Hello everyone, I am new to the forum I just got an 06 225 with under 5k miles about a month ago. It has ran like a top since I got it, i have put about 700 miles on it with no issue and while on a ride yesterday it just stopped running. It stopped just like it would if you run out of gas but there was plenty of gas in the tank. I was able to start it again with a full choke, and keep it running as long as it was at half or more throttle. It backfired and ran like hell the whole way home and died every time I let it get below around half throttle. I took the carb out and apart and cleaned it, although i couldnt find a speck of dirt inside it or any jets, it looked basically brand new. It also was dripping oil which it has never done, it has always seeped a little bit out but never enough to actually drip off the bike, just enough to collect dirt on the motor. I dont know if it is related or if it just happens to be leaking more now than before. I have no idea what to do now and i can't ride my bike which is really a bummer because my MC license test is in two weeks and in my state (PA) the dmvs are booked until september if i had to reschedule. Any thoughts or advice would help Im extremely bummed out about this right now, Thanks

Petcock clogged? Fuel line kinked?

Bad gas cap that's not venting and drawing a vacuum as the fuel runs out?

Did you remove the mixture screw and clean that passage? You sure it's installed correctly?

Where is it leaking oil?

Welcome!

Idle circuit debris won't show up; carb can be spotless otherwise.

Next time you're into the carb do all of this:

3-turn Mod
Check main and pilot jet size, and see that they are secured
Check float height
Install an in-line fuel filter

Now, none of that will address your stated problem (unless the jets are loose)...but this might:

Unscrew the Pilot jet, and with the plastic tube that comes with the can, spray into its hole for several seconds some WD-40 (or carb cleaner), directly into the Pilot jet hole under pressure. That likely will clean it out. Doing the 3-turn mod first might also dislodge some specks of dirt.

Good luck!

Alexd

You also may have water in the tank. This can make really weird things happen to an engine. The XT's tank is divided so fuel (and water) can slop around making for sporadic and unpredictable results. If you can rig up a simple external fuel source to check. Small plastic bucket with hose will do. You'll only need 1 cup of fuel to test. If you work with an open fuel source do be careful of the usual flammability issues. Just a suggestion given the suddenness of the problem. Water could have been in the reserve section of the tank all along and slopped over. The back firing indicates a lean mixture. Water does that too. Good luck.