sparking plugs

[chiz]

Howdy folks
   Have not posted on here for some time.... once I changed the wheels brakes shock air filters and a few odds and sods my FJ turned out to be a surprising motorcycle in the good sense. I guess I could go on tinkering for ever with suspension etc etc forever but I'm good, would like to have a working 2nd gear though.
  Anyway to the point. The internet is full of statements that the engineers and the makers designed the vehicle ignitions around specific spark plugs and alternate more modern plugs are not ideal with the likes of the platinum's palladium's and other um's.
This makes basic sense to me and would like some feedback on this and what you guy's think, maybe the newer plugs are creating a kind of placebo effect.
Regards Chiz

[Arnie]

The "new" iridium plugs were designed for extreme long life and resistance to fouling.
This is so that they can be factory installed and not need replacement for 100,000 miles while still meeting EPA regs.  This also allowed the manufacturers to make R&R of the plugs a more time consuming procedure as its not done often - frequently never by the original purchaser.
The finer center electrode and multiple grounds of many of these plugs does give you a more reliable spark that is less likely to misfire.  This feature might be important to you if you have ultra-high compression, race for big bucks or pink slips, or have a marginal ignition system.  They also cost 2-3 times the price of normal plugs.

For most of us, I'd say they are unnecessary.  We change plugs much more frequently than the 100K mile interval, have a good reliable ignition, run compression ratios of under 11:1, and don't ever have our bikes EPA sniffed.

But, if you feel that only the best will do for your baby, go for it.  And, put the decal advertising your use proudly and prominently so we'll all know how good you are to your bike. 

There are also some gold and platinum electrode plugs available at even more $$.  They are intended to provide a more reliable spark in difficult conditions, usually racing.  They are not intended for extreme long life use.

[MOTOMYSZOR]

Problem with iridium / platinum spark plugs is that, they have different impact on different engines.

After I bought my car (1.4 petrol) I changed almost new (as previous owner assured me and visual inspection confirmed) standard spark plugs for NGK iridium.
I was amazed how significant difference I could feel. In my opinion it was well worth of extra $$. And even my wife noticed that car drives better.

In my FJ I have standard plugs..... I definitely will swap to iridium when the time will come.

[chiz]

OK so I guess what is being said is that regardless of what is being said about ignition systems being designed with a particular plug in mind by later day car and bike engineers the newer plugs work better in these older vehicles? which is basically contrary yo what I read on the net.

Never the less I have been told that my ancient Yam triple will have strain eased on the primitive ignition if I uses fine wire plugs. Does this sound like a reasonable statement?
Chiz

[Arnie]

Chiz asked, "Never the less I have been told that my ancient Yam triple will have strain eased on the primitive ignition if I uses fine wire plugs. Does this sound like a reasonable statement?"

Strain?  What strain?  Your points/coil ignition provides a given voltage/current to try to cause a spark.  Its not like you're trying to shit a brick and straining to get it out.  In normal conditions with fresh(ish) plugs, they'll both (std v fine electrode) ignite the mixture.  In marginal conditions, or after 10+ thousand miles on the plugs and since you adjusted the points gap, the fancy plugs may be better at sparking. 
IOW the iridium/platinum/gold plugs take less voltage to create a spark.