Using a bike thats been stored for a while

[JonnyFoxtrot]

Ok so following on from my paint/spray thread, I'll be picking up a GS500E from my Dad's mate this weekend. The bike is all the way in North Wales and I've got a mate driving me up there to get it and then I'll be riding it home.

Although I know the bike has been well looked after (he's the only owner and its got a good service history (12K miles) the bike hasn't been started in well over a year. Neil (dad's mate) has said he'll charge the battery for me and also do an oil change and then I'll be riding it over to the MOT test centre to get the MOT done and then onto the post office for Tax. My question is seeing as I'll be riding this from North Wales to Essex is there anything I should be wary of seeing as its been sitting around for so long. Hopefully the battery and oil will be sorted and the MOT would pick up anything else but I'm not sure if theres anything else I should look out for or be careful of. Is it even wise to attempt the 5 hour journey back? Any particular way I should ride (i.e not above certain revs etc) if its not a problem to attempt it?

TIA
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'89 Honda NS125F (SOLD) -> '92 Suzuki GS500E (SOLD) -> '03 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H (SOLD) -> '96 VFR 750 RC36 (SOLD) -> '02 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird

[chris-red]

Don't drive to get it unless the guys has it running otherwise you may waste your journey, make sure you pump the tires up and test the brakes well. Definitely lube the chain too. It may need fresh petrol which is the first thing I would do.
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[kawakid]

After a year the battery will be fecked, even if it holds a bit of charge, it will fail.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[londonbill]

There are numerous issues that might not make themselves known until you have the bike.
One of the major problems, is that unleaded doesn't keep well.
When left, it can form a hard varnish like substance that can block, or partially block carb jets and fuel lines.
Not a huge problem in the grand scheme, but can cause rough running.
The other thing that happens is that rubber seals can dry up and perish.
I once bought a BMW that had been stored for over a year, and within a day or so, both fork seals popped, as well as the radial seal in the shaft drive bevel box.
All symptomatic of a bike that has been stored long term without being run.
Of course the GS being chain drive will be OK in respect of the latter but there are still plenty of seals that could be affected.
A lot will depend on how the bike was stored, and under what conditions.
Was it kept outside under a cover, in a garden shed, or in a nice warm garage?
As has been said, you will almost definitely need to budget for a new battery.
The other stuff you may get away with.
It's very much luck of the draw.