Yes,
thanks. Agreed, there is no necessity to widen the gaps, the factory sets them to a common denominator and they function perfectly but I pay extra for them in order to get what they do best - bridge big spark gaps.
I think I can use the word "always" here; all things equal, a long fat spark is always better.
Yes, that wide gap speaks to all three - mixture, ignition and plugs. Electronic ignition ensures the power to bridge a wide gap; sharp pointed plugs enable that wide gap to be even wider, and that longer spark attenuates low speed inadequacies of fuel atomization. In other words, they help transitional mid-range; when the mixture's confused, they help.
I learned a related thing when using accelerator pump carbs on Ducati singles, fine point plugs help there too for, I imagine, the same reason - any momentary richness that the accelerator pump may cause can be cured (or masked
) with a stronger spark. Those bikes needed help coming off corners, pumpers and platinum
.