Spark Plugs, is there a difference?

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Nov 19, 2010 | 05:12 PM

#11

CEJohnson21

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,225

Likes: 2

From: Southern California

I've never noticed a difference in a properly tuned motorcycle or car.

Nov 19, 2010 | 07:16 PM

#12

bagga

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 3,673

Likes: 606

From:

i run the $1.29 on sale champions and i change them when they don't work anymore. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Nov 19, 2010 | 07:21 PM

#13

Guntoter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 2,216

Likes: 102

From: Central Illinois

I use the platinum tipped plugs, the Harley ones, just so I don't have to change them near as often. I keep the old plugs in my tool kit as spares. There is very little difference in spark plugs outside of heat ranges. All those gimmicky tips do little. You can accomplish the same by snipping the ground back 1/2 the distance of the electrode. It does help a little on starting.

H-D plugs, at least the standard ones, are nothing but re-labeled Champions. I was surprised to find that out a number of years back.

Nov 19, 2010 | 07:29 PM

#14

NoCoLoco

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,979

Likes: 2

From: Northern Colorado

Fancy spark plugs don't work any better, they just hold up better over time or with "extreme" use which most of us don't do. I change mine every spring so I just use OEM plugs.

Nov 19, 2010 | 07:34 PM

#15

xxxflhrci

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 10,033

Likes: 29

I use platinums for their longer life. I usually run a set about 30k miles before changing them.

Nov 19, 2010 | 09:15 PM

#16

BadBagger08

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 461

Likes: 4

From: Yale, MI

I run E3's along with Taylor made 10.5mm blue wires

Nov 19, 2010 | 09:23 PM

#17

Retrop

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 2,034

Likes: 127

Quote:

Originally Posted by uscanuck

A plug might be a plug but I used some NGK's on my 2010 Ultra and using the TTS data recording was stunned by all the knock retard. Switched them out with the stock HD plugs and the spark retard disappeared.

Bike ran fine with the NGK's but the ECM was removing up to 8 degrees of timing. I don't think there was any real knock issue but the electronics obviously need to have exact resistance to work properly. If I were to use the NGK's again I'd likely turn the fast knock retard off.

And that is exactly why it would be in the best interests of all the late model touring bikes which have the spark retard built into the ECM should use only the OEM plug.