K11 Owners Group Forum Index K11 Owners Group
K11 Owners Group
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Put a little spark in your life
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    K11 Owners Group Forum Index -> Product Reviews
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
RAL88
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 733
Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA

PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:50 pm    Post subject: Put a little spark in your life Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hockeyshifter
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 177
Location: harpers ferry WVa.

PostPosted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
dave n
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 13 Dec 2003
Posts: 316
Location: Gastonia NC

PostPosted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:14 pm    Post subject: spark plug nivana Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
tmoons
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Posts: 161

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:13 am    Post subject: Re: Put a little spark in your life Reply with quote

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.



What did you pay for them? the are abour 30 USD (converted) in europe... Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RAL88
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 733
Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I paid about $34 USD in 2007. Here is a link to ebay and they have them a little cheaper but that is without shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FREE-SHIPPING-ngk-spark-plugs-iridium-4-pack-DR7EIX_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ150294150133QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Just for informations sake irridium is not found naturally on planet Earth. All the irridium that is found was brought here by meteorite and asteroid impacts so there isn't alot of it hence the expense.
_________________
Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Phil Marvin
Rider in the Sky


Joined: 03 Apr 2003
Posts: 1389
Location: El Paso, Texas, USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:50 pm    Post subject: Re: spark plug nivana Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Saltcreek
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 957
Location: New Hampshire

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Sad
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Scott_Anderson
Site Admin


Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 3117
Location: Central Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:39 pm    Post subject: Re: spark plug nivana Reply with quote

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.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
Jim
Site Admin


Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3840
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:16 pm    Post subject: Fuel+ Reply with quote

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
1992 R100R 24,000 - FOR SALE

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
RAL88
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 733
Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Off the grid
Chaotic Good


Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 3414
Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Saltcreek
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 957
Location: New Hampshire

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Sad
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
SugarHillCTD
Site Admin


Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4240
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RAL88
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 733
Location: New Mexico Land of Enchantment and 365 days of riding USA

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where'd you get the little screw on caps for them? $8 a pop and they can't include those? WTF????? Evil or Very Mad
_________________
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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jim
Site Admin


Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3840
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS

PostPosted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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????? Evil or Very Mad

_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
1992 R100R 24,000 - FOR SALE

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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? Question
_________________
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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Off the grid
Chaotic Good


Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 3414
Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.

PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Phil Marvin
Rider in the Sky


Joined: 03 Apr 2003
Posts: 1389
Location: El Paso, Texas, USA

PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    K11 Owners Group Forum Index -> Product Reviews All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 1 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group