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Had this one for about 3 years now. I have a full acre of generally wet property here in western NY. This machine is outstanding. Ironically, I came to love it even further when my wife hit a huge rock and bent the crank. I took it to several shops and no one wanted to replace it. This past weekend I finally mustered up the courage. Bought the Honda shop manual (YES! THERE'S A SHOP MANUAL MADE FOR THESE MOWERS!), ordered a crank, and when it came in within an hour I had removed the engine, cracked open the case, easily removed the crank, slapped in a new one and reinstalled the engine. Just mowed my front yard flawlessly. Will never get rid of this mower. Spectacular design.

As a person who's owned a Lawn Company I can say positively these are the BEST Push Mowers on the Market, period.

Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower kzfaq.infoUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.

I have the HRX 217 HZA, same mower but with optional electric start. What I love most about it so far is its ability to mulch and bag leaves in the fall, it gets EVERYTHING. Normally tidying up the lawn and getting rid of all the leaves by raking them takes forever, but that mower just eats all of it like it's nothing and never bogs down even when the cut height is low.

I have lots of experience fixing and maintaining mowers.... a lot. I've worked on and personally used all kinds, brands and models. This is the one I chose as my personal mower. Not looking to change any time soon.

I've had an older version of this mower for the past 7 or 8 years ... I love it. I have St Augustine grass that I mow/mulch at 4 inches. NOTHING has ever slowed this mower down. It has been completely bullet proof. All these new features are a variation on a great theme. I love this mower and I would definitely buy another ... if this current one ever gives out!

3:28 I'm 6'5" (with an inseam of 36") and the handle was a bit too low for me (creates low back pain)...So I carefully drilled a new hole on each side. (If you plan to do this note the curve pattern and spacing of the original 3 holes. Also, the new holes do not need to be oblong) This modification makes a huge difference in the handlebar height (and does not create any new problems) Mark where the center should be and start with a small bit. (compare/measure the difference between the 2nd and 3rd position and then you'll have a better idea if you want the bar this high.)

Your format and delivery is the best on KZfaq. I've never mowed a lawn in my life but I enjoy watching and learning from you. God bless.

I have the previous version of this exact mower and I’ve had it for over 3 years. This is by far the best mower I’ve ever owned. They sell a kit at any hardware store for changing the oil, spark plug and air filter for around $20. I have purchased 2 extra sets of blades and rotate them out every few months to keep the cut perfect. My local small engine repair shop sharpens and balances them for me for $6. I see no reason that this mower won’t last me a lifetime as it’s so well made. I can’t recommend it enough.

We had this mower since 2001 and haven’t done any maintenance within 20 years and it still mowing like a champ.

I bought one last year fabulous mower! Mowed south Louisiana St Augustine yesterday in the rain bagging with no issue!! Well worth the investment and always starts on first or second crank!

Starting on my second year with this model. Love it: powerful, fast, mulches great, and the hydrostatic drive is great. The air filter is so easy to get to, gas tank is large, handle folds so easy, the blade clutch means you only have to start the mower once per mow, so I got the pull start model.

I have owned this mower since 2004. It has never missed a beat. I have replaced the bag once, and other than a few sets of blades and routine maintenance, it's been flawless. I live in Dallas, and we have a long growing season. Through much of the spring and summer I mow every 4-5 days. My mower has a lot of miles on it. The plastic deck is a little faded, but has never shown any signs of failure. I learned a long time ago not to buy cheap tires, mattresses, shoes or tools. Good ones work better, last longer and are the better value even if they cost more up front.

Your reviews are great. Clearly your standards are high so anything you give your blessing to is worth a look. Thanks for your work.

I purchased a similar Honda mower in 2010 with the plastic deck - it still runs like the first day! Another benefit of the clutch brake is you can let the engine continue to run without the blades spinning - useful for those that like to expel the fuel in the fuel line after the line is closed. This shares garage space with my Honda snowblower . . . another 1-pull start machine that is worth its weight in gold! Kudos on your videos! Fantastic content and great topics!

