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Best Lawn Mower? Honda HRX 217 Exposed
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- Опубліковано 17 лип 2020
- Is this the best walk behind LAWN MOWER for 2020? Here I review Honda's newest mower to see if it's as good as they say and can it mulch as well as it bags & justify it's super high price! The Honda HRX217 Lawn Mower Test & Review
This video was not sponsored
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.
Thank you for watching. Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE - For more info on Honda Mower click: powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/hrx
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If I buy 1 will you ship it to Scotland I will pay shipping costs
@@ritchietheforky
I don’t think he’s a retailer, he was simply doing a review of the mower
This mower has been a complete dissapointment. I don-t know what Honda did but I had this model for years, it was sporting 190cc engine. Last year I bough a new one, the same model that Honda upgraded with the new 200c more powerful engine. And what a letdown this mower was.. Not only that I don't see it being more powerful, I have a feeling it's less powerful.. It bogs down and clogs when seeing just a hint of wet or thick grass... Don't get me wrong, the quality is superb, the blade clutch is incredible and the quality is second to none but the engine is underpowered. This mower should get the 300cc 10HP engine. Period... Oh yes, I almost forgot. the commercial model has an even less powerful 170cc Kawasaki engine.. What a joke... Is there an aftermarket more powerful engine that would fit Honda HRX217? Please help.
Super expensive residential push mower. &740 at hardware mower stores.
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.
How is the plastic nexite deck holding up? Im wondering if i should get the hrn or hrx model?
@@Paytonmarques34perfect! And I never hose it off 😬
As a person who's owned a Lawn Company I can say positively these are the BEST Push Mowers on the Market, period.
As someone who works on lawn equipment, I agree.
As someone who’s owned 2 Honda’s and now this……it’s great hope it lasts just as long but time will answer that!
Plain and simply wrong! AS motor that runs B&S is a vastly superior Lawn Mower for professional use. Also for homeowners a Klippo will probably outlast the Honda by a huge margin.
@@humushumus2219 As a person who owned a Lawn Company in the USA, Honda are the best. I've never even heard of Klippo and it doesn't look like they're sold in the USA at all.
@@CannyNomad I'm from Scandinavia. The Honda is good, but to use them professionally on the lawns around here is not an option. AS motor is German for professional use. Klippo is Swedish and owned by Husqvarna, they are very simple and solid in their construction, sometimes used by professionals.
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 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.
That's great to hear they have definitely perfected these over the years and I like that they have kept a heavy duty strategy to the parts and design.
It is a very good mower, but not best. Rear wheel drive make this mower so much harder to control that front wheel drive like most other mowers, even Honda powered mowers with front wheel. Find one of those, and you'll be much more pleased.
@@scottwilkins ... Why is RWD hard to control? This HRX 217 HYA has a hydrostatic hydraulic drive system. It is absolutely smooth as butter. Never scalps, rubber tires never tear up turf. The take off and engagement is so smooth .. absolutely beautiful. This is basically a high-end riding mower compacted into a small walk behind . The handle the controls the bars and everything are all metal Nexite lifetime warranty composite mower deck. The HRX can easily be controlled with one hand going up hills.. It's crazy smooth & powerful. Zero Damage to Turf.
Sounds like you have never used one.
I love it, my third Honda! It is superior to the Toro Super Recycler.
My mower is now 6 years old and still going strong
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.)
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.
Thank you, I am glad to hear it is serving you so well. It was a very nice machine.
DITTO on cheap! Honda got it going on!
yes indeed -- like they say -- "buy cheap and buy twice".....
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!
That's great to hear!
Ur neighbors have trouble because they dont take care of them lol
We had this mower since 2001 and haven’t done any maintenance within 20 years and it still mowing like a champ.
Your format and delivery is the best on UA-cam. I've never mowed a lawn in my life but I enjoy watching and learning from you. God bless.
Thanks 👍 You are very kind, thank you
I bought one of these back in 2007 that mower has never let me down
I'm always surprised to hear this, no issues with the plastic deck?
