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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject: Put a little spark in your life |
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Well in my never ending search to make my bike run better, go faster and get better gas mileage I decide to try some NGK irridium plugs. Having grown up with Hondas and Kawasakis I always used NGKs and they worked great so I decide to try them in my K1100LT. I have run them for 3000 miles now and I have to say that they really made a difference. I was concerned that even though they were the replacement for the BMW plugs that they may not run at the right temperature. I checked the plugs every 200 miles for the first 600 miles and then every 500 miles after that. You can see in the picture below, and all the plugs look this way that there aren't any temperature issues. These plugs are not cheap. For 4 of them they cost me about $34. The NGK cross reference for the BMW plug # is DR7EIX and the number to order them by is 5686.
The first noticable thing was an increase in acceleration. This was a pretty good increase. My bike was not bad before (I synced the throttle bodies including the screws you are never suppose to touch and that calmed the vibration and smoothed out the throttle a lot). The response was better throughout the rpm range and the acceleration was better than average. The second thing was an increase of 2-4 mpg depending on how I was driving. I have a Fuel Plus and used that to gauge my increase. I was averaging 48 mpg and now I am at 50 mpg and on the way home today at a constant 70 mph and watching my heavy wrist I actually got 54 mpg.
So far I have not seen any negatives but I will keep an eye on them. If you would like to get a little more out of your bike for not to much money I would recoommend giving them a try.
_________________ Rich
"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R |
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hockeyshifter Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 177 Location: harpers ferry WVa.
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:36 am Post subject: |
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looks like i will be doing the plugs and a tire and a oil change and a brake job ... thanks for the post .. trying to find plugs for the rs is a pita _________________ fix the problem not the blame ; fix what is messed up ; NO one is to blame. |
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dave n Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 13 Dec 2003 Posts: 316 Location: Gastonia NC
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: spark plug nivana |
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No thanks, it's Autolite 4163 for me @ $1.00 ea. _________________ Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650 |
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tmoons Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Put a little spark in your life |
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RAL88 wrote: | Well in my never ending search to make my bike run better, go faster and get better gas mileage I decide to try some NGK irridium plugs. Having grown up with Hondas and Kawasakis I always used NGKs and they worked great so I decide to try them in my K1100LT. I have run them for 3000 miles now and I have to say that they really made a difference. I was concerned that even though they were the replacement for the BMW plugs that they may not run at the right temperature. I checked the plugs every 200 miles for the first 600 miles and then every 500 miles after that. You can see in the picture below, and all the plugs look this way that there aren't any temperature issues. These plugs are not cheap. For 4 of them they cost me about $34. The NGK cross reference for the BMW plug # is DR7EIX and the number to order them by is 5686.
The first noticable thing was an increase in acceleration. This was a pretty good increase. My bike was not bad before (I synced the throttle bodies including the screws you are never suppose to touch and that calmed the vibration and smoothed out the throttle a lot). The response was better throughout the rpm range and the acceleration was better than average. The second thing was an increase of 2-4 mpg depending on how I was driving. I have a Fuel Plus and used that to gauge my increase. I was averaging 48 mpg and now I am at 50 mpg and on the way home today at a constant 70 mph and watching my heavy wrist I actually got 54 mpg.
So far I have not seen any negatives but I will keep an eye on them. If you would like to get a little more out of your bike for not to much money I would recoommend giving them a try.
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What did you pay for them? the are abour 30 USD (converted) in europe... |
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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Phil Marvin Rider in the Sky
Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 1389 Location: El Paso, Texas, USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug nivana |
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dave n wrote: | No thanks, it's Autolite 4163 for me @ $1.00 ea. |
+1
Ride Safe, _________________ Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP |
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Saltcreek Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 957 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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I did the math. At a 4% increase in mileage from 48 to 50, at $2.00 per gallon you would break even on the difference in plug cost at exactly 18,000 miles. As if you needed another excuse to ride!
How does that Fuel Plus connect? _________________ Jim
1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium |
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Scott_Anderson Site Admin
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 3120 Location: Central Iowa, USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: spark plug nivana |
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Phil Marvin wrote: | dave n wrote: | No thanks, it's Autolite 4163 for me @ $1.00 ea. |
+1
Ride Safe, |
Jury's still out on that one for me.
When my bike was in the shop for the burnt valve replacement, they tried to blame it on everything from the Autolites that I was running to the Audiovox CC that I installed and even the gas I was using. Anything that wasn't BMW issued.
Needless to say I don't think I'm going back there anytime soon. _________________ Ride safe.
