I have an '07 ninja 500 and it was garaged all winter. Last week I started it up for a few minutes and left it. Yesterday there was a large puddle under the bike that smelt of gas and my gas tank was nearly empty. As I was feeling around under the bike my hand also got covered in oil. Any ideas on what might have happened?

 

The floats got stuck in the carbs, flooding both the crankcase and going out the overflow tube. Check your oil level.....if it is over full drain and refill the crankcase with fresh oil and change the filter. Do not start the bike with the plugs in place. You do not want to hydro lock the engine. Pull the carb rack, replace the float needle and adjust. Yes, you could clean it up, but if it is apart, just replace the cheap parts and get it over with.

 

+1^. Do NOT try to start the engine without checking the oil.