iridium Spark Plugs
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Here's the place for those who are newb or thinking about buying a Ural or Dnepr to introduce themselves ask those typical "newbie" questions. Try using the "Search" link at the top of the page to see if your question may have been asked before. Please post any tech questions in "The Order of the Greasy Wrench" section.
Here's the place for those who are newb or thinking about buying a Ural or Dnepr to introduce themselves ask those typical "newbie" questions. Try using the "Search" link at the top of the page to see if your question may have been asked before. Please post any tech questions in "The Order of the Greasy Wrench" section.
iridium Spark Plugs
Just wondering if anyone is using the NGK (4085) BPR6HIX Iridium IX Spark Plug? Advantage/disadvantage?
2019 Gear Up
2012 Kawasaki Concours C14 (still own)
1995 Honda ST1100A
1979 Honda CB750K
2012 Kawasaki Concours C14 (still own)
1995 Honda ST1100A
1979 Honda CB750K
- GHGoodwin
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
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- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:43 pm
- Location: Aurora, Ohio 44202 (SE of Cleve)
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Search in "Hammerin". I believe this has been discussed.
Hal
2011/12 Tourist - "The Russian"
It's a long list.
2014 Patrol - "Blackbird"
2011/12 Tourist - "The Russian"
It's a long list.
2014 Patrol - "Blackbird"
- lendrinkard
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Re: iridium Spark Plugs
I have been running those for 7 years. They last forever. I have a set for spares but have not needed them.
2012 Gear up - 130/40 jet, 3 shims, no mid-pipe, drilled slider, 2013 Branch pipes, all LED lights
2013 NOS Ural T - 130/42 jet, 2 shims, LED running lights, oil cooler
2013 NOS Ural T - 130/42 jet, 2 shims, LED running lights, oil cooler
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
What gap do you use, stock out of the box or Ural spec?
2019 Gear Up
2012 Kawasaki Concours C14 (still own)
1995 Honda ST1100A
1979 Honda CB750K
2012 Kawasaki Concours C14 (still own)
1995 Honda ST1100A
1979 Honda CB750K
-
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
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- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:59 am
- Location: Anchorage AK
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Always use the mfg spec. Plugs fit a variety of engines - rarely is it right for yours.
Fear No Gravel
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
- Mr Wazzock
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 6445
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 8:22 pm
- Location: Boston, UK
- Contact:
Re: iridium Spark Plugs


Mike H
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Love iridium ... better spread for improved fuel scavenging and less detonation due to unburned fuel in the pipes. Used to be a big problem on a couple of my bikes, especially on hard decel like coming off a short ramp. 100k expected service life is a major plus too.
Word of caution if you intend to go with other than the factory gap ... the iridium tip is extremely fragile. The plugs will last forever in normal use, but even the slightest knock on the tip can f'up the plug big time. Best to use a tool that avoids any contact with the electrode.
Word of caution if you intend to go with other than the factory gap ... the iridium tip is extremely fragile. The plugs will last forever in normal use, but even the slightest knock on the tip can f'up the plug big time. Best to use a tool that avoids any contact with the electrode.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evil Kneivel? He got nuttin' on me!
2011 Ural T
Handicap mods include Raceway foot box, tank shifter w/reverse, and DIY rear brake pedal mods.
Evil Kneivel? He got nuttin' on me!
2011 Ural T
Handicap mods include Raceway foot box, tank shifter w/reverse, and DIY rear brake pedal mods.
-
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 2741
- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:59 am
- Location: Anchorage AK
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Good to know, never had them. Thanks
Fear No Gravel
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
- GHGoodwin
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 5408
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:43 pm
- Location: Aurora, Ohio 44202 (SE of Cleve)
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
NGR BPR7HIX. I've run them for years. Gap .8mm.
Hal
2011/12 Tourist - "The Russian"
It's a long list.
2014 Patrol - "Blackbird"
2011/12 Tourist - "The Russian"
It's a long list.
2014 Patrol - "Blackbird"
- scottmastrocinque
- Comrade Colonel
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:36 am
- Location: Findlay, Ohio
Re: iridium Spark Plugs

Whatever floats your boat I guess. I say good for you if it makes you happy.
For myself, I have worked on and restored from the block up, so many VW flat 4 air cooled engines, I couldn’t even begin to count.
Not once did I ever use a fancy super race synthetic oil like Mobil 1 or an iridium spark plug, or special ignition wires or gold plated electric contacts or any such stuff. Just your Plain Jane - run of the mill - general purpose supplies. Like what it came with from the factory.
Luckily for me, I never gave it a second thought and I never got stranded by the side of the road because of not using them.