I’ve got their HRX from 2006 which is the same mower you tested but with the older engine and it’s been bullet proof! LOVE IT! Paid 800 for it then I believe and don’t regret it. All I do is mulch now, but having the choice with the lever was one of the reasons I bought it. Best mower I’ve ever used.

I bought one of these back in 2007 that mower has never let me down

I have the same one but the 2013 version and it's an amazing mower. I see my neighbors who cheap out on their mowers, and have nothing but trouble. This mower has been flawless. Twice a year oil changes and it's rock solid. Well worth the money!

I have the HRX217TDA that my wife bought for me I believe back In 2007. Is well care for an as of today is still proving me with awesome service. Highly dependable mower. Glad you did an awesome review on such high quality Honda mower.

Excellent review, very informative. I’m a big fan of Honda mowers. I’ve had three since 1985 and wouldn’t buy any other brand. You get what you pay for. Love the channel and all the info you put out.

I'm in the 6th season with the previous (190-cc) version of the HYA, and I still love this machine. I installed an hourmeter on day 1, and I'm at around 200 hours now. I'm SO glad I sprang for the hydrostatic drive. There's a rear axle maintenance procedure that's not fun, but not outrageous either. Valve clearances every couple of years. Oil twice per season. Original plug. Starts first pull almost every time and runs flawlessly regardless of conditions or temperature. Mowing quality & ease of use are near-perfect.

I purchased this mower (hydrostatic) primarily based on your review. All your reviews are super informative and unbiased. I love this thing and actually enjoy mowing again!

I have one also and have had it for over 5 years. I’ve hit sticks and accidentally some stones when we moved before I knew the lawn. No issues at all with the deck. It cleans up incredibly easy and well. This mower is already heavy and a metal deck on it would make it an outright tank as far as weight is concerned. The ability to turn the blade on and off without killing the tractor is awesome. The bag does fill up really quickly.

I just bought this model today. I cannot wait to start mowing my yard. I really appreciate your time and effort on sharing your thoughts through this video!

Your videos are so awesome, super well-shot and edited and narrated. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

I bought the one with the ‘butterfly’ self propel mode u showed this year. U right. thats the best lawnmower ive ever owned. I got a cub cadet riding lawnmower but I use the honda more!... good video.. beautiful yard

I have a 5 year old version of this mower that I bought new. It does an excellent job. Worth the price.

Thank you! I was torn between a Toro and a Honda and this video made it easier. I’ve had my HRX for two months now and I love it.

My present and previous mower were the Honda 217 models. Excellent mowers, I gave the old one to a friend when I moved, and just bought another after I retired.

Now I know what to tell Santa I want for Christmas! Thank you for another fantastic video!

I just sold my 1992 version of this mower (Honda Harmony with the plastic deck) on craigslist. It still started with one pull and cut great. I used the proceeds to buy the 2020 HRX217 VYA. According to the manual, if you set it half way between mulching and bagging it is great for mulching leaves.

I had this mower way back in 2011 , I absolutely loved it but lost it in Sandy . I then purchased a different mower that was cheaper . I hated it . I gave that mower to my son in law and I bought the honda again and I'm so happy I did and for all of the reasons stated in the video. I love that i can bag , mulch or a little of both. The best feature for me is the blade clutch . I don't have to keep restarting the mower every time I empty the bag . This lengthens the life of the pull starter . I love all of you videos . Thank you

I own this machine. Ive owned alot of mowers over the last 30yrs. This one definitely stands apart from all the others ive owned. An absolute beast of a mower.

