The manual says to change the oil at 4,000 miles, then every 8,000 miles afterwards.

I am sucker for service "recommendations" and my dealer suggested changing the oil at 700 miles, not 4,000. I went for it.

My bike now has 5,700 miles on it and I am not changing the oil again until the season ends, which will put me right around 8,000 miles anyway.

Honda recommends the 8,000 mile oil / filter change and looking at the condition of the oil in mine, I see why. They are the ones who have to cover all these engines for three years, and probably another 10% for an additional four years (those who purchase the extended warranty). Honda knows they could have bikes out there with 150K miles on them and with their recommended 8,000 mile oil change intervals, and still stand behind them ... this is proof enough for me that a once per year (7-8,000 miles for me) oil and filter change is sufficient.