Performance Guides
Best Iridium Spark Plug for Your Bike (2026): NGK vs NGage, by Model
The best iridium spark plugs for your bike in 2026: NGK Iridium IX and NGage Double Iridium, whether they are worth it, and the right plug for your model.
The best iridium spark plugs for bikes in India in 2026 are the NGK Iridium IX range and the NGage Double Iridium range, from ₹515 for a single plug. An iridium plug uses a very fine centre electrode that fires a stronger, more focused spark and needs less voltage to do it, so cold starts are easier, idle is steadier and the plug lasts far longer than an ordinary nickel one. What matters is fitting the exact plug your engine was designed for, in the right heat range, in the right quantity. This guide lists the correct plug for every model we stock, explains how to read a plug code, and shows you which bikes need more than one.
A note on prices: every price below was current when this guide was last updated. Spark plug MRP moves from time to time, and our selling price moves with it, so treat the product page as the final word rather than this page.
You can browse every iridium spark plug we stock while you read.
NGK or NGage: which brand should you buy?
Two brands lead the Indian market, and both are genuine iridium. They are not really competitors so much as two different answers.
| Brand | Range | Construction | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGK | Iridium IX, Laser Iridium | Iridium centre electrode, nickel ground electrode | The original-equipment standard. The widest fitment range by far, and the only option for older and commuter bikes. | ₹515 to ₹905 |
| NGage | Double Iridium | Precious-metal tip on both the centre and the ground electrode | Modern performance bikes. Fewer part numbers, but each one is model-specific and made in Japan. | ₹899 |
If your bike appears in both columns below, either is a sound choice. NGK is the safer pick if you want to match factory specification exactly. NGage is the pick if you want the longer-wearing double-iridium electrode and your model is on their list.
Find the right iridium plug for your bike
Every plug below links to its own product page with current stock and price. Where a bike takes more than one plug, the quantity column tells you how many.
Royal Enfield
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic 350, Bullet 350, Meteor 350, Hunter 350, Goan Classic 350 (J-platform, 2021 onward) | NGage DH7RTII-8 | 1 | ₹899 |
| UCE twin-spark 350 and 500 (BS3 and BS4): Thunderbird 350 and 500, Classic, Bullet, Electra | NGK BPR5EIX + CPR6EAIX-9S kit | 2, different parts | ₹1,730 |
| Single-plug UCE: Classic 350 and Bullet 350 BS6, 500s BS4, Continental GT 535 | NGK BPR5EIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| Himalayan 411, Scram 411 | NGK CR7EIX or NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹865 / ₹899 |
| Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, Super Meteor 650 | NGK CR7EIX or NGage B8RII-8 | 2 | ₹865 / ₹899 each |
| Shotgun 650, Bear 650, Classic 650 | NGage B8RII-8 | 2 | ₹899 each |
| Himalayan 450, Guerrilla 450 | NGage BN8RTIIA-9 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Cast Iron Bullet 350 (pre-2008, not UCE) | NGK BR6HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| Bullet LB 350 Machismo | NGK BPR7EIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| Bullet LB 500 Machismo | NGK BR9EIX | 1 | ₹865 |
The 350 is the one people get wrong. The UCE engine (Classic, Bullet, Thunderbird up to around 2021) is a twin-spark and takes two different plugs. The J-platform engine (Meteor, Reborn Classic, Hunter, Bullet Reborn) takes one. If you are unsure which you have, send us your registration year and we will tell you.
On the 650s: NGK's own application chart names the Interceptor, Continental GT and Super Meteor for the CR7EIX. It does not list the newer Shotgun 650, Bear 650 or Classic 650, which is why we point those at the NGage plug instead. They share the same 648cc twin, so the NGK plug is very likely fine, but we would rather send you to the part the manufacturer actually lists than assume on your behalf. Ask us and we will check before you order.
KTM, Bajaj and Triumph
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM Duke 250, Duke 390, RC 200 | NGK LKAR8AI-9 | 1 | ₹515 |
| KTM Duke, RC and Adventure 250 to 390, Svartpilen and Vitpilen 250 | NGage VH8RTII-9 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Bajaj Dominar 250 and 400 | NGK LKAR8AI-9 centre plus NGK CPR8EAIX-9 sides | 1 + 2 | Full set ₹2,245 |
| Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and RS200 (triple spark) | NGage VH8RTII-9 centre plus NGage B8RII-8 sides | 1 + 2 | Full set ₹2,689 |
| Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z | NGage VH8RTII-9 ignition kit | 1 | ₹4,989 |
| Bajaj Pulsar AS200 | NGK LKAR8AI-9 | 1 | ₹515 |
| Bajaj Pulsar 150, 180 and 220, NS160 | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 or 2 | ₹865 each |
| Bajaj Platina 100 and 110, CT100, Discover | NGK CR6HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400X, Speed T4 | NGage VH8RTII-9 | 1 | ₹899 |
Bajaj's DTS-i engines run two plugs and the Triple Spark engines run three, one centre and two sides, and the centre and side plugs are different parts. They are not interchangeable. Buying the matched set is the way to avoid getting this wrong.
