Customer Reviews for Honda GCV190 21 in. Nexite Deck 4-in-1 Select Drive Walk Behind Gas Self Propelled Mower with Electric Start

I purchased this a couple weeks ago and as you’d expect, the mower runs great and leaves a nice looking, evenly cut lawn with good mulching. My yard requires many stops and starts - trees, short runs, turns, etc. The drive clutch lever is extremely awkward to use in these situations - the recommended Honda YouTube video does not help! I am forced to use my thumb around the lever to allow adjustment of clutch engagement as needed (often in my case!). My old mower had a simple lever that you squeeze and let go as needed with your normal grip. Very poor design for my situation.

The mower cuts well and the features are nice, however, there is a constant groaning noise from the hydrostatic transmission.

The engine is great. Starts first pull and runs great. The major problem I have with this mower is the way it mulches. The mulching is horrible and that is an understatement. It constantly clumps. If you want to mulch you are required to cut your grass twice a week. I reside in PA and we primarily have a combo of fescue, ryegrass, and bluegrass. I can only cut on the higher setting.

This is my third Honda walk behind lawn mower in 30 years. I have only used this new one one time and it's definitely faster than the old one. The larger engine makes a difference and its not possible to walk behind it at the fastest self propelled speed. So far I really like it.

I purchased a new Honda lawn mower based on ownership of previous Honda products (automobile, motorcycle) and it was a great choice. I have used my new mower for 6 lawn cuttings so far and it operates flawlessly. It has numerous operational and maintenance features that I feel point to excellent operational experience and engineering design in this product. I have no regrets in purchase of this product and model, but since I have a very small yard, I could have purchased a more compact mower with a smaller footprint. As such, there is no problem with the mower, the choice to buy this model was mine, but I feel it has a great value for the very good price I paid. Thanks Honda!

I use my lawn mover very easy to star works perfectly excellent is so powerful.hightly recommend.

This is our second Honda Mower. We bought our first one in 2000 and we used it to cut our 1 acre lot. After 21 years it was time to replace it. I didn't even think twice about buying a different brand or model. This new model is perfect, starts easy moves fast at high speed, high quality, and I like the Chip Director feature that lets you rear discharge a % and mulch the other

I WOULD RECOMMEND THE HONDA HRX217HYAA TO A FRIEND.

This past November 2020, I scrambled to find a Honda lawn mower to replace my Honda HRX215 that would no longer start after 15 years. I did my research and located one of the last HRX217HYA models in Utah, that due to COVID-19 were in extremely short supply. I used it one time to mow the grass and mulch a few leafs. I then winterized it following the user manual instructions, as I had always done with my previous Honda mower. It is now April 2021. I pulled my new Honda mower out of storage this past week to mow the lawn, but it would not start. Since I had fresh non-Ethanol fuel being used, I did not suspect a fuel issue. I could smell raw fuel odor from the exhaust, so I thought that it might be flooded. I pulled the spark plug to check things out. The spark plug was wet from raw fuel, so I let it air dry, checked the spark plug gap, and then I re-installed the plug. Placing the control lever in the “Fast” position, I cranked some more. Still nothing. I then turned off the fuel valve from the fuel tank to the carburetor, pulled the spark plug again, and let the cylinder and spark plug air dry. Pulling the start cord, I tested for an electrical spark while the spark plug was out of the cylinder. Nothing. I then held the spark plug wire in my hand and lightly cranked the engine. Nothing. The electrical ignition system was dead. So, my new one-use Honda HRX217HYA mower is now in the repair shop. The Honda repair shop quickly confirmed my diagnosis while I stood there watching. I hope to review my Honda HRX217HYA more favorably once the mower is working as expected.

This new HRX217HYA Honda hydrostatic drive mower replaces a HR215 hydrostatic mower which served without failure for 23 years! Why buy anything but a Honda?

after 14 years of my last HRX217KHXA mower, I started having trouble with the drive pinion gears. I was able to rebuild the transmission's pinion gears and it stills works great!, Starts first pull and works much like it was just removed from the box, but alas something was in the lawn and it was slung by the blade cracking the nexlite deck housing. Honda would not cover it...lifetime warranty is really not what it appears to be...so, I can't live without this caliber machine, so...I now have the next Honda mower....HRX2176HYA. Oh, my basic 2002 Honda Civic is having some trouble now as well...fix it...we will see...buy one, you'll be super happy with it..cost more than most, but once using it you will realize it was money well spent!!!

Bulky and slow. Hard to hold both blade stop and drive.

Not easy to operate. Is this normal? The mower is built very well and it is easy to start, the self propelled levers works very well if you only cut in long straight lines but is difficult to maneuver if you need to turn and/or dodge trees/objects in yard. I need to release the drive clutch to turn this mower around each time or I will tear up the lawn. Is this normal or does it needs some kind of adjustment? My last mower has the personal pace feature and was very easy to use.

200 engine seams more torquey than 190 Mower rolls easier especially in reverse which is a big help.

best lawn mower I have ever owned, I heard Honda mower where the best, I didn't believe it till now, this thing is so smart it almost cuts the grass itself.

