www.CVOHARLEY.com

Custom Vehicle Discussions => CVO™ Softail® Convertible => Topic started by: porkypig on January 11, 2010, 02:49:27 PM

Title: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: porkypig on January 11, 2010, 02:49:27 PM
Has anybody changed their standard issue plugs for the SE plug?  Is there anything else involved other than making sure they are gapped correctly and torqued correctly?
At $15 a pair, I thought it might make a difference in how it runs.  Was surprised when the bike came with standard plugs.    :nixweiss:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Fired00d on January 11, 2010, 02:53:03 PM
Have used the SE plugs before and saw no difference... save your money, change regular plugs more often, and get you some chrome with the money you'll save.

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Talon on January 11, 2010, 03:01:00 PM
There's been a lot said about this subject, do a search on spark plugs on this site you'll get a few hits. The bottom line on plugs has been summed, it depends hoe frequently you change your plugs. Platinum helps protect against wear, a sharp edge provides the best spark. So if you rarely change your plugs 30,000-50,000 miles then platinum would help, but if you do like many with motorcycles, they change out every 4000-6000 miles, then the platinum isn't really helping. There are a lot of claims by plug manufactures that they can give you big boost in power and economy, but like said before, if the claims were true, every motorcycle, car and truck would be running them.

Craig
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: DICKW on January 11, 2010, 03:06:02 PM
I thought it might make a difference in how it runs.  Was surprised when the bike came with standard plugs.    :nixweiss:

Just because they cost more don't think you'll get any better performance......... just saying.  :nixweiss:

Save your money they get changed evry 5k anyway, just carry an extraset with you.....just because you can.

Someone else around this site can spend all the money you want............. :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: faceracer on January 11, 2010, 03:13:16 PM
Has anybody changed their standard issue plugs for the SE plug?  Is there anything else involved other than making sure they are gapped correctly and torqued correctly?
At $15 a pair, I thought it might make a difference in how it runs.  Was surprised when the bike came with standard plugs.    :nixweiss:

Here is another thread were I was asking about E3 plugs. Thought you might like to read it! :2vrolijk_21:

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=40899.msg653910#msg653910
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: porkypig on January 11, 2010, 03:18:01 PM
Well, coming from those that should know, maybe I will use up the 2 sets I have now and then just revert back to the standard plug.  thought SE plugs might be something new and updated but sounds like not.  Ain't that just the way!  I have been replacing my plugs every 5000 miles for the last several years because for 5-6 bucks, you're ensuring that your ride can't be defeated because you were trying to squeeze 50,000 miles out of a pair of plugs.  Gotcha!  And yes, I do carry an extra set at all times.
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: DICKW on January 11, 2010, 03:24:19 PM
I have been replacing my plugs every 5000 miles for the last several years because for 5-6 bucks, you're ensuring that your ride can't be defeated because you were trying to squeeze 50,000 miles out of a pair of plugs.  Gotcha!  And yes, I do carry an extra set at all times.

I won't speak for everybody, but I would presume most of the people here feel the same way.
Preventive Maintenance is always better then Reactive Maintenance.....  :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: moscooter on January 11, 2010, 06:10:33 PM
 ::)

You know I am one to agree pretty much with preventative maintenance and staying ahead of potential failures of parts.   But,  what I'm seeing here (in terms of replacing spark plugs and the frequency),  is a "carry-over" from the days of carbs........

Many of us have had the S&S carbs or others that could easily flood out and snuff a plug.   When it finally dried out,  the cylinder went off like a shotgun!!!!!!!   Todays EFI systems are much easier on plugs and in my opinion changing them out with any real degree of frequency/miles/etc.  is mostly a waste of time and money. :drink:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Hoist! on January 11, 2010, 06:16:27 PM
::)

You know I am one to agree pretty much with preventative maintenance and staying ahead of potential failures of parts.   But,  what I'm seeing here (in terms of replacing spark plugs and the frequency),  is a "carry-over" from the days of carbs........

Many of us have had the S&S carbs or others that could easily flood out and snuff a plug.   When it finally dried out,  the cylinder went off like a shotgun!!!!!!!   Todays EFI systems are much easier on plugs and in my opinion changing them out with any real degree of frequency/miles/etc.  is mostly a waste of time and money. :drink:

Agree, but cheap enough. I use regular HD plugs. Tried others including SE's and the only ones that were NEVER a problem were regular HD plugs and Champions (who I believe makes HD plugs). I'll never waste my time on anything else again. And I change em in the beginning of each season, or 20K, whichever comes first during normal operation each year. ;)

Hoist! :coolblue:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: DICKW on January 11, 2010, 06:20:40 PM
Hell, I know some people that say the best money spent every year is on a New Battery.

Spark plugs are nothing to purchase, they cost as much as a pack pf smokes or 2 beers. Just saying  :nixweiss:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Hoist! on January 11, 2010, 06:27:12 PM
Hell, I know some people that say the best money spent every year is on a New Battery.

Spark plugs are nothing to purchase, they cost as much as a pack pf smokes or 2 beers. Just saying  :nixweiss:

I used to agree with that, but now that I keep em on a BT, I change batteries every 2 years, REGARDLESS!!! ;)

Hoist! :coolblue:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: DICKW on January 11, 2010, 06:44:40 PM
I used to agree with that, but now that I keep em on a BT, I change batteries every 2 years, REGARDLESS!!! ;)

Hoist! :coolblue:

Worth every penny.  :2vrolijk_21:

Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Fired00d on January 11, 2010, 06:52:51 PM
Worth every penny.  :2vrolijk_21:


They sure are :2vrolijk_21:... have had one on my :pumpkin: since I brought it home... still the original battery... which will be six years old 7/1/10... Guess it's about time to get a new battery. :nixweiss: ;D

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: HOGMIKE on January 11, 2010, 06:54:33 PM
Hell, I know some people that say the best money spent every year is on a New Battery.

Spark plugs are nothing to purchase, they cost as much as a pack pf smokes or 2 beers. Just saying  :nixweiss:

Let's see.............."beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............"beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............"beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............"beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............"beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............"beer" "sparkplugs", "sparkplugs", "beer"............

Decisions, decisions.

 ;D
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Chains on January 11, 2010, 07:09:26 PM
Gave up carrying spare plugs when I got away from carbs, as far as changer frequency I would say once a season, depends on the milage.  I have never had a plug failure on a EFI bike.
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: moscooter on January 11, 2010, 09:36:25 PM
They sure are :2vrolijk_21:... have had one on my :pumpkin: since I brought it home... still the original battery... which will be six years old 7/1/10... Guess it's about time to get a new battery. :nixweiss: ;D

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
:cherry:
I also agree with the Battery Tender usage,  but you are absolutely RIGHT ON to invest in a new battery going on six years.   Hoist is doing it too frequently,  I can tell ya that you are lucky, lucky to get beyond 5 yrs on a battery without a problem..........BT usage or not!!!     (Don't ask me how I know that!!!!!!)
Title: Re: SE platinum spark plugs?
Post by: Fired00d on January 12, 2010, 07:14:26 AM
:cherry:
I also agree with the Battery Tender usage,  but you are absolutely RIGHT ON to invest in a new battery going on six years.   Hoist is doing it too frequently,  I can tell ya that you are lucky, lucky to get beyond 5 yrs on a battery without a problem..........BT usage or not!!!     (Don't ask me how I know that!!!!!!)
I guess I'm just a thrillseeker.... I've been running into burning buildings for the last 27 years when everyone else was running out. :huepfenlol2: :huepfenlol2:

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman: