Look, I’m gonna say this once
I’m Dave, senior editor at a major magazine, and I’ve been riding bikes for 25 years. I’ve loved every brand, but honestly, Honda? I’m done. And you should probably care because this is about more than just bikes.
Last Tuesday, I was at the traffic update today conference in Austin, and let’s just say, I had a revelation.
It started with a simple committment
About three months ago, I bought a new Honda bike. I was excited, I mean, who doesn’t love that new bike smell? But then the problems started. First, the gears were slippery than a greased pig at a county fair. I took it back, and they said, “Oh, it’s normal.” Normal? I’ve ridden bikes in the rain, through mud, up mountains, and never had gears like that.
Then, there was the time I was riding with my friend, let’s call him Marcus. We were cruising down the coast, and suddenly, the bike just… stopped. No warning, no nothing. Marcus looked at me and said, “Dave, you gotta be kidding me.” And I wasn’t. The bike was dead. Turns out, it was some electrical gremlin. Fixed it, but it cost me $87 and a whole afternoon.
But here’s the thing
I’m not just whining about my bad luck. I talked to other riders, and it’s not just me. There’s a pattern here. I met a colleague named Dave (yeah, another Dave) at a café on 5th, and he told me his Honda bike had similar issues. “It’s like they don’t test these things before selling them,” he said. Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And it’s not like I’m some Honda hater. I’ve had great experiences with their cars. But bikes? I’m not sure but maybe they’re just not their thing anymore.
A tangent: The time I rode a Honda in the rain
So, picture this. It’s 2015, I’m in Portland for a conference. It’s raining cats and dogs, and I’m on this Honda bike, thinking, “No big deal, I’ll just ride through it.” Big mistake. The bike handled like a shopping cart with a flat wheel. I mean, it was that bad. I ended up walking the last mile, looking like a drowned rat. My colleague, Sarah, saw me and laughed. “You look like you’ve been swimming with your clothes on,” she said. Thanks, Sarah. Really helpful.
But that’s not the point. The point is, that bike should have handled better. It’s a bike, not a submarine.
So, what’s the deal?
I think Honda’s quality control has taken a nosedive. I’m not saying every Honda bike is a lemon, but enough of them are that it’s a problem. And honestly, I’m not the only one who thinks so. I did a quick, unscientific poll among my friends and colleagues, and out of 214 respondents, 147 had issues with their Honda bikes. That’s a lot. That’s more than half. That’s a red flag, folks.
And it’s not just the bikes. It’s the service. I’ve spent more time in Honda dealerships than I have in my own living room. And the service? It’s like pulling teeth. “We’ll get to it,” they say. “We’ll call you,” they say. But they don’t. They never do. It’s like they’re playing a game of telephone tag, and you’re the only one who never gets the message.
But wait, there’s more
I’m not saying you should never buy a Honda bike. I’m saying be careful. Do your research. Talk to other riders. And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t buy one without a test ride. And if you do, make sure you have a good mechanic on speed dial.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the bike. It’s about the experience. And Honda, you’re not delivering. You’re not even close.
So, that’s my story. Take it or leave it. But if you’re thinking about buying a Honda bike, maybe think again. Or at least, think twice.
About the Author
Dave is a senior editor with over 20 years of experience in the magazine industry. He’s a bike enthusiast, a coffee addict, and a firm believer that commas are the devil’s work. When he’s not writing, he’s probably riding his bike (not a Honda) or arguing with his colleagues about the Oxford comma.