Best Gas Powered Lawnmower Ever? Why Honda HRX217 Mower?

[@jeffostroff]

Home Depot & Amazon links to paver driveway products (paid affiliate links): 🛒 Honda HRX217HZA NeXite GCV200 Electric Start Self Propelled Gas Mower homedepot.sjv.io/9WJLB5 🛒 Honda HRN216VKA 21 in. Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower: homedepot.sjv.io/za2Xe0 🛒 Honda HRN216VLA Steel Deck Electric Start Gas Self Propelled Mower homedepot.sjv.io/kjoQo0 Note: Some of the links we send you to are affiliate links which which if you click on them and buy something, we may receive a small affiliate commission. We appreciate you supporting our efforts to continue to bring you world class tool reviews, remodeling and repair videos, and shop with me videos looking for the best discount tool deals.

[@johnraley5713]

I have a 1994 Honda HR215 with hydrostatic transmission and the blade brake/clutch. I bought it new and it still works great!

[@jeffostroff]

I had one also, and upgraded to this electric start. Loved them both

[@orional1977]

I have the cheapest Honda mower that HD sold 10 years ago. Finally had to clean the carb this year. It's still running strong.

[@jeffostroff]

I need to clean my carb

[@JonBecker81]

@@jeffostroff yeah sounds like yours has a little bit of a surge.

[@czechmate6916]

I have this exact same mower for a few years now and I love it. No trouble with it so far.

[@rickdavis4740]

Watched this video & several other reviews on the HRX217. I re-watched this video Thurs evening & im happy to report I ordered a Honda HRX217HKA mower Friday evening. I have owned mowers with Honda engines on them in the past, so i know im getting quality & power!! The Nexite lifetime deck combination with Honda reliability should make me a great mower for the foreseeable future. Ive been mowing with a Snapper 21 rear wheel drive mower since 2014. 1 pull start EVERY TIME!!! My heart sank when the blade bolt sheared off & the blade came off. I guess the weight of the G5 Gator blade was too much stress for that poor bolt. After that, the old briggs lost a noticeable amount of performance. No longer mulches like it once did, but still starts on 1st pull. Seeing the decrease in performance & the age of the Snapper, its time to upgrade. The deck was starting to rot away anyways. Here hoping this Honda treats me well & last for a long time. I gave 600 for my Snapper in 2014, so paying money for a better product is not unfamiliar to me. Thanks for a great video

[@billboyd8995]

I have had the same one for 18 years, perfect machine and no problems.

[@jeffostroff]

Nice long life out of it

[@unclebobcarpenter6079]

I have three Honda autos and you can’t beat them for dependable quality! My lawnmower is a 33” cut Trobilt which is over 20 years old. I use synthetic motor oil and also remove the ethanol from the gasoline which gives me terrific performance with all my small equipment motors.Enjoy watching your educational tips, Jeff.

[@jeffostroff]

I used Mobil 1

[@artlife6210]

Ive always known to buy Honda...I did learn the hard way last time and the metal deck disintegrated within three years( I live near saltwater two blocks away)...went back and forth with Home Depot and Honda and Honda actually gave me a brand new Nexlite deck Harmony 21 inch cv200 mower...it is by far the best one Ive ever owned

[@jeffostroff]

That Nexite plastic is awesome, with a lifetime warranty

[@billdeblaey6078]

Snagged a Honda powered Craftsman (GCV160) off a tree lawn last Fall on trash day. Suspect the people were moving and didn't want to take it with them or went battery??? Took it home and had it running in 15 minutes. Gave it a full service and it runs great. My favorite mower is my late 80's Toro Super Recycler. Aluminum deck, three speed on the console, and 6HP Briggs. Best mower I've ever used, 1/2 a step from a commercial mower, tracks perfect and even has grease fittings in the rear. Not sure how many modern mowers will be running in 30 years.

