Motorcycle Repair: 96 250 Virago Sputter/backfire, needle valve, virago

Question
Hi, I have a 1996 250 Virago, was running fine.  I was out of gas, poured it in and spilled some on the engine (?) - when i was riding, i felt like i was running on half an engine.  That was last night.  This afternoon, i tried riding again and had the same problem however now I heard it backfire and it is running kinda rich.  It's sputtering.  I don't know much about MC as i am new to the sport.  The bike has 5600 miles and i have only had it for 2 months.

Thank you for being here!

Answer
Hi Rena.

To start with, spilling gas on the engine will not have any affect on the running of the bike.

What you may want to check are the carbs.  If the needle valve is loose or has come loose, then the bike will run very much like the way you have described.

Check the plugs as well to see if they have come loose at all as well.

Start with that and let me know what happens.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON