Spark Plug Replacement

[Stevie4scoops]

Does anyone know why motorcycle spark plugs are scheduled to be replaced so often compared to cars?

1200 GSs require change every 12,000 miles, 390 Duke every 9,000 miles but for some cars it's 80,000 miles.

Mine are due to be changed but, like changing brake fluid every two years when it could be tested for moisture content it just seems wasteful to me.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[GSMarky]

Simply a way of making you buy new components at inflated prices to make money for the dealership..

We all know a spark plug can last decades or not work from new, so if yours are fine and you're not protecting a warranty just pull them and give them a go with a brass brush.

Failing that and you're protecting a warranty you're shafted & they know that which is why (like too frequent brake fluid changes) it happens.

 

[GSMarky]

I carry spares with me on my LC & regularly chop them, clean them and so the cycle continues.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Thanks and agree with you. I looked at mine and they're fine so I'm not going to replace them. It's just a rip off.

My Mini rear brake pad warning light came on and there's at least 50% remaining on them so I bypassed the sensor. My last Mini did the same thing so this tells me that all Mini owners are being ripped off changing brake pads that aren't worn out.

And the powers that be want us to be more sustainable. It's all corrupt nonsense.

 

[rjsmith26]

I think it is just a rip off - example VW Up have a requirement to change spark plugs based on time! not distance. How can a spark plug wear out over time and not use!

 

[GSMarky]

The Motor Trade in general is in my opinion & experience dishonest from from sales to service to parts. It's like a cancer in the industry that at every single opportunity they simply want to extract as much as they possible can from a customer at every possible opportunity.

When faced with logic they stutter..

 

[Santa-2512]

Spark plugs, brake pads, timing belts, brake fluid are consumables,
Some wear with age, some with use, some with both.

Just because a component dosent look worn, dosent mean it isnt.

Look at the cambelt, would you let it go past its service interval without changing it?

Yet a spark plug, youll run the thing to destruction, rather than spend £50 odd replacing them

??

 

[Mr Bean]

Could it be the amount of times they spark per mile?

Cars generally have much taller gearing than bikes and therefore fire less often.

 

[GSMarky]

Spark plugs, brake pads, timing belts, brake fluid are consumables,
Some wear with age, some with use, some with both.

Just because a component dosent look worn, dosent mean it isnt.

Look at the cambelt, would you let it go past its service interval without changing it?

Yet a spark plug, youll run the thing to destruction, rather than spend £50 odd replacing them

??

Good points well made & for sure things like a wet belt as found in some modern engines & especially Ford are worthy of service work (sold my daughter's fiesta due to this so I know!)

The sensible thing to do if not chasing warranty is to replace as appropriate and we need to balance what is 'recommended for profit' or recommended from a technical/engineering perspective - very different.

Another example is food which is advised by the Sell By date to be past it, but in fact is just fine - some throw & others check to then consume.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

A friend said if it were him, he'd fit Iridium Spark Plugs and leave them fitted forever.

Has anyone got any experience or thoughts on them?

Thanks

 

[JJH]

Could it be the amount of times they spark per mile?

Cars generally have much taller gearing than bikes and therefore fire less often.

Do bike plugs still have a wasted spark? JJH

 

[GSMarky]

Do bike plugs still have a wasted spark? JJH

My LC does for sure, but that's old tech'.. newer stuff with ECU perhaps otherwise - I've never actually checked.

 

[Andy63]

I put Iridium plugs into my old hexhead at 30,000 they were still in there at 65,000 when i sold the bike and were running fine.

My 1250 is due for a 12,000 mile service at some point next year and will have Iridium plugs fitted when I service it.

Bosch state 80,000 - 100,000 miles before they need replacing not sure how accurate that is but gives confidence that they don't need to be replaced at every service interval.

 

[whisperquiet]

There are issues with OEM spark plugs installed in the R1250GS A bikes regarding longevity.
My bike’s plugs were showing serious wear between 120000 and 16000 miles.
Some reference material here:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/r-1250-engine-ngk-lmra8ai-10-spark-plug-failures-need-your-help.1712903/

 

[JMacd62]

I just did the bigger service on mine. New OEM Plugs $63 the OEM oil was twice as much. I was going to take the heads off and check valve clearance anyway. The old ones looked fine. yeah they probably be good till next time but. Saving 63 bucks, why not? I've got the damn thing in bits anyway. Taking all the bars of was a bit of a PIA.

 

[Bigcats]

There are issues with OEM spark plugs installed in the R1250GS A bikes regarding longevity.
My bike’s plugs were showing serious wear between 120000 and 16000 miles.
Some reference material here:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/r-1250-engine-ngk-lmra8ai-10-spark-plug-failures-need-your-help.1712903/

That is actually quite shocking

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Could it be the amount of times they spark per mile?

Cars generally have much taller gearing than bikes and therefore fire less often.

Agree with some bikes but a GS is like a diesel compared with sportbikes.