Got my MPG's back...

[V7Goose]

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! )

 

Well, if you want to ride down here to start the test, we can finish it back at your place if you like. Or we can ride south and do the hill country and finish it back here. Or ride in any direction and finish it wherever we want! We can do a one-day run, or stay out several days.

 

I'm pretty much wide open to any days that I happen to be home. Other than this Saturday, I'm ready any day up until September 4th, then I'll be gone until sometime in mid September. If you don't want to do it right away, them let's just pick a time after I get back from Cody. Actually, I'd love to do it next week cause I think I need to change my rear tire before I head for Cody, and it's still got way too much rubber on it!

 

Goose

Edited August 27, 2009 by V7Goose

[Kross Kountry]

If I can get a couple of days off next week we will do it then. If not we will wait till you get back from Cody.

 

Would this Sunday and Monday work?

[V7Goose]

Would this Sunday and Monday work?

Sure

[Venturous Randy]

My magic plug is Autolite because they are cheap and run just fine for me.

RandyA

[Naked Rider]

well this should be interesting. please keep us in the loop. be safe and have fun and try not to kill each other:rotf:

[V7Goose]

well this should be interesting. please keep us in the loop. be safe and have fun and try not to kill each other

Well, we're probably safe on that account, UNLESS he gets better fuel economy after he puts in magic plugs! If that happens, I may have to snuff him to keep my stupidity from being exposed!!

Goose

[frogmaster]

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!

 

 

Lil beaver,

 

Sorry bro did not compare them because the electrodes are of different shape and material to begin with so that would not of been apples to apples comparison. But I know what your talking about and have done that in the past.

[frogmaster]

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

 

Goose,

 

Chilled out here, and not upset with you either. Seems I have sparked your nerve which was not my intention. My posting history has always been helpful in nature and non confrontational too. Since I started this thread to be helpful and the last half of this thread has not been helpful feel free to have this thread deleted. I think you will see on several occasions I have supported your mechanical positions and opinions such as Valve Jobs every 26,600mi & Floats. Secondly I wanted to get with you on MD-2010 to do my floats too ((Too bad I will be in Iraq in 2010 all year serving our country so we can have freedoms and ride motorcycles)). I hope to do floats at MD-2011.

[V7Goose]

No, you didn't touch any nerve with me, but you seemed to be upset at what you perceived as a personal slight to your knowledge or your post, so I wanted to make it very clear that nothing like that was going on.

 

And I DO think this thread has been helpful, all of it. I don't agree that standard plugs will ever degrade to the point of significant drop in performance in just 8,000 miles, but that is no big deal. We all get to have our opinions. But the real value of this thread is to get some more discussion out about various plug options. And I now have a test plan with another rider to actually put this to the test in such a way that it should probably satisfy even the most skeptical doubters on either side of the argument. I have never actually performed that test specifically for iridium plugs, so I am looking forward to it as much as some others may be.

 

One more thing - if you regularly get 200 miles BEFORE reserve at any speed above 55, you don't need your floats set - that is outstanding mileage for these machines. But like I keep saying, the REAL test is to actually compare it side-by-side with another similar bike. That removes all questions about speed differences, terrain, wind, riding styles, etc. I have seen some fantastic claims for fuel economy on 2nd gens posted from time to time, but frankly, I just don't believe them. I don't think that my 05 gets anything special (mid 30s on the slab at speed, low 40s when bombing around the secondary roads at 55 or less, very occasionally close to 50 if I am really sleeping), but I'm willing to bet that no other stock RSV will do significantly better than mine when riding side-by-side with me (by significantly better, I mean at least 10% better).

 

I haven't been able to do that comparison with as many RSVs as I like, probably no more than 10 other bikes, but my assumptions are holding up well. Most use more gas than I do, and so far, jneed53 is the only one that comes close to beating me by a significant amount. He and I get almost identical economy below 55, but he uses about 10% less fuel than I do when running 75 - 80. I attribute this difference to much more wind drag on my machine, but that is only a guess.

Goose

Edited August 27, 2009 by V7Goose

[V7Goose]

Hey everyone, I know I have a hard time getting to the point and actually conveying what I really mean, so I thought I'd just sum up what I think about iridium plugs. Most of this applies equally to platinum plugs as well.

 

First, they are not bad plugs, just not worth the money to me.

 

Second, they will absolutely last longer than standard plugs, so if you just don't want to change your plugs more often than about 50,000 miles, they might be a good choice for you.

 

Finally, although they are very good plugs that will work at least as well as standard plugs, they will not improve fuel economy or performance on any engine that is in good condition and good tune. They MIGHT make an improvement on an engine that is running real rich or burning some oil, as I think they do resist fouling better and may have an easier time in generating a spark in a rich environment. I would have to actually test them on such an engine with a scope to be sure about that last point.

 

Hope that clears up some of my ramblings.

Goose

[wizard]

I started to change my standard plugs every 8,000 miles. I do notice a change for the better when I do this. The 1st time I changed my plugs was when a Yamaha mechanic asked me how many miles I had on the plugs. I forget what it was I told him, but he told me he could hear it was past time. I might just be a very sensitive guy, but I do notice the change when they are replaced. The plugs look fine when I pull them, but...

[mraf]

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.

Been wrong before. But bike positively runs better all round.

 

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. Wouldn't prove much just that both plugs are good. 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. Still to many variables.

 

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!!

My claim of better mileage is what it is, better mileage, this venture has never seen any 50s until the iridiums. Just the better cold starting was worth the price to me. Any way you dice it it will be interesting to hear your results. Just remember to many Dairy Queens add weight which in turn harms mileage!

Goose

:D:D