My 2004 tie rod ends are doing ok,I have to agree with the inspection part of it before ever ride,never hurts to be safe .Heard too many horror stories of bike in the shop for extended periods,not so good during summer time .I figure that once I see the ends are going bad I'll just replace them myself and save the frustration then deal with Honda in a class action suit when and when ever this should occur.Seems to me that they have pushed your safety to the side and this will get back to attitude has got to blow up in their face.Sometimes it takes a death to make them come around to a riders way of thinking.I PITY HONDA ON THIS ONE.