I always go up steep offroad hills in first gear, the problem is if I let off the throttle just a tiny bit to avoid flying in case there is a rump on the hill, I lose momentum and the engine bogs down and stalls. My seasoned riding buddies are telling me I need to adjust my needle clip position because they think the engine is stumbling from being too rich.

Let's say I stall and try to start from a hill here's what happens:

1- I'm in first gear with the clutch fully engaged
2- Bring the revs up to 7-8k
3- Release the clutch and watch the RPMs go down even while I give it more gas or even WOT
4- If I don't feather in the clutch the engine bogs down. So I'm always playing with the clutch and slipping it while going up that hill

It's extremely frustrating and makes things more difficult that it needs to be. So is this a given with all small CC dual sports or do I need to adjust my jetting? Right now I'm running all the stage 2 mods from dynojet:
- 128 Main jet (DJ)
- DJ needle 3rd/middle position
- Snorkel removed (Twin air filter)
- Pilot screw 1.75 turns out
- Premium gas
- FMF Q4 with no arrestor + stock header
- Stock gearing
- Riding elevation 4000-7000 ft

 

What bikes are your buddie's riding?
A 13 countershaft sprocket does wonders for hill climbing ability, even with a 350 kit.

 

is the engine actually stumbling? or do you just run out of torque on the climb? you may be jetted too rich for your elevation. I looked at the DJ data but did not see altitude adjustment. at 5000 and above you need to look at that. 128 is the 2nd fattest jet in their kit. and BTW, the DJ number system is different from Kehin... different sizes with any given jet number so you can't really use that as a reference

you may be asking too much of the engine too. how steep are these hills and what do your pals ride. and as mentioned... changing the countershaft sprocket make the power you do have more accessible in these situations.

 

I ordered a 13t front sprocket today. Thanks!

They're not too steep, probably 30 degrees or so. You described it perfectly, I run out of torque. I switched over to a 120 DJ main jet (stage 1 recommended setting) and let's see if that helps with my stage 2 mods on high elevation. I'll update the thread once I've got the news settings tested out

 

Welp, I just tested it out and it feels gutless. Should I return the needle back to the middle (3rd) groove or do I go to a 124 main jet?

 

Yes try the 124.