Swapped Hawk 250 Stock Spark Plug for NGK Iridium

Johnp · 05-09-2016, 01:35 PM

Hey guys, just a tip. Today I swapped out the cheap stock plug for an NGK Iridium DPR8EIX-9.

Here's the link on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1T7lR3L

Without making any other modifications or changing any settings I can report that as soon as I fired up the bike I immediately noticed a difference. The engine sounded better, and from the first time I rolled on the throttle I could feel a big difference in power delivery.

The throttle became much more responsive and it felt like there was more immediate torque.

I had my friend (a pro dirt bike rider) give it a whirl, and he reported feeling the same thing. Also, another friend said it sounded different. So I've got a high degree of confidence in suggesting that everyone spend the $9 and swap that stock plug ASAP.

kohburn · 05-09-2016, 01:40 PM

looks like when you did the swap you increased the spark gap. that alone could account for a change in sound and feel.

I have no qualms about replacing a cheap plug though. I once had the core blow out of a plug while driving down the road, sounded pretty strange and getting a ride to the store to replace a sparkplug in my work parking lot was no fun.

BlackBike · 05-09-2016, 01:54 PM

johnp... the gap does look different from the photo, but i'm with ya, wouldn't hurt for $9. i have a ngk already but was planning for the next plug to be ngk ir after a year or so use. THANKS FOR THE REPORT !!!

PS. i was planning to take another look at those cool side boxes you got

2LZ · 05-09-2016, 04:45 PM

I have that plug in Q. Works good. I still come from the old school two stroke mentality though...I just don't want it to foul! Whether it made an actual running difference, I'm not sure. I hear they're supposed to last a really long time though.

Azhule · 05-09-2016, 05:08 PM

One of the best 'mods' anyone can do... ditch those Copper Core Spark Plugs

I quickly ditched mine for a Denso Iridium 5372 (I think was the number)... reason I got Denso over the NGK... it only cost me $5 or $6 to get one shipped to my front door

Rock Auto Parts wins again

pistolclass · 05-09-2016, 06:51 PM

9 bucks!! that is highway robbery. We are china riders... we dont spend no stinkin 9 dollars on anything. I recommend you find a piece of scrap copper and a chunk of broke porcelain preferably from a broke toilet and make your own.

Just kidding.

Entropy · 05-09-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnp

Hey guys, just a tip. Today I swapped out the cheap stock plug for an NGK Iridium DPR8EIX-9.

Here's the link on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1T7lR3L

Without making any other modifications or changing any settings I can report that as soon as I fired up the bike I immediately noticed a difference. The engine sounded better, and from the first time I rolled on the throttle I could feel a big difference in power delivery.

The throttle became much more responsive and it felt like there was more immediate torque.

I had my friend (a pro dirt bike rider) give it a whirl, and he reported feeling the same thing. Also, another friend said it sounded different. So I've got a high degree of confidence in suggesting that everyone spend the $9 and swap that stock plug ASAP.

Is that the gap it came with stock? Would you mind measuring it? It'd be interesting to know if the original spark plug where gapped the same if there would be any improvement...

BlackBike · 05-10-2016, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolclass

9 bucks!! that is highway robbery. We are china riders... we dont spend no stinkin 9 dollars on anything. I recommend you find a piece of scrap copper and a chunk of broke porcelain preferably from a broke toilet and make your own.

Just kidding.

i got it, i laughed , i liked it

rtking · 05-10-2016, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolclass

9 bucks!! that is highway robbery. We are china riders... we dont spend no stinkin 9 dollars on anything. I recommend you find a piece of scrap copper and a chunk of broke porcelain preferably from a broke toilet and make your own.

Just kidding.

ROTFLMAO!

Johnp · 05-10-2016, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entropy

Is that the gap it came with stock? Would you mind measuring it? It'd be interesting to know if the original spark plug where gapped the same if there would be any improvement...

I did leave the gap stock on the Iridium plug. The Hawk says that the acceptable gap is between .6 - .8mm. And there is a visible difference between the two, but not quite as much as the photo seems to appear. :-) Still, I didn't have my gapper with me when I put it in, so I just shoved it in there and considered myself lucky.

HOWEVER, tomorrow I'll bring my gapper and measure both plugs and report back with the exact details...

Johnp · 05-11-2016, 04:19 PM

Ok, pulled out the gapper today and measured as follows:

Stock spark plug: .64mm
Iridium spark plug: .8mm

Also of note, the stock plug you see in the photo was changed after only 6 miles. I just pulled the Iridium plug with the bike at 27 miles and it's still nice and clean. So I don't know what all of that fouling says about the stock plug. Maybe someone smarter than me can comment...

kohburn · 05-12-2016, 07:26 AM

fouling could just be from break in

it might have felt better with a larger gap on the stock plug, but the NGK is still a better choice.

newrider93 · 06-07-2016, 05:49 PM

Just wanted to see what you guys think. Too rich? Too lean?

newrider93 · 06-07-2016, 06:02 PM

Also when I give the bike gas to accelerate it seems to bog down and hesitate on takeoff. I have a 20 pilot jet, do I need to go to a larger one? Currently running a 110 main which is doing great.

kd2dxf · 06-07-2016, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnp

Hey guys, just a tip. Today I swapped out the cheap stock plug for an NGK Iridium DPR8EIX-9.

