May 30th, 2010, 09:10 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: W
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512
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Iridium spark plugs?
I'm in the process of assembling some parts to do the valve adjustment (I'm just shy of 6000 miles and the way I ride could probably hit 7500 next month). Obviously, I'm going to pick up some spark plugs, and I know I could probably use the ones recommended in the service manual. However, I know several people have successfully used iridium spark plugs, and I was keeping this option open, based on whether I can get them easily and whether it's worth it.
For those people who switched to iridium plugs, is it worth the extra price, and where did you guys get them?
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2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other |
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May 30th, 2010, 09:18 AM | #2 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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CR8EK FTW
^ Auto parts store can get them, and the iridiums if you choose to go with them instead. |
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May 30th, 2010, 10:24 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14
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I switched to iridium plugs and have not noticed any difference performance wise. I pull my spark plugs at every oil change and have noted that they stay clean but the stock plugs may stay clean as well. I don't know?
Is it worth the extra expense? - From my experience I would say no. They didn't help anything but did not hurt anything either so I guess it boils down to preference. |
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August 21st, 2010, 02:59 AM | #4 |
Small Bike Abuser
Name: Stevo
Location: Seattle Wa
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE, GSX650FK8, DL650K5, CH80K2, AN400K7, SH150i Posts: 95
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Just an FYI, the NGK CR8E is the OEM plug for the Ninja with a Heat Range of 8
The Iridium equivalent is an NGK CR8EIX with the Heat Range of 8 |
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September 19th, 2010, 10:04 PM | #5 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: X
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 SE Lime Green/Diablo Black Posts: 126
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Quote:
I used the service manual and your post to verify that I had the right ones, and that the previous owner put the wrong ones in. Here's hoping it improves things! |
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September 20th, 2010, 05:59 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
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Good luck to ya. Let us know how it goes.
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September 20th, 2010, 06:14 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.
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September 20th, 2010, 07:55 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: X
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 SE Lime Green/Diablo Black Posts: 126
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Not exactly. TBH, I've ran the bike for about 10,000 km on those plugs, and it hasn't seemed like an issue. But remember, I never knew how it ran before, and this is my first bike, so I just might not have known any better. I will admit that at times, my exhaust smelled like there was gas in it, like it wasn't fully burned. Also, my fuel economy has been decreasing. I'm hoping this week, I will see a difference.
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September 20th, 2010, 10:43 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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can you post up some pics of the plugs you just took out?
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September 27th, 2010, 05:32 PM | #10 |
Audioguy21
Name: Troy
Location: Butte MT
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 kawasaki ninja 250r Posts: 2
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iridium plugs like the NGK CR8EIX or the DENSO IU24 have a much smaller electrodes to produce the spark. the smaller the electrode the less voltage it takes to produce the spark. so in theory this should help with throttle response. but due to the high compression and rpms of the 250s motor at high speed and rpms there are inaudible engine misfires. usually being late. i noticed my air fuel ratio start tweaking out between 8500 and 11000 rpm. ( i installed a 4wire universal 02 sensor where my headers join and mounted a digital afr guage above my cluster... didnt want to take dynojets word on what to set everything at and i wanted to be sure). i installed the new denso plugs (IU24) that i got for around 10 dollars each and the afr readings smoothed out. i would reccomend iridium plugs everytime not so much saying it gave me more ower but jsut made my bike run more efficiently. also an article i found online helps explain things a little better
http://www.automedia.com/Iridium_Spa...ht20010101ds/1 |
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September 30th, 2010, 11:22 AM | #11 |
lolwut
Name: Alex
Location: socal
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 196
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I put in CR8EIX plugs into my ninja when I re-did the jetting and whatnot. I dont think it made a huge difference...
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September 30th, 2010, 04:26 PM | #12 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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The tips of the Iridium plug are harder than other plugs, so they last a little longer and require lower voltage to ignite the air/fuel mixture. Iridium plugs also fire better with the right performance ignition coil and can increase performance better on bikes with an EFI System or High performance upgrades (pistons, carbs, cams etc..). Without a better ignition coil on the stock carbed version of the Ninja 250, you will still get about the same quality spark as from a standard tip plug. You won't even notice the difference.
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October 4th, 2010, 09:29 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: W
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512
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Just as a update.... I ended up installing Denso IU24 plugs during my 7500 mile maintenance. I did not notice anything different performance that could have also been caused by my valve job at that time.
