Filters

Always use a new oil filter, and make sure you stay on top of fuel filter and air filter recharging or replacement. Check your manual or a parts diagram; you may have another fuel screen in the petcock or fuel pump pickup that needs attention, as well.

Also check if your exhaust uses fiberglass packing (cotton candy shooting out your exhaust tip is a dead giveaway your packing’s toast). This is not an off-road-only phenomenon, although intervals are typically much shorter for dirt bikes (a matter of hours, not miles, especially for two-strokes, where oil is a factor on top of heat). Repack the muffler whenever you recharge or replace the air filter.