Have had mine for 8 years works the same as the day I got it. Best mower you can buy. Especially in the fall with the versamow

I bought the VKA a month ago along with the Toro Timemaster to test them both out. I have 8,000 square feet of Bermuda with 80% of that in my backyard which is mostly a slopes grade. The Toro was awesome, but I couldn’t justify the $400 difference in price. The Honda cuts great and has a very powerful engine. There are some things I wish were better like even in mulch mode you get a lot of clippings that rest in the back section of the deck and I have to clean them out at the end of the mow. I also wish the cutting heights were a bit more dialed in. There is a huge jump from 1 1/4” to the next HOC which is 2”. The Toro had a 1 3/4” cut which was perfect. I do love the Honda and the cut quality is amazing. Thanks for the video!

Love the mower. I have that model with the electric start. Sure it was $900, but best mower I have ever owned. Bought it in april

That bag/mulch lever is a great idea. No need to swap a bag for a mulch plug as it is built in - awesome. 👍

I have the HRX217KVA and I freakin love it. Seems like everyone wants to take shots at it since it’s so damn expensive, but it’s a beast of a mower with excellent performance.

Just bought the HRX217VKA tonight for $619 at Home Depot. Hopefully this will be my mower till retirement in 18 years. Great review as always!

Before you buy a new pair of 217/mower blades try this: Make a more aggressive cutting edge with a grinder. I use the flap-disc style wheel on a hand grinder. (Wear safety glasses/goggles and remove the blades to sharpen/grind them and then reinstall) After that you'll really like your 217!

HRX 217 has been around for many years. I have a composite 217 I bought in 2006 and still have. Runs fine

Great mower for both homeowners and professionals. The blade brake clutch was the selling point for me and then I learned that most lawn services use and recommended it. My only complaint, is the handle flex. If used too much on steep hills, it will eventually bend where the plastic adjuster is.

I have this mower Silver and you hit on all the benefits of owning this mower. Well done sir and thank you for another great video sir!

I have one that was bought in 2007, still going strong, and still starts on the first pull.

I have a HRX that is 12 years old. Still running strong. I love that mower. Has more than paid for itself.

I have had one 7 weeks.. for $619... worth it.

I have a Honda mower my parents bought when I was in high school... I'm 54 years old now, this mower is a beast. Every year, starts on the 1st pull, I think I've replaced the blade, the wheels and maybe the spark plug once, lol. They last forever, worth every penny!

I purchased the VKA version the beginning of this season and I'm very satisfied with it. I have roughly .3 acres and it does the job perfectly. I have no regrets, with this purchase. Paid just around $600 from Home Depot. Spot on review of this system. Thanks for the review!

I bought an HRX 217 back in 2012 and agree with every critique you mentioned. Even after 8 years, still starts on the first pull. Still runs and works like the first time I used it. I do only run premium fuel in (Chevron/Texaco with Techron) so even after sitting up all winter, pretty much still starts on the first pull and never had to adjust or tune anything. Only changed the air filter, oil and blades since new. Did notice when the bag fills up the cut isn't as good because the vacuum that lifts the grass is apparently reduced. Removing the bag and leaving the lever in bagging mode for rear discharge, the cut is very good, even with heavy grass, probably because the vacuum is able to lift the grass even more easily and discharge it. My only complaint is that it is heavy, unlike these newer electric mowers like the Ryobi, which we have a couple. My wife loves using the electric mowers since no need to pull start it, they are light and very maneuverable and they are quieter, but they don't cut as well either.

Comprehensive and fair review. My neighbour has a 23 year old Honda,standard metal body mower and he rarely does a tune up and it still starts first pull.

