Performance Spark Plugs anyone?
- Thread starter UK Bloke
- Start date
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Unless your current plugs are in really bad shape, new plugs, performance or otherwise, won't make much difference. Not sure how you are defining "performance", precious metal plugs will give you longer service but no additional power or performance. At least in the US there does not seem to be available a precious metal alternative with the extended tip like the OEM. I've heard some reports using the non-extended tip iridium ones made the bike run worse. The heat range can be changed but one needs to be careful. A hotter plug may cause pinging, detonation and preignition which can be very damaging to the engine. Sometimes racers will use a colder plug than stock to avoid these problems when the engine is placed under extreme demand. I've heard cold plugs called "racing plugs". Again no power or performance gain, just a little safety margin against detonation. On the street cold plugs may not get hot enough to keep the electrodes clean and end up fouling. There's little to nothing to be gained and a lot to lose messing with plugs, don't even get me started on all the latest "as seen on TV" wonder plugs and their ridiculous claims.UK Bloke said:
I think your best bet is to find the best price you can on the OEM plugs.
I was looking at sort of things, probably BS but no harm in asking for some opinions I guess: https://www.amazon.com/PERFORMANCE-Yamaha-XT1200-Tenere-R9QT3195AR12ZSYU4R3195/dp/B00DAXI96G
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Those may work just fine, but I don't believe the hype about extra performance or gas mileage. The price is exorbitant, over $20/plug after shipping!!!UK Bloke said:
mrpete64
Member
Not being an "expert" I would assume the stock plugs would be the best bet. Correct heat range..etc.
Four performance plugs will not make enough difference to tell the difference!
Four performance plugs will not make enough difference to tell the difference!
baisleyde
Member
Definitely wouldn't use a no name brand spark plug
tomatocity
Active Member
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edit: Use stock spark plugs.
Tenere-ing is not a drag race though more for the long run. If you want to make a difference, occasionally, add Engine Med RX to clean the top (piston, spark plugs, valves) of your engine. I add Engine Med RX to every tank at home.
Tenere-ing is not a drag race though more for the long run. If you want to make a difference, occasionally, add Engine Med RX to clean the top (piston, spark plugs, valves) of your engine. I add Engine Med RX to every tank at home.
tomatocity said:
::026:: me too
Tomatocity is one of the early members and is saying something that we've also heard directly from Yamaha. These engines with broad pistons that are frequently kept in the lower rpm range can build deposits fairly quick, killing performance. Adding the Yamaha or similar engine cleaners helps a lot to prevent the deposits.
2daMax
Active Member
On the contrary to popular believe that all plugs makes the S10 gives the same performance, I can testify that the NGK G-Power range of plugs, platinum tip with projection, CPR8EAGP-9 gives better performance, better fuel economy and top speed. I had tried Denso Iridiums IU-24 and the performance and fuel consumption deteriorates. Please don't waste time with the IU-24 which has no projected tip. The projected tip is very important to performance.
I took my S10 on a 1400 km round trip, Penang, Malaysia to Phuket Thailand on the hottest months. I never once use S mode, T mode all the way and keeps up with KTM 1190, R1200GSA LC. Never sluggish, never lagging, and I was carrying pillion and 3 loaded boxes while the KTM'ers and GS are all single riders. T mode is about 80% of stock S mode, while S mode, I have to be very careful on the throttle. No pinging, knocking, pre detonation even when it was really hot (stuck in a traffic crawl for about 30 minutes, almost non moving and oil temperatures were above 105 degs C).
To date, 4 S10 in Malaysia are using this plug and all gave the same conclusion, T mode is near S mode type of performance. One rider says his top speed was 207 kph, and with the Platinum, it can do 212 kph and he just found out (today) his air filter is super dirty.
The bad: For the non-south east asian countries, this plug is not available. It does not come with the terminal nut, so we have to source it from other plugs.
Price I paid for this plug, less than US$5.00.
For injector's cleaning, a 500 parts to 1 TCW3 2T Outboard fuel-oil mixture does the trick to clean up carbon deposits.
I took my S10 on a 1400 km round trip, Penang, Malaysia to Phuket Thailand on the hottest months. I never once use S mode, T mode all the way and keeps up with KTM 1190, R1200GSA LC. Never sluggish, never lagging, and I was carrying pillion and 3 loaded boxes while the KTM'ers and GS are all single riders. T mode is about 80% of stock S mode, while S mode, I have to be very careful on the throttle. No pinging, knocking, pre detonation even when it was really hot (stuck in a traffic crawl for about 30 minutes, almost non moving and oil temperatures were above 105 degs C).
To date, 4 S10 in Malaysia are using this plug and all gave the same conclusion, T mode is near S mode type of performance. One rider says his top speed was 207 kph, and with the Platinum, it can do 212 kph and he just found out (today) his air filter is super dirty.
The bad: For the non-south east asian countries, this plug is not available. It does not come with the terminal nut, so we have to source it from other plugs.
Price I paid for this plug, less than US$5.00.
For injector's cleaning, a 500 parts to 1 TCW3 2T Outboard fuel-oil mixture does the trick to clean up carbon deposits.
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
I don't believe it without dynamometer data.
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I'll gladly test the theory if someone hands me 4 plugs. 
Sounds like a fun experiment regardless.
Sounds like a fun experiment regardless.
tomatocity
Active Member
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Agree with you Jeff. Too many variables for a rider test. Also agree with Snakebitten... free stuff !!!WJBertrand said:
LOL
I don't actually require them to be free. But they seem to be unobtainable to us "yanks".
And I don't like putting in CCard info to suspect sites hosted in parts of the world that I don't even find on a globe.
So to clarify, I'd be happy to support or nix the intriguing claims, if somebody made the plugs available.
And I'd be happy to compensate for their troubles.
I don't actually require them to be free. But they seem to be unobtainable to us "yanks".
And I don't like putting in CCard info to suspect sites hosted in parts of the world that I don't even find on a globe.
So to clarify, I'd be happy to support or nix the intriguing claims, if somebody made the plugs available.
And I'd be happy to compensate for their troubles.
CPR8EAGP-9 is not what MY manual says to use. I've learned my lesson about deviating from OE parts. Those plugs might work great for HIM. But, different bike, rider, location, conditions....I'm discounting his results. My bike runs great; I'm not changing a thing.
WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
Of course any comparison would be new plugs and new plugs. No pulling the trick of comparing new wiz-bang plugs to worn OEM ones.
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2daMax
Active Member
If I do get a chance to travel to the US, I'll bring a set. Usually it would be near to Boston, MA area. (Billerica, to be exact). Then I'll have to find a post officesnakebitten said:
But so far, no business travel plans.2daMax
Active Member
4k km on stock plugs vs complete new.WJBertrand said:
You guys are too serious. Dynamometer? I am just sharing the other plug options. Not trying to sell plugs or make profit from the Americans ::013::
Somebody called Snakebitten serious?
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I wanna be. I've tried.
Have a hard time finding anything important enough. 8)
Spark plugs? ???
Have a hard time finding anything important enough. 8)
Spark plugs? ???