Honda
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB350, H'ness CB350, CB350RS, CB350C | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Shine, SP 125, Livo | NGK CPR7EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Unicorn, Hornet 2.0 | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| CBR250R, CBR300, Rebel 300 | NGK SIMR8A9 Laser Iridium | 1 | ₹905 |
| CBR150R | NGK CR8EIX | 1 | ₹865 |
Yamaha
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| R15 V1 and V2, R15 2.0 | NGK CR8EIX or NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹865 / ₹899 |
| R15 V3 and V4, MT-15 | NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹899 |
| R3, MT-03 | NGK CR8EIX or NGage B8RII-8 | 2 | ₹865 / ₹899 each |
| Aerox 155, NMax 155 | NGage B8RII-8 or NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹899 / ₹865 |
| FZ, FZ-S | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Ray ZR, Fascino | NGK CR6HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| RX100, RX135, RX-Z (2-stroke) | NGK BPR7HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| G5, Crux, Libero | NGK DPR7EIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
Hero
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splendor, Splendor Plus, Passion, HF Deluxe | NGK CR6HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| Super Splendor, Glamour, Ignitor, Destini Xtec 125 (BS4) | NGK CPR6EAIX-9S | 1 | ₹865 |
| Super Splendor, Glamour (BS6) | NGK CPR7EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Xpulse 200 4V, 4V Pro | NGage BN8RTIIA-9 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Xpulse 200 2V | NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Xpulse 210 4V | NGage VH8RTII-9 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Xtreme 160R, Xtreme 125R | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Karizma, Karizma ZMR, CBZ Star, CBZ Gold, Ambition | NGK DPR8EIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
The 125cc Hero bikes changed plug specification between BS4 and BS6. If you are not certain which your Super Splendor or Glamour is, check the registration year or send us the chassis number and we will confirm before you order.
Suzuki, Jawa, Yezdi, Kawasaki, BMW, Benelli and TVS
| Model | Plug | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Gixxer 155, Gixxer 250, Gixxer SF, Intruder 155 | NGK CPR7EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| Suzuki V-Strom 250, Burgman 125 | NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Jawa 42, Bobber 42, Jawa 350, 42 FJ, Yezdi Roadster, Adventure, Scrambler | NGage B8RII-8 | 1 | ₹899 |
| Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 300, Z250 | NGK CR8EIX | 2 | ₹865 each |
| Benelli TNT 300, TRK 502 | NGK CR8EIX | 2 | ₹865 each |
| BMW G310 R and GS, S1000, R1200 to R1300 GS, F900 GS | NGage BNL8RTII-9 | 1 or 2 | ₹899 each |
| TVS Apache RTR 160 and 180, Victor GLX, Fiero | NGK CR7EIX | 1 | ₹865 |
| TVS Raider 125 | NGK CPR8EAIX-9 | 1 | ₹865 |
| TVS Shaolin, Shogun, Samurai, Scooty (2-stroke) | NGK BPR7HIX | 1 | ₹865 |
Not on the list? We also stock iridium plugs for cars, from the Maruti and Hyundai commuters to VW and Skoda TSI engines. See the full iridium spark plug range, or ask us and we will look up your model.
Bikes that need more than one plug
This is where most wrong orders happen. Count before you buy.
- Single-cylinder, single-plug. Most bikes. One plug.
- Parallel twins. The Royal Enfield 650s, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Benelli TNT 300, Yamaha R3. Two plugs, and you replace both together.
- Royal Enfield UCE twin-spark. Two plugs per cylinder, and they are different part numbers. A BPR5EIX and a CPR6EAIX-9S, not two of the same.
- Bajaj Triple Spark. The Pulsar NS200, RS200 and the Dominar run three plugs in one cylinder: one centre and two sides, again different part numbers. The centre and side plugs are not interchangeable and fitting them in the wrong position will affect how the engine runs.
