Fuel filter

[glider]

I have to agree with Steve on this one. Fuel pressure can be affected which will cause other problems too.

 

[Dswartz]

I appreciate all the advice. I think I'm just going to replace the filter. It's not very difficult and it's better safe than sorry. If nothing else that thing has been in there for 9 years and I know the previous owner didn't ride much so it probably had some old gas sitting in it for awhile. I figure it's better to start fresh since I plan on having the bike for several more years.

 

[glider]

The one thing that's overlooked when it comes to fuel filters and fuel injection is fuel flow (quantity).
You can have fuel pressure through something as small as a pin hole (as in a restricted filter) but the flow (volume) isn't there to run an engine at anything more than an idle if that.
Restricted flow can show itself in poor running or even stalling or surging at speeds.