Jetting ?

[rootsnrocks]

Need some quick advice. I am pretty sure my main jet is too small. The bike runs great down low and mid-range is fine, but it just does not want to get on the bike and open up. I can sometimes get it to do it if I really try, i.e. today I held it WOT in a sand pit and after about 5 seconds it finally came alive... It's an 09 EC 250 and currently has a 180 main. I read the jetting post and I see other people with 180+ mains in the same elevation (sea level-1000ft) 80-95 F... I guess I will try to go leaner. How low can I go safely? I guess I am wondering if I should try a 175 or is that too big of a jump maybe I should try 178? Thanks for the help, really the first time I've had to play with jetting on a bike. It also has a ton of spooge out the exhaust prob from all the low speed riding in the tight stuff?