Honda-Decent Bikes?

So, after about 15 years of wanting a bike after seeing Tom Cruise blas around on his in Top Gun, and an equal long 5 years of "soon soon soon, I'm gonna get a bike Im gonna get a bike"...I've decided to get serious about it, and hop into the sport. The other day, I just went out, looking for my options, to see whats available right now.

I've been "riding" for about ten years, mostly on my freind's dirtbike out at his ranch. Nothing major, no highway time or anything. I am planning on taking the MSF course, and all other courses I can, and going about this properly, not just runing out and buying the cheapest liter bike I can find.

So far, I have looked at Yamahas and Hondas. I was really put off as at the Yamaha dealership, I was treated like shit. They didn't take me seriously, and when they found out I was just looking at getting into riding, and not out to buy a bike that day, they pretty much ignored me. The dealership is also the area Suzuki dealership, so that also put me off to Suzukis.

So while I still have to look at Kawasakis, at the moment I'm leaning towards Hondas, as one, I think their bikes look pretty good, and two, they treated me really well at the dealership (customer service, seeing as I work in the customer service industry, is a big big big deal to me). Also, alot of the incentives that Honda offers if I go about purchasing the bike and obtaining my liscense propperly really appeal to me.

So it comes down to my question. Overall, are Honda's good bikes, and do they last if taken care of properly? I'm looking at the CBR600 F4i's, and I doubt I would ever get a new bike, unless I switched over to the 600RR. So the bike obviously has to last me a long time, seeing as I don't plan on jumping up to a liter bike or anything of that nature. Is there anything I should look out for if I get the Honda, or are they generally reliable, good bikes?

I really appriciate the help, and thanks!

honda are renown for their reliability and build quality over the others. that said you may still have issues. but overall they are pretty good quality. they tend not to release a bike until its sorted out properly

I was ready to buy an 05' Honda CBR600 RR, but I decided to go for my dream car instead. I am still looking into getting a bike in the future and I already made my dicission.

Sitting on the Honda, I knew I was sold.
http://powersports.honda.com/assets/images/model/model_hero_shot/Motorcycles/2005/large/CBR600RR.jpg

How can you resist such a beautiful thing. :wink:

honda bikes are just like the cars, maintained right, it will last a long time with minimal problems, i have an 83 goldwing i bought used 10 years ago, basic maintanance and a few repairs, it still runs great

talking to a few people around here.. they all seem to say the same thing

Honda's are good bikes.. and a good feature about them is they are easy to ride.. they are more predictible in turns and stuff.

thats what they basically all say ... dont know if its true but i was sold when i pulled off about eating shit the 3rd time i rode it.. after that i knew this is the bike for me... i think i will stay with the honda family... but if i go anywhere else i will prolly go with a gixxer.. or possibley a kaw.. but thats my 2 cents

I have never heard anything bad about the Honda cycles, that is why I went out and bought one. I have owned Suzukis and a Triumph in the past and EVERYONE I have talked to has recommended Honda for reliability. Who wants to have a great bike and have it in the shop on a nice day? Been there, done that... no more.

Honda has one issues on the 600s though: limited ground clearance which needs aftermarket attention.

In term of reliability, I know they're all great, but lets talk about serviceability. I had easier time working with Suzuki than Yamaha, but Yamaha parts are built better. I think the Yamaha R6 is the only remaining 600 that'll headshake at the earliest.

Kawasaki is amassing a lot of the glory now for their current line up of race reps, but their racing history is still vague and wasn't much since the introduction of ZX-7R.