@@BrianMDPhD I've had older versions of this same mower for many years and I love the plastic deck. It is possible to pop little breaks in it by hitting rocks but not to the point of destruction. I use mine brutally around the farm and it is still going. I hit lots of rocks on mole hills in heavy grass. I think the average guy on the average lawn would have zero problems. The light weight is very nice.
We bought one in 2002 and it’s still holding in there. Lol
@@notajedimaster2489 Wow! And back then plastics haven’t come as far as they have today. They were making the plastic decks that long ago!? I just picked up mine today!
@@kirkjohnson9353 Haha well I guess we’ll see. I’d hate to have to find out what “limited” lifetime warranty means.
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!
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!
Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-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 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!
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.
I've the HYA that I've been using professionally for a couple years now. Overall it's a really great mower; always starts, good cut, lightweight, powerful, mulches really well ect., BUT I have had issues with surging a couple times now. I've had to remove the carb several times to try to fix the problem. I think if there was one thing I could change it would be to remove the automatic choke and replace it with a manual one. Much simpler.
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.
If it is the old Cast Aluminum Deck Honda they are better than the new Hondas. They had commercial-grade GX series motors, and the new Hondas have consumer-grade GC series motors. Old Cast Aluminum 3-speed Toros are better than the new Toros too. Both manufactures had to cut costs on their consumer models to make up for the Fact that the US Dollar has been dying for decades now. The commercial Honda HRC still uses the GX series motor and it costs $1,400. The commercial 21" Toro costs $1,800. Inflation suks.
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.
Great to hear that from the commercial world. Thanks for sharing this
I have a 5 year old version of this mower that I bought new. It does an excellent job. Worth the price.
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.
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'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!
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 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.
HRX 217 has been around for many years. I have a composite 217 I bought in 2006 and still have. Runs fine
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.
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!
Please elaborate on the lawn striping kit and push broom modification.
@@aaronarmstrong9423
Here's where I got the stripe kit.
www.bigleaguelawns.com/honda.html
Here's where I got the broom head. These are pictures of my mower.
www.amazon.com/Professional-18-Inch-Sweeper-Flexible-Telescoping/dp/B07MSJ8NGF/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sweep+stake+professional+swivel+push+broom&qid=1595177094&sr=8-3#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div
Heinzkitz Velvet LMAO
@@miguelarce-goitia4395 "deadpool" LMAO
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’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.
Paid $200 12 years ago for a Sears Craftsman mower, just a basic mulcher. Still starts one pull and does not surge while running. Briggs and Straton moter
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 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!
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
I wanted to get the electric start one, it looked so simple and easy to use.
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
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
Your reviews are great. Clearly your standards are high so anything you give your blessing to is worth a look. Thanks for your work.
Very kind of you to say, I appreciate that a lot.
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
I’ve been in my house for 27 years. I’m on my second mower. It’s got a 190cc Briggs motor. I change the oil regularly, don’t cut wet grass and keep it in the garage. Runs mint, starts first pull. It’s an mtd. 600-800 seems steep
$600 is kinda steep. Why does it cost so much? It doesnt appear to do that much.
I guess if Im going to spend that kind of dough then it should last a lifetime.
Thanks for your reviews. I have another $200 to go and I'm going to buy me one.
Stand by for MY review on it. LOL
I have been in my house for 25 years an still running my first Honda. So, why do Honda's cost so much? Because you get what you pay for. Quality comes at a price and Honda knows how to build quality.
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.
That bag/mulch lever is a great idea. No need to swap a bag for a mulch plug as it is built in - awesome. 👍
Thanks 👍 I liked it so much. Not having a lot of parts around is a great thing
I've used this mower for 3 seasons in a professional setting. I love this mower. It starts on the first pull and the drive system makes walking a yard fast and easy. I don't bag and it is largely due to the fact that as the large bag fills past halfway the front end of the mower will start to dance up and down. I live in Louisiana and we have had rain for 50 or so of the last 60 days and this mower has proven to be a challenge as mulching when the grass is at all wet creates a grass paste very quickly on the deck. When trying to rear discharge the wet grass the alley provided will clog VERY quickly. For my situation it would be ideal if there was also a side discharge option for those wet days. I wouldn't want to go onto a lawn with any other mower.