[@ronaldnayman4841]

Hey Jeff, I owned my HRX for over 14 years and still going with minimal maintenance. I love my mower more than collecting Social Security. : )

[@vrod1a]

Honda also sells stainless steel side guard strips for that mower, money well spend to protect the deck from gouging and scratches,

[@tvrift]

Its funny you mention replacing the battery which is one of the main reasons I went with the 217HYA which is the same mower minus the electric start. I didnt want to have to deal with future failures of the electric system. Plus, Honda mowers are known to start easily. Once you combine that with the Blade Stop feature you really only need to start the mower once per session. Overall really happy with the HRX

[@jeffostroff]

yes I went 2 years without the battery on this, because the cord pulled so easily.

[@Tintoycar]

I have a 536 HRD HX from 1996 and still starts at first pull, I got it for free 9 years ago from a proffesional gardener, so it had already run for millions of hours :-) In those 9 years I used 3 spark plugs and 3 times new oil, that's it. Don't think there is a better machine out there you can buy, maybe the same one :-) greetings from Belgium. (next spring I will buy a new blade ;-)

[@jeffostroff]

Awesome machine you got!

[@geerthesselberg6643]

I own a Honda the same walk behind mower , it is a great mower and is going on 4 years with no problems , however the ultimate mower which I still have is the Kubota W5021 SCC Walk behind mower rear wheel drive via a drive shaft with an aluminum housing plus all the same features as my Honda it was purchased in 1991. I am keeping it as a spare and using it on my rental property. By the way, the Kubota came with an Honda engine .

[@jeffostroff]

I have to look into that Kubota

[@jbailey3983]

I have a 3 year old Honda HRX with the same engine as his from 9 years ago. Same engine so you know they got it right. Didn't need the electric start but I did get real wheel power assist. With the exception of my still going strong 20+ year old John Deere LT166 lawn tractor, the Honda is my smartest outdoor purchase.

[@jeffostroff]

Their pressure washers are awesome too

[@davidshi6861]

I replaced the battery with a 2.3Ah generic one from Amazon, only costed $17, works just fine.

[@timraber6575]

I have a deep ditch that about 3 feet deep by 80 feet long I mow every two weeks. I bought a Yard Man brand with a Honda engine over 10 years ago at Northern Tool. It starts right up, it’s light, and easy to pull up out of the ditch. It sets from November to March and starts on the second pull every year.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes, no matter who they put that Honda engine on it still kicks butt

[@chuckt4465]

You can tell this dude genuinely loves his HRX😂. I get it though, I have the same mower, and love it too. By far the best walk behind mower I ever owned. Ive owned , 2 craftsman, and a 4 cycle Lawnboy in the past . My only regret was not buying the more expensive Honda HRX sooner, trying to save money on an different brand of mower. First time I used the HRX It became very apparent how much of a better quality this mower is over anything I used in the past.

[@1951Roy]

Great info. My 2006 Harmony Honda mower went in the trash last week. Deck rusted out, wheels were about to fall off. Motor still ran. I'll miss that mower. I replaced it with a Toro powered with a Honda engine.

[@jeffostroff]

good choice! I love the plastic deck on my honda, has lifetime warranty

[@artlife6210]

def get the nexlite deck same thing happened to my metal deck and Honda replaced the whole mower with a new cv 200 Harmony 21 inch two years ago and its like new still

[@campbellpaul]

The Super Recycler is also a great choice. Too bad you threw away a perfectly good running engine, though.

[@markd9105]

Jeff do you still have this mower? My mower went out and I'm looking at the Hands hrx mowers before they quit selling them.

[@DanEBoyd]

I'm a staunch American car fan with two Mustang GTs, (5.0 SBF and 4.6 3V) but my Honda-powered Husquevarna is the best mower I've ever had! I dragged it out of someone's trash with a broken handle upright. I could see that the other side had broken and been replaced with some conduit, so I grabbed some conduit at Lowes and mimicked that repair. It starts on the first pull every time! And it will start with a slow pull. I can gush over Toyota 4A-FE and 7A-FE engines too, since I started buying Toyotas as winter cars.

