2012 Honda reviews

It's a great first bike. I couldn't be more happy. I bought it on 1/18/2013 and passed my written test on 1/21/2013 and will have my permit in the next day or so. I'll be riding it everywhere. I couldn't be more happy. Great customer service there in Auburn! The guy to talk to is Casey in sales!!!!!! Show less

The Honda CRF150R Expert is the best bike I have ever had. It is fast,comfortable and has great quality. I love crusing and racing and this is the perfect bike to do both of these things. A big thanks to Honda. Show less

It's a great bike. This is my first Gold Wing and it has met every expectation. Having owned a Honda Custom 450 and a Suzuki C50T (805) Boulevard, this is a "major" step up. The bike is very smooth and easier to handle with its size. At 5'-7", I was concerned about my footing, but it is very easy to manage and thanks for reverse. I cannot wait to hit the highway for a long trip. Show less

This is my second street bike and I actually downgraded in engine size. For a person my size, it's an ideal match. It keeps up well in traffic. I'm not holding anybody up, plus I'm getting 77 mpg. Also, it's super light and easy to maneuver which always comes in handy if you live in Hampton Roads. The seat is super comfy, too. All in all, it's a great machine. Show less

I recently purchased my Honda Interstate and have put a few miles on it when the weather was permitting. I use it for back roads, interstate travel to Florence, back and forth to work and home and just leisurely cruises for the sheer joy of the ride. This is my first motorcycle (I had ridden a few before and a lot of dirtbikes, though) and the 1300cc engine hits the sweet spot in my personal opinion. It offers enough power to get moving on the interstate at 80 mph. and remain smooth with obviously more power to take on faster trips if you wish. Being as I am not speed demon and just want to enjoy the freedom, this motorcycle more than fits the bill for what I wanted. There is some slight vibration due to the windscreen when moving above 65 mph., but it is negligible and if the ride wasn't so smooth before hand, I doubt I would notice it. I do get a fair amount of buffeting on my helment when riding, but a slightly more aggressive riding posture elements it completely. The windshield does a fantastic job of keeping the cold off my core though, so that it is a huge plus during the winter months, but I will probably remove it in the spring and summer months (easily accomplished with the removal of four simple bolts) to really get a sensation of additional freedom. The 1300cc engine is also ideal when in town. Some of the large bikes out there are indeed wonderful on the freeway, but you have to use a really fine touch when hitting small towns with low speed limits. The Interstate handles those low speeds with the same rock solid performance as it handles the high speeds and is fairly easy to mainpulate. Keep in mind though, I am a big fellow so that helps a lot when manuevering a 700 lb. motorcycle. The braking and clutch are very smooth and the shaft drive offers a relatively maintenance-free upkeep, ensuring your motorcycle will run smoothly for years to come. Truly, the only real complaint I have about the bike is the seat. While it is low and easy for almost any rider to sit on with both feet on the ground and it looks really stylish, it could use a little more padding as it will wear on your tailbone for longer trips. The passenger seat also almost requires a backrest and the positioning has the passenger sitting a good deal higher than the rider. The height differential isn't a big deal in my case as most people are so short compared to me that I am still significantly taller than them, but it is something to consider for similar sized riders. I still highly recommend the Honda Interstate as a wonderfully priced touring motorcycle that can also handle in town traffic with ease. If you are going to be riding with a passenger, definitely opt for a backrest for them. Happy trails and safe riding. Show less

Taller riders would do well to install a control relocation kit. Sadly, at the time of this review, none really exist for this model. Otherwise, this is an excellent bike. It feels light and agile, and is quite responsive to a twist of the throttle. Show less

This is the 1st Honda I have owned. It's also the 1st parallel twin I've ridden. Previously bikes have been V-twins or single 650cc. I am impressed with the smoothness of the engine. It never vibrates at all through the rpm. range. It's very quiet and smooth as silk. The seating position and relation to handle bar and foot peg location create a sitting up position that I find very comfortable. The engine has plenty of torque and enough overall power to stay with or pass traffic. The suspension is not bad either. It's not top drawer at this price range, but quite adequate in my opinion. All the controls work very well. All the body parts fit perfectly which I've been told is typical of Honda. This is a fun bike to ride and it handles very well. The only real complaint I have is the seat. It slopes forward and causes me to slide into the tank unless I put some weight on the foot pegs to counter it. That does get tiresome fast for me. I'll have the seat modified soon and take care of that problem. The bike is a tad on the tall side. My inseam is 30 in. I can't flatfoot while at a standstill, but the majority of my foot does hit the ground. It seems as though the low center of gravity helps quite a bit to allow me to balance the bike with no problem. There are many accessories available for this bike from both Honda and Twisted Throttle even though it hasn't been on the market very long. The windshield doesn't do much in my case and I will install a taller one when I decide what height will work best for me. Honda has had one recall regarding the drive chain. Mine will be replaced soon according to my dealer. The chain is a $300 item and I'm sure glad they caught the problem and got right on it in short order. Wish all companies would respond that way. So, overall I feel I made a good choice and I'm looking forward to many miles on this bike. I suggest you take one for a test ride. I think you will be surprised at how well it runs and how easy it is to ride. It's just plain fun - EXCEPT for the seat! Show less

I bought this bike as my beginner bike, thinking 250 wasn't powerful enough for the highway. I was proven wrong when I followed my friends to an event in Spartanburg. I was easily doing 60-65, not much passing was done, but I kept up with the flow of traffic. Granted it wasn't necessarily the gas-saver speed, but I only had to gas up once in the roundtrip. It's great to take around downtown. This bike turns heads, especially with a Two Bros. exhaust. I love it, I doubt I'll be upgrading until a year from now. Show less

What makes this the best of the off-road 450's is its versatility. From a 100 mph. Baja Bullet, to a desert bike, to a trail bike and everything else including moto, this bike has it all. The steering stabilizer is confidence inspiring and the stock suspension handles everything you throw at it. Versatile, reliable, and jewel-like build quality make this bike worth every penny! Show less

It is a great first bike. I am 230 lbs. and 5'9. This bike has no problems handling a heavy load for a 250. I can take my girlfriend (120 lbs. and 5'2) for a ride all day long and this bike can handle it with ease. Even reaching 75 mph. on the freeway we can still ride in comfort. I was thoroughly surprised at how amazing this bike is. Thanks! Show less