Spark plug change interval

[Supermofo]

Off the back of needing my Suzuki serviced and me wanting to keep remainder of warranty. In the service schedule Suzuki say new spark plugs every 7500 miles or 12 months Surely that's just a money making thing, can spark plugs need changing every 12 months regardless of miles???

In the past of the bikes I've owned plugs are usually mileage based and usually more than 7500 miles. The 690 had 6k mile plug changes (2 of them on a single) but that struck me as a money making thing too and at least dealers would say don't change them before 6k.

I'm not changing mine as the bike has only done 3k miles and IMO that's a bit nuts but is there a reason beyond money?

In comparison my car has plug intervals of 75,000. I know it revs less but the GSXS doesn't rev 10X as much.

[roadster]

Personally I would examine them and rely on my own judgement. If they are resistive types I would also measure the resistance and check that they all match. The advantage of being able to compare them side by side is that any problem would usually be obvious.

[KungFooBob]

The plugs in your car will be iridium ones, they're rated for a much longer life span, they're also quite expensive compared to traditional plugs.

I guess Suzuki used the cheap plugs and you have to change them more often.

Swings and roundabouts, innit.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I don't know, my GSXS felt a lot nicer after it's 15000 mile service which included plugs, I've no idea how old the ones in my FZ750 are, I wouldn't be surprised if they're 30 years old and done 50000 miles, they're a barstard to get at to change. The car ones have been in it at least 30000 miles, as that's how long I've had it.

With the GSXS I really can't be arsed with working on it, everything is fiddly and small, and involves removing a load of stuff to get to anything, so I'll be paying my local Suzuki dealers to service it.

[Skub]

17k on the Zed,which still has the o/e plugs. I'll change them for iridium this Winter with whatever miles I have on by then.

ZX10R had 34k on before I changed the plugs. If you like fiddling,maybe they should be done earlier than my example,but both bikes ran fine.

[Yorick]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

[dern]

I'll pull them during servicing occasionally to see how they're doing but I won't change them unless they look past their best. Even new ones fail so I'd rather have plugs in there that work at the moment than swap for a new one that could have a fault unless the old one is definitely knackered.

I'll carry a spare on a single like my drz but you'll generally get home on a failing plug.

[Dodgy69]

If bike runs fine, plugs are fine.

[Supermofo]

The plugs in your car will be iridium ones, they're rated for a much longer life span, they're also quite expensive compared to traditional plugs.

I guess Suzuki used the cheap plugs and you have to change them more often.

Swings and roundabouts, innit.

Nope, these are the Suzuki OE ones and they are iridium. Hence me wondering at the short service life. And me thinking bollocks to changing them at 3k miles.
https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/suzuki/gsx ... gk_iridium

[Supermofo]

If bike runs fine, plugs are fine.

Kinda my thoughts. TBH I'll probably change them at say 15k but not at 3k.

[ChrisW]

An annual plug change seems daft - they're not timing belts (even they last longer)! I'd be going by mileage too.

[Demannu]

Fwiw, my xsr is check at 7k.
So I did, all in spec.
Had to sync the throttle bodies though.

[ZRX61]

ZRX11 is on it's 2nd set of plugs at 122,173 miles.

[Taipan]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

[Supermofo]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

Possible I guess. But wouldn't my car be the same?

[Taipan]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

Possible I guess. But wouldn't my car be the same?

Good point and I don't know the answer, cos they should if cars run as lean as bikes?

[Skub]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

Change the Duc's plugs around every third wash,or so.

[Taipan]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

Change the Duc's plugs around every third wash,or so.

Money Saving Expert! I like it!

[Bustaspoke]

My Street Triple's only done 8500 miles & developed a low speed stutter recently.I think it's the plugs.
They're a PITA to access so for the first time in my life it's getting done by someone else

[Taipan]

Bikes run so lean and hot, that the plugs electrode probably gets burned away quicker than on older bikes, hence the recommendation to change them at smaller intervals.

Change the Duc's plugs around every third wash,or so.

Yeah, like i'll have it that long!