Stored for five years: service or new tyres?

[Knight_Ind_2000]

Some gits nicked my very nice bike last week.

Luckily I have a friend who's able to let me have a really quite lovely VTR 1000 for a very good price. It's a bike he's been looking to offload for some time but never got round to selling. It's been sitting in his garage for five years developing a protective coating of dust! That said, it started first time with a new battery and fresh petrol and sailed through its MOT with no advisories. I will be using it for a ten day tour through the Alps at the start of May.

Now here's my dilemma. As I say, it's been sat for five years. That was because he couldn't get on with the riding position. But before he stored it he paid for a full service (fluids, valve clearances etc) and a new set of boots. It'll have done less than a thousand miles since then. Thing is, for a variety of reasons (not least my bike being nicked) money is very tight at the moment. Where, if anywhere, should I spend a little on the bike. A fresh service? A new set of tyres? It's one or the other unfortunately; can't stretch to both. The tyres have full tread but will they have degraded being sat for five years? Likewise, am I risking anything riding on fluids which are five years old but which haven't done any miles?

Guidance greatly appreciated!

[Knight_Ind_2000]

jon- said:

Service life for tyres is between 5-6 years.

If it's been stored on the wheels (not stands), in extreme temperature changes / UV light (IE outside) I would change the boots.

If you don't, for the love of god go easy for the first 50 miles. All the oils will have moved to the surface and it'll be super slippy.

Oil will be fine if it was fresh when it went in. Coolant I'd probably change.

Thanks. It's been stored in a large garage / workshop; so away from UV light. The garage is not heated though so it will have been through the usual seasonal temperature changes. It's been stored resting on the side stand.

[Knight_Ind_2000]

jon- said:

I'd certainly be taking this approach too.

A car you might be able to wing it. Not a bike.

I thought that might be the answer I'd get. So if I spend say £200 on some decent Michelins (I put road pilot 4s on my old bike and they were excellent). Is there anything I can / should do myself on the service front? Just change the coolant?

Ta

[Knight_Ind_2000]

jon- said:

I've spoken to opie oils about oil sitting in bikes and they said it doesn't go off, so that could save you some money for tyres.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic so must be done. Chain will need some TLC too

Thanks this is useful info.