Complete ignition kits
If you are opening the engine up anyway, the NGage kits replace the whole ignition path rather than just the plug. Each one pairs a genuine plug with a 5 kΩ resistor spark cap and an ultra low-resistance racing cable, which is where a lot of a tired ignition system's losses actually sit.
| Bike | Kit contents | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Enfield 650 twins | 2 x NGK CR8EIX, 2 x resistor cap, 2 x racing cable | ₹4,989 |
| Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450 | NGK LMAR8BI-9, resistor cap, racing cable | ₹4,989 |
| Himalayan 410, Scram 411, Scram 440 | NGK CR8EIX, resistor cap, racing cable | ₹2,989 |
| J-platform 350 (Meteor, Classic, Hunter, Bullet, Goan) | NGage DH7RTII-8, resistor cap, racing cable | ₹2,989 |
| KTM 250 to 390 and Bajaj NS400 | NGage VH8RTII-9, resistor cap, racing cable, brass splicer | ₹4,989 |
| Hero Xpulse 200 4V and 4V Pro | NGage BN8RTIIA-9, resistor cap, racing cable, brass splicer | ₹4,989 |
| Bajaj Dominar 400, 3-plug set | NGK LKAR8AI-9 centre plus 2 x CPR8EAIX-9 sides | ₹2,245 |
| Pulsar NS200 and RS200 triple-spark set | NGage VH8RTII-9 centre plus 2 x B8RII-8 sides | ₹2,689 |
| RE UCE twin-spark 350 and 500 | NGK BPR5EIX plus CPR6EAIX-9S | ₹1,730 |
Are iridium spark plugs worth it?
Yes, for most modern bikes an iridium plug is worth the money. Iridium melts at over 2,400°C and is far harder than nickel, which means the centre electrode can be made very fine, typically around 0.6mm against roughly 2.5mm on a standard plug. A finer electrode concentrates the spark and needs less voltage to jump the gap, so the coil has an easier job and the mixture lights more reliably.
What you actually notice: easier cold starts, a steadier idle, cleaner running at low revs on a fuel-injected bike, and fewer of the small misfires that make a tired engine feel rough. What you will not notice is a meaningful power increase. A spark plug does not add power to a healthy engine, it stops a healthy engine losing it. Anyone selling you an iridium plug on the promise of extra horsepower is overselling.
The honest case for iridium is that it holds its specification for far longer. A nickel electrode erodes, the gap widens, the coil works harder to bridge it, and the engine slowly gets worse in a way you stop noticing because it happens over months. Iridium delays all of that.
Iridium vs normal nickel spark plugs
| Nickel (standard) | Iridium | |
|---|---|---|
| Centre electrode | Around 2.5mm | Around 0.6mm |
| Voltage needed to fire | Higher | Lower |
| Cold starting | Adequate | Noticeably better |
| Wear resistance | Erodes steadily | Holds its gap far longer |
| Typical service life | The interval in your manual | Commonly around double, but the manual still governs |
| Price | Low | Higher up front, cheaper per kilometre |
How to read a spark plug code
An NGK part number is not random. Once you can read it you can tell at a glance whether a plug someone is selling you is even close to right.
Take CPR8EAIX-9:
- C and the letters before the number describe the physical plug: thread diameter, hex size and whether the insulator is projected.
- R means resistor. This one matters. A resistor plug suppresses the radio-frequency noise the ignition throws out, and a modern fuel-injected bike's ECU expects it. Fitting a non-resistor plug to an FI bike can cause genuine electrical gremlins. Every bike plug we sell is a resistor type.
- 8 is the heat range.
- E is the reach, meaning how far the threaded section extends into the head.
- IX marks it as NGK's Iridium IX line.
- -9 is the factory gap in tenths of a millimetre, so 0.9mm.
The practical takeaway: if the numbers and letters differ from the plug your bike specifies, it is not an upgrade, it is the wrong part.
Heat range, and why it matters more than brand
Heat range describes how quickly a plug sheds heat into the cylinder head. It has nothing to do with how hot the spark is, which is the most common misunderstanding.
On NGK plugs, a higher number means a colder plug. A CR8EIX runs colder than a CR7EIX. Be careful with cross-brand comparisons, because Denso numbers them the other way round.
Get it wrong in either direction and you have a problem. Too hot a plug and the tip can glow enough to ignite the mixture before the spark does, which is pre-ignition, and it destroys pistons. Too cold a plug and it never gets hot enough to burn off deposits, so it fouls, especially on a bike that does short city trips.
This is why "the same plug but iridium" is the only safe upgrade. Match the heat range your manufacturer specified and change nothing else.
Gap, torque and fitting
- Work on a cold engine. Aluminium heads and steel plug threads expand at different rates. Removing a plug from a hot head is how threads get pulled.
