They play an important role in a motorcycle because they are primarily responsible for starting it. On the one hand, they ignite the air-fuel mixture and, on the other, they dissipate heat from the combustion chamber.
Spark plugs not only provide the spark but also extract heat energy from the combustion chamber to the engine's cooling system. That's why it's important for them to have a good thermal range, an indicator of their heat dissipation capacity, which depends on several factors, including the length of the ceramic center insulator and the material of the center electrode.
Spark plugs are an indicator of the engine's condition
Many engine problems can be detected early by simply checking the condition of the spark plugs. In fact, if you notice your motorcycle losing power, starting hard, or jerking, you should check the condition of the spark plugs.
When a spark plug is working properly, its tip is usually covered in brown and/or grayish deposits, but it's free of oil and carbon. However, if you only use your motorcycle for short trips, the combustion chamber temperature may not reach the level necessary for the spark plugs to clean themselves, so they'll appear black, as if they've burned out.
However, when the insulator and electrodes are covered with whitish scale, it's usually due to oil leakage through the piston or poor-quality gasoline, which generates residue that solidifies on the spark plug. In this case, you'll notice the engine misfiring when operating at high speeds.
If you see melted electrodes, it could indicate that the spark plug has overheated, the cooling system is not working properly, or there are areas of overheating in the combustion chamber.
When is it necessary to change the spark plugs?
Spark plugs are exposed to electroerosion, which causes electrode wear and increases the spark gap. This means the spark plug will need a higher voltage to cover that gap, and therefore the motorcycle will lose power when accelerating and waste fuel.
Obviously, high-quality spark plugs will last longer, in some cases up to twice as long. However, the quality of the fuel you use and your riding style also play a role. Even so, it's usual to change spark plugs every 30,000 kilometers, although it's always best to check your motorcycle's maintenance booklet, as each brand is different, and some spark plugs can last up to 60,000 kilometers.
In any case, if you notice an electrical fault or the spark plugs become oily, you'll need to replace them immediately. But don't worry, we have a wide range of spark plugs, from different brands and at different prices, so you can easily change them according to your needs. Browse our options on our website or contact us via WhatsApp if you need personalized advice.
