21 in. Nexite Deck 4-in-1 Select Drive Gas Walk Behind Self Propelled Lawn Mower with Blade Stop System

I have and still have the 2004 HRC 215 Commercial 21 inch lawnmower. After all those faithful grass cutting summers, this year a retainer nut for the blade assembly cam loose and the blade tore up a few items under my deck. Until that faithful day the only other major issue I eve had with the mower was my Aluminum deck had to be replaced last year because my yard has a lot of sand in it and it started wearing holes in the deck. So while an official Honda dealership is repairing my lawnmower I thought I would by the HRX217 as a substitute for the commercial grade. Comparing the two I have come to the conclusion that I made the correct choice back in 2004 with the HRC 215 over the newer model. The HRX is a great mower and I will explain what I really like about it. First off it is lighter than the HRC but that is its weakness when climbing steep hills. It will pull you up the hill but being lighter, the front easily lifts off the ground and you cut is not as clean as the HRC. Everything else except the belt drive, I love. I love the way Honda now has all controls accessible at the back of the mower. The HRC has the pull cord for starting on the mower engine and you have to move to the side to pull the cord. MY HRC still will crank within two pulls just like the brand new HRX does. I like the speed matching controls better on the HRC than the HRX only because a driveshaft allows you to operate the controller more as a clutch than the HRX. The belt driven HRX seems to not engage as good as the HRC and I have only replace one wheel that the little clutch bearing failed on. With the HRX if you get a small stick stuck in the belt drive and I have it will lock up the wheels. You have to shut down and free the sick before you can have the wheels turning freely again. Every other feature the HRX provides is just a good as the Commercial grade lawnmower. My only point I would like to offer is if you have a hilly yard and need the power go with the commercial grade and drive shaft versus the belt drive. I believe in the end you too will think you invested wisely, but if you have a relatively flat yard and don't mind changing the belt every couple of years by this model because it does great other than the few major differences between the commercial grade and residential mowers. Attached is a picture of my yard. I just turned 68 and still use my HRC to cut this yard. I love it.

Great mower. You can't go wrong.

High Quality product, Blade stop system works well and had no problem with it. I read the other reviews and giving second thought before buying but now I think I made best decision by buying this lawn mower. "NO ISSUE WITH THE BLADE STOP SYSTEM FOR ME", self propelled made mowing easy and fun. Starts every time and easily at one go.

I do not like the variable speed drive. It is too hard to maintain a constant speed. I would upgrade to cruise control for my next lawnmower.

I wish I would have checked the reviews on this mower before I bought it. I like the others that have posted on here have gotten stuck with a blade stop that keeps disengaging unintentionally. I took it back to Home Depot and replaced it for another. However, judging by the reviews here it will only be a matter of time before it happens again. LOVE the cut! It makes my yard look amazing! Ironically I was recording a video of the first start when I got it out of the box when it failed me. Check it out!

My old Honda finally called it quits after 19 years. I loved everything about the old mower with the hydrostatic transmission. While the self-propelled feature on this mower is still very good, I do miss the hydrostatic transmission. Had I not had that transmission before, I probably wouldn't have missed it. As for the rest of the mower, Honda is top quality. I wrestled with going to a Toro for a slightly lower price but, I loved my previous Honda mower from the day I purchased it. Also, I don't believe I would get past 10 - 12 years with another brand. I'm glad I spent the extra dollars for a quality product.

some good: Mows really nice Mulches really nice Love the handle Stopping the blade with the mower running is a wonderful feature. Some bad: RWD does not work well on hilly terrain. Extremely heavy but does not help the RWD. Not a Ladies mower. Do not plan on one man lifting into back of pick-up truck. Thumb control seems nice but after a couple of hours result in cramps. If your mowing includes lifting the front end and pulling back, the rear end digs into the ground and will jamb. The perfect mower for a flat yard, only moving forward!

This is the first Honda mower I have owned. After returning a new battery-operated mower after one use, I researched the Honda line. I love my new mower. It is easy to start, and my lawn has never looked this good after mowing. I highly recommend the HRX series. It is worth the price.

Only used one time but started on first pull and runs very quiet. I am cleaning up yard from winter and the mower really sucks up the leaves and cuts really well. Not sure how well the select drive works but when I start mowing on a regular basis I'm sure it will be fine.

Purchased a new Honda, HRX217VYA, took it home and after great difficulty got it started but then it died. Local dealer has ordered a new carburetor. Hope that fixes the problem.