Hotter Spark Plug?
 

Running a 2002 ec 300 with a full Dep system, powervalve spacer, 0-500ft.

In normal operation the bike runs strong with no bogging and hesitation, and very rarely fouls a plug, however did a enduro at the weekend and was running in 2nd 3rd most of the time rarely getting into the powerband, and i must of gone through 8 plugs in the 3hr race! Spoke to my mate after who is rides a rm 250 and he didnt have a problem at all , but mentioned that he was running a hotter plug just for that race as he knew it would be rutty and slow.

So my question is can we run a hotter plug in our bikes or is it not an option? would it be better to change the jetting for the race?

For the past few months I have been running a BR7ES which is 1 step hotter than the standard BR8ES. I tried this to see if I could get rid of the slight fouling/hesitation that occurred when winding open the throttle after a patch of slow running. The result is some improvement but the hesitation is not entirely gone. I have not had any bad effects.

I started now run enduro after one summer of mx on my Gasser.
First times I opened wide and to the powerband, it started bogging and didn't take rpm. So I opened the air screw from carburetor for 1/2 turns and it helped pretty much. I've also thouht about a iridium plug. It should maybe help bogging.

A hotter plug is fine unless you run wide open throttle alot.

Thanks for the answers guys going to buy some Br7's and some Br6's and have a bit of a play to see what the difference is.
Will let you know how i get on.:)

plug
 

I switched to a 6es after a plug foul about 2 years ago, I still run on the same plug. About 4000 km without a problem. Hope this helps

So if I run mx, I would be able to go for a BR9 plug to run engine cooler?

I have no problem with a BR8EIX,in my 08 and I ride tech stuff with a lot of bogging around. plug has good tan color
I think your jetting is off and a hotter plug is not the way to remedy that.
You may try a different needle like a cck, or start by dropping the needle that's in there see if it cleans up some....if so and you run out of clip positions then a leaner main jet may next.

I just tried a BR8EIX for this season. We will see if it's worth the $. I only use one a year so it's not really an issue.

I agree with above though, a different plug is not the way to address jetting issues. Work on your jetting to solve the issue.

Check your float level, these bikes are known to foul plugs if it gets off just a bit. I think part of the problem is the carb is hard to keep level as the tank wants to twist it to one side. Drop your float level just a tad and see what happens before you change plugs. My sons 250 would foul his plug every time he went down a long hill. No problems at all now. Whatever you do I wouldn't go past a 7, starts getting risky. If its jetted right it won't need anything but an 8. Don't compensate one problem and create another. :D