I owned a Honda HRB mower for 20 years, and it never failed. It was all I needed for my old house with the quarter acre yard. I recently moved to a different house last month. The new house has much thicker grass due to a sprinkler system, is a half acre, and about half of the back yard has a pretty steep incline hill. After two mowings with my older mower, it was clear that my older mower just couldn't handle the thickness and incline of my new yard. The self propelled wheels barely moved through the grass and basically turned the mower into a push mower without being self propelled. Since I loved my old Honda mower, I bought a Honda HRX217HYA a couple of weeks ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. I wanted to get a Honda that had the biggest wheels and the most powerful engine available. I also paid a little more to get the cruise control instead of Variable speed Select Drive because I just like it better. My old mower was like this, and I just like it. Plus it has the Roto-Stop blade system, which is also nice. Worth the extra money for me. The new mower started first pull as I expected, and went though the front yard no problem. Then I started mowing the back yard, and this is when I started to worry about the incline and whether or not the mower could handle it. Well, it handled it just fine. In fact, I don't need to push the mower at all. It goes up the steep hills without any problems, and I don't have to help push it at all. It's great. It has plenty of power to get through my thick yard and up the hill. And of course it cuts great. With my old mower, it took me just short of 3 hours to mow due to having to push the mower, the slower speed and taking breaks due to the incline just killing me. With my new mower, it's takes a little over 2 hours and I'm barely tired after mowing. So for anyone who wants to know if the HRX series can go up a pretty steep incline, I'm telling you right now, it can handle it with no problems.

I have a 2016 HRR series (discontinued) with smart drive, I absolutely love it!

Great review. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the HRX217VKA back in May and I have to say it was the best decision ever, the cut quality is the best I have ever seen in a rotary mower. The $619 is expensive but trust me you won’t regret it. It will last for many many years to come

I also have the K6 HYA. One of my best purchases! I don’t regret it at all! It’s a fantastic mower.

Love my HRX have had it since 2015.

Excellent as always, thank you!

Bought an HR21 back in 1978 with the aluminum deck. Although I upgraded to a newer self-propelled Honda about 25 years ago, both are still running after all these years.

I love mine, have had it for years.runs great..

I use this mower commercially, it holds up great and can takes a beating. This deck is very durable, and easy to clean. Keep up with the tune up kits every so often and this thing will run forever.

First I have to say I absolutely love your videos!! I’m looking at this mower, and it was finally was back in stock at mowers direct. Can you explain the difference between hydrostatic transmissions and variable speed transmissions? Is one better than the other? Advantages/disadvantages. Pros/cons , repair costs etc?

I have been using the 2004 version of the hrx217. In that 16 years I have only changed the oil twice and the spark plug twice. The blade has never been changed. It still runs and cuts nicely.

Excellent video review. It confirms everything I had researched. I bought the VKA model about a month ago and love it.

My parents had one of these from the 90s THE 90s!!!!! And it still worked before we moved, we gave it to our neighbor. The only thing that broke on it was the self propelled system, which makes sense the thing was literally over 20 years old, the belt probably just needed replacing. What else is amazing is how they never really changed the design up at all, the 90s edition looks almost identical to the version in this video. The rabbit and tortoise icons for propel speed are still there, as well as the orange crank and the red top part of the mower. Hands down best lawn mower made

I got the top of the line one this year and it seems they got rid of the double handles and now there is a button for blade stopping. They also integrated the thumb controls, but with modulating speed as well which I find very helpful. Even on bumps it keeps chugging along and doesn't get in the way.

We have a riding mower. We prefer to use our 217 and bag for the first four mowing. The rest of the season we mulch. It handles everything thing that we throw at it.

Have a 2012, top of the line with electric start. Still looks and runs like new, it will last forever. Best lawnmower and was worth the $900 price.

Love your channel. First time homeowner here in Charlotte, NC and I bought the HRX217 with the selector nob which controls speed of self propelled. I wanted to get the one with the blade stop but opted to save the money and still extremely happy with my purchase. Both of my neighbors back in Ohio growing up had Honda mowers, mid-90s models and they ran those things forever. So with that said, I was sold on Honda when it came time to buy a mower. I have extremely fast growing Bermuda down here and the HRX powers through it with no issues and leaves it looking great. May upgrade to a reel mower down the road, but for now, Honda and a little fertilizer has my lawn looking the best in the neighborhood!!

Might have to get one for next year. I have a Certified 22" 178CC engine and that one cuts really good. Its also super light i can lift it in and out of my truck no problems. Right now i hardly have any grass to cut so i dont need it

I just purchased a used one today that was in excellent for $50. It's 3 years old and the best deal and walk behind mower that I've ever had.