Here's the link on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1T7lR3L

Without making any other modifications or changing any settings I can report that as soon as I fired up the bike I immediately noticed a difference. The engine sounded better, and from the first time I rolled on the throttle I could feel a big difference in power delivery.

The throttle became much more responsive and it felt like there was more immediate torque.

I had my friend (a pro dirt bike rider) give it a whirl, and he reported feeling the same thing. Also, another friend said it sounded different. So I've got a high degree of confidence in suggesting that everyone spend the $9 and swap that stock plug ASAP.

You got the wrong plug. I made this mistake. You should have got the NGK DR8EIX. Here is a pic of the right one

05-09-2016, 01:35 PM	#1
Johnp Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	Swapped Hawk 250 Stock Spark Plug for NGK Iridium Hey guys, just a tip. Today I swapped out the cheap stock plug for an NGK Iridium DPR8EIX-9. Here's the link on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1T7lR3L Without making any other modifications or changing any settings I can report that as soon as I fired up the bike I immediately noticed a difference. The engine sounded better, and from the first time I rolled on the throttle I could feel a big difference in power delivery. The throttle became much more responsive and it felt like there was more immediate torque. I had my friend (a pro dirt bike rider) give it a whirl, and he reported feeling the same thing. Also, another friend said it sounded different. So I've got a high degree of confidence in suggesting that everyone spend the $9 and swap that stock plug ASAP. __________________ John P. 2016 Hawk 250 - Black All my mods are documented on my Blog! My Blog \| Google+ \| Twitter \| Facebook
	2

05-09-2016, 01:40 PM	#2
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	looks like when you did the swap you increased the spark gap. that alone could account for a change in sound and feel. I have no qualms about replacing a cheap plug though. I once had the core blow out of a plug while driving down the road, sounded pretty strange and getting a ride to the store to replace a sparkplug in my work parking lot was no fun. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
	1

05-09-2016, 01:54 PM	#3
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	johnp... the gap does look different from the photo, but i'm with ya, wouldn't hurt for $9. i have a ngk already but was planning for the next plug to be ngk ir after a year or so use. THANKS FOR THE REPORT !!! PS. i was planning to take another look at those cool side boxes you got __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	1

05-09-2016, 04:45 PM	#4
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,081	I have that plug in Q. Works good. I still come from the old school two stroke mentality though...I just don't want it to foul! Whether it made an actual running difference, I'm not sure. I hear they're supposed to last a really long time though. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	1

05-09-2016, 05:08 PM	#5
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	One of the best 'mods' anyone can do... ditch those Copper Core Spark Plugs I quickly ditched mine for a Denso Iridium 5372 (I think was the number)... reason I got Denso over the NGK... it only cost me $5 or $6 to get one shipped to my front door Rock Auto Parts wins again __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
	1

05-09-2016, 06:51 PM	#6
pistolclass Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: connecticut Posts: 978	9 bucks!! that is highway robbery. We are china riders... we dont spend no stinkin 9 dollars on anything. I recommend you find a piece of scrap copper and a chunk of broke porcelain preferably from a broke toilet and make your own. Just kidding.
	8

05-11-2016, 04:19 PM	#11
Johnp Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	Ok, pulled out the gapper today and measured as follows: Stock spark plug: .64mm Iridium spark plug: .8mm Also of note, the stock plug you see in the photo was changed after only 6 miles. I just pulled the Iridium plug with the bike at 27 miles and it's still nice and clean. So I don't know what all of that fouling says about the stock plug. Maybe someone smarter than me can comment... __________________ John P. 2016 Hawk 250 - Black All my mods are documented on my Blog! My Blog \| Google+ \| Twitter \| Facebook
	0

05-12-2016, 07:26 AM	#12
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	fouling could just be from break in it might have felt better with a larger gap on the stock plug, but the NGK is still a better choice. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
	0

06-07-2016, 06:02 PM	#14
newrider93 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Missouri USA Posts: 164	Also when I give the bike gas to accelerate it seems to bog down and hesitate on takeoff. I have a 20 pilot jet, do I need to go to a larger one? Currently running a 110 main which is doing great. __________________ My YouTube channel where you can check out my hawk and other cool stuff: https://www.youtube.com/c/Andrew93 newrider93 AKA Andrew93
	0