Spark plugs?

Post by **hjsbmw** » Wed May 04, 2011 3:07 pm

I currently have the NGK DCPR8EKC but will want to change them as part of the 24k service. Several dealer sites list them as part number 12127728634 SPARK PLUG $15.63.

Pretty steep for one plug, if I may say so. Do you guys use the OEM plugs or any of the available replacements, which I see for $7-$10? There seem to be several alternatives: NGK DCPR8EKP, NGK DCPR8EIX, Bosch YR5LDE, to name a few. The OEM ones are dual electrode, and I see some of the alternatives are single. What difference would it make? What to look out for besides heat range?

Post by **mvk** » Fri May 06, 2011 7:04 pm

Hi Harald, if you can get plugs for $15, run, don't walk down to the shop and buy a few. Here in Oz, we are constantly amazed at the cheapness of bikes (and cars) in North America. In February 2010 as part of my 40,000km service all plugs were replaced - cost of 4 plugs (not including labour) was $113.12. Part number was 12127671301.
If your dollar continues to plummet, you better get used to paying a lot more for plugs and everything imported. So enjoy it while you can!
Cheers

Post by **hjsbmw** » Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 am

For the record: I got the NGK DCPR8EKC through eBay from England and paid $22 for a whole set including shipping.

eduardobelmonte · Post by **eduardobelmonte** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:30 pm

I use AUTOLITE 3923 Double platinum for primary plug on my R1150R.
The cost like 3$ each a Walmart.
Excellent results.
So look for the equivalent for you case.

Good luck.
Eduardo.

Clem · Post by **Clem** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:18 am

Wow! $3 a plug at WalMart?
You guys are killing me!!

I was going to complain about paying 1800 Yen per plug in Japan, $1=79yen,
But after reading $28+ a piece from the Oz dealer
I will shut up and start RUNNING back to the dealer right now.

rokinrider · Post by **rokinrider** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:15 pm

I'm going to plus one for an autolite. been running them in my Harley for years good plug available in lots of heat ranges as well....

sandycruz · Post by **sandycruz** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:03 am

Does anyone have experience with Autolite plugs in the R1200R?

The Autolite site application look up shows either the 4162 or the XS4162 for the R1200R.

However both plugs require a 11/16" socket which is bigger than the stock 5/8" socket, by an eighth of an inch.

Some 5/8" sockets have been reported (elsewhere on this site) to be too large in diameter to fit into the
spark plug tunnel.

So it looks like Autolite plugs will not fit.

Post by **mogu83** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:25 pm

I was hoping this thread would result in more information on spark plug availability for the R1200R (don't really care about Harleys or R1150s) and I don't want to get raped buying them from the dealer. I'm way overdue, although the bike is still running fine.

So is anyone changing spark plugs???

Post by **mogu83** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:02 am

Hard to believe that less than a half dozen people on the list have changed plugs.
Maybe a thread on what color pinstripes are best would produce more information.
Anyhow unless someone comes up with a reasonable reason not to, I'll be going with NGK DCPR8EKP (platinum dual wire) plugs from Amazon at $10.32 each.

Spark Plug --------------------------

Post by **nylife** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:28 am

My little plug info

On the previous Bike(kawasaki) i went with 1 step colder and iridium so i dont have to worry about them for a long time.
Other bits of information the best electro conductor is still your regular copper so while platinum plugs last longer if you care about performace your basic copper plus is a better way to go, depending on the climate going with 1 step colder plug may also benefit how the engine is running.

Dont know enough yet about BMW, it is my first season with my new girl, so now sure how advantage dual wire provides and why BMW went that way instead of single, and if you go single will it really degrade anything or not.

just some food for thought

Post by **mogu83** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:58 am

Lots of plug information on the R1200GS forums, they seem to get more technical. Maybe I drank the Kool-Aid on the new metals available on electrodes, but I've used Platinum before and have iridium (one step colder than stock) in a couple of bikes I race and haven't noticed a difference. Plus I do tend to forget about changing plugs because the high energy ignition we now have would fire two bare wires hanging in a cylinder and give you a good spark.
Some folks on the GS list don't like the dual plugs because they say the gap can't be adjusted, but it sure looks like they could be adjusted like any other plug except their are two of them. As far as how the dual plugs work I figure one side will fire first (the path of least resistance) and when it gets worn away the other side will fire until it develops more resistance than the original side. Not a big deal but it would add to the longevity of the plug.
Thanks for the imput.

