I had a similar problem with my 97SPX. I had the 787 motor, but the problem I had is common to all two strokes: I had a case leak. The engine was sucking air from around the Rotary Valve seal. You may have a leak in a number of gaskets/seals, which would give you a lean hesitation when you go to hit the throttle. To test for this, you need a block-off kit and a way to pump and measure air pressure of your engine. It's a pretty involved procedure, basically you block off all places where air can escape your motor (intake, exhaust, RAVES(if you have em)), and then you pump the engine full of air to about 10psi. It should hold that pressure. If you run it lean, it can be very detrimental to your engine. You can check for a lean condition by checking the plugs. They will be very light in color. You could also be running rich, which would give the plugs a very dark color. You want a nice brown on the plug insulator.
I like people and all, but living in perpetual rush-hour just takes the wind out of my sails. Anyway, I do envy your weather. I'm hunting for that warm weekend (60 or above) to take the boat out again. It'll be a while before it gets warm enough to saddle up the XPs. I just rebuilt one and am not sure if I can even break it in in waters this cold. Not sure the engine would ever get hot enough...
I got some new inline fuel filters for my XP and Tigershark. I hope they are the right ones. 5/16 filters work well with 1/4" fuel hose I think I read here somewhere. I figured just cut into the delivery hose for the carb and install the filter because I don't want to chance clogging up my recently cleaned carburetor. The fuel filters are like 5 times bigger than the stock tigershark fuel filter. I hope that doesn't matter.
