Check through your fuel system. As said previously, the revs rising at tickover then stopping is usually a sign of fuel starvation. Strange that it runs when you're into second though.

Pull the carbs apart and give it a good clean, and check your jetting while your at it.

Also check your oil pump settings for good measure.

As for revving it over 9 grand to keep things clean that's a little over the top. Pretty much all stock strokers will run all day well under this mark. Even my 300 will tick through the traffic at 3000rpm for at least half a mile before it starts to stutter and complain.