OK, new bike, cant get it started

[Bob_Roller]

For short durations, you can put the bike on the side stand, leaving it on the side stand over night or for extended periods, not a real good idea .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And definitely shut off the fuel!  
I like to advise that you shut it off when approaching your destination, to ensure that the float-bowls are not full.  
This advise is especially true when using the side stand regularly, which is not recommended, as Bob said.

[Red_Hen]

I'll chime in here - haven't heard of any BMWs leaking oil on their sidestands.  

My question is when we park our R65's is it necessary to turn the fuel petcock off? If so, is there any good way to remember to turn it back on when it's time to go (as to not have the bike crap out at a critical moment)?

[Bob_Roller]

There have been a few members here that didn't turn the fuel taps off and had a crankcase full of fuel a week or two later .

The carbs on these bikes have the notoriety to leak fuel past the float needle valves .

No sure way to remember to turn the fuel tap on, just becomes part of the routine .

I've seen a few riders attach 'REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT' streamers used in aviation for landing gear pins, pitot tube covers and flight control locks .

The first thing I do when I walk up to my R65, is to turn the fuel on, then proceed to put on jacket, helmet and gloves .

Been a while since I forgot to turn the fuel on .

The bikes don't leak oil on the side stand, the oil gets into the combustion chamber and smokes heavily on the first start up .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yep - fuel on, choke on, key on, push the starter button...

I guess it helps if you've been doing it for 30 years, or so.