NGK vs Champion

[He Man]

In my old bike (carbed 944) There was a big difference between NGK and Champion.

On my Monster ive never had anything but NGK. Any differences? Id have to order NGK online and it ends up being almost $5 per a plug, meanwhile champions are cheap and id just have to ride my bicycle to go get them...

Im looking on ebay and amazon to buy like a 20 pakc or something (DS1000motors...whos great idea was it to run4 plugs?)

[ducatiz]

Every time I bring up Champion plugs, people sneer.

NGKs are top quality for sure, but no one has explained why they are garbage, except for random stuff.. a few "my bike ran worse" etc

the older Pantahs and mid80s bikes all specified Champion plugs.. even the race bikes, F1, SantaMonica, etc

[ian48th]

I didn't notice a difference when switching from Champion to NGK (one guy's casual observation).  The Champions ARE the "recommended" plugs, so why not use them?  Especially if doing so saves you money.

[He Man]

Alright, Champion it is, todays menu includes Oil/clutch/brake fluid change, Spark plugs and chain maintence and checking the valve clearances (those MBP Collets better be worth the money and time!!

[Howie]

If you select NGKs make sure you get the ones with the part# 4339 since you need the ones with removable terminal caps.  Cycle Therapy keeps them in stock.  I'm sure you could get there by bicycle.  As far as price goes, the last time I bought from them the plugs were $3.something a plug.  Chris Kelley is now charging $3.99.  
Anyway, back to the NGK Champion debate.  I agree with ducatiz that, at least visually, NGK are better quality.  Which will work better in your bike?  Dunno.  NGKs work much better in my bike.  Back when I was wrenching on BMW cars in the '70s all the BMWs ran better with Bosch than Champions with one exception.  The 2002 tii liked Champs much better.  None liked the Behrus.  Fact of the matter is there are slight difference between heat ranges from one manufacturer to the other even though they claim to be equivalent.  I would stay with the NGKs if your bike likes them.  Why mess with a good thing?  Just an opinion here.  $8 or so more for the plugs you want?  $0.0013333333333333 a mile.  Not a lot of money.

I didn't notice a difference when switching from Champion to NGK (one guy's casual observation).  The Champions ARE the "recommended" plugs, so why not use them?  Especially if doing so saves you money.

Ducati changed from recommending champs to allowing both but preferring champs to allowing both but preferring NGK over the years.  Sometimes factory recommendation has to do with sponsorship or other agreements, such as Ducati and Shell.  See if you can find a Duc dealer in the US that carries Shell Advance Ultra 4 in the US.

[He Man]

Champion plugs are cheap, but sometimes price does not reflect quality. Kinda like the oil filter debate. with all things being the same between K&N and Hiflo Filtro, the cheaper option is just as good.... I will check out cycle therapy and see if they ahve any NGK. I dont feel like changing to champion since ive had bad experiences in my other bike, but wanted to see if it was just the bike. In the long run if the champions still suck, id be spending more money...


Sidestory:

I bought some plugs from Ducati Soho once, they wanted $8.99 per a plug ( regular) i was desperate for NGKs at the time and picked 2 up. they gave me the wrong ones and wouldn't take a return.

[ducatiz]

Reason #9568 they are out of business.

[He Man]

Auto zone wants $5.50 Cycle Therapy wants $4.50, ebay wants $2.40 each if i buy 8 (after shipping is evaulated).

So i went with the obvious choice and bought 8 of them. it sells for 3.99 everywhere else (Monsterparts is +$1 for the for the 8E version)

i got the DCPR8E 4339.

Just got to wait for them to come now and try not to be embarassed when my bike cuts out when i take off.

[RYLARK09]

 F.Y.I. NAPA sells the NGK #4339 for $3.22

[He Man]

wish i had known that. There is 1 napa store around me, but thye hardley ever carry anything so i never check it.

[battlecry]

Some of the ones around here can get your parts in by 3 if you order them in the morning.

[Latinbalar]

I put in the Diamond fire E3 on the monster and it runs no different.  It starts a bit better when cold and idles smoother but that could be the Lucas fuel cleaner i put in as well.