spring maintenance

[kalel3914]

so my bike has been sitting for most of the winter (once a month or so, i took it out, just because i needed to ride).  This is my first spring with the bike, and was wondering what i should check for to make sure the bike it in proper running order for this year.  A maintenence check list of some sort.  any help would be appreciated.

[Phaedrus]

Directly from: Adam's Glass Guide To Winter Storage and Removal

Taking the bike out of storage
ESTIMATED TIME: 1 afternoon
Remove the cover.
Remove any large locks you might have used to secure the bike.
Make sure the tire pressures are set properly for normal use.
If the bike is up on stands, carefully lower the bike off the stands.
Wash the bike to remove any metal-protecting cosmoline/WD40/Chain Wax.
Install the clean, well-charged battery.
If your bike has a fuel petcock, turn the fuel system on. If your fuel petcock has settings like ON/RES/PRI, set it to "PRI" for about 20 seconds, then switch it to "ON." If your petcock has settings like ON/RES/OFF, set it to "ON." If your bike has a fuel pump, make sure the kill switch is set to "RUN."
Remove any plastic/rubber covers that you put on the air box intakes, exhaust pipes, and air box drain.
Move the bike to a well-ventilated area and start it... let it run it for 20 minutes, or long enough for the fan to come on twice. (Be careful about the build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide fumes in enclosed spaces.)
If applicable, turn the fuel system off.
Have factory trained mechanic perform a full tune-up.
Before burning that full tank that you stored your bike with...
If you stored the bike for more than two months, do an oil change. "What, again?!" you say?  Yeah, it's probably a good idea. The cheap oil you stored the bike with probably absorbed a bunch of icky combustion byproducts that the pre-storage oil change didn't remove. Hey, that's why you used cheap stuff -- you're getting rid of it. Feel free to use $9/qt synthetic ambrosia this time, or whatever motor oil makes you feel best. You do not need to change the filter this time, but do make sure you recycle the old oil properly.
After burning that full tank that you stored your bike with...
use fuel system cleaner additive (e.g., Techron) for a couple of tanks
change spark plugs
Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course that you signed up for.
Enjoy the start of another season of riding!
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Don't forget to also check out: The GS500 FAQ for an easy to use reference! Hope it helps.