This mower would be absolutely perfect if it had side discharge
Did u try rear discharge without bag as per video?
Many many times. I'd rather not bag at all.@@josephcollins3447
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.
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.
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
$619😮
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.
Which model toro did you own. I have found yes some toros are cheap but the super reclylers are very fine mowers. Thanks
@@MYTOYMAKERZ -It was this one-www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-22-in-Honda-High-Wheel-Variable-Speed-Gas-Walk-Behind-Self-Propelled-Lawn-Mower-20379/304584299?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D28I-G-D28I-28_35_WALKS-MULTI-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D28I-G-D28I-28_35_WALKS-MULTI-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP-71700000048408316-58700005377237998-92700048815335510&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu8r4BRCzARIsAA21i_A17dmgPSHh393-qJ4iPuzETz_RX5UFXGw94yOvdiyhR383fmgmfRoaAiAsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds-And as I said it's no comparison between a $600.00 mower and one that's just under $400.00 On this model of the Toro the bagging function was useless. There were quite a few complaints about that. Also after a few years it was just awful trying to get it to start most of the time. So I decided to upgrade after I saw a neighbor of mine with one. I bought one and a few months later two other neighbors on my street bought one. It's hard to beat a Honda! yes it costs more but as others have said it's worth it. So for me it's So long Toro and Hello Honda!!
Wheels are larger and have bearings!
@@donmckinney4091 I just ordered this Honda but currently have that exact toro. It’s terrible at bagging! Half of the clippings just fly out the bottom where the bag is latched to the mower. It’s funny but the best bagging it does is when everything is soaking wet. I’m going to try and sell to some sucker on FB marketplace. 😂
Yeah, you can't compare the cheap toro model against the high end Honda. Not defending toro, but it's kind of ignorant.
Owned this model since 2015. LOVE IT. Wish they had a 30in version though 🤷♂️
I don't know what they don't have one, Or even do a 25", It's like 21" mowers are a law or something, can't they squeeze two more inches in there? Hopefully they will, but only time will tell.
I know! I would love to buy a Honda mower but the size of my yard is asking for a wide deck. I can only see double blade Toro (if I remember 40+”) in my options.
Silver Cymbal I think I am going to switch to a 30in toro time master, would be great to hear what you think of that one!
I’m in love with my timemaster!
@@Dubiels That looks like a very nice mower. I haven't had a chance to try the 30" yet but would like to sometime
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!!
Thats great to hear, they are some really great machines and last.
@@SilverCymbal for sure, and $30 a year on a new blade isn't that bad at all. I mow twice a week and my Bermuda is super thick, so I just bank on replacing it once a year.
Ps, do you have a Twitter or Instagram? Would love to show off my lawn some and get your opinion.
I bought this same model 4 years ago and love it for its mulching ability. In fact the bag has never been used.
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!
4:27 The HRX217HYA "blade control" is great when you want to climb a step or transition from grass to pavement (or gravel) and back to grass. (The blade stops but you still have power to the rear wheels) You can also change the wheel height without shutting the mower down. Once you master this particular HRX217(HYA) handlebar setup you can mow with one hand on long straightaways. BTW, Don't let a "rookie" salesperson accidentally sell you one with the thumb controls. Look for HYA at the end of the model number.
What's your opinion of the VKA thumb controls vs the HYA hydrostatic? I have a steep hill in my front yard and I fear the thumb controls would be difficult to manage. I'm also weary that my thumbs would get sore by the end of a mowing session. Thanks!
@@MrPears503 I had one with thumb controls and I returned it because it was very awkward... very un-Honda-like in my opinion I hated it!. The salesman misled me to think that was the only model they had. (Home Depot )
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.
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.
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
Also when you have to pause to open the backyard gate, etc.
You probably don't have the best mower to be mowing tight, uneven spaces with if that is an actual problem... You might want to try an 18 or 20 inch mower for your specific needs.
