Best Spark Plugs For Harley Sportster

Fire up your beast with a spark of life. With so many spark plugs on the market, you might question whether they actually make a difference. Well, try one of these spark plugs in your Harley Sportster and let us know what you think!.

If you’re looking for spark plugs for a Harley Sportster, you’re in the right place. The Sportster has been around for well over sixty years. It remains one of the most popular choices for Harley Davidson motorcycles to this day.

But what if you need to replace the spark plugs for it? Are the OEM or stock spark plugs not up to par? We’ll be taking a look at three of the best spark plugs that are compatible with this bike.

These spark plugs have been chosen thanks to their overall quality and performance. You’ll want spark plugs that will make starting your bike a breeze so you can go riding long distances or just for a cruise around town.

While there are plenty of options on the market, these three are considered the best among recent buyers. No one can answer the question of “what is the best spark plug for a Harley Sportster” better than the market itself. With that said, let’s jump into the list:

NGK Iridium IX Spark Plug

First up is the NGK Iridium IX Spark Plug. If you are looking for an industry leader in spark plugs, this might be one of your best choices. What you’ll notice is that it’s 25 percent smaller than regular electrodes, making it last longer.

This is made from high-quality metals that will not corrode. Further proof that it will rise above most of its competitors when it comes to overall quality. But how well can it do in terms of performance?

For one, the startup and idle will be smooth. Plus, you’ll deal with no fouling. And you get a better throttle response.

When the time comes to replace the electrodes in your Sportster, you’ll need something that will be long-lasting and probably more reliable. Why settle for anything less than what the NGK Iridium IX Spark Plug has to offer?

Pros:
  • Excellent quality
  • Lasts a really long time
  • Made with anti-corrosion metals
  • Smooth, easy start-up
  • Excellent sounding idle
Cons:
  • Some claim the plugs are not pre-gapped
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Denso Iridium Spark Plug

Next, we’ll be taking a look at the Denso Iridium Spark Plug. These are obviously a step up from the stock spark plugs that the Harley factory includes in their bikes. But nevertheless, they are reliable and can last a long time.

The Denso is considerably smaller in size, thus adding on to the likelihood that they can stand a better chance of a longer life span compared to regular-sized electrodes. Performance-wise, it can handle a lot of heat and won’t melt so easily. Simply put, these spark plugs are tough customers.

You’ll get a smooth start, a calmer idle, and a Harley Sportster that will run as if you just bought it today. If you have a Harley Sportster that might be running a bit rough as of late, it might be time to replace the spark plugs. The Denso Iridium Spark Plugs will definitely be an excellent choice if you want something that will be next to impossible to damage, but can deliver a performance like no other.

Pros:
  • Easy to install
  • Can last a really long time
  • Can handle the high heat very easily
  • Helps you start your Harley Sportster with ease
  • Pre-gapped
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Autolite XS4161 Iridium Spark Plug

Lastly, we’ll be taking a look at the Autolite XS4161 Iridium Spark Plugs. These will be a good choice if you are looking for a budget option. They’ll fit for a Harley Sportster, but they can also be a good fit for other sport vehicles as well.

If you are looking for something that’s a step above standard spark plugs, you won’t be disappointed with these. This will help improve your startup by 25 percent and will require less kick starting. This will also be a spark plug that won’t give you any fouling no matter what.

One of its most impressive abilities is that it can handle almost any kind of weather condition. So you’ll have no trouble starting your motorcycle or sport vehicle regardless of the weather. If you want a cold start that is free of any issues, it takes the right kind of spark plug. Let’s not forget a decent motorcycle battery to offer the breath of life. Or if you want to be more specific to Harley Davidson machines, check out this Harley battery review we recently wrote.

The Autolite is undeniably one of the best motorcycle spark plugs you can find if you’re worried about compatibility. It can work with a wide variety of makes and models. Name the sport vehicle and you have a spark plug that will give you a better, reliable start every time.

Pros:
  • Can fit most sports vehicles
  • Easy to install
  • Will work in almost any weather condition
  • Affordable for most budgets
  • Pre-gapped for most vehicles
Cons:
  • Instructions are unclear about which wrench size you need for install
  • Some users were not happy with the packaging
  • A few have complained that the quality is cheap
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Last Checkpoint

We have two choices if we had to choose a spark plug that would be great for your Harley Sportster. The first one we highly recommend is the Denso Iridium Spark Plugs. There are plenty of positive qualities that this spark plug has.

For one, it’s perhaps one of the toughest of the bunch. It also has the potential to last a long time since it can handle high temperatures to where the spark plugs never melt or become useless due to overheating. Simply put, it edges out the others when it comes to longevity and durability.

If you are in search of a budget option, obviously Autolite XS4161 Iridium Plugs. As mentioned earlier, they are fitting for most sporting vehicles including the Harley Sportster. One of the best qualities that it has is the ability to cold start in almost any temperature imaginable. It’s no wonder why it’s designed to fit snowmobiles and motorcycles.

Even for the price it’s going for, the quality and performance is quite impressive. If you are looking for a spark plug that will be an easy choice when you don’t want to spend money on a spark plug, the option could not be any clearer.

Related Upgrades For Your HD Sportster: Best Shocks For Harley Sportster