Of course, it’s your money and YMMV!
I cannot help but wonder though if that stuff is really the Bees Knees, why the manufacturers don’t use it from the get go to really make their equipment shine.
Oh well... Different strokes for different folks, right?
Good luck and happy motoring!
2017 Ural Gear Up Sahara
2012 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2009 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2008 Piaggio MP3 400ie
2007 Piaggio X9 500 Evoluzione
1997 Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro
"There comes a time in your life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."
2012 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2009 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2008 Piaggio MP3 400ie
2007 Piaggio X9 500 Evoluzione
1997 Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro
"There comes a time in your life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Iridium plugs are for cars where manufacturer specifies spark plug replacement interval 100,000 miles.
I use regular plugs for around 20,000km in my Ural, never had a problem with plug. Surprisingly, road salt seems to kill plug caps sooner than plugs.
I use regular plugs for around 20,000km in my Ural, never had a problem with plug. Surprisingly, road salt seems to kill plug caps sooner than plugs.
By my deeds I honor him, flat twin.
Михаил
2002 Днепр 650 Молодежный Чоппер (КМЗ-8.157.022)
2005 Урал 750 Спортсман (2WD)
Михаил
2002 Днепр 650 Молодежный Чоппер (КМЗ-8.157.022)
2005 Урал 750 Спортсман (2WD)
- windmill
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
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Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Some do, not unusual at all. They cost 4X more than a standard plugs which can certainly cause a manufacturer pause, but they have some advantages in low performance, high stress applications.scottmastrocinque wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:38 pmI cannot help but wonder though if that stuff is really the Bees Knees, why the manufacturers don’t use it from the get go to really make their equipment shine.
It is rather amusing the puppies and rainbow claims some make, but there is also some hard science and empirical proof to that they do offer some advantages in low maintenance, high fuel economy applications. Its interesting that they're NOT recommended for high performance, and racing applications.
Primarily its their durability as they will last significantly longer. They also run a little hotter for a given heat range so they're less prone to deposits, and the shape of the electrodes have some advantages in less than ideal conditions where the fuel/air mix is compromised, such as when starting or short trips in the cold, certain throttle positions, and high altitudes. Being more conductive they produce a stronger spark for weaker ignition systems.
Barry
"Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills".
2007 Patrol 100k km and counting,
2018/20 M70
"Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills".
2007 Patrol 100k km and counting,
2018/20 M70
- scottmastrocinque
- Comrade Colonel
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:36 am
- Location: Findlay, Ohio
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Good information to know. Thank you!windmill wrote: ↑Sat Nov 30, 2019 12:43 pmSome do, not unusual at all. They cost 4X more than a standard plugs which can certainly cause a manufacturer pause, but they have some advantages in low performance, high stress applications.scottmastrocinque wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:38 pmI cannot help but wonder though if that stuff is really the Bees Knees, why the manufacturers don’t use it from the get go to really make their equipment shine.
It is rather amusing the puppies and rainbow claims some make, but there is also some hard science and empirical proof to that they do offer some advantages in low maintenance, high fuel economy applications. Its interesting that they're NOT recommended for high performance, and racing applications.
Primarily its their durability as they will last significantly longer. They also run a little hotter for a given heat range so they're less prone to deposits, and the shape of the electrodes have some advantages in less than ideal conditions where the fuel/air mix is compromised, such as when starting or short trips in the cold, certain throttle positions, and high altitudes. Being more conductive they produce a stronger spark for weaker ignition systems.
2017 Ural Gear Up Sahara
2012 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2009 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2008 Piaggio MP3 400ie
2007 Piaggio X9 500 Evoluzione
1997 Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro
"There comes a time in your life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."
2012 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX
2009 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2008 Piaggio MP3 400ie
2007 Piaggio X9 500 Evoluzione
1997 Moto Guzzi V10 Centauro
"There comes a time in your life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."
Re: iridium Spark Plugs
Ditto. Don't remember my other bikes or cars having rusty plugs like the Ural. But then I always put away my other bikes before the salt flew.
Past afflictions include limey cars and motorbikes, an R60/2, R65ls, & a Citroen.
Now a couple of bicycles, a worn out '87 K75s,
and a rusty 2012 GU bought new
Dual K&N cones on homemade PVC intake, 40/137.5
Raceway needles, Modtop pipes, E starter delete
$29 VW Hydraulic steering dampener
Now a couple of bicycles, a worn out '87 K75s,
and a rusty 2012 GU bought new
Dual K&N cones on homemade PVC intake, 40/137.5
Raceway needles, Modtop pipes, E starter delete
$29 VW Hydraulic steering dampener