Got my MPG's back...

[frogmaster]

2008 RSV STOCK and serviced at 600 miles by me. Now at 8,000 miles-ish.

 

From Mileage 0000001 thru about 7,000-ish miles got about 200 mpg before Reserve Fuel Light came on.

 

From 7,000-ish to 8,000-ish the Reserve Fuel Light was coming on regularly around 150-ish miles vs 200 miles earlier, that is a 25% loss of mpg.

 

(Thinking to myself Hmmmmm the 8,000 miles Service is soon and then replace (OIL= Shell Rotella 5-40 Syn, Oil Filter, 75-90 SYN in Final Pumpkin and replace spark plugs). These were the same fluids used at 600 mile Service.

 

Had GREATEST of performance enhancement with NGK Iridium Spark Plugs on (Toyata, Subaru, Two Yammie Outboards and Yammie-Rhino-660) using the NGK Iridium Spark Plugs.

 

Threw them in my STOCK 2008 RSV at 8,000-ish and BAM got my MPG back to 200-ish miles before Reserve Fuel Light comes on again... NO LIE

 

So the Owners Manual was DEAD ON in regard to spark plug replacement around 8,000 miles.

 

Hopes this helps someone... NO I'm not a NGK Stockholder or Dealer... Just a decent Mechanic and a simple M/C Rider.

 

Edited August 27, 2009 by frogmaster

[Kross Kountry]

I'm at the same miles and mpg with my 08, this may be what my bike needs. But I do have a few questions:

 

Whats the NGK plug#?

How long did it take to change the plugs?

Whats a good price for the NGK plugs?

Any special instructions for changing my plugs?

Anything I need to watch for while changing the plugs?

 

Thanks, Tracy

[frogmaster]

I'm at the same miles and mpg with my 08, this may be what my bike needs. But I do have a few questions:

 

Whats the NGK plug#?

How long did it take to change the plugs?

Whats a good price for the NGK plugs?

Any special instructions for changing my plugs?

Anything I need to watch for while changing the plugs?

 

Thanks, Tracy

 

Tracy,

 

My cell# is in my Profile. Hit me after 8:30am YAWN and before 9pm.

Charlie

[mraf]

NGK iridium plugs did the same for my 86. I never knew when or how much to choke my bike before. It would foul the plugs regularly. Put in the iridiums and now I never have to use the choke to start. MPG is in the 50s at 45-60 mph anything above is in the 40s. Should have bought the iridiums a long time ago.

[Hazenson]

If one of ya would be so kind to post the plug number, Id like to change mine too

[kbran]

If one of ya would be so kind to post the plug number, Id like to change mine too

 

standard plug = DPR8EA-9

Iridium plug = DPR8EIX-9

[Aussie Annie]

Thanks for the info from over here too fella's :thumbsup2:

[eazyduzzit]

Is it hard to get to the front 2 plugs. I haven't changed mine, but just looking at them, it appears you'd have to remove the tank to get to them.

[1sttenor]

Is it hard to get to the front 2 plugs. I haven't changed mine, but just looking at them, it appears you'd have to remove the tank to get to them.

 

They're easy to get at by taking off the tank and the front engine braces. Sounds bad but only 5 minutes extra.

[BoomerCPO]

I have a bit over 25K on the NGK Iridiums I put in the scoot. Pulled them last week for a check-see and they still look nearly like new. I carry an extra set just in case but so far so good.

 

Boomer.......who's looking for something other than Jim Beam to give HIM that extra "spark"......and mileage......and performance.

[rod]

I don't take the tank all the way off. Just lift it up and put a small block of wood under it. Rod

[frogmaster]

standard plug = DPR8EA-9

Iridium plug = DPR8EIX-9

 

YES that is it.

[Venturous Randy]

I have a bit over 25K on the NGK Iridiums I put in the scoot. Pulled them last week for a check-see and they still look nearly like new. I carry an extra set just in case but so far so good.

 

Boomer.......who's looking for something other than Jim Beam to give HIM that extra "spark"......and mileage......and performance.

 

Viagra?

RandyA

[steve crossley]

my 86 has 140.000 miles iridiums made my mileage go up by 9 mpg on plugs alone. yaaaaa ! for iridiums.

[eagleeye]

 

Boomer.......who's looking for something other than Jim Beam to give HIM that extra "spark"......and mileage......and performance.

