Iridium Spark Plugs

9527 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by jk-1, Sep 24, 2009

Crezz

Discussion Starter · Aug 17, 2009

imported post

Views please on the above for the 1800:?

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Dandy Dave

· #2 · Aug 18, 2009

imported post

I put them in mine. Are they better? Can't really tell, bike runs fine. Did they cost more? Yup. Will they last longer? Probably.

The Goldwing engine is a pretty low-tech item (a marvel of reliability) Single overhead cam, 2 valves per cylinder, about 70 HP per liter. A modern sport bike makes close to 185 HP per liter, and at much higher revs than a Wing.

Iridium plugs are supposed to last longer because they electrodes resist erosion better, which seemed like a good thing for an engine designed to go a quarter of a million miles or more.

YMMV. Literally.

Dave

GWBBA #9

rocketmoto.com

See less See more

dan filipi

· #3 · Aug 18, 2009

imported post

I've been running Iridium's in my 1100 for about 10k miles so far, no sign of wear but it's only been 10k miles.
I ran these same plugs in an engine that was burning oil bad and they fired right up when standards fouled.
Start ups have always been good. I can't say I notice any performance gains over standard plugs.
I would imagine the 1800's have a hotter spark than the old classics so you might see more gains.

sandiegobrass

· #4 · Aug 18, 2009

imported post

For me, the iridiums were a waste fo $40.. (I was waiting for some others before giving opinion... , and this was for a GL1100, not a GL1800) When exavid comes along, he'll have a different story, because I know he had a good experience. Now the loooong version....
-----------

I've read all the glowing reports.. most everyone has a positive opinion.. but my experience was different. I put them in and initially couldn't tell much difference.. The first hard run on a hot day, I started experiencing random missfiring under light load.. idling seemed okay and WOT (or under load at highway speed)was great but slow speed partial throttle was terrible.. figured the only thing I changed was the plugs, so changed back to the NGKs.. missfiring went away and been runing great since that time, I did an internet search for similar complaints and found a few experiencing exactly my symptoms, sothis is not an isolated thing..

My conclusion?? they're not for my GL1100. I can't explain the reason why, and I didn't do much more testing to try to figure it out, but it was definitely the plugs.. could it have been a bad one? maybe.. but at $10 a pop, I am not going to buy another one..

And if you are still reading.. I'll add some other stuff I've found.. It may also be that it would have been better if I had increased the plug gap over stock... READ HEREApparently Iridiums are known to perform worse with gaps equal to conventional plugs. I may regap them and retry.. if so, I'll post results.. (but not today, and another thread since it will exceed the 99 hour limit)

See less See more

Crezz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 19, 2009

imported post

I had a set in my 1100 for 3 years and they were great, no issues at all.

Just waiting to see what other peoples experiences are with iridium's before I buy a set for the 1800.

Thanks, and keep them coming.

METAL50501

· #6 · Aug 19, 2009

imported post

I am currently running a some in my 1500. Dont seem to be alot of difference then stock.

Hobo

· #7 · Aug 19, 2009

imported post

Can't really see the point, its not like they are a high performance engine.

Changed the plugs on my last 18 at 40K and the ones I took out looked like new, so they aren't working hard.

Crezz

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

I was hoping for maybe a little more feedback than this.

I think I will give them a go and see for myself. Unless I hear completely contrary not to put them in!!!

JimArmstrong1

· #9 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

I installed them in a Ford pickup truck and experienced missfire just as sandygobrass did in his bike. I thought perhaps I had a bad coil or plug wires and eventually changed them. Turns out that the plugs were causing the problem. I would check with the manufacturer before I spent a whole lot of $dough on plugs. Just my 2 cents worth,.

Wingle

· #10 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

sandiegobrass wrote:

... and another thread since it will exceed the 99 hour limit)

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "99 hour limit"?

stevehmagentase

· #11 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

Had them in my 1500 for over 2yrs and 20K miles.
Still look like new.
I originally fitted them as they claimed better fuel consumpton and easier starting + longevity.

Jason m

· #12 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

iridium plugs are designed to last 100k miles with high voltage ignition systems. No benefit to running them in a low voltage ignition system like the 1100's. Waste of money as most people will experience mis fire and poor performance due to lower ign voltage than designed for.

dan filipi

· #13 · Sep 23, 2009

imported post

most people will experience mis fire and poor performance due to lower ign voltage than designed for.

You got any proof to back this up?

Jason m

· #14 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

Nothing besides personal experience. Try what you like, but don't expect anything but a lighter wallet.

SB in SC

· #15 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

A spark plug is used to make a spark for ignition. Copper accomplishes this just fine.:action:

sandiegobrass

· #16 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

Wingle wrote:

sandiegobrass wrote:

... and another thread since it will exceed the 99 hour limit)

Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "99 hour limit"?

There is 99 hours to edit your post, otherwise it is set in stone (or until admin occasionally changes it of suspends it from time to time to accommodate someone..). It has been as short as 4 hours..

LarryC

· #17 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

I've had Iridiums in my 76 since May of 2006. They still look good and the bike runs good. They have about 25k miles on them now. I can't say they perform any better except they have lasted longer than stock plugs. I do have electronic ignition and upgraded coils also.

Wingle

· #18 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

sandiegobrass wrote:

Wingle wrote:

sandiegobrass wrote:

... and another thread since it will exceed the 99 hour limit)

Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "99 hour limit"?

Click to expand...

There is 99 hours to edit your post, otherwise it is set in stone (or until admin occasionally changes it of suspends it from time to time to accommodate someone..). It has been as short as 4 hours..

Thanks Sandie

ding dong

· #19 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

SB in SC wrote:

A spark plug is used to make a spark for ignition. Copper accomplishes this just fine.:action:

Put new NKG plugs in my 76 after rebuild5 years and 30k miles ago. Plugs still look the same as new. Also have electronic ignition which probably makes a difference. Somehow can't justify spending the extra money in my case.

jk-1

· #20 · Sep 24, 2009

imported post

I run NGK Iridiums, In all the bikes I own and build, and I always set the Plug Gap "4" over the recomended engine Plug Gap to prevent Poping and missfires. My friends Harley was Poping on deceleration, SoI removed the plug and set the Gap at " 44 " In which is " 4 " over recomended Spark Plug Gap, and this stopped the Miss fires and Poping.

I find quicker starts with Iridium plugs,But if you have a fresh or new engine you may not find any difference at all. But if you have an engine with some miles on it or burns a little oil you stand a good chance of seeing a difference.

Take Care - Jim

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.