First use, easy to set up. Engine is fairly quiet. Great job mulching. Did not see clippings left behind, ( did not walk through clippings as stated in Consumer Reports review). Clippings did accumulate behind catcher door even though discharge shoot was fully closed. Previously used Toro Personal Pace. The Toro was easier to maneuver quick stops around bushes / trees/ mail box post. However, I like walking behind the Honda better and not having to push at all. I suggest trying the Honda if you are use to a Toro.

Frist, as expected with a Honda it starts cold with two pulls and warmed up with one, unless the case of operator error like leaving lever in stop. Speed control everywhere from no one walks that slow to time to put away. Everything seems sturdy and expect to have a long time. Would give five stars except for one manufacturing flaw. The heavy plate on the right rear to which the drive gear and wheel are attached has either flaw from stamping (perhaps worn die edge) or subsequently miss aligned when formed. Consequence is the lever to adjust wheel for changing mowing height comes in contact with that plate before clearing tabs to move from slot to slot. Don't believe some form of spacer could have been left out as sure would have additional issues. Have used mower one season and have registered only because authorized repair center recommended as should be covered by 5 year warranty. If available will readdress rating after return from repair. While I would recommend it would be with caveat. Surprised wheel adjustment not part of manufacturing quality control.

One pull and the engine fired up. Nice and quiet running with plenty of power to mulch fairly tall grass,easily. Able to dial in a speed to match my slow gait. Thanks

From the first time I put my hands on the handle, I was impressed beyond words. I just picked up my new mower on Tuesday March 30th, and now I can't wait for the lawn to grow so I can cut the grass for the first time with our new lawn mower! This thing is a beast! Super quiet! Very SMOOTH! Started the first pull right out of the box! I am positive, that I will be impressed by this mower for many years to come!

Transmission failed on first mow within 20 minutes of use. This is a brand NEW out of box machine and now I have an expensive push mower. Hopefully warranty won't be a hassle.

Bought this mower for the first mowing of the season and it did a tremendous job of the short cut of grass and jasmine ground cover. Filled with fluids and started with one pull. Love the blade stop feature, didn't have to continuously stop the motor and crank again just to empty the bag. The cruise control worked very well also as it didn't require constant management of the clutch lever to slow down at times when needed. Overall great mower and so far worth the money spent.

This Honda lawnmower is at least our 7th one over the years. We've had others in between, but always come back to the Honda. They are undoubtedly the BEST! When we get a new one, we take the old one to our lake house. You can never go wrong with them!!

I've been looking at these for the last five years and i wasn't quite sure if it was the right decision. They do cost more than most. But after taking it out the first time, it cut the grass perfectly! I really like the versa-mow option. The engine has PLENTY of power and can go right up my steep hills with no problem. I think I finally found my line of mowers. Only took me 25 years... I've had Toro, John Deere, and Craftsman to name a few. The HRX is the best out there.

Purchased this lawnmower on line on 3/09/2021, I chose it because of all the features that insured easy mowing for a senior citizen. Received the mower five days later by Fedex. Excellent easy instructions to follow to set up the mower. Mower was securely packaged. 100% satisfied so far, haven't used it yet - to early here in the Northeast.

This is my second Honda HRX series mower. I have had the other for about 7 years and it is still running just fine. We have several acres to mow and the Honda does the finer areas where I can't easily get to with my zero turn. My wife is the primary user of the Hondas. She loves them. This one started on the third pull right out of the box. These are top of the line mowers.

I have owned several push mowers in my life, I bought this same machine in 2003 and it worked flawlessly for eighteen years. I just purchased a new mower and after talking with dealers that sold other brands they all said the same thing “you can’t beat a Honda especially the HRX217HYA model so I bought my second one and I’m very happy with my decision.

I purchased a HRX217 about 10 years ago, the deck cracked in a zillion pieces after that much use. I liked it so much that I purchased another one. Happy with the purchase, but not happy about the "Lifetime Warranty" on the deck. You would think that the deck would be warranted for the life of the mower, but if it cracks, the dealer will tell you you mowed over a rock and cracked it - too bad - not covered.

I've owned hondas all my life and I've had a older hrx217 and worked great so I no doubt knew this would be a great mower.

The mower works pretty well. I haven’t had it long and I already need to take it in to be serviced. It will not shut off without bending down to the mower and pushing the part to shut it down. I also have a tire that is wearing.

This replaced my 15-year old HRX with the same features (plus electric start) after the transmission went out. I chose this for the same reasons I chose it the first time: 1) The Roto-Stop blade clutch is awesome. The handle starts and stops the blade while the engine keeps running. You start this mower once when you begin cutting, and turn it off when you're done, never needing a restart in between. So convenient. 2) The hydrostatic transmission lets you easily vary the ground speed on the fly. 3) It mulches and bags very well with my combination of bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine grass. The variable clip deflector looks gimmicky, but the first time you switch from mulching to bagging when you hit some really thick grass, then back to mulching again, all without removing the bag or goofing around with a mulching plug, you'll realize how convenient it is. 4) The heavy duty metal control levers are so strong that they can be used to raise and turn the mower at corners. Once I got the hang of it I wouldn't want anything else. Versus my previous HRX, this one is lighter, more powerful (bigger engine), and now has a giant fuel opening, another of the many HRX features that you can't appreciate how satisfying it is until you use it. Yes, it is expensive, but with the features, ease of use, and the expected 15-20 year life it's worth every penny. Nothing else even comes close. 21111