[@jeffostroff]

Toyota cars have good quality also yes

[@michaelpayne8000]

I believe those Honda engines are a 190 cc..I watched another KZbinr use it in about 2 feet of grass and never stalled once.. AMAZING 🤩🤩

[@jeffostroff]

Great point!

[@ronaldnayman4841]

Hey Jeff. I have an HRX also, a couple years alder than yours. Still working like new. There is nothing like a great mower. Mulching with twin blades is a breeze.

[@jeffostroff]

Thanks for sharing

[@michaelmactavish4445]

yeah pretty strong little 12.3hp unit i have one too but have to get a new blade clutch for her

[@DawnJiang-kd6me]

I have the honda hrx 217 hya and that was $729. Nice machine they still sell at homedepot.

[@olebelrngr]

After almost 15 years with a top of the line Honda mower and not a single repair needed decided to purchase a new one before they stop production. Not so good luck with the new one, out of the box defective. The compression release mechanism is not working making it very difficult to start. Unfortunately Honda nor Northern Tool will replace it but requiring me to take it in to their shop. The GCV200 has the cam internal with push rods rather than overhead cam. With the new set up the engine requires complete disassembly to replace the cam and compression relief mechanism. I am disappointed to buy a new mower and have the engine completely taken apart and reassembled. Unexpected from Honda to ship it with the defect. The pull cord abruptly stopped when I first pulled it so hard it bent the keeper on the handle. I purchased a Honda battery charger to make sure the battery is fully charged. Have you encountered this problem? The mechanic at the shop said they had just completed one and that the part is on backorder. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4HZqaKhhJaMf6s

[@jeffostroff]

Wow never seen this problem

[@alext8828]

Running lean on idle. That's why it's hunting. I think all these motors are bulletproof. My mower is 22 yo and always starts too. It was under snow for 3 yrs while we tried a gardener and it started on the first pull. I think it's a B&S. Haven't looked lately. And what kind of blades does yours have? I got a quick look but couldn't tell. They look like mulching blades. Mine are just regular blades that I keep sharp with an angle grinder and flap wheel.

[@jeffostroff]

yes dual mulching blades

[@laughingthrushmusic5269]

How well does the rear discharge work in comparison to a side discharge mower like my old Toro recycler? I need a new mower but I use side discharge 99% of the time. Will the rear plastic discharge break overtime if I’m running over small sticks etc?

[@jeffostroff]

I never use it, I only use mulching mode

[@Phantom8Bit]

I have a Honda mower. In the 7+ years I've owned it I've only had one issue. The self propelled gearbox failed and I had to replace it. Cheap gears in the factory unit ate themselves after a couple years. The replacement part has worked great ever since. My mower requires restarting if you let go of the handle, but that's not a big deal given how easy it starts.

[@jeffostroff]

Thanks for sharing

[@AnneMarieBibby1966]

A little trick- with your weed whacker pull the threading spool out and place a zip tie in each hole cut to guard edge. Works anazing!!!!

[@jeffostroff]

will have to try that

[@javierferrer8598]

Thank you Jeff for sharing this lawnmower with us can't never go wrong with a Honda I have a Honda also that I bought at Home Depot if they would have that one in the store I probably would have bought it 👍👍👍

[@jeffostroff]

Thanks for sharing

[@mikeboyd9313]

Can this mower be pulled backwards? Not for long distances but just to turn around?

[@jeffostroff]

I have done it many times

[@appleztooranges]

Can you do an updated review o the newer Honda hrx217vka mower!

[@steviebboy69]

A friend of mine has an old Honda HRU194, im sure its around 30 years old and works really well still and starts mostly on first pull pretty much but it is getting a bit tired. It is a 4-stroke Petrol unit and he looks after it well, no rust or anything almost looks new as we hoses it down and gets the grass of the underside. I was given a Victa mower it is an Australian brand 6 years old at the time and deck rusted out motor works well on it I am sure its a Tecumseh engine VIcta years ago made all their own engines not anymore heheh.

