Posted by Tim on November 19, 2001 at 04:20:46:
In Reply to: Re: Pulg heat range posted by INTRUDN on November 12, 2001 at 22:13:41:
I've gone to a one-step hotter plug in my 96. OEM stocker is a DPR-8EA-9, but because of similar problems with my bike the DPR-7EA-9 works much better. Hotter and colder plugs have to do with the heat transfer out of the cylinder head after combustion. The spark is the same, just different porcelain insulator sizes which dissipate or trap heat. Believe it or not, the spark plug plays a major part in keeping engines in their proper heat ranges and working like they should.
I think the newer hotter plug I'm using allows the motor to warm up and stay at a better temp, hence less trouble in cold weather. Even in hot weather, the newer plug made amazing performance difference in startup/choke problems and acceleration, etc.
When removed, the hotter plug looks tannish with no fouling, unlike my older OEM plug that came out blackened.
Give it a shot with a hotter plug, and, as stated in your followups, one heat range won't do any harm or overheat your engine to the point of burning valves and such.