I really like mine so far. Only had it for two seasons, but our yard is in very rough shape. It’s held up to a lot of bumpy and dusty lawn so far. The deck is all still in one piece too!

Very valuable information with efficient, no BS delivery. Thanks!

I've had a HRX217 since the first release which I believe was 2003. Only problem ever was the cruise control transmission went out and I replaced myself for $195. Mower always starts first pull and cuts great either way - bagging or mulching. I have the original blades and a second set. I sharpen my own and exchange a couple of times each season.

I bought mine in 2000. Still runs perfectly.

I bought the top of the line HZA electric start model, spring 2018. I love it so much I named her Kathryn and keep detailed records of every mow. I installed a tach/hour meter, a big league lawns striping kit, modified with a push broom head to lay the grass over before the rollers set the stripe, and I plasti-dipped the wheels to better match the color of the deck. Also purchased the full shop repair manual and a genuine Honda cover for the winter. She's a beast!

i have used that mower before, the blade clutch is awesome bercuase i can start the mower and then drive to the part of the yard that i want to mow. best mower ever.

I just picked up this mower after tons of research and debating. I really like it so far and this vid validated my purchase!

Nice informative video. Nice improvements over the years. One thing to watch out for is grass accumulating in the space where the drive belt pulley is and attaches to the drive mechanism. FREQUENTLY clean it out. This is not where the water flush nozzle can reach, so turn the mower up so you can see how it is compartmented. I actually had to take a chisel to the packed dirt/ grass mix that had turned to a concrete like mass and caused the drive system to slowly fail. The mower was 8 years old and the tread on the wheels were down to bald, so it's hard to say which. I just hope Honda has figured this out and reengineered it. If was more open, a shot with a garden hose occasionally would fix the problem.

Earlier this summer I bought a Honda HRN 216 VYA. I guess it's a step or two down from the 217 you show here, but I love it. Smart drive, blade clutch, three in one mulch, rear discharge, and bag. And I got it on sale out the door under $500.

i just sold my hrx217 to go to a battery powered mower. It was an amazing mower with a MIJ engine - had the GC 190 and the composite deck. best machine i ever owned and just as good as day one. always started first pull.

I really like my 217 HRX. I had wanted one for years but could not justify the cost or when they went on sale or clearance at end of season they sold fast. About four seasons ago I found a barely used one at Home Depot for $460.00 in late September so I grabbed it. I kept it mostly as a backup mower to my Snapper RE 210 RER but recently that mower had the spindle housing separate from the mounting plate so I am waiting on parts. Now the Honda is my frontline mower. The blade clutch is the best feature in addition to the twin blades. I normally use it in mulch mode but sometimes run the bagger early in the season when the maple trees drop seeds. Mine has the 190 cc engine. I find it to be a bit heavy but like indicated in the video it mulches grass great and does a pretty good job with leaves though not near as good as my Snapper. I have a big yard and view the price as worthy of the Honda quality and performance. Now my backup to the Honda is my older Lawnboy with high rear wheels. very light mower at 55 pounds to the Honda's near 100 pounds.

Thanks for sharing this .. everything would suit me except the wheel size, with my large tree lined lawn .. even using a rider for most, I still need larger drive wheels for the trimming. ... I've had several brands with the smaller wheels and they just can't handle the various dips and rolls in the terrain no matter how much leveling I annually try and improve the soil. I need 11 or larger inch drivers. Cheers ....

I found one of these at a garage sale for $150. I talked him down to 120. He was selling it so cheap because it idled really rough. The only thing wrong with it was a clogged fuel line. It took me 15 minutes to fix and I was good to go :-D One of my best garage sale purchases ever!

I agree, best push mower! Just wish they would make a larger deck. You should try the cub cadet cc600 28" deck, I have this also and love it! You would to.

