I usually fill the tank completely and put fuel stabilizer in it. This will help prevent rust from occurring in the tank during storage.

And if it's a bike with a carburetor I close the petcock and let the engine run until the carburetor bowl is empty. That usually keeps the bowl and jets from gumming up during storage.

 

Keeping the tank as full as possible with stabilized fuel (StaBil, or Seafoam added) is the best way to store a motorcycle. It's a lot of work to try to get the rust out of a motorcycle fuel tank.

 

I, also, fill the tank and stabilize, for storage of a few months. For really long term (years), drain the tank and take it off, pour in some light preservative oil and slosh it all around, to prevent rust. Storage in a relatively stable environment, where the temps don't vary a lot, helps with water intrusion, as will non-ethanol fuel; in winter, my basement garage varies between about 50F and 60F. Unattached storage buildings are more of a problem.

 

Moisture is in the air, not the fuel. Moisture creates the rust. Most folks conclusion to this is: Have fuel in the tank, not air.
My tractor sits for long periods of time. It has been doing that since 1941. I keep petrol in the tank.
Similar story for my belch mobile truck. ditto for the bikes. Do what the guys above have said.

If the petrol has gone flat, you can smell it. It will not burn if it is really flat. So drain it and recycle it. Or use it next 05 November.

Unkle Krusty

 

I keep mine full and I used the old gas to take if 6 layers of paint before I refilled it. Naysayers beware.

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I concur with the others. Add fuel stabilizer to the tank and fill it up with gasoline. Then I run the engine for a short time to pull that stabilized fuel through the entire fuel system. Corrosion occurs when iron is in contact with air and moisture. Keeping the tank full of fuel helps prevent this.