Post by **hjsbmw** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:35 am

mogu83 wrote:I was hoping this thread would result in more information on spark plug availability for the R1200R (don't really care about Harleys or R1150s) and I don't want to get raped buying them from the dealer. I'm way overdue, although the bike is still running fine.

So is anyone changing spark plugs???

Did you see my post further up? I got the original spec plugs from England and paid around $22 for a whole set including shipping. They work great, and I am happy. I remember something like having saved $50 compared to dealer prices. I have no clue what and if iridium or platinum would change, but paying less for the OEM specified parts sounds still pretty good to me.

Post by **mogu83** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:11 pm

I did see your post. and it was informative, giving the plug number and cost. I just thought their would be more input about brands and prices. With all the OPINIONS about oil and tires, the lack of information on spark plugs surprised me.

Post by **deilenberger** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:43 pm

mogu83 wrote:I was hoping this thread would result in more information on spark plug availability for the R1200R (don't really care about Harleys or R1150s) and I don't want to get raped buying them from the dealer. I'm way overdue, although the bike is still running fine.

So is anyone changing spark plugs???

Sure.. I did at the 36,000 mile service. I believe I used the stock ones, probably purchased from Amazon (they tend to have the cheapest prices on this sorta stuff.. plugs a Porsche dealer charges $18/each for I've bought for $3/each on Amazon..)

EDIT: http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/YR5LDE ... yr5lde.htm - $32/set of 4. These are the Bosch plugs.

EDIT: Looked in the garage.. I have 4 new ones - bought from AdvanceAutoParts.com - NGK DCPR8EKP, AKA NGK 7415 (the NGK part #).. $10/each, and 20% off if you enter the code P20 at checkout. These are the platinum plugs (the final "P").. Amazon is a few cents more expensive.

EDIT AGAIN: Checked when I returned the NGK to the garage - I have 6 of them. Looked up the PN and it turns out this same plug is used in the S54 engine in my BMW M-Coupe... nice when vehicles share the same part

. These plugs are rated for 40,000 miles in the S54 engine, which is somewhat higher performance (compression, max-RPM, breathing, 340HP from 3.2L) then our boxer engines. Older K bikes shared a lot of electrical parts with the BMW cars designed in the same era.. including plugs with an M3.

Post by **mogu83** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:44 pm

I put in NGK DCPR8EKP. The bike has 45K on it and from the condition of the plugs I think I ran them a little too long. The color was fine so they were firing ok but - the gap on the new plugs is a tight .035 and I could easily run a .045 wire gage (largest one I had) through the old plugs, I think it would have taken a .050. The center electrodes were visibly tapered on the old plugs.

As far as it running any better (that question always comes up), I don't know as I adjusted the valves at the same time and it felt like it was running OK when I started.

Just thought I'd add this in case someone is looking for plug information in the future.

Post by **ammolab** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:38 pm

deilenberger wrote:
mogu83 wrote: EDIT AGAIN: Checked when I returned the NGK to the garage - I have 6 of them. Looked up the PN and it turns out this same plug is used in the S54 engine in my BMW M-Coupe... nice when vehicles share the same part . These plugs are rated for 40,000 miles in the S54 engine, which is somewhat higher performance (compression, max-RPM, breathing, 340HP from 3.2L) then our boxer engines. Older K bikes shared a lot of electrical parts with the BMW cars designed in the same era.. including plugs with an M3.

I also have a S54 Powered M Coupe...GREAT cars! Mine is Stock and 'only' 315HP but a real runner. Do the 2011 R1200Rs use the same spark plug as the Hexheads? I bet not, as sharing plugs with the Coupe would be just to lucky for me

Post by **deilenberger** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:15 am

ammolab wrote: I also have a S54 Powered M Coupe...GREAT cars! Mine is Stock and 'only' 315HP but a real runner. Do the 2011 R1200Rs use the same spark plug as the Hexheads? I bet not, as sharing plugs with the Coupe would be just to lucky for me

Dunno since I don't have an cam-head.. yet..

Post by **T206Bob** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:57 am

The plug listed in my Rider's Manual for the 2011 R1200R is a NGK MAR8B-JDS with a 0.8mm gap. (Europe)

BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

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