[@jeffostroff]

Good to see they are working in the land down under as well!

[@bottomup12]

I had an issue with my HRX2175 late last fall. It was cold and the auto choke thermowax was preventing it from starting. Thought I’d have a big problem in the spring, but it started right up and has been great all summer.

[@jeffostroff]

how did it fix itself?

[@bottomup12]

@@jeffostroff my theory is that it was cold enough outside that the auto choke was not working. I was using the mower to bag leaves late fall. I didn’t know about the little thermowax piece at the time. I was spraying carb cleaner and starting fluid to no avail. Or maybe it was the magic mower elves. 🧚‍♂️😄

[@jimhenderson387]

I don't have that model, but my Honda lawnmower has been the best I've ever owned. Even after 10 years, it still starts most times with 1 pull. Hondas are the best.

[@steviebboy69]

A friend of mine has an old Honda Buffalo, I dont remember how old it is but it would be maybe 25-30 years old and still goes well. but i think its burning a bit of oil now but still starts well. It doesnt have any fancy features just that its a 4 stroke petrol engine.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes, people who wire them off because of cost don't realize the quality you get

[@darthvapor6355]

I have a John Deere 14sb with a Kawasaki engine that has been going strong since I bought it new way back in 1986 and i wouldn't give it up for anything, they just don't make things like they used to.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes the 1980s seems to be a sweet spot for these old school names

[@wayneessar7489]

My 14sb got stolen on Christmas Eve. It was a said day. I got a Honda HRX 217 HYA as the nearest replacement. The JD bagged better but the Honda mulches extremely well.

[@darthvapor6355]

@@wayneessar7489 that's terrible that it got stolen, most likely ended up at a pawn shop for pennies on the dollar. These old Deeres have a cult following much like the Honda guys. I dread the day that I have to give up my Deere, hoping to pass it on to my son some day.

[@wayneessar7489]

@@darthvapor6355 The theft was complete, they took Stihl trimmer and blower, fuel, oil and grinder. They took my very small business. But that did not stop me! I still have the front rake attachment and with a little work and special front wheel bolts on the Honda I can use it again. Good luck to you good Sir! I hope you pass it on!

[@vkhiev]

Love this mower but the nexite deck cracks all the time when hitting rocks. Electric start is just another thing for issue. I like my pull cord

[@jeffostroff]

They have a lifetime warranty on the deck

[@davidanderson6385]

Hi Jeff always wanted a Honda mower but too rich for my blood at the time. Now with Cali gas all my gas equipment has had problems within a year. Going all cordless and love my ego mower teething is whisper quiet sounds like a small fan

[@jeffostroff]

Yes the cordless mowers are all quieter and no exhaust to choke on during those hot days

[@johnhpalmer6098]

Love mine, it's the Honda HRR216 series, the ONLY thing it lacks is the electric start, but quite frankly and is self propelled, I don't miss it as it starts right up, usually on a pull or two. Granted, mine dates to about 2006 and bought it used in 2016 for $250, fixed up from a reseller locally and all it's had in the 5 years I've used it is the pull recoil starter replaced due to a missing spring in the mechanism as I replaced the cord last year I think it was and didn't realized it at the time, but the spring that holds the cord pulley was missing and by then, it was long gone. I had the carb replaced this spring as one, it was surging, had been since I bought and two, I think the diaphragm may have been bad, it and new blades and an oil change and air filter and that's been it. It'll need to be cleaned out underneath once the mowing season ends next month. I am missing the spring in my roto stop for the blade lever, but it works fine, once I figured out the adjustment for the cable. Been a fantastic mower otherwise.

[@jeffostroff]

It still does well with time!

[@chopper1588]

Great video

[@steely_Bob]

I’ve had my HRX 2172VKA since Sept. 2009. Starts on first start. Replace air filter & oil on yearly basis. Replaced spark plug once & one rear wheel. Paid $649 @ HD.

[@jeffostroff]

It's a keeper!

