Motorcycle Repair: engine is stuttering, kymco zing, sparkplug

Question
Bike: kymco 'zing'
Engine: 125cc
Hi Chris, I have a kymco zing 125cc (its one of those mini cruisers), when I am riding it is as if the bike is stuttering when I rev it.
My bike also no-longer kicks up like it used too. OK now this may make me look daft and sound silly but it is as if my kick-start goes down to far now.
O'yeah and its been backfiring too.
Its had a new sparkplug since I started having this trouble


Answer
Hi Wayne.
 Check the plugs after you ride it.  Are they looking fouled?

Check the air filter.  Is it dirty?  If so, clean/replace as needed.

Check the valve timing and ignition timing.  They are, quite likely, off.  Correcting them will stop the backfiring as well as give you back that lost compreession.

Good luck.
FALCON