Honda GX series and the Chinese copies of them are the best in my opinion. Briggs is good too I suppose, if/when they feel like starting. I judge an engine's quality by how hard is it to start in the winter. ANY of the Honda GX (or clone) engines will start in 1-3 easy pulls in even the worst cold. I can't say that for any other brand. Except for maybe Kawasaki. I have eight Honda GX clones in my garage: five Predator 212s, a "blue" 212cc pressure washer, a Champion 196cc generator, and a Hisun 196cc on a Coleman mini bike. I'll bet a finger against a meat cleaver that I can get any of them started on any day of the year.
If money were no option I'd take the real Honda (duh). My old flathead B&S I had on my mower for 16 years was better than it had any right to be. I'd dare say the Flatty 4.5hp B&S from the 1990s was on par with the GC160 that repaced it. I have a 173 Predator on a mower as well that has been very good.
If money were no option I'd take the real Honda (duh). My old flathead B&S I had on my mower for 16 years was better than it had any right to be. I'd dare say the Flatty 4.5hp B&S from the 1990s was on par with the GC160 that repaced it. I have a 173 Predator on a mower as well that has been very good.
