2012 flhtk oem spark plugs
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
RockAuto.com NGK 3932 are $2.22ea and they are a better plug FYI
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 11,277
From: San Diego, CA
I never had a problem with the Champion or HD plugs.....
I'm always willing to learn... how/why are the $2.22 NGK plugs better than Champion...?
Not trying to be a wise ***, that's a serious question... I've never used NGK plugs in anything before...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
Plus shipping, to get them in 3 days it is another 7 bucks
Look, I ran NGK's in my rice bike, I ran CR9EK's in my ZRX and ZZR, I have not had to pull the plugs in the C14 yet, but the CR9EIA-9 plugs are about 12 bucks a piece X 4 so close to 50 bucks a set.... vs 6 bucks a pair for Champions in a Twin Cam
They are not a bad plug, but in my experience the Champion plugs run just fine in a Harley
On older HD's with the ION sensing anti knock system, the ECU is REALLY EFFN PICKY about spark plugs and there are a whole bunch of posts all over this forum about NGK and other plugs causing the bikes to throw codes, shut cylinders down, etc.
Run what you want, I don't care, but in my experience old MOPARS, lawn mowers, and Harleys run better with Champion plugs.... they don't need to be exotic or expensive, they are throw away items.
IMHO, IANAL, YMMV, TYVM
PS if you really want to do something with spark plugs to improve performance, index them ....
Look, I ran NGK's in my rice bike, I ran CR9EK's in my ZRX and ZZR, I have not had to pull the plugs in the C14 yet, but the CR9EIA-9 plugs are about 12 bucks a piece X 4 so close to 50 bucks a set.... vs 6 bucks a pair for Champions in a Twin Cam
They are not a bad plug, but in my experience the Champion plugs run just fine in a Harley
On older HD's with the ION sensing anti knock system, the ECU is REALLY EFFN PICKY about spark plugs and there are a whole bunch of posts all over this forum about NGK and other plugs causing the bikes to throw codes, shut cylinders down, etc.
Run what you want, I don't care, but in my experience old MOPARS, lawn mowers, and Harleys run better with Champion plugs.... they don't need to be exotic or expensive, they are throw away items.
IMHO, IANAL, YMMV, TYVM
PS if you really want to do something with spark plugs to improve performance, index them ....
Last edited by Neggy ZRXOA 5248; Mar 10, 2021 at 08:47 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
For whatever reason the electrode seems to not to wear down as fast and hold their gap longer. Whatever I have run them in they seem to run better longer for the same price as other plugs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
Plus shipping, to get them in 3 days it is another 7 bucks
Look, I ran NGK's in my rice bike, I ran CR9EK's in my ZRX and ZZR, I have not had to pull the plugs in the C14 yet, but the CR9EIA-9 plugs are about 12 bucks a piece X 4 so close to 50 bucks a set.... vs 6 bucks a pair for Champions in a Twin Cam
They are not a bad plug, but in my experience the Champion plugs run just fine in a Harley
On older HD's with the ION sensing anti knock system, the ECU is REALLY EFFN PICKY about spark plugs and there are a whole bunch of posts all over this forum about NGK and other plugs causing the bikes to throw codes, shut cylinders down, etc.
Run what you want, I don't care, but in my experience old MOPARS, lawn mowers, and Harleys run better with Champion plugs.... they don't need to be exotic or expensive, they are throw away items.
IMHO, IANAL, YMMV, TYVM
PS if you really want to do something with spark plugs to improve performance, index them ....
Look, I ran NGK's in my rice bike, I ran CR9EK's in my ZRX and ZZR, I have not had to pull the plugs in the C14 yet, but the CR9EIA-9 plugs are about 12 bucks a piece X 4 so close to 50 bucks a set.... vs 6 bucks a pair for Champions in a Twin Cam
They are not a bad plug, but in my experience the Champion plugs run just fine in a Harley
On older HD's with the ION sensing anti knock system, the ECU is REALLY EFFN PICKY about spark plugs and there are a whole bunch of posts all over this forum about NGK and other plugs causing the bikes to throw codes, shut cylinders down, etc.
Run what you want, I don't care, but in my experience old MOPARS, lawn mowers, and Harleys run better with Champion plugs.... they don't need to be exotic or expensive, they are throw away items.
IMHO, IANAL, YMMV, TYVM
PS if you really want to do something with spark plugs to improve performance, index them ....
You are the first I guy Ive heard of that has better luck with Champions than NGK. Ill make sure I tell all my buddies that have late model 8-9 sec street cars, ALL the tuner shops they are doing it wrong to pull all their NGK plugs and run Champions.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 11,277
From: San Diego, CA
OK... I see it's a personal preference, personal experience (anecdotal) thing... Thanks for sharing your opinion/experience. (I mean that sincerely, not tongue-in-cheek)
You stated your opinion like a fact, so I was anticipating a more technical response. I thought maybe you had some specific knowledge that the NGK used superior grades of metal/porcelain/electrodes, or some scientific testing that you had read about....
I guess I'll stick with my Champions.. At the price I get them for, I change them frequently enough that electrode wear and gap enlargement aren't really issues on my bikes... and I know that don't interfere with the ion sensing on my EFI bikes.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 705
From: Ramseur NC
As far as I know, and I'm sure somebody will correct me quickly if they feel I am wrong. Back in the seventies when I was learning to wrench on motorcycles I worked in a local shop that would not sell Champion spark plugs. I was told back then Champion spark plugs were built with a two-piece electrode running down the center of the plug. And that was the problem, they have been known to separate. Hence the bad rap. AC ( it stands for Albert Champion) isn't supposed to be any better. Who knows? That is just what I was taught many years ago.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,176
Likes: 11,277
From: San Diego, CA
As far as I know, and I'm sure somebody will correct me quickly if they feel I am wrong. Back in the seventies when I was learning to wrench on motorcycles I worked in a local shop that would not sell Champion spark plugs. I was told back then Champion spark plugs were built with a two-piece electrode running down the center of the plug. And that was the problem, they have been known to separate. Hence the bad rap. AC ( it stands for Albert Champion) isn't supposed to be any better. Who knows? That is just what I was taught many years ago.
Thanks for that info... I had never heard of that before, but that would be an actual, physical/component difference that could affect reliability/performance...
I can see I will be cutting open an old Champion spark plug in the near future so see what the electrode looks like...
NOTE:
FWIW... I found a couple cut away views of spark plugs. I compared a Champion v NGK copper plug cutaway... although slightly different in their material composition, it seems they have the same basic construction design...
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 30, 2021 at 11:48 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 705
From: Ramseur NC
Thanks for that info... I had never heard of that before, but that would be an actual, physical/component difference that could affect reliability/performance...
I can see I will be cutting open an old Champion spark plug in the near future so see what the electrode looks like...
I can see I will be cutting open an old Champion spark plug in the near future so see what the electrode looks like...