It's gotta be in the plug or the carbs, disassemble, check everything

 

Don't assume anything in the great world of engines... replace the plug... it will only cost you $2 and 5 minutes to see.

 

Personally, after checking everything listed I would bit the bullet and take it to the dealer. :-(
But I'm not near as techy or patient as most of the people in here. :-)

 

I put a new spark plug in it and thats not it. Its getting worse every time I ride it, and now the reverse light is on constantly. Do I just need to take off the on/off/reserve switch to get to the fuel filter?? What all will I need to take off to get to the carbs?

HiFLyin

 

Neither the spark plug nor the carbs will cause the reverse light to come on. Have you checked the green/white wire under the sprocket? Is there a little slack in the reverse cable under the engine? It sounds to me like your reverse rev limiter is kicking in for some reason, either that or your CDI has lost its mind.

 

It isn't the race gas...unless you use something alky based
It sounds like water in the fuel...have you tried draining the carbs from the float bowls?
Just open those little screws and let it flow out

Take compressed air and blow out the spark plug cap...or use something that will displace any moisture

I also developed a break in the wire going to the ign switch(key) that was causing similar problems...the bike would act up under in any bumps etc...

 

The reason I think it is the carb boots is because I had the same exact thing happen to me. A few months ago I installed the GYTR jet kit and it was running sweet until I started to hit the whoops. Once I really started pounding them my Raptor began to stutter and fall on it's face. It wouldn't idle and the reverse light began to blink intermittenly. I had to limp 2 miles home holding the throttle 1/2 way all the way home, that was the only way it would stay alive.

Disconnect the boots on the filter side. loosen the boots on the intake side and pull the carbs away from the boots. Now try reinstalling the carb to the intake side alone, do not connect it to the air filter side yet. Start it up and take it for a short spin, let me know what happens.

 

yamahayzf, that sounds pretty much like my problem. My reverse light stays on and it is falling on its face, but mine will idle, its just when I try to rev it up it sputters. I will be taking it apart on Saturday and will give you the details. BTW, should I still take a look at the fuel filter?? And what will I need to take off to get to the carbs (gas tank, fenders, etc)??

 

You can check for intake leaks(cracked boots) with carb spray...with the motor idling spray around the carbs and the intakes...if the idle picks up or drops then you hhave a vacuum leak

And for YOUR SAKE do this when the bike is cold...I have seen this stuff flash on mechanics...and then you have a fire in an area thats hard to get at

 

It sounds more like an electrical problem.