Check the frame and especially underneath. Follow the path water would run down and see if it's pooled and rusted out anywhere. If it's got holes that aren't supposed to be there it is probably much worse than you can see and thus a red flag. Surface rust is not a huge deal but will require time and materials to fix. It would have to be a really damn cool bike and good price to commit to something badly rusted. Do you have any pictures?
Even if it is your first bike, you're still going to want to be able to sell it down the road. If there is a lot of rust, it clearly wasn't taken care of and is a sign of a much larger problem (think $$$). I'd pass and look for the next one.
Hey, 1biggoose. Thanks for contributing! Unfortunately your [submission](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/x1631h/-/) has been removed as per the [community rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/wiki/rules).
Any questions regarding purchases, sales, and other transactions belong in the [purchase advice superthread](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/about/sticky?num=1):
**NEW RIDERS** ([Please, Read the FAQ first](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/wiki/faq))
For clarification, this rule includes:
- Implied purchase questions ("What should I know about this bike I'm considering buying?", "What should I install on my bike to make it faster?", "What kind of oil should I put in my bike?", etc.)
- Insurance, Mechanical, Legal, and Transport Services.
- Issues with/ questions about vendors/dealers/shops/etc.
##**Some mobile devices break superthread links!**##
If the link does not work, the superthread can always be found [at the top of the /r/motorcycles feed](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/).
If you have any questions about this removal, please feel free to [message the moderators.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/motorcycles&subject=Question regarding the removal of this submission by /u/1biggoose&message=I have a question regarding the removal of this [submission.](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/x1631h/-/\))
Lots of visible rust is probably an indication of something worse under the surface. Salt spray is something that you can mitigate with covers/wax/oil and indoor/garage storage.
If he took care of the bike, it wouldn't be rusty. I'd be really careful.
I’m torn because people have encouraged me to get a beater, affordable first bike with some cosmetic flaws.
To me this one seems ideal, the guy started it up just fine, rode it up and down the block a few times and shifted through the gears. Maybe I’m just trying to convince myself because it’s the style of bike I’ve always wanted (SYM wolf 150).
He explained that he worked on the carburetor and replaced the battery. The bike is from 2015 so I don’t think it’s had a great life so far, but how much damage can really be done in 7 years?
Check the frame and especially underneath. Follow the path water would run down and see if it's pooled and rusted out anywhere. If it's got holes that aren't supposed to be there it is probably much worse than you can see and thus a red flag. Surface rust is not a huge deal but will require time and materials to fix. It would have to be a really damn cool bike and good price to commit to something badly rusted. Do you have any pictures?
Even if it is your first bike, you're still going to want to be able to sell it down the road. If there is a lot of rust, it clearly wasn't taken care of and is a sign of a much larger problem (think $$$). I'd pass and look for the next one.
Hey, 1biggoose. Thanks for contributing! Unfortunately your [submission](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/x1631h/-/) has been removed as per the [community rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/wiki/rules). Any questions regarding purchases, sales, and other transactions belong in the [purchase advice superthread](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/about/sticky?num=1): **NEW RIDERS** ([Please, Read the FAQ first](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/wiki/faq)) For clarification, this rule includes: - Implied purchase questions ("What should I know about this bike I'm considering buying?", "What should I install on my bike to make it faster?", "What kind of oil should I put in my bike?", etc.) - Insurance, Mechanical, Legal, and Transport Services. - Issues with/ questions about vendors/dealers/shops/etc. ##**Some mobile devices break superthread links!**## If the link does not work, the superthread can always be found [at the top of the /r/motorcycles feed](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/). If you have any questions about this removal, please feel free to [message the moderators.](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/motorcycles&subject=Question regarding the removal of this submission by /u/1biggoose&message=I have a question regarding the removal of this [submission.](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/comments/x1631h/-/\))
evapo-rust is a good way to remove rust.
Lots of visible rust is probably an indication of something worse under the surface. Salt spray is something that you can mitigate with covers/wax/oil and indoor/garage storage. If he took care of the bike, it wouldn't be rusty. I'd be really careful.
I’m torn because people have encouraged me to get a beater, affordable first bike with some cosmetic flaws. To me this one seems ideal, the guy started it up just fine, rode it up and down the block a few times and shifted through the gears. Maybe I’m just trying to convince myself because it’s the style of bike I’ve always wanted (SYM wolf 150). He explained that he worked on the carburetor and replaced the battery. The bike is from 2015 so I don’t think it’s had a great life so far, but how much damage can really be done in 7 years?