Hi

Anyone know how to read spark plugs?

I recently replaced my stock plugs with Iridium plugs.

Here's a picture of the plugs I removed.  They have 8,500 km (5,281 mi)


Does it look like the engine is running lean?

Its a bit harder to do plug colour with modern gas,but i think they look ok as the GS tends to run on the lean side anyway.

Quote from: angelocardoc on September 29, 2011, 09:01:50 AM
Hi

Anyone know how to read spark plugs?

I recently replaced my stock plugs with Iridium plugs.

Here's a picture of the plugs I removed.  They have 8,500 km (5,281 mi)


Does it look like the engine is running lean?

No not lean IMHO...don't worry leave alone.

Cookie

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html

Site with nice plug pictures.........


Where do you think your plugs  fall in this grouping??  (I'd say "BEST")

Cookie

they look perfectly fine too me 

They look perfect to me.

Ya I guess they do look pretty good compared to the photos I saw on the web site that "twocool" posted earlier.

Has anyone else slapped in iridium plugs, or am I the only finicky one?

I was reading up on some of the benefits...Sounds like its worth the $10 a plug.

Iridium spark plugs center electrode can be made with a much smaller diameter...without sacrificing service life...Ignition is improved and less strain is placed on the ignition system. Benefits of improved ignition/combustion include better fuel economy, increased power/acceleration and especially better throttle response.

Smaller center electrode reduces the voltage requirements, causing less stain on the ignition system and allows for more room for the flame kernel to develop and produce a more efficient combustion...


The hardness of iridium allows the tip to be made smaller requiring less energy to create a more intense spark

Quote from: angelocardoc on September 29, 2011, 06:20:26 PM
Ya I guess they do look pretty good compared to the photos I saw on the web site that "twocool" posted earlier.

Has anyone else slapped in iridium plugs, or am I the only finicky one?

I was reading up on some of the benefits...Sounds like its worth the $10 a plug.

Iridium spark plugs center electrode can be made with a much smaller diameter...without sacrificing service life...Ignition is improved and less strain is placed on the ignition system. Benefits of improved ignition/combustion include better fuel economy, increased power/acceleration and especially better throttle response.

Smaller center electrode reduces the voltage requirements, causing less stain on the ignition system and allows for more room for the flame kernel to develop and produce a more efficient combustion...


The hardness of iridium allows the tip to be made smaller requiring less energy to create a more intense spark

All of the claims seem to have some validity...but to what extent?  Is it even measurable by any practical standards?  Are conventional plugs really that bad?

$10 isn't all that much money.....but wasting money is wasting money....

With any of this type of thing, where the manufacturer makes claims, which are based on some degree of fact....I  would really like to do some "mythbusters" type of 'Blind taste test"   that is have guys ride around on their bikes...not know what plugs they have...and seeing if they can notice any difference...and identify conclusively which plugs they have buy the 'performance".

Cookie

I just recently changed my (still in very good condition) plugs from stock to iridium.

I didn't notice any difference in power. 2 tanks now.

But I also ran one tank with 94 octane gas and next tank with 87 octane gas.

There is less power with the 87 octane.  There is no doubt about it.  I noticed this before the iridium plugs too.

I also noticed that I got poorer fuel economy with the higher octane gas.

I think that's because I like the extra oomph and I've been just giving it to her more often. (the bike that is)