Description:

Can with the very expensive iridium spark plugs indeed as promised by the manufacturers save fuel? MOTORCYCLE has tried it.


The manufacturers are experimenting both again and again with new electrode designs and new materials. Last Cry are iridium spark plugs. Of course not all the spark plug is made of platinum alloy, but only the highly stressed central electrode. The use of iridium, this can be kept extremely thin, making it already provides for low-energy spark ignition voltage for igniting the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. This property is to optimize the ignition to prevent misfire and misfire or reduce, and thus for a cleaner engine continuous care. In addition, the manufacturers promise a spontaneous throttle response, a very good free-burn behavior (no candle soot) and a much longer life than standard candles. And last but not least, to Iridium Candles reduce fuel consumption.

MOTORCYCLE has used the tire wear test in the spring than 4,600 kilometers (see MOTORCYCLE 12/2006), to review the fuel-saving argument. To figure out differences, three of the six test Buell XB12S with type standard candles and the other three equipped with Iridium-candles. Since during the test, the motorcycles within the six convoys by constantly changed, resulted in the final statement seen on the total distance absolutely equal conditions for each motorcycle. At each fuel stop it was pulling out pad and write down for each test-bike mileage and exact amount of fuel. What emerged after analysis of meticulously lists out tank stands in the box below.

One or the other test driver even said to feel a positive side effect of iridium spark plugs. The XB12S, which is not exactly as cold-running miracle falls into the standard version back to the start and again with dropouts or jerky throttle response. The test machines with Iridium-candles were on the tour especially when accelerating from low engine speeds a bit quiet and had no problems every morning after a cold start.