first service
I work in a shop. I've heard all the angles regarding first service too. 1st service is critical. Usually there is a valve lash inspection (with adjustment if neccessary) and an oil (and filter) change. The shop rate is shop rate, expect to pay for the time if they do it according to specs. My shop is an exception, we include it in the purchase price on atvs intentionally so there are no warranty issues. If you get it for a discount, you may want to make sure it was actually done. Anyone who says you can hear if needs an adjustment is BSing (or doesn't have a clue) !! Sure if you hear it , it needs an adjustment, but valves usually tighten up as they wear into the seats so it's not a good indicator for adjustment intervals. Break in oil has special additives and a usually metal/fiber particles from wear-in and initial clutch plate wear. Get it out of there at interval indicated is definately in your best interest. If you do not know how to do it yourself, get a shop to do it to protect your warranty. When you just spent 5-10 grand on the unit and scrimp on a $200 inspection, it doesn't make any economic sense IMO. BTW you can do it yourself, it won't effect warranty coverage unless you screw something up, and I'd have a paper trail (receipts) for the parts to prove you did the expected items. Honda sells something like 9 million motorcycles worldwide in a year. They see alot of things, good, bad and otherwise with that many units and see customers try to slide some very peculiar stuff through on warranty I'm sure. So long as you're doing what's expected of the owner (readyour manual), they could care less who did it so long as it is done.
All that said and done, alot of Hondas go many many years with next to no maitenance, I think it says more about how good the item originally is from the factory than a rule to ignore suggested intervals for service.