[@timothyFL]

Just bought the craftsman 3/8 impact wrench for $49 at Lowe’s took the lug nuts off my 14 f150 no problem

[@jeffostroff]

sweet deal!

[@saginaw60]

Why are they easy to start? A transistor device retards the spark, but that makes a shorter life for the magnito. Changed it once on my old Honda, machine is like new but now can not get another part, so is Briggs so bad?

[@kevngu7256]

It is . Mine last a long time. 11 year and have not sharpen the blade.

[@jeffostroff]

I have not sharpened the blades either

[@butler386]

You can't fool me. That mower will not work on my grass. But you can show me if it will. Thanks for the video.

[@jeffostroff]

IT will!

[@oldmaninthemirror]

Jeff I have to say at best this would be the second best mower. I purchased a Honda HR 214 walk behind self-propelled in 1988. Still have the receipt though I suspect out of warranty :) I paid $500 for it then which was way more than most mowers of the day. It has a thick cast aluminum deck, shaft drive, and blade brake yes blade stops motor keeps running - no chains or belts here. I have replaced the recoil start twice I think but otherwise just normal maintenance. I guess I have almost gotten my money's worth 33 years later ! The only thing I ever wished was the motor is 4HP so maybe could have been larger but really it has always done the job.

[@jeffostroff]

yes these Hondas last a good long time

[@stevet1966]

Too bad they can't make em any quieter than the cheapo models. Love your vids.

[@jeffostroff]

yes, the cordless lawnmowers are nice and quiet

[@stevet1966]

@@jeffostroff more building vids jeff. Lol. You are a smart and well spoken man. Your vids are great cuz of your cadence, and smarts.

[@audietrexler157]

Hay Jeffostroff have you seen that home depo dropped there price on dewalt Model# DWS780 to 499 from 599 while lower went up 629 today seen at hd and lowes

[@jeffostroff]

Thanks Audie, just posted it on my community tab page t let everyone know

[@sirhc221]

same mine is about 10 years and starts like a dream, only issue is the base is starting to rust out, wouldn't have any other brand of mower

[@jeffostroff]

That's why I like the Nexite plastic deck, no rust

[@sirhc221]

@@jeffostroff yeah i'm bout for a new one, unless i get a new deck to replace the rusted one, but i will definitely keep in mind the Nexite deck for sure thanks!

[@orlandoarocho4973]

Nice!

[@jeffostroff]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@houstoncowdog]

I see your a GX man, excellent choice

[@jeffostroff]

You know it!

[@hulkinbrent6376]

Just any mower with the honda engine is basically the same i have a troybilt with the honda mower all honda name brand is usually higher in price i remember looking the honda vs the troybilt same dang engine pretty sure just soo nice! Only thing different maybe the drive part or me push mower and urs a starter

[@BustedWalletGarage]

My favorite lawn mower in Florida is the sink hole. Eventually , it just all goes away.

[@aday1637]

I owned one of those things some years back. Great engine, however you had to run to keep up with it. There was not way to slow the wheel speed down, whatsoever. I parked it after a few uses and eventually sent it to auction. Would never buy another. And to the guy who says Ryobi is trash...I own quite a few of their tools and have had no issues. I've worn a few out and replaced them, but they are reliable and economical. There are so many tools for the 18 one batteries that I doubt if anyone owns all of them. I have some tools dating back over 10 years that are used all the time and are going strong. I also own Makita, Milwaukee and Dewalt. I've got more tools than most people will ever own. I just purchased a Ryobi pressure washer but haven't had a chance to use it yet. It is 2000 psi and came with the deck washing disc for $109. Try finding any other brand with the same features is very difficult. Now if you don't know how to use a tool, you might have problems with any brand. There are quite a few harry-homeowner types who just do not have the wherewithall to use a power tool.

[@jeffostroff]

That's odd about the speed, mine has turtle to rabbit on the speed control.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

Obviously, something is wrong, I have the self propelled Honda HRR216 series and the self propelled is variable speed, though mine feels like it isn't always going fast enough, and I run it nearly flat out., But then again, I tend to be a fast walker so there is that.