1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.) |
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Jim Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 3841 Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject: Fuel+ |
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Saltcreek wrote: | How does that Fuel Plus connect? |
This is the new version: http://www.fuelplus.com/
The old version that was made only for K bikes and replaced the BMW clock is no longer made. The fuel plus is pretty cool. _________________ Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed." |
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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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The fuel plus connects to the motronic brain through the plug and senses the firing of the fuel injectors. It is preprogrammed with how much fuel is used by the injectors which also allows it to accurately give me the remaining fuel in the tank, much better than the gauge. You can also set it for a k100/k1100 or a K75.
Considering the increase in the acceleration and response I got using the NGK I look at it as an investment in the added funfactor of these bikes and that alone, for me over time pays for itself. _________________ Rich
"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R |
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Off the grid Chaotic Good
Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 3414 Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | Considering the increase in the acceleration and response I got using the NGK I look at it as an investment in the added funfactor of these bikes and that alone, for me over time pays for itself. |
+1
Plugs are one of those things I refuse to skimp on, like oil filters and tires. _________________ Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"
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Saltcreek Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 957 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:38 am Post subject: |
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RAL88 wrote: |
Considering the increase in the acceleration and response I got using the NGK I look at it as an investment in the added funfactor of these bikes and that alone, for me over time pays for itself. |
Don't misunderstand my comment. I did the math out of curiosity. I actually expected the payback to be shorter. I think anything we do to increase fuel economy is good. At the end of that 18,000 miles you saved 15 gallons of fuel. And if you actually could get your average up to 54 the benefits are trippled! _________________ Jim
1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium |
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Flying Duck PsyKotic Waterfowl
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 10088 Location: Bumf***, WA
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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What did you do gap-wise on the DR7EiX plugs? Have you checked/adjusted the gap when you pull them? _________________ 93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE |
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SugarHillCTD Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Saltcreek wrote: | I did the math. At a 4% increase in mileage from 48 to 50, at $2.00 per gallon you would break even on the difference in plug cost at exactly 18,000 miles. As if you needed another excuse to ride!
How does that Fuel Plus connect? |
Jim,
As was mentioned, the older "fuel plus" replaces the digital clock on the dash. My RS came with one already installed. Know what the ONLY function I use is? The digital clock. If someone would like mine, they can have it if I can have their digital clock in a swap.
John _________________ John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
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RAL88 Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 736 Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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Flying Duck wrote: | What did you do gap-wise on the DR7EiX plugs? Have you checked/adjusted the gap when you pull them? |
I check the gaps on all the plugs I install whether it is the bike or the car.
I set the irridium plugs on the K to the factory specs of 0.6-0.7mm (0.024-0.028 in). I only had to re-adjust one. you have to be careful when adjusting because the center electrode is thin and you can break it easier than on a standard plug.
I haven't pulled them in a while and it is probably time to check them. The last time I pulled them is when they had 3000 miles on them and they were fine. _________________ Rich
"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R |
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Flying Duck PsyKotic Waterfowl
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 10088 Location: Bumf***, WA
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Where'd you get the little screw on caps for them? $8 a pop and they can't include those? WTF????? _________________ 93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE |
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Jim Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 3841 Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah - well - you're at the part where you buy the cheap plugs, take the caps off, and toss the cheap plugs. I know - I was a little surprised by that, too. Like you walk around with spark plug caps in your pocket or something...
Flying Duck wrote: | Where'd you get the little screw on caps for them? $8 a pop and they can't include those? WTF????? |
_________________ Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed." |
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Flying Duck PsyKotic Waterfowl
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 10088 Location: Bumf***, WA
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Lucky me, I took a look at a K100 parts engine I have and it had some fairly new NGK DR7EA plugss in it - so I stole the terminal caps off of those.
I still need four more though for when I do my other bike. Anybody got any spares lying around? _________________ 93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE |
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Off the grid Chaotic Good
Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 3414 Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Saw that too when I bought my plugs...pissed me the fk off why they wouldn't include that stuff! _________________ Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"
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Phil Marvin Rider in the Sky
Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 1389 Location: El Paso, Texas, USA
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, Drake,
I use Autolite 4163 plugs in my K75's and did use them in my K1100LT's Before Deer Meet. However, many years ago I used one set of NGK DR7EA's in the K1100LT. I also was pissed when I opened the box (old plugs already out and in the trash can) and found them without the caps. Luckily my local parts house had a bunch and gave me a small handful. I have 4 in my hand, right now. Send me a PM with your address and I'll mail them to you.
Ride Safe(ly), _________________ Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP |
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