I use NGK iridium plugs and have never had a problem, gap set at 30 thou. Currently I am using the recommended Shell Advance fully synthetic but on the next oil change will be using Motul fully synthetic as I use that in my other two Ducati's. The worst oil I have used was Silkolene semi synthetic in my 748SPS and it drank oil like crazy for some reason and this has happened to others as well.