

http://www.automedia.com/Iridium_Spark_Plugs/pht20010101ds/1

adidasguy · May 04, 2012, 10:24:23 PM

Put them in Suzi and Phenix.
I haven't had dry weather to ride Phenix (hopefully Saturday - I won't let him get wet and muddy).
Suzi does seem to run a little better.
I'll report on Phenix if sunny tomorrow. Though I've only ridden him 30 miles or so, I should be able to tell if he runs better.
Next is to try them in Trey.

So my first impressions are that they are better. Worth the couple extra dollars.

Suzuki Stevo · May 05, 2012, 09:22:21 AM

Quote from: adidasguy on May 04, 2012, 10:24:23 PM
Put them in Suzi and Phenix.
I haven't had dry weather to ride Phenix (hopefully Saturday - I won't let him get wet and muddy).
Suzi does seem to run a little better.
I'll report on Phenix if sunny tomorrow. Though I've only ridden him 30 miles or so, I should be able to tell if he runs better.
Next is to try them in Trey.

So my first impressions are that they are better. Worth the couple extra dollars.

Iridium plugs will fire a fuel/air mixture that traditional plugs won't. Back in the 70's we used spark plugs with "Hairpin Electrodes" in all of our Racing MX 2-Strokes, they worked much better than any standard type plug....less Blubbering and Fouling, I can't remember what the tip was made of, and they didn't last that long because the tip wasn't made from Iridium, they where the plug to have (CDI was not standard yet).

The hardest thing for a spark plug to do is take an engine off an idle at full throttle, our CV carb's keep our engines from getting oddball mixtures/loads by taking throttle control out of your right hand and making it idiot proof, so longevity is the biggest plus for a GS owner. If you could grab a big handful of throttle with a smoothbore carb with high compression and extreme jetting (lean or rich), that is the kind of atmosphere where an Iridium spark plug would be more prone to light the mixture better than a traditional spark plug. I put them in everything I can, they are a superior spark plug in any application, if only for the service life

CCPDYMMV

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Iridium Spark Plugs