Any alternative to Expensive RM250 spark plugs?

BRush · Oct 8, 2001

A fellow club member bought an '00 RM 250 for his son. He was telling me about the high cost of the stock spark plug. Apparently the stock ones are twenty-something dollars for just one? Yikes! I said I'd post a question where it might do some good. Does the RM 250 *really* need this pricey plug? Is there a cheaper alternative that works ok with this bike?

Thanks.

Whoops · Oct 8, 2001

BRush,

There is probably an equivalent plug that will work and that will cost way less. Since you didn't say what the plug code is you will have to do the researsh yourself. Try this link to decode the currrent plug. http://www.kaila.net/tl125/tl125ngkcode.html Once you have done that you should be able to identify a plug that is close, but not as pricey.

Greg

dheard4992 · Oct 8, 2001

plug prices

i ran my 99 rm250 on a b8es ngk and it ran fine but i did foul one at start up and may of been due to cheap plug

NO HAND · Oct 8, 2001

I would use the BR8ES instead of the B8ES. because the resistor in the BR one is there to prevent that the sonic waves affect your ignition. That is a cheap plug that will give almost as much performance as the expensive stock ones.

BRush · Oct 8, 2001

Originally posted by Whoops
BRush,

There is probably an equivalent plug that will work and that will cost way less. Since you didn't say what the plug code is you will have to do the research yourself. Try this link to decode the current plug. http://www.kaila.net/tl125/tl125ngkcode.html Once you have done that you should be able to identify a plug that is close, but not as pricey.

Greg

To be honest, If it was my bike I might take the route you suggest. But since it's not, I'll leave all that research up to the owner and his son ( My BR7ES KDX plugs run me $1.59 at Advance Auto Parts :) ). Hopefully an 00 RM250 owner will spot this thread and give us the scoop. I can't believe RM owners are paying those kind of prices for a plug! Thanks.

ps. You might be interested in the NGK page that decodes the part numbers. It has a bit more info on some of the types.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/spark_plugs/partnumberkey.pdf

Hucker · Oct 8, 2001

My manual recommends a BR8EVX plug. At $20 a pop you can bet I'm not using one. I use a BR8ES and haven't fouled one yet...

KDX220rm · Oct 9, 2001

You can get the BR8ES plugs from Advance Auto or O'Reilly for $1.20. The BR8EG (fine wire) can be obtained for $3.25.

I know you can get your plugs for at least 1/2 the price at a automobile shop compared to your m/c supplier.

Mudboy · Oct 9, 2001

I've got the '99 rm250 which has basically the same motor and I've always used the br8es. Never fouled a plug yet--only changed it when I rebuilt my top-end.

MN KDXer · Oct 9, 2001

I've owned a 99 RM125, 01 RM125, and 01 RM250 which all had the infamous $19 spark plug. I swithed every one to a Champion RN3C with good results, in both the engine's running and my wallet's thickness. :)

MRRMX · Oct 10, 2001

I have a 00 RM250. I have not fouled the original plug yet. I carry the br8es as spares if I do have the plug fail.

BRush · Oct 10, 2001

I'll pass the info along. Thanks to everyone who replied.

RM_guy · Oct 10, 2001

This is an email I sent to Big Lou a while ago pertaining to this. In any case, if you’re plug is fouling you need to rejet the carb.

<snip>
I have always wondered about the reason for using the expensive plug. Luckily I never owned a RM that called for it. So I called Eric Gorr for the straight scoop. The expensive plug uses a straight over ground strap as opposed to the bent ground strap on an ES/EV/EG plug. I guess Suzuki stresses the plug quite a bit and the bent strap doesn't hold up as well and breaks off over time. Eric said the 125 had the problem and he didn't think the 250 did. They probably spec the same plug to be on the safe side. Eric did say that ND makes a comparable straight over ground strap plug that is cheaper. The crossover is probably available at their web site.

If you decide to run the ES/EV/EG plug anyway, I'd replace it frequently.

Micahdawg · Oct 10, 2001

I've got a '97 RM 250 and use the B8ES. After about 4 or 5 rides they are junk. I've currently got a BR8ES and only have 3 rides on it so we'll see.

The plug that came with the bike lasted damn near a YEAR! A friend would occasionally ride my bike and load up the plug so bad every time that I would never have thought it would clean up, but even being subjected to this it lasted. I threw that plug away without checking what it was, but if it's the $20 plug....it's WELL worth it.

Anyway, I'm stuck fouling these damn NGK's.

Micah

a454elk · Oct 10, 2001

BR8ES is what I run, 01 RM250. I also bought some of the Bosch platinums at 6 bones a pop, I've never fouled one yet. Stock is not necessary but the resistor is a must as to not interfere with the ignition box.

Hogwylde · Oct 10, 2001

Hey ELK,

What's the Bosch Plainum plug number that's the equilivent to the NGK BR8ES?? I've not been able to find a cross-over guide for NGK to the Bosch Platinum.

MRRMX · Oct 11, 2001

I recall reading a tech rag on cars, That had an atricle on platinum plugs needing a higher voltage to fire across the air gap. The problem was the old style plug were lasting less than 30,000 miles due to the high ignition voltage the newer cars use. Most plugs was at half life before 15,000 miles. Problem being that the emissions was up at 15,000 miles and would not pass the EPA specs for the model years manufactured. Thats why the auto industery went to the platinum plugs. Wonder if that makes them easier to foul in a two stroke motor.

a454elk · Oct 11, 2001

Not sure on the easy fouling, I haven't had that happen yet. Hog, I'll get that when I get home today, I'm at work now. If I can break away, I'll shoot home and retrieve it for you. Can't remember off the top of my head.
Elk

smarttoys · Oct 12, 2001

I don't know where you guys are finding BR8EVX plugs for $20. I've been able to get them for about $8-10. I've never really liked B8ES or BR8ES plugs. If I don't run the BR8EVX plug I will run a BR8EV and I've never fouled a plug on any bike I've owned.

simon1 · Oct 13, 2001

my suzuki dealer tells me by running the cheaper br8es plugs the cdi unit will break! i am still on the original plug and the bikes running great.:)

NO HAND · Oct 14, 2001

Your dealer is right that you risk hurting the cdi with the b8es because that plug has no resistor. He is not right however sayin that the BR8ES is not as safe as the original plug. The R stands for resistor ant that takes care of filtering sonic waves that could affect your cdi.

MRRMX · Oct 14, 2001

Originally posted by smarttoys
I don't know where you guys are finding BR8EVX plugs for $20. I've been able to get them for about $8-10. I've never really liked B8ES or BR8ES plugs. If I don't run the BR8EVX plug I will run a BR8EV and I've never fouled a plug on any bike I've owned.

My RM 250 2000 came with a NGK R6918B-7 Thats the 20.00 plug

Any alternative to Expensive RM250 spark plugs?

BRush

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