 

Sailer Jerry

 

Steve

[Hazenson]

Thank you

[Mikealiasmike]

Installed the NGK Iridium Spark Plugs last tune up and I don't even get close to 40 MPG's. Average 32-34. Perhaps I should lay off the throttle a bit but heck, I don't get on it too much above 60 on secondary highways. Guess I must have bought a bike from the Arabic countries... God Bless. Mike

[Kross Kountry]

I suspect one of my coils to be weak or cutting out when it's hot. I've read about all the problems with #3 coil but I'm not sure how the cylinders are numbered. Would someone be so kind as to explain the cylinder numbers for me. If I do have a weak coil should I have a fouled or dark colored spark plug?

[V7Goose]

I have NO doubt that everyone here who thinks they got better gas mileage from some special plug actually BELIEVES it, but they are wrong.

 

I would be more than happy to run side-by-side for four or more tanks of gas (two tanks regular plugs, then two tanks magic plugs in your bike) with anyone who believes this, just to prove they are wrong. That is the ONLY way to accurately test - actual MPG is meaningless, since there are just too many variables. But when you ride with someone on a similar bike, you can effectively compare how much gas both bikes take each time.

 

I am willing to dedicate a day and 400-600 miles to this test - who is willing to take the other side? I'll even donate a brand new set of stock plugs to your bike to start out!

 

C'mon, it should be worth it to someone here to do this test, just on the chance of maybe seeing me eat crow if it turns out that I am wrong instead!!

 

Goose

[V7Goose]

I suspect one of my coils to be weak or cutting out when it's hot. I've read about all the problems with #3 coil but I'm not sure how the cylinders are numbered. Would someone be so kind as to explain the cylinder numbers for me. If I do have a weak coil should I have a fouled or dark colored spark plug?

LR #1, LF #2

RR #3, RF #4

 

And yes, if one plug is not firing properly, the plug should look different. The unknown, however, is being sure to kill the engine at a time when the coil is not working properly. If it just breaks down under heavy load, but works fine at idle, the plugs will look fine if checked after idling.

Goose

[LilBeaver]

Now this would be interesting to do. I've never been a believer in these fancy plugs or 'magic plugs' (as well put by Goose). So this could possibly be a conclusive test.

 

...

I would be more than happy to run side-by-side for four or more tanks of gas (two tanks regular plugs, then two tanks magic plugs in your bike) with anyone who believes this, just to prove they are wrong. That is the ONLY way to accurately test - actual MPG is meaningless, since there are just too many variables. But when you ride with someone on a similar bike, you can effectively compare how much gas both bikes take each time.

 

I am willing to dedicate a day and 400-600 miles to this test - who is willing to take the other side? I'll even donate a brand new set of stock plugs to your bike to start out!

...

 

Goose

[frogmaster]

I have NO doubt that everyone here who thinks they got better gas mileage from some special plug actually BELIEVES it, but they are wrong.

 

I would be more than happy to run side-by-side for four or more tanks of gas (two tanks regular plugs, then two tanks magic plugs in your bike) with anyone who believes this, just to prove they are wrong. That is the ONLY way to accurately test - actual MPG is meaningless, since there are just too many variables. But when you ride with someone on a similar bike, you can effectively compare how much gas both bikes take each time.

 

I am willing to dedicate a day and 400-600 miles to this test - who is willing to take the other side? I'll even donate a brand new set of stock plugs to your bike to start out!

 

C'mon, it should be worth it to someone here to do this test, just on the chance of maybe seeing me eat crow if it turns out that I am wrong instead!!

 

Goose

 

V7Goose,

 

I'm too smart to get into that contest with you simply because you have mis-read or mis-understand what I'm trying to say.

 

In a nutshell all I said was my OEM-NGK's had degraded in performance from 7k to 8k. And I was getting about 200 miles before Reserve fuel Light came on from 00001 to 7k (average). then reported I proved the spark plug degerdation by replacing them and got my "Original MPG" range back as a result of this change after 1k which is about 5 tanks.

 

I'm sure your not telling all of us that spark plugs never degrade with time / mileage are you?

 

You see no claim by me saying (more horsepower or better fuel milage head to head).

