If storing a bike for an extended period is it worthwhile draining it of fuel. Eg. Running it, turning off the fuel until it dies?

 

Might as well drain it. After it sits for so long is becomes bad. And if you let that gas sit in the tank for an extended period and when you go to ride it you use that gas it could be dirty and bad. Causing poor performance and possibly forcing you to pull the carb to clean it.

 

Add a fuel stabilizer and run the carb dry. You might want to do some other things like drain the fuel tank and oil. I think you also remove the spark plug and put a tsp of oil in the top of the cylinder. See your owners manual...........

See my suggestions on stabilizers here: http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/500065.cfm

 

I guess that depends on what you mean by an "extended period".

If you are talking a month or two, you would probably be fine shutting off the gas and running the carb dry.

If you are talking about a few months, do the above but add fuel stabalizer, and a battery maintainer.

If it's going to be a really long time, like most of a year to several years, I'd put in fresh oil and start it briefly to circulate, drain the gas tank and carb, perhaps a bit of oil in the spark plug hole, and a battery tender. I also like to stuff an oily rag into the exhaust pipe, to prevent condensation inside the muffler.