Iridium spark plugs ST1300

[SMSW]

Except that many people who buy them do not use them for any where near 5 times as long so they are not benefiting from that benefit if it exists, which was one of my points in my earlier post. I have many times read of people who install iridium spark plugs in their ST1300 because they desire what they perceive as a superior spark plug and the increased change interval that they offer. They then replace them them at 24,000 mile intervals happy that they have extended the Honda recommended change interval by 50%.

How do you know this, Andrew? Do you have any statistically significant information that says many people swap out their iridium plugs before they need to? Is that a majority of the folks who buy these plugs, or only a fraction of the folks? Or are you basing that statement on some anecdotal evidence that John Doe posted in a thread and echoed by Al Smith?

 

[Andrew Shadow]

How do you know this, Andrew? Do you have any statistically significant information that says many people swap out their iridium plugs before they need to? Is that a majority of the folks who buy these plugs, or only a fraction of the folks? Or are you basing that statement on some anecdotal evidence that John Doe posted in a thread and echoed by Al Smith?

No, I didn't do a survey on the subject. I made no mention of any percentage, or made any claim that it was most people, or that it was the majority of people, or anything of the kind. I simply stated many people. By that I mean it was more than a couple but certainly not all. I also included that came from posts that I have read on this very site- see below. I have also had this discussion with people whose vehicles I have serviced who intended to do this.

I have many times read of people who install iridium spark plugs in their ST1300 because they desire what they perceive as a superior spark plug and the increased change interval that they offer. They then replace them them at 24,000 mile intervals happy that they have extended the Honda recommended change interval by 50%.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

the benefit exists. Iridium has much higher resistance to spark erosion than standard plugs.

If people choose not to run them for as long as is technically possible, the benefit still exists, they just chose to not take advantage of it.

I do not dispute that there is benefit. My point is that there is no benefit if the change interval remains very low.

 

[dwalby]

My point is that there is no benefit if the change interval remains very low.

Of course not, nobody would dispute that from a purely logical perspective, but it doesn't really have anything to do with the differences between plugs. I could say "all plugs are the same if you never start the engine", which is also logically true, but not very relevant.

 

[ST Gui]

When I bought Ir plugs for my previous Hondas there wasn't the premium on them there is now. Or maybe I don't recall it. But they were always the last plugs I installed. They'd only be replaced if inspection showed them failing. It never did. And the electrodes cleaned up nicely at high RPM. When I need plugs for the ST I'll consider them.

I know someone who said he changes his oil at 2000mi. He was told it was unnecessary by me and someone who changes his oil at 3000mi. Whiskey Tango F. RTFM?! Apparently not. "Cheap insurance" was the reason and response. It was dino oil. SMH.

 

[vstrom.zrxdude]

My st13 wears plug electrictrod down at a Very slow rate (not all engines do).I say check regap maybe around 45,50 thousand miles and they last probably till 70,000 mi same way with my gl1800 -my Buell 1125 around 13,000 plugs worn down

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Of course not, nobody would dispute that from a purely logical perspective, but it doesn't really have anything to do with the differences between plugs. I could say "all plugs are the same if you never start the engine", which is also logically true, but not very relevant.

One of the biggest differences and reasons for using iridium plugs that I most often see cited is their expected extended service life. As this claim is what I was challenging when I wrote that I don't believe that the benefit of this difference is realized if the change interval is not amended to take advantage of it, that point seems very much about the difference between plugs.

In a scenario where the engine is never started all spark plugs are the same. They are all performing pretty much the same function to the same level of efficacy, which is nothing more than plugging a hole. I definately wouldn't spend money on iridium plugs in this scenario.