Plugs

emzedder · 17-09-2017, 03:15 PM

Refers to my '95 900SS but its same thing barring clothing I guess (oops, could be controversial).

While at the Ducati specialist recently was persuaded maybe against my better judgement (through laziness on my part) to fit "Ducati part plugs" which translate into Champion equivalents in a Ducati box and three quid more than anywhere else. Always previously run all my bikes on NGK's including near 70 year old Brits.

Since that time she always fouls front on startup. Changed back today to an pre-used 10,000mile NGK and under all test conditions no problem.

Maybe I was unlucky but some 10 years ago I had an Alfa 33 with Champions that would be a really fussy starter sometime refusing to start in winter but instantly transformed once I fitted NGK's. An Alfa specialist said this was common phenomenon.

Co-incidence or maybe Champs are less tolerant to some other weakness/fault?

Mr Gazza · 17-09-2017, 04:52 PM

I'm guessing that the Ducati specialist wasn't Carl Harrison in this instance.
Funnily enough we had this very conversation only last week, when I popped by with friends on a T140V and a Commando.
T140V chap kicked it off by complaining about pinking and difficult starting. He runs Champions.
Both Carl and I dived in with NGK's, claiming them to be superior plugs through many years combined experience. Carl even suggested Iridium plugs to my surprise, which he claimed were very good with an enlarged gap. Not tried those myself yet.

We also both recommended the use of premium fuel. Carl says you can tell if an engine has been run on economy stuff as the insides are not so clean and the carbon is a gummy soft kind of deposit. Premium fuels leave a much thinner harder deposit.

I find that I need to change my plugs around the 5/6000 mile mark. The slow running starts to deteriorate and she gets a bit lumpy and hesitant. All is restored to normal when I fit new plugs.
It turns out that 6000 miles is the service life suggested in the Ducati manual.

.... Must change the plugs in the Alfa too..

Dukedesmo · 17-09-2017, 05:41 PM

Champion for the lawnmower, NGK for the bike...

emzedder · 17-09-2017, 07:08 PM

I'll revert to NGK, moment of weakness or something.

I also have performance strokers and never anything other than NGK, have used Iridiums but not really necessary. My hopped-up 250MZ has the same plug from 2009 and has done many track days and road miles!

Fuel quality is interesting factor. A guy I know works at a local garage selling factory new cars spotted a correlation with certain fuelling and engine condition problems and vendors. The problematic cars were predominantly owned by drivers that almost exclusively used Tesco / Asda etc who apparently buy fuel on huge volume spot tonnage based on price. Appears the BS standard advertised on the pump is an absolute minimum and does not necessarily reflect quality. I tend to buy super unleaded and avoid supermarket pumps.

uncle duke · 17-09-2017, 07:20 PM

Always NGK even in my old Triumph (which upsets the old gits at the triumph owners club) but i've had trouble with Champion plugs so they're not for me....

utopia · 18-09-2017, 12:09 AM

I've always used NGKs too.
Don't think I've ever bought anything else, though I've inherited Champions.
Always been good for me.

On Iridiums .. I was sceptical of their benefits but I bought one for the Dommie a while back and was immediately rewarded with smoother low revs running, and perhaps better starting too.
So I put some in the monster .. and got the same results.
Its only marginal mind you, and my results aren't conclusive .. there may well have been contributory factors.
But it was good enough for me to stick with them.

17-09-2017, 03:15 PM	#1
emzedder Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Norwich Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 109	Plugs Refers to my '95 900SS but its same thing barring clothing I guess (oops, could be controversial). While at the Ducati specialist recently was persuaded maybe against my better judgement (through laziness on my part) to fit "Ducati part plugs" which translate into Champion equivalents in a Ducati box and three quid more than anywhere else. Always previously run all my bikes on NGK's including near 70 year old Brits. Since that time she always fouls front on startup. Changed back today to an pre-used 10,000mile NGK and under all test conditions no problem. Maybe I was unlucky but some 10 years ago I had an Alfa 33 with Champions that would be a really fussy starter sometime refusing to start in winter but instantly transformed once I fitted NGK's. An Alfa specialist said this was common phenomenon. Co-incidence or maybe Champs are less tolerant to some other weakness/fault?

17-09-2017, 04:52 PM	#2
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,815	I'm guessing that the Ducati specialist wasn't Carl Harrison in this instance. Funnily enough we had this very conversation only last week, when I popped by with friends on a T140V and a Commando. T140V chap kicked it off by complaining about pinking and difficult starting. He runs Champions. Both Carl and I dived in with NGK's, claiming them to be superior plugs through many years combined experience. Carl even suggested Iridium plugs to my surprise, which he claimed were very good with an enlarged gap. Not tried those myself yet. We also both recommended the use of premium fuel. Carl says you can tell if an engine has been run on economy stuff as the insides are not so clean and the carbon is a gummy soft kind of deposit. Premium fuels leave a much thinner harder deposit. I find that I need to change my plugs around the 5/6000 mile mark. The slow running starts to deteriorate and she gets a bit lumpy and hesitant. All is restored to normal when I fit new plugs. It turns out that 6000 miles is the service life suggested in the Ducati manual. .... Must change the plugs in the Alfa too.. __________________

17-09-2017, 05:41 PM	#3
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,844	Champion for the lawnmower, NGK for the bike... __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II.

17-09-2017, 07:08 PM	#4
emzedder Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Norwich Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 109	I'll revert to NGK, moment of weakness or something. I also have performance strokers and never anything other than NGK, have used Iridiums but not really necessary. My hopped-up 250MZ has the same plug from 2009 and has done many track days and road miles! Fuel quality is interesting factor. A guy I know works at a local garage selling factory new cars spotted a correlation with certain fuelling and engine condition problems and vendors. The problematic cars were predominantly owned by drivers that almost exclusively used Tesco / Asda etc who apparently buy fuel on huge volume spot tonnage based on price. Appears the BS standard advertised on the pump is an absolute minimum and does not necessarily reflect quality. I tend to buy super unleaded and avoid supermarket pumps.

17-09-2017, 07:20 PM	#5
uncle duke Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ipswich Bike: S2r 1000 Posts: 138	Always NGK even in my old Triumph (which upsets the old gits at the triumph owners club) but i've had trouble with Champion plugs so they're not for me....

18-09-2017, 12:09 AM	#6
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	I've always used NGKs too. Don't think I've ever bought anything else, though I've inherited Champions. Always been good for me. On Iridiums .. I was sceptical of their benefits but I bought one for the Dommie a while back and was immediately rewarded with smoother low revs running, and perhaps better starting too. So I put some in the monster .. and got the same results. Its only marginal mind you, and my results aren't conclusive .. there may well have been contributory factors. But it was good enough for me to stick with them.