However, it certainly did not ruin my engine, that's for sure! Hey, maybe the iridium plugs are helping me somewhere; I just don't know about it!
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2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other |
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December 21st, 2013, 12:42 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Juan
Location: 2955 nw 95th st
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki ninja 250R Posts: 3
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when you change the spark plugs, did you change the wires??
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December 21st, 2013, 12:54 PM | #15 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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August 29th, 2014, 11:08 AM | #16 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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I just ordered the "CR8EIX" NGK iridium plugs I was wondering if they were gapped for the ninja 250 (2012)?
The gap on them is .028
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August 29th, 2014, 02:01 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Nick
Location: TN
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August 29th, 2014, 02:47 PM | #18 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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Thank you
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August 29th, 2014, 03:07 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: harry
Location: Central Florida
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332
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Spark Plugs
To clear the air. Iridium plugs are more durable, and more resistant to erosion.
All plugs erode. That is why the gaps get wider as they age. If changing plugs gives you a performance increase, it is because either the old plugs had a problem, or you inadvertently fixed another problem when you changed the plugs. In some cases an incorrect plug choice will cause performance issues, that can be corrected by a correct choice. You could see measurable gains then, but not an increase, simply a restoration to "standard" performance. Engine/tuning modifications may require different plugs. Case in point: changing cams from stock to cams with a lot of overlap cause increase in fuel/air mix richness at low rpm. If you operate the engine at low rpm, the plugs may foul. You then go up a step in heat range to help keep them clean. But if you run the engine at sustained high RPM, you may damage the plugs or engine from the plugs overheating, which causes a host of deadly engine problems. I ran standard $2.95 each NGK plugs in my nitrous drag bikes, with no ignition issues. I am approaching 125K miles on iridium plugs in my truck with no issues. My 250 has NGK iridium simply because I know they will last virtually forever in it. (and it will happily run to the rev limiter with a sweet happy scream ride after ride). Choose the appropriate plugs, gap and install them properly, enjoy.
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August 29th, 2014, 04:19 PM | #20 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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Eh, I don't mind spending the extra $$, when we are talking about a $5 increase in price, only the best for my Amy <3
I've heard mixed reviews for the iridium, I understand that they probably won't increase performance (maybe restore, as you suggested) But just knowing that these plugs will last like 5 times as long as copper, makes me feel like using them more anyway.
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September 5th, 2014, 10:00 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Nick
Location: TN
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 43
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September 5th, 2014, 12:54 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mat
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): '10 Kawasaki Ninja 250ARRRR (Sold), '13 Kawasaki Ninja 300 (Crashed), '07 Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 45
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I have read the Iridium plugs do not produce as strong of a spark as the copper core plugs. The Iridiums were introduced to fill the 100k service requirement. They will last longer than a copper core and will keep the correct gap longer. However, because Iridium has a higher resistance, they do not spark as strong as copper core.
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September 5th, 2014, 06:50 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Blair
Location: PNW
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 113
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I've run both Irridium and standard NGK on a number of bikes and personally I liked the standard NGK the best, YEMV
I haven't any benefit in the Irridium to justify the extra cost to date, Enjoy the ride, and best regards, Blair
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September 8th, 2014, 05:09 AM | #24 | |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
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Quote:
I recently replaced my stock/dealer plugs with Iridiums, and it does seem to run a bit more smoothly now. However, it may have run just as well with brand new standard plugs as well. I'm used to the Syclone and having to buy one-off parts or buying parts kits for V8s and using only 3/4 of it, so $8 extra on a plug change doesn't even faze me.
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September 8th, 2014, 09:08 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Blair
Location: PNW
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 113
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Are CR8E are the correct OEM Plugs?
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September 8th, 2014, 08:17 PM | #27 |
Fix It Till Ya Break It
Name: Asspyre
Location: T.Dot
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September 9th, 2014, 06:55 AM | #28 | |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
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Quote:
NGK plugs (and all plugs with a silver finish) have a layer of plating on them to resist corrosion between the steel plug and aluminum head. A black-colored plug does not, and would require anti-seize. Plugs with a crush-washer aren't good candidates for tightening with a torque wrench, and adding anti-seize can make over-tightening and damage more likely. With a crush washer you need to snug it down - but it doesn't stop dead like a taper-seat plug. I never use a torque wrench on a plug with a crush washer. A plug that seals with a taper (no gasket/washer) is much easier to torque to spec. |
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