I've done some searches, but don't see anything conclusive about this.

The rejet pictoral shows removing the carb. I don't see why this would be required just for the rejet. Seems like everything is accessible with carbs/airbox in place.
I can see why someone might want to give a good cleaning for other reasons.
I have a 2009 with 7000 miles. Has seen steady use almost every day for the past year. I don't have any reason to believe my carbs need a good cleaning at the moment. Maybe things will look different once I tear it apart.

Anyway, for planning purposes, is carb removal required?

Thanks

Technically it isn't required, but it definitely makes it easier.  To get to the jets you need to remove the float bowls, floats and valve seats.  Then unscrew the pilot and main jets. 

It is do-able, but it might be worth the time to just pull the carbs.  I might be worth it instead of working upside down in a tight space.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Its 2 screws to remove the carbs from the motor. It will be easier if you just took the extra minute to loosen the screws and take them off rather than trying to work in the tight space of the frame. Being able to sit the carbs on a table in front of you makes it a million times easier to do any kind of work to them. I tried working on them once while they were still on the bike and it was such a pain in the ass. I'll never do it again. I'll always remove the carbs and save myself the hassle.

Cool, Thanks for the replies.

I didnt' get that it would be upside down. That would be a pain. Probably would have figured that out when I was actually doing it.

Sitting at a bench is always nice compared with leaning over and twisting around.

The jets are on the under side of the carbs so you would have very little room while working on it and you would laying on the ground looking up at them. Definitely much easier to just loosen the 2 clamps that hold the carbs to the motor and pull them off. Don't forget to disconnect the throttle cable as well.

Air box, cables, hoses, wires... Lots of stuff to remove from '09 carbs.  I think it would be worthwhile to leave the carbs on the bike. But since it will be the first time, you will probably be better off to remove them. Then replace the screws with socket head cap screws. That way, the next time, you will be able to remove the bowls easily and will be able to do the work by feel since you've been there before.

Quote from: Paulcet on August 20, 2011, 12:46:59 PM
Air box, cables, hoses, wires... Lots of stuff to remove from '09 carbs.  I think it would be worthwhile to leave the carbs on the bike. But since it will be the first time, you will probably be better off to remove them. Then replace the screws with socket head cap screws. That way, the next time, you will be able to remove the bowls easily and will be able to do the work by feel since you've been there before.

If he has to ever take them off again, I would still suggest that he remove them from the bike rather than leave them on while trying to work on them. There just isn't enough room to work on them efficiently while they are on the bike. Especially because he needs to access the bottom half of the carbs. Having to twist around to try and get a good look and the awkward way your hands would have to go in there just does not sounds fun to me. I can tear my bike down to where the only thing left on the frame is the motor and the wiring harness in about 15 minutes. 20 minutes if I have a full tank of gas to drain.

Yes, varying opinions.  Like draining the tank before removal.

when i cleaned out the jets on my carbs I just pulled them off the engine twisted them over and tore them appart... never disconnected them completely, worked great cleaned my bowls and jets... no need to take the floats or needle out... a wide thin flathead works very well