I have a lot of favorites.
I like my Kawasaki v-twin because of the power and quality engineering. It's an extremely well thought out motor and easy to service. Still runs strong despite lots of neglect in early life.
I also love Briggs flat heads. They are simple, tough, and hard to kill. This is a legendary engine design and it will be sad to see it go. Briggs is coming out with a new line of OHV engines that will replace the flat heads over the course of about a year.
Most Briggs engines in general are pretty good. As stated in another thread my OHV Briggs mower starts on the first pull even after sitting for 8 months. Then again, I've seen newer Intek powered riding mowers that run like [censored] at idle.
Subaru Robin engines are good, but parts availability isn't quite as good as with Honda and Kawasaki. Honda and Kawasaki are really on top of parts.
I like Hondas overall, but they are more finicky about having clean, quality gas than a Briggs flat head, and they seem more prone to bent crankshafts in mowers. Usually with a Briggs or Kohler the key will shear before the crank bends. Assuming you don't go mowing your branches and rocks though, a Honda engine can last a very long time.
Kolhers are pretty good overall, but the larger single cylinder Courage motors had some problems. Overall the lineup is good though. They also have some interesting, though very expensive diesel options.
I never liked Tecumseh engines very much. Troublesome starting, and parts availability can be an issue. I heard good things about their snow engines but I only have experience with mower engines.
With two strokes, I appreciate a quality design like Echo or Dolmar, but I have amazing luck with cheapies. I have a Homelite trimmer that's 4 years old and still starts easily. Never have done any maintenance on it except for replacing the trimmer head when I melted it in some really thick grass. I also have a Poulan blower that is pretty reliable aside from melting itself and occasionally needing the cylinder head bolts tightened.
I like my Kawasaki v-twin because of the power and quality engineering. It's an extremely well thought out motor and easy to service. Still runs strong despite lots of neglect in early life.
I also love Briggs flat heads. They are simple, tough, and hard to kill. This is a legendary engine design and it will be sad to see it go. Briggs is coming out with a new line of OHV engines that will replace the flat heads over the course of about a year.
Most Briggs engines in general are pretty good. As stated in another thread my OHV Briggs mower starts on the first pull even after sitting for 8 months. Then again, I've seen newer Intek powered riding mowers that run like [censored] at idle.
Subaru Robin engines are good, but parts availability isn't quite as good as with Honda and Kawasaki. Honda and Kawasaki are really on top of parts.
I like Hondas overall, but they are more finicky about having clean, quality gas than a Briggs flat head, and they seem more prone to bent crankshafts in mowers. Usually with a Briggs or Kohler the key will shear before the crank bends. Assuming you don't go mowing your branches and rocks though, a Honda engine can last a very long time.
Kolhers are pretty good overall, but the larger single cylinder Courage motors had some problems. Overall the lineup is good though. They also have some interesting, though very expensive diesel options.
I never liked Tecumseh engines very much. Troublesome starting, and parts availability can be an issue. I heard good things about their snow engines but I only have experience with mower engines.
With two strokes, I appreciate a quality design like Echo or Dolmar, but I have amazing luck with cheapies. I have a Homelite trimmer that's 4 years old and still starts easily. Never have done any maintenance on it except for replacing the trimmer head when I melted it in some really thick grass. I also have a Poulan blower that is pretty reliable aside from melting itself and occasionally needing the cylinder head bolts tightened.