- Leave the gap alone. Iridium plugs arrive pre-gapped, and the fine centre electrode is not built to be levered on with a feeler gauge. If you must check it, never apply force to the centre electrode itself.
- Do not overtighten. If you have a torque wrench, use the figure in your service manual. If you do not, seat the plug finger-tight until the gasket makes contact, then turn roughly a further third of a turn for a 10mm or 12mm plug and about half a turn for a new 14mm gasket-type plug. Overtightening is far more common and far more expensive than undertightening.
- Replace as a set on any bike with more than one plug, so all cylinders and positions are running the same condition.
When should you replace a spark plug?
Follow the interval in your owner's manual first, because that is what protects your warranty. Beyond the schedule, these are the signs a plug is finished:
- The engine is harder to start, especially first thing in the morning.
- Idle hunts or feels lumpy where it used to be steady.
- A stumble or flat spot when you crack the throttle open.
- Fuel consumption creeping up with no other explanation.
- On inspection: a rounded-off electrode, a widened gap, oily black wet fouling, or a chalky white tip.
Take the old plug out and look at it before you throw it away. It is the cheapest diagnostic tool you own, and its colour tells you whether the engine is running rich, lean or clean.
Iridium plugs and E20 petrol
Upgrade to iridium regardless of what is coming out of the pump. The case for a fine-wire iridium plug has nothing to do with fuel policy. It fires a stronger, more focused spark at a lower voltage, and it holds its gap for far longer than nickel. That is worth having on E20, on E10, on straight petrol, and on whatever the blending mandate does next. Fuel blends come and go. A plug that lights the mixture cleanly and keeps doing it is simply the better plug, and across the life of the engine it is the cheaper one too.
What E20 does is raise the stakes a little. Ethanol carries less energy per litre than petrol, shifts the mixture slightly leaner, and holds moisture. None of that is a crisis, but it does mean a tired spark shows up as rough running sooner than it would have on the older fuel. A plug that was merely getting old on E10 can feel properly past it on E20.
So the honest position: iridium is not a cure for ethanol, and it will not fix the other things E20 touches, such as ageing fuel lines or rubber components in the fuel system. What it does is take ignition off the list of things that could be making your bike run badly, and keep it off that list for years. If your bike has been running differently since the fuel changed, read our guide to E20 petrol in India and how to protect your engine, because the plug is only one part of that picture.
Iridium IX, Laser Iridium and Double Iridium
- NGK Iridium IX. Iridium centre electrode, nickel ground electrode. NGK's performance replacement line and the one most bikes in this guide use.
- NGK Laser Iridium. Iridium centre electrode plus a platinum pad welded to the ground electrode, so both wear surfaces are protected. Longer life again, and it is often the original factory fitment on bikes like the Honda CBR250R.
- NGage Double Iridium. Precious-metal tip on both electrodes, made in Japan, sold as model-specific part numbers rather than a broad range.
All three are a real upgrade over nickel. The difference between them is how long they hold their edge, not how well they fire on day one.
What is the best spark plug for Royal Enfield?
Fit the iridium plug specified for your engine platform, not for the model name. Royal Enfield has used four quite different engines recently and they do not share plugs.
- J-platform 350 (Meteor, Reborn Classic, Hunter, Bullet Reborn, Goan Classic): NGage DH7RTII-8, ₹899.
- UCE twin-spark 350 and 500 (older Thunderbird, Classic, Bullet, Electra): NGK BPR5EIX plus CPR6EAIX-9S, ₹1,730 for the pair. Single-plug UCE models, including the BS6 Classic 350 and Bullet 350 and the Continental GT 535, take the BPR5EIX on its own at ₹865.
- Himalayan 411 and Scram 411: NGK CR7EIX at ₹865 or NGage B8RII-8 at ₹899.
- Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, Super Meteor 650: the same choice, two of them.
- Shotgun 650, Bear 650, Classic 650: NGage B8RII-8 at ₹899, two of them. NGK does not list the CR7EIX against these three, so we point you at the plug that is actually specified for them.
- Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450: NGage BN8RTIIA-9 at ₹899, or the complete ignition kit at ₹4,989.
Browse the Royal Enfield performance parts collection for the rest of the range.
How to choose the right spark plug (fitment guidance)
- Identify the engine, not the model name. Manufacturers reuse names across completely different engines. The Classic 350 and the Himalayan are both good examples.
- Match the heat range exactly. Same number as the factory plug. This is not the place to experiment.
- Count your plugs and check whether the positions take different part numbers.
