I don't think you need to take the carbs off but it does get fiddley at the carb end of the cable.
It's easier to release the cable at the handlebar end first to give you a bit more free play at the carb end. This is simply two screws next to the throttle grip and hook out the cable.
Remove the tank, then remove the coils/fuel pump & filter assembly to get access to the throttle cable at the carbs. If you take the coils from the assembly by removing the bolts and unconnecting the electrical cables (making sure you note which wire fits to each coil) then you can keep the fuel system all still connected by tilting the assembly over to one side.
You will then need to untighten the nut where the throttle cable clamps in and again unhook the cable at that end.
The key is to remove them at the handlebar end first.