Friend of a friends 700 ran fine at idle but when they took down the street it started to spit and sputter and he said it barely got back into driveway. They replaced plugs, and i told them to check plug wires. So b4 I go out there what else you guys think it could be? Gonna change fuel filter and drain carb bowl of any moisture that might be in there. Would a plugged up carb breather make this happen? he also mentioned that when they took air filter off it seemed to run a little better( too rich?) B4 this the last time ridden was in October. Any and all info appreciated, thanx in advance.

 

It should run like crap with the air filter removed, expecially in the winter. Bad plug wires usually causes backfiring, mine did and I have heard the same for others. I would remove the carb and clean it really well, maing sure the main and pilot jets are clean. Firts test you want to run before pulling the carb, when its warm does it run better with the choke or without. If it runs better with the choke it means its running lean, if it runs better without its rich.

 

spray carb cleaner around intake boot, between motor and carb, if it speeds up or smoothes out ,boot is cracked, alot of them did this, sounds lie the symtoms