@@campbellpaul
I don't get your suggestion. Bigger mower will be even harder to maneuver
@@sergeybebenin They are smaller than a 21"... The blade brake clutch is designed for when the mower is sitting idle.
@@campbellpaul
It's essentially "idle" when you make tight turns (elevating front or rear wheels a number of times).
I don't understand what you are trying to debate
I have a 2016 HRR series (discontinued) with smart drive, I absolutely love it!
ME TOO!!😊
I have one that was bought in 2007, still going strong, and still starts on the first pull.
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 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.
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!
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 just bought this mower the hrx217hya and it is simply amazing. If you are considering this mower or on the fence, BUY IT! it is a bit expensive but it is worth it, it honestly is. I couldn't be happier. That being said, I am coming from a 2003 Toro super recycler with personal pace and it only has mulch as a cutting option. It bogs down so easily nowadays. However it still runs great and starts 1st pull. It has been very reliable and a great mower but I needed a new trimming mower for my lawn care business and went with the Honda and am so glad I did.
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 two the 190 GCV and I just purchased the 200 GCV both great mowers hands down best mower on the market!
I have had the earlier version of this mower for over 13 years. It does everything you say and more. These things last forever with minimum maintenance. My lawn is much steeper than yours and is about 15,000 sq feet and this thing just keeps going year after year. After a cold winter it starts on the first pull every time Well worth the premium price.
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'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.
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.
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).
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 bought this exact mower 2 years a go! I had it 2 years and took in back 3 times to get it started! It cuts very good but will not start! I should have spent another $200 and bought the commercial model!
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!
You cut 3 acres with a push mower 😧 no sir not me 😌
I have had this mower for a year now. Ball bearing wheels are awesome! Rear wheel drive is great. My only problem is it is light in the front. I put a 5 lb. Weight on the front to keep it from bouncing when I walk fast. Much better cut now. Best push mower ever!
Hell! You would have to say that...
I have the Toro SuperRecycler and I have the same issue. When I bag it doesn't take much in the bag to make the front end bounce.= Uneven cut. Yea I have been thinking about adding a 5 pound weight to the front end.
My 2008 Honda HRX 217 always felt as though it needed an extra 5lbs up front. I never tried it though.
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!
I have had one 7 weeks.. for $619... worth it.
Even though they look a lot like they did 10 years ago, the small improvements they have made every year have added up. Lad you are loving yours, its a great mower
I have owned a Honda mower for 22 years. Still going strong.
That's the one I got too. I've been extremely satisfied.
Sounds really affordable to me. We used to pay that for Snappers 20 yrs ago.
@@SilverCymbal my father bought a cheap gas mower 10 years or so ago, fuel in the engine, oil in the gas tank, wondered for 3 hours why it wouldnt start.
i took all out, burns oil and smokes like a dreadnought from time to time but still does its job, remainds me to sharpen the blade, mostlikely the first time after production....
I bought a HRX 217 in 2000. Still running perfectly.
Great Video!
This is hands down the best mower you can buy!
The price is cheap compared to how much you will spend on a cheap mower and the constant repair bills over time vs quality built of the Honda 217. plus don't forget all the extras like the lifetime warranty deck and blade stop control and the twin blades that mulch your lawn grass into tiny clippings and last but not least the rear bagger that hold twice the competition, although I prefer the mulch as much better for you lawns health. 👍
I went through a Cub Cadet, Husky, and TroyBilt in about 6 years and I have a relatively small yard with no impediments. I've had this mower for 7 years and it is truly remarkable. Every Spring I pull it out and in one or two pulls she is off and running. Love the bag because of its capacity and the wide mouth allows easy dumping. You will have to clean the undercarriage to get the handle to slide from bag to mulch and vice versa because of the buildup underneath will not allow it to slide easily. I do wish it had an oil drain under the deck. You have to turn the mower upside down to drain the oil. That's really about my only complaint.
I have a HRX that is 12 years old. Still running strong. I love that mower. Has more than paid for itself.
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 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.