 

I will continue to monitor my mileage vs sparkplug performance over time / mileage... and hoping the NGK-Iridiums degerdation will last longer than the OEM-NGK puking around 7k. I will need more than 8k to prove a better spark plug than OEM-NGK and NOT the MAGIC PLUG you seek to dispell.

 

Peace Out fellow mechanic

[V7Goose]

V7Goose,

 

I'm too smart to get into that contest with you simply because you have mis-read or mis-understand what I'm trying to say.

 

In a nutshell all I said was my OEM-NGK's had degraded in performance from 7k to 8k. And I was getting about 200 miles before Reserve fuel Light came on from 00001 to 7k (average). then reported I proved the spark plug degerdation by replacing them and got my "Original MPG" range back as a result of this change after 1k which is about 5 tanks.

 

I'm sure your not telling all of us that spark plugs never degrade with time / mileage are you?

 

You see no claim by me saying (more horsepower or better fuel milage head to head).

 

I will continue to monitor my mileage vs sparkplug performance over time / mileage... and hoping the NGK-Iridiums degerdation will last longer than the OEM-NGK puking around 7k. I will need more than 8k to prove a better spark plug than OEM-NGK and NOT the MAGIC PLUG you seek to dispell.

 

Peace Out fellow mechanic

Chill out, Man. You are trying to read WAY too much into what I said. And I fail to understand why you think you are too smart to actually do a side-by-side comparison with another bike? What could possibly be wrong with that?

 

Now don't go getting upset with me - I am not attacking you or putting you down (or anyone else in this thread). I simply said that iridium plugs will NOT improve fuel economy. And I did NOT misread or misunderstand anything you said. I don't care if your fuel economy got better or not, or even why. I was only responding to you and others here that specifically claimed the NGK "overpriced" plugs actually made a difference in fuel economy. It just ain't so IMHO.

 

You may not have specifically stated that your magic plugs were specifically the cause of your fuel economy improvement just because of their magic, but you DID specifically say those magic plugs did provide "performance enhancement" on five other engines. And other posters here have gone further to claim that the same magic plugs specifically improved their fuel economy.

 

My response was simply for any reader who had not already sunk their money into magic plugs to maybe consider a different opinion, and one for which I am fully prepared to put my money (and time) where my mouth is and prove it.

 

Whether or not your existing stock plugs were degraded or not is completely irrelevant. I never even implied that your fuel economy did not improve (again, I don't know if it did, nor do I care). And I will readily inform all who will listen that any iridium or platinum plug will not degrade as fast as a standard plug; that is in fact the ONLY value to them IMHO. And possible degradation of ANY plug is exactly why I insist that anyone who is willing to do this test with me must start with brand new stock plugs.

 

So my offer remains. If anyone here honestly believes their magic plugs improve their fuel economy, I offered a way for them to actually learn the facts and prove it (as well as an opportunity to prove me wrong).

Goose

[LilBeaver]

Out of curiosity here did you compare the electrodes of the new versus old plugs when you changed them? I would be interested to see how 'worn' they actually are when you get to the recommended change interval.

Although I have a new set sitting in the garage and only about 6,000 miles on mine, so I suppose I could take a looksee to see what mine look like too.

 

Thanks!

 

V7Goose,

 

...

In a nutshell all I said was my OEM-NGK's had degraded in performance from 7k to 8k. And I was getting about 200 miles before Reserve fuel Light came on from 00001 to 7k (average). then reported I proved the spark plug degerdation by replacing them and got my "Original MPG" range back as a result of this change after 1k which is about 5 tanks.

 

...

 

I will continue to monitor my mileage vs sparkplug performance over time / mileage... and hoping the NGK-Iridiums degerdation will last longer than the OEM-NGK puking around 7k. I will need more than 8k to prove a better spark plug than OEM-NGK and NOT the MAGIC PLUG you seek to dispell.

 

Peace Out fellow mechanic

[Kross Kountry]

Ok V7Goose,

 

I'm new to the venture world and I enjoy learning all about my big RSV. I don't believe in magic parts or snake oils but I'm always looking for a better mouse trap. My RSV has 8700 miles now and is past break-in and would be a good field test for performance. I live in NW Arkansas, a great place to ride, but I'll travel to Texas one more time. I'm always looking for a reason to ride somewhere. Just say when and where and we will see what we can do to learn something new. ( A poet, and didn't know it! )