My buddy got one of the $11 spark plugs for both of us and swapped his out at 20 hours, saying it was black. When should you change spark plugs, both for the first time and ongoing? I don't have my manual in front of me but 20 hours seems like it is way too soon to worry about it...

 

According to the manual it says to to check and gap at 20hrs. Replace if necessary. Then after the first 20hr service at 75hrs and 75hr-150hr therafter, or every 6 months. Basicially I will change my sparkplug twice a year when I change my oil. In the spring and fall. Sure you can change it more. Especially since they are only a couple bucks anyways. I know my sparkplug was black to in my kodiak because it runs very rich from the factory. After I installed my UNI airfilter it leaned er up and now my spakplug stays white/ light grey. I don't think the black will effect performance any but maybe someone else with more nowhow on sparkplugs can say for sure. I bet you could just clean it and then gap it and be fine for a long time.

$11 Sparkplug?? Why? You can get them from the dealer for like $3.00 or even better from RockyMountainATV for $1.89!!