- Check it is a resistor type if your bike is fuel injected.
- Leave the gap as supplied and torque it properly on a cold engine.
If you are not sure which plug your bike needs, send us your model, year and registration and our team is happy to offer fitment guidance before you order.
Why buy spark plugs from Rawtorque
- Genuine plugs from NGK and NGage, sold by a registered Indian business.
- Partial COD on serviceable pincodes: pay a small advance online to confirm, balance on delivery.
- Dispatch in 1 to 2 business days, delivery in 3 to 7 business days across India.
- Fitment guidance from our team so you order the right plug the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best spark plug brand for bikes?
NGK and NGage are the two best spark plug brands for bikes in India. NGK Iridium IX is the original-equipment standard and has by far the widest fitment range, starting at ₹515. NGage Double Iridium carries a precious-metal tip on both electrodes and is made in Japan, at ₹899 across the range. For most riders the deciding factor is simply which brand makes the correct part number for your engine.
Are iridium spark plugs worth it?
Yes, for most modern bikes. An iridium plug has a centre electrode of roughly 0.6mm against about 2.5mm on a standard nickel plug, so it fires a more concentrated spark at a lower voltage. That gives easier cold starts, a steadier idle, more consistent running on fuel-injected engines and a much longer service life. It will not add meaningful power, so treat it as insurance for clean ignition rather than a performance part.
What is the difference between iridium and normal spark plugs?
An iridium plug has a very fine, very hard centre electrode that fires a stronger, more focused spark and resists erosion, so it holds its gap far longer. A normal nickel plug has an electrode around four times thicker, costs less and wears measurably faster. Iridium typically runs to around double the service life of nickel, though your owner's manual interval still governs.
What is the best spark plug for Royal Enfield?
It depends on the engine platform, not the model name. The J-platform 350 (Meteor, Reborn Classic, Hunter, Bullet) takes an NGage DH7RTII-8. The older UCE twin-spark 350 and 500 takes an NGK BPR5EIX together with a CPR6EAIX-9S. The Himalayan 411, Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 and Super Meteor 650 take an NGK CR7EIX or an NGage B8RII-8, one for the Himalayan and two for each twin. The newer Shotgun 650, Bear 650 and Classic 650 take the NGage B8RII-8, since NGK does not list the CR7EIX against them. The Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450 take an NGage BN8RTIIA-9.
How long do iridium spark plugs last?
Iridium plugs commonly run to around double the interval of a standard nickel plug because the hard, fine electrode resists erosion and holds its gap. Always follow the replacement interval in your owner's manual, since that is what protects your warranty, and replace with the exact part number specified for your bike.
How many spark plugs does my bike need?
Most single-cylinder bikes take one. Parallel twins such as the Royal Enfield 650s, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha R3 take two. Royal Enfield's UCE twin-spark engine takes two plugs of different part numbers. Bajaj Triple Spark engines, including the Pulsar NS200, RS200 and Dominar, take three: one centre plug and two side plugs, which are different parts and are not interchangeable.
Does a higher heat range number mean a hotter plug?
No, and this catches people out. On NGK plugs a higher number means a colder plug, so a CR8EIX runs colder than a CR7EIX. Denso numbers its plugs the opposite way. Always fit the heat range your manufacturer specified, because too hot a plug risks pre-ignition and too cold a plug fouls up on short city trips.
Do I need to gap an iridium spark plug?
Usually not. Iridium plugs are supplied pre-gapped for the application, and the trailing number in the part code, such as the 9 in CPR8EAIX-9, is the gap in tenths of a millimetre. The fine centre electrode is not designed to be bent or levered against, so if you check the gap, never apply force to the centre electrode.
Are iridium spark plugs better for E20 petrol?
Yes, and the case for iridium does not depend on the fuel at all. An iridium plug fires a stronger spark at a lower voltage and holds its gap far longer than nickel, which is worth having on E20, on E10, or on any blend the mandate moves to next. E20 simply raises the stakes: ethanol runs slightly leaner and carries less energy per litre, so a tired spark shows up as rough running sooner than it used to. Iridium is not a cure for ethanol and will not fix ageing fuel lines, but it takes ignition off the list of possible problems and keeps it off for years, whatever the pump is serving.
Written by Lijo Mathew Jacob. Rawtorque supplies genuine NGK and NGage iridium spark plugs, plus performance, filtration and braking upgrades, to riders across India. Last updated 21 August 2026.
Related guides: Best iridium spark plug for your car, Best engine oil for Royal Enfield, Top exhaust brands in India, performance air filters.