I have the HRX and it's a great mower. I have last years model, 2021. I really like the smart drive as opposed to the stick version. Mine has sort of a mix of the two in that I have a dial on it and can adjust the max speed and can also use the smart drive lever to adjust the speed (if that makes any sense). Either way, we have a new, larger yard and I upgraded to a Scag Liberty Z 42" mower and have been very happy with that.

Owned this model since 2015. LOVE IT. Wish they had a 30in version though 🤷‍♂️

I bought one last year and LOVE it!! I highly recommend this unit to anybody in the market for a mower. I had a Toro for about 3 yrs and it was a total waste of money. It was awful when it came to rear bagging so when it gave out I decided to switch over to this model. Yes the Toro was just over half the cost of this mower but no where near as good as this unit. Honda does sell a cheaper version of this mower but I was told that the wheels on that unit wouldn't last as long as this one before they needed to be replaced. Seems the wheels on the cheaper version don't have the traction or tread depth that this one has. I wouldn't switch back to Toro for nothing and I'm looking at having this mower for a LONG time.

The best reason to have blade clutch is to turn off the blade when you are making awkward turns in tight and uneven spaces (especially near edges). If the blade is spinning you can easily scalp the grass to the roots or just overstress it

You are absolutely correct, i have one and it just rocks.

I am on my second HRX Model, and love them. I always go with the model similar to what you tested. The only issue I have with is with the pull-start. The spring seems to wear out every few years, but its easy to replace.

I bought the $600 1 about 10 years ago when it was actually 500 and something and I actually love it agree with all the features in his review I usually mulch but sometimes bag

CC, thanks for the video, very informative. I’m curious, if you had a chance to test drive Toro SuperRecycler with 190cc Brigs motor. Would love to see your opinion when stacked against the HRX. CHEERS.

I’ve had my HRX217 vka for 8 years. Solid. Never an issue. This year I changed blades for the first time. Used it a few weeks ago. Mowed for three and a half hours straight for three acres. Only stopped to gas up twice and drink some water. It truly is a very reliable piece of equipment. Lasted six years longer than. My toros. The vka doesn’t have the extra blade control feature but I don’t want it. Not needed.

Honda mowers are bullet proof. We have a 14-year-old, going on 15 (bought in 2009) HRX217TDA, I think we paid about $650 back then. Worth every penny. Although we live in the northeast, it gets used from early spring cleanup through November, often early December for leave pickup and mulching. Half acre yard and it gets heavy use. And I've used it in places where I shouldn't have, with tall grass, small weedy/woody shrubs, rocks, etc. The Nexite deck is indestructible. Mulching and bagging leaves reduces leaf volume by 80 percent, and leaves (no pun intended) the lawn spotless. Results in fewer trips to the curb and fewer leaf bags. Four years ago, after thousands of pull starts and thousands of hours of use, a part in the recoil pull cord cassette wore away and I replaced it. (The TDA doesn't have the feature where you can keep the engine running without the blade turning so that means restarting every time for leaf bagging, etc.). Spark plugs and oil changes are the only maintenance I do. I do use non-ethanol 91 octane gasoline. Costs more but have NEVER had a carburetor issue. In fact, I use it in every gas-powered tool I own, 2-cycle and 4-cycle (including a 27-year-old Yardman snowblower) and have never had a carburetor problem with any of these tools either since I started using non-ethanol. Somehow I was unaware that Honda is ceasing production of gas-powered mowers. As much as I think my HRX217TDA might last forever, things can happen. When I learned this I went into panic mode and searched all over the country, and luckily located one HRX217HYA two hours away (found some in St. Louis too).

I'm going to get one of these with the Select drive (I am super tall and it is easy to walk with on highest speed). Great review! A local church I work at each week has had this model for the last 6 years and it is great! Time for my own!

@silver Wow what a great video. I've been going crazy trying to find a decent explanation and review of this model. I'm deciding between the VKA and HYA. Blade stop doesn't interest me, but I'm curious about the select speed thumb levers vs the hydrostatic on the HYA. I have a steep hill in the front yard and I fear the thumb levers would make it awkward. Also wondering if your thumbs get sore/tired after using the thumb controls for an hour or two... Any thoughts?

