Are Iridium/Platinum spark plugs really worth it

Big.Dave · Dec 31, 2014

Hi guys, I have just acquired a 1999 model (On a 2000 Plate) Mille, it had some idle issues and after a bit of digging I have found that someone has put standard and iridium plugs in it??????:dunno
I have also found the alley breather in the back cylinder has been snapped off, probably when the ***** changed the plugs last so got to get that out as well :jack
I am going to replace the set but don't know for sure which to choose. The bike has been chipped so may benefit from the Iridium plugs?
Advise from the wise please:ytiller

Tash1 · Jan 3, 2015

Hi Dave,

Save your money and stick with standard NGK plugs

Big.Dave · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks Tash.

jayb · Jan 21, 2015

Aprilia manual states original plugs are platinum, hoped they would be normal ones and much cheaper., Are we sure the cheaper ones run OK?

redratbike · Jan 21, 2015

My runs great with them

motocorsaro3 · Feb 11, 2015

Back to back dyno runs on a 2002 Mille showed 0.5 horsepower increase with NGK Iridium plugs. The main benefit is longevity. Iridium is one of the hardest elements on the periodic table and therefore very resistant to spark erosion.

capoman1 · Feb 12, 2015

0.5 HP increase could be down to many things - different plug gap, orientation of electrode in combustion chamber, engine/inlet temperature, the list goes on.

on our dyno i cant say definitively that there is any difference but as you say, the iridium's do last longer.

as i change my plugs at every service (1000 miles) then i use normal plugs - one of the many benefits of working as a bike tech in a bike shop

Big.Dave · Feb 12, 2015

I must say I'm the same Capo man so it's standard plug's for me.
Thanks everyone for your input.

dasrider · Feb 12, 2015

I'd recommend sticking with the standard plug: NGK DCPR8E or DCPR9E. Pretty cheap too for 4 of 'em.

My understanding (correct me if I'm off here) is that the 8Es burn hotter than the 9Es. This is beneficial if you typically don't run the engine hard and up to redline on a regular basis. More of a commuting plug if you will. This allows the plugs to burn themselves cleaner if you're not hard on the throttle all the time. The 9Es burn a step cooler and will be more beneficial if you're taking the bike to the track or run the engine harder regularly.

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Are Iridium/Platinum spark plugs really worth it

Big.Dave

Tash1

Big.Dave

jayb

redratbike

motocorsaro3

capoman1

Big.Dave

dasrider

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