Iridium plugs installed

[CanadianFZ6]

Last winter I ordered some iridium spark plugs form https://www.sparkplugs.com/.... (CR9EIX) for $7.32 each plus shipping... I just got around to installing them yesterday. It took all of 20 mins to put them in using the spark plug wrench from the FZ6 toolkit. No issues at all. My previous set had just 2000km on them so I was curious of how if any difference the iridiums made. To my surprise there was a noticable difference. First, the bike idled so much better... any minor idle roughness disappeared. On the road (now it was a hot and humid day) the bike ran with less vibration throughout the rev range.... Even though it was quite humid out, it ran noticably stronger. While redlining in 1st and then banging it into second, the front wheel came off the ground. This never happened before..... I know a lot of you guys have had that happen with stock plugs, but my bike never did it and I have the 17T front sprocket mod.... This is just a "seat of the pants review", but I am quite convinced that they have a very noticable effect on how the bike performs and runs.... I have just ordered a set for my Bandit 1250... If only the Bandit was as easy to work on as the FZ6...

 

[Doorag]

Sweet. Another mini-mod to add to the list. I imagine there are tons of things we can all do as mini-mods that would make everyday riding better.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Sounds like a great upgrade for cheap money! Any idea what the life expectancy of the iridium plugs are in a high-rev bike?

Thanks! I'll be picking up a set now soon!

 

[Nelly]

Last winter I ordered some iridium spark plugs form https://www.sparkplugs.com/.... (CR9EIX) for $7.32 each plus shipping... I just got around to installing them yesterday. It took all of 20 mins to put them in using the spark plug wrench from the FZ6 toolkit. No issues at all. My previous set had just 2000km on them so I was curious of how if any difference the iridiums made. To my surprise there was a noticable difference. First, the bike idled so much better... any minor idle roughness disappeared. On the road (now it was a hot and humid day) the bike ran with less vibration throughout the rev range.... Even though it was quite humid out, it ran noticably stronger. While redlining in 1st and then banging it into second, the front wheel came off the ground. This never happened before..... I know a lot of you guys have had that happen with stock plugs, but my bike never did it and I have the 17T front sprocket mod.... This is just a "seat of the pants review", but I am quite convinced that they have a very noticable effect on how the bike performs and runs.... I have just ordered a set for my Bandit 1250... If only the Bandit was as easy to work on as the FZ6...

Just to clarify mate,

Did you have to remove any boddy work or anything else to gain access to the plugs? I read on an old thread that the radiator needed to be moved?
Nelly

 

[wrightme43]

Sounds like a great upgrade for cheap money! Any idea what the life expectancy of the iridium plugs are in a high-rev bike?

Thanks! I'll be picking up a set now soon!

Its not really a upgrade, the stock plug call out is for the iridium plugs.

Think about this.

14,000 rpm / 4 cyl / 60 secs equals 58 times a sec a spark plug fires.

We have to have the good ones, and the manual calls out for a 8000mile change schedule.

Canadian FZ6 is dead on about it being easy to do. Its almost funny how easy it is, compared to how hard it looks. LOL :rockon:

 

[grommit]

What condition were the old plugs in?

 

[shaggystyle]

Canadian FZ6 is dead on about it being easy to do. Its almost funny how easy it is, compared to how hard it looks. LOL :rockon:

It's easy if you have small hands....My big meaty paws had a really tough time getting to plug #1 (outside left/clutch side). I couldn't quite get it from the throttle side so I ended up disconnecting the radiator hose on the other side. Just an FYI. You shouldn't have to remove the radiator though, at least not on the >07 models.

 

[wrightme43]

LOL what are you saying man, I have tiny little girl hands? LOL LOL

 

[shaggystyle]

"dainty" might be the better word:Flip:LOL

 

[mikebike]

LOL what are you saying man, I have tiny little girl hands? LOL LOL

:noworries: -------- kinda :cheer:dainty:cheer: all around..... roomie

 

[Denver_FZ6]

14,000 rpm / 4 cyl / 60 secs equals 58 times a sec a spark plug fires.

Double check me, but I believe it's:

14k rpm/60 sec/2 = 116 firings/sec.

Divide by 2, because the plugs fire every other revolution of the crankshaft in a 4 stroke motor.

 

[wrightme43]

your right. on the firing and the dainty. LOL

I am a small guy.

 

[CanadianFZ6]

Just to clarify mate,

Did you have to remove any boddy work or anything else to gain access to the plugs? I read on an old thread that the radiator needed to be moved?
Nelly

Nope, just 2 bolts holding the rad... tilt it forward and then go to town. I always do one plug at a time, then put the cable back on... I would hate to mix up the wires... yes, I know they are labelled... LOL. If I remember corectly, my '05 was a little more challenging to swap plugs.... but, the '07 was a breeze...

 

[CanadianFZ6]

What condition were the old plugs in?

They were fine... only had 2000 km on them... just was curious about Iridiums...

 

[CanadianFZ6]

Sounds like a great upgrade for cheap money! Any idea what the life expectancy of the iridium plugs are in a high-rev bike?

Thanks! I'll be picking up a set now soon!

They should have a much longer life span... how much, not sure. They are touted as being 8 times harder than platinum, though....

 

[madmanmaigret]

isn't platinum a rather soft metal? (relatively of course)

 

[Nelly]

Nope, just 2 bolts holding the rad... tilt it forward and then go to town. I always do one plug at a time, then put the cable back on... I would hate to mix up the wires... yes, I know they are labelled... LOL. If I remember correctly, my '05 was a little more challenging to swap plugs.... but, the '07 was a breeze...

Thanks mate,
It must have been the "Ham fisted hippy" who got me thinking that. Fortunately I am in the dainty handed camp:cheer: so should not have any problems. I reckon 20 minutes for you X my mechanical ineptitude and half a day should be enough.
Nelly

 

[BranNwebster]

I would like to do this as well but, the manual says the CR9EK with a gap of .024 to .028 and the CR9EIX has a gap of .032.

So did you have to change the gap of the IX or did you leave it as is?

Does it matter?

 

[Botch]

Thanks for the website, my local auto parts stores don't seem to carry plugs for the FZ-6. I notice on the sparkplugs.com site they only list the 2004-2005 FZ-6, I assume these'll fit the later models ok? Just wanted to check before I placed the order. Thanks again!

 

[CanadianFZ6]

Thanks for the website, my local auto parts stores don't seem to carry plugs for the FZ-6. I notice on the sparkplugs.com site they only list the 2004-2005 FZ-6, I assume these'll fit the later models ok? Just wanted to check before I placed the order. Thanks again!

Yep... 2004 - 2008 model years use the same plugs....