In the spring of 2005 I spent more than $6000 to purchase a new Honda Shadow motorcycle. After 15 months and only 2500 miles ridden, the chrome on the exhaust pipes began to develop pitted looking rusted areas spreading across them. The bike had just been out of 'winter storage'(in a clean, dry garage where it was covered) for about 3-4 months when I noticed the defect starting to spread across the side of the largest exhaust pipe. Whenever outside, the bike was always covered. Before every ride, it was wiped down and cleaned. I took the bike to the dealership where I bought the bike and the service manager told me the chrome on the exhaust pipes was positively defective. He advised me to call American Honda customer service. Honda customer service (with some degree of attitude) told me their warranty for 'cosmetic' defects is 45 DAYS and they weren't going to do anything about it. It was my problem. I wrote a scathing letter to American Honda in California (and of course cc'd the dealership), which prompted immediate contact from Honda. The dealership was totally on my side. Honda said they would review the situaion. Even after seeing photos of the bike and the defective pipes and speaking with the service manager at the dealership, who told them the chrome on the pipes was defective and that the bike was otherwise in immaculate condition, they told him and me that they refused to do anything about it whatsoever. So, if I want to replace the defective exhaust pipes on my bike I'll have to pay several hundred bucks to replace them myself. The bike looks showroom new -- except for the defective pipes. So much for consumer loyalty ... I've had 2 Honda autos and 2 Honda motorcycles in my life. NEVER AGAIN will I buy anything that has anything to do with HONDA, and advise the public to beware of purchasing anything with the HONDA name attached to it in any way. They don't back their product, and when a lemon turns up they'll tell you 'TOO BAD FOR YOU!!' Simply put, HONDA SUCKS!!!