[Big Duke 6]

My 888 strada has conked out twice and won't start until I clean the spark plugs, the electrodes are black. I put the original cans back on 2 weeks ago, replacing the carbons and it has been unreliable since. I check the original bill of sale and it says under optional extras "hi level cans and chip". Does that mean it really won't run very well with the standard exhaust if it has an upgraded chip? Thanks for any suggestions.