I bought this same mower 10 years ago as a retirement gift to myself, but only because my boss (wife) vetoed the zero turn rider I was eyeballing. She said she didn't want a riding mower and my response was 'well you're not retiring!', but alas that fell of deaf ears. This year I took this mower to the dealer I bought it from to have the self propel mechanism adjusted. Over 10 years it basically slowed way down and my pace seemed faster than the mowers pace. I asked them to adjust the speed and to look it over carefully to see if there were any oil leaks. I got a call a week later saying their technicians were recommending a new mower. To the tune of 900 dollars. They said the mower was seized up, but I explained it had oil in it and started it on the 1st pull when I dropped it off to them. Their take was that the self propel was not fixable and when they tore down the engine looking for oil leaks, wait, what? You tore the engine down to look for oil leaks? Wtf? Who authorized that? I got nowhere, but they said to put it back together would be over 800 dollars! My lawyer has been in touch with theirs, but I bought a new Honda from the big orange box, very similar, but no blade stop and a little different speed adjustment that moves the mower way faster than the old one. Love my new one, about as much as I did the first, and worst case scenario is I got 10 great years out of it. Now if I can get enough out of the idiots who tore my old engine down to look for oil leaks to pay for my new one I'll be ok. Great video!

I purchased one of these brand new in September this year except it was the hrx217hza with electric start and hydrostatic trans. Although I do really like it cause it cuts well both bagging and mulching and the engine is really smooth and quiet plus the blade clutch is an awesome feature to have and the hydrostatic is one of the best feeling self propelled I've ever used I'm now trying to get honda to take it back. At about 8 hours run time I have oil leaking from the dip stick fill tube, the governor shaft and the valve cover. It will also randomly idle like crap and almost stall then vibrate like crazy without even engaging the blades. I don't really care for the bagging setup either it always leaves a bunch behind when you empty it that gets all over the yard. Also the inside of the deck fills up with debris and you can't hardly get to it to clean and that's not even the stuff the gets stuck in the sliding adjustment for versamow. The wheels are kinda janky with hardly any time on it mine seem much looser then when I bought it and you can see the way they angle out now when it's sitting there. Idk it is a great mower probably still one of the best you can get in this price range but kinda a lot of issues for what I paid. If the engine didn't leak from everywhere I think I would have just kept it and dealt with the rest of the stuff but that was kinda the last straw for me. I wish it wasn't impossible to find snapper dealers with push mowers in stock cause the Ninja is all around a better mower and I could get 2 for what I paid for the hrx217. It just don't have all the cool features and you have to have a couple different blades for bagging and mulching and attachment while the honda does everything pretty decent right out of the box. The snapper is built like a tank though and no little issues..... I really hope honda steps up and takes my hrx217 back though it's unacceptable to have it leaking oil from every place there is a gasket or seal within the first few mows. I want to get a commercial honda but gonna wait and see what they say about this one. If they stiff me I'll be out of the honda market.

I own an HR 214 bought it in 1988 and it still runs great, starts on the 1st or 2nd pull. Point is while I cant comment on this model, I can comment that Honda makes a great mower. My brother bought an Airens at the same time and it lasted hem about 5 years. I think he has bought 2-3 mowers since his Airens, none of which were Hondas! You think he would learn :)

I’ve been using Honda mowers for over 30 years. Got rid of the first one (not self propelled) after 26 yrs and replaced with self propelled model 6 years ago. I do not have a model with a clutch release, and if I recall I paid around $600 for it. First start of the season takes two pulls, the rest of the year one pull. Always. Excellent cutting quality, whether mulching or bagging. Just turned 60, so this is the last mower I will ever buy. Probably could have stuck with the original if I didn’t want to upgrade to self-propelled model. Worth every penny