I have the HRX2176HZA and l use the versimulch all the time! I prefer to mulch but if I see I'm leaving clippings on the surface due to thickness or height then I'll increase the bagging amount until the leavings are no longer noticeable. I also have the battery start which is great when my kids use it. They won't be dangerous and try to hold the mower so it keeps running to pick up sicks around it but will allow it to safely shut off, pick up the items and then easily restart the mower.
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 bought this mower three years ago after watching this video. I like it so much. I still wash it after each use lol. Still starts on the first poll. Every time.
My HRT216 is going on year 17. Works flawlessly with proper maintenance. Today i replaced all 4 wheels with Honda OEM, the old ones where starting to crack and lose their rubber. Order from Amazon, half the price of the box store.
I love my Honda. They last forever and you can’t get a better cut anywhere else. Well worth the money and they start on the first pull every time, even right out of the box.
I have ordered the HRX Hydrostatic Versamow❤️ can’t wait for it to arrive. By the way this unit has the same transmission as the commercial unit. Cheer’s have a great weekend and stay safe and healthy.
I dont think its the same transmission. The HRC uses a shaft driven transmission.
Andrew M That is what I was told by a Honda dealer. Stay safe and healthy.
Andrew M Just checked on Honda web site, hydrostatic transmission for the pro model also.
Andrew M check
Designed for commercial use, rear bagging or mulching and has a rugged, durable and heavy-suty 21 in. (53 cm) steel deck with a front bumper and edge guards
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Self-propelled, hydrostatic variable-soeed transmission gives customized speed through nine pre-sets and its reinforced handle and cables provide excellent durability for commercial use
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Ultra-small clippings from the MicroCut® offset twin blade system and easy to empty bag without having to shut off and re-start engine with the RotoStop® blade stop system
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Honda GXV160 OHV commercial grade engine
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8 different cutting heights ranging from 1.9 to 10 cm (3/4” to 4 in.)
By far this is the best mower I've ever owned. Money well spent!
I totally agree. I bought this exact mower and absolutely love it!
I bought mine in 2000. Still runs perfectly.
I purchased the HRX217K6VKA model last fall, on sale, at Lowes. This was to replace a previous Honda mower that I purchased in the late 1990s, which worked flawlessly for more than 20 years. The deck, the plastic deck, finally fell apart, but the motor was still running fine. I figured I'd get another 20 years out of another one. However, last week I noticed that the rear wheels on the new one won't roll backwards when you mow. They literally are locked up. I figured I just needed to adjust the clutch cable that controls the rear wheel drive. No luck. I started looking on UA-cam and found this is a common problem, and likely a recurring problem. This mower has been used maybe 7 hours total since I bought it last september. Have you run into this problem. I swear by these Honda mowers but now I am not so sure.
great video thank you. My Honda 217X mows great when working, but my eclectic start stops working after 18 months. The self-propelled mode quit working when the speed knob wouldn't rotate. Honda dealer took three summer months to fix it then it quit working after 2 more months. Now I push it myself and pull the rope. Worst investment I ever made as it was 700 bucks at Home Depot.
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.
Had Honda mower like this since the 80’s. Only walk behind I would ever own. Well worth the $800. Just moved from an acre using John Deere tractor to small yard, and bought another Honda.
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
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.
I have the 2016 exact model of this-HRX 217 VKA and am very happy with it. I had a Toro prior and it mulched terribly and even when bagging it left strips of cut grass on the sides. This one, no grass is left behind whether mulching or bagging. Of course, if you try to mulch when the grass is very high you will be leaving grass behind. But I have done nothing to it since I got it in May 2016 except change the oil, the air filter and sharpen the blade.
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!
Thanks 👍 very much
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 have one of these. Two things I hate. First is the rear drive. I much more prefer front wheel drive in mowers. Far easier to control. Also, is the bar to actuate the self propel. It's in the back. It is far easier to control if it's in the front. My hands are far more stressed with this mower than others I've used.
I have had mine for over 7 years and it’s been flawless.
I bought a used HRX this past summer, paid $350 CAD...I love this thing! Does a fantastic job
Good deal on that one for sure!
mine was only 250 cad on sale from sears back in 2007 . still runs like new