[@JonBecker81]

I have the same mower but with the new 200 cc minus the electric start. The electric start to me is a waste of money on these especially since you have to spend $120 to replace the battery. You just pull a chord once and that’s it.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes for a long time while waiting for a replacement battery I used the cord, even the weakest pull still starts it right up

[@johndenver8574]

If you buy a Honda mower it is the last mower you'll ever own.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes, it served me well!

[@davidanderson6385]

Was out mowing the yard at 630am

[@jeffostroff]

I was still sleeping! LOL

[@johnhpalmer6098]

You might want to find out about noise ordinances as most communities you can't run power tools outside before 7-8AM weekdays, 8 on the weekends or there abouts.

[@davidanderson6385]

@@johnhpalmer6098 thank you. None here unincorporated area of the county, but it's an ego no noise. My next door neighbor came to see what I was doing a couple months ago because he couldn't hear anything but saw me walking back and forth in the yard, in the late afternoon.

[@anthonymakley1530]

This lawn mower is a bear almost 100lbs but has the nicest cut of any mower I have ever had

[@jeffostroff]

Yes I love it, but hate the exhaust. Have not used it since June when I got my electric mowers

[@anthonymakley1530]

@@jeffostroff if I can ask what brand electric lawnmower I would love to go electric but from what I have heard they don’t cut as nice as the Honda’s

[@paulzapol9840]

Your carb needs to be cleaned, the engine was surging/hunting while on idle speed. And don't rip on Briggs! I have some Briggs and Stratton engines from the 80s that start on the first pull. I do agree that Honda makes great engines.

[@jeffostroff]

Every Briggs engine I ever had was lame, 3-5 attempts before starting, right out of the box, same with the edger

[@thetube0a3]

He is right though, it's starving for fuel under light load. The carb needs a good cleaning which is easy on a Honda.

[@seanh2390]

On a semi-related note, I wish Milwaukee would come out with an electric mower that uses Milwaukee batteries.

[@marauder2525]

Look on KZbin channel Belts and Boxes.

[@shanew7361]

They are supposedly and looks like a pofs.

[@jeffostroff]

they did! can't wait to see it

[@PFab]

Yeah it was just announced last week

[@seanh2390]

thanks guys

[@AL_Lopez_101]

Hello Jeff.

[@jeffostroff]

sup warmonger, thanks for watching tonight

[@waterworldplayz]

i didn't know honda made lawnmowers

[@jeffostroff]

Generators and pressure washers too

[@sinsagoodmansbrother]

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady....

[@lewis2553]

That's nothing! My grass has been growing up for 3 years! When I get home, I'll have to bush hog it first and cut it later. Or you could come over and test your lawn mower on that. 😂😂😂 I think the true test of any lawnmower is whether or not it still runs after hitting one of those big fire ant mounds.

[@jeffostroff]

Would love to try it on an ant hill

[@schutzhund3933]

$1k for a mower? Wow!

[@jeffostroff]

When I bought it, I used mostly points stored up on my credit card

[@konamanstudio2447]

👍🏻🍻🍺🐶

[@jeffostroff]

thanks for stopping by tonight konaman

[@bennytorres4557]

But before I bought the ego Honda was the best mower even better than Xmark

[@jeffostroff]

Still want to get my hands on an ego some day

[@jeffostroff]

Still want to get my hands on an ego some day

[@RCinginSC]

There's one better way to start a lawn mower...have your teenage son do it ..🤣👍

[@jeffostroff]

great idea!

[@mattm3686]

It gets easier... throw the battery in the ego and go.... 😆

[@jeffostroff]

yes, same with the dewalt and Ryobi mowers

[@davidshi6861]

Not in the same class. Batteries last 5 years max, this mower lasts 20+ years.

[@skyemac8]

It sounds like it is surging.

[@jeffostroff]

No, it's a great mower

[@rzbkfan190]

$700 and a discontinued model.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes, this was such a good model