[Hokiefyd]

Here is my 2001 model HR215K1SXA (with brochure picture):

 

[Wayne195]

Nice mower! I have an older Honda too. They're solid mowers.

 

[Kingwood990]

My neighbor has a Honda. He saved from the dump, the only thing wrong with it was the transmission was shot. A new spark plug and fresh gas it fired up after sitting for 3yrs.

 

[Fireman993]

I like the quietness of Hondas, Though I sold the ones I got.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The engine is very quiet. The GXV engine series is a heavy engine, but it's one of the best I've used.

 

[ghlkal]

Here is my 2001 model HR215K1SXA

Wow, that's a clean looking machine. I was going to post a picture of mine, but it doesn't look that good

 

[ghlkal]

OK, here's mine:

I can't remember when I purchased this, but it always starts!

 

[Cato]

Here is my 2001 model HR215K1SXA (with brochure picture):

I wish Honda and other makers still had raised letters in their decks. Today we only get stickers!

 

[Mark / Ohio]

I wish Honda and other makers still had raised letters in their decks. Today we only get stickers!

Ditto. The return of stamped steel model and serial plates would be nice too!

 

[[email protected]]

Here are some "spy shots" of the Honda HQ:

This was the biggest mower sold in the USA; it came with a 60-inch deck, and uses a 3-cylinder diesel engine:

Here's the inside of the shop:

Some new mowers:

[email protected]

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

 

[Austen]

Very cool Robert, thanks for the photos! What a treat to see.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Thanks Robert! :cool

So is that were they do durability testing and/or dissect mowers returned under warranty to figure out what failed to see if any design improvements can be made?

 

[bwdbrn1]

Thanks Robert. It's like one of those "how many things can you see in this picture" things. Looks like it would be a great place to work.

Kind of drooling over the 6522. Has Honda gotten out of the tractor business all together?

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks Robert! :cool

So is that were they [snip] dissect mowers returned under warranty to figure out what failed to see if any design improvements can be made?

You got it. The engineers comb through warranty claims routinely look for hot spots. They have the option to call our dealers and request them to turn in failed parts or sometimes entire products. The model engineer plays "CSI" to see where the real problem may lie, and takes the necessary action. This could be a simple change to the manufacturing procedure, a revised part, or issuing a service bulletin.

[email protected]

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

 

[[email protected]]

Kind of drooling over the 6522. Has Honda gotten out of the tractor business all together?

Yes, Honda exited the riding equipment business back in 2000; the last tractor was a hybrid project, built in the John Deere factory in Horicon, WI, it had a Deere chassis and deck with a Honda V-twin engine and paint; there were 18 and 20 hp versions. I wrote the owner's manual and shop manuals, and wish I'd kept the one I had:

[email protected]

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.​

 

[Austen]

I wrote the owner's manual and shop manuals

Wow, that is really neat!

I was always amazed at how smooth running those Honda riding mowers are. The engines are extremely quite that put out hardly any vibrations and the smooth running nature of them is unbelievable. It something you have to actually experience to understand.

 

[bwdbrn1]

Robert, in case the folks at Honda are taking votes, I cast mine for getting back into the riding tractor/mower business. To me, there is nothing like a Honda engine.

I found this little gem on Craig's List the other day. After putting the pull rope back on, an initial check of things, and a bit of fresh gas, it started on the fourth pull and has been starting on the first ever since. I'm in the process of cleaning it up now.

 

[Austen]

Now that's one you don't see very often! Pretty unique handle and engine shroud design.

 

[Wayne195]

Now that's one you don't see very often! Pretty unique handle and engine shroud design.

Ditto! That's one design I haven't seen before. The deck looks quite similar to that of the older HR214's and 215; what engine does it have?

 

[bwdbrn1]

It's an HR17. Local Honda dealer did a little research for me. He said he couldn't find out who it was originally sold to, but found it to be a 1980.

There are a lot of similarities to the HR214 deck shape and edge guards, but this little thing only weighs in at about 50 pounds. It has a 16" blade with the Honda Roto Stop BBC. The engine is a G100 side valve that's rated at a whopping 2.2 HP at 4500 rpm! It's a little racer when it gets warmed up. It has an auto choke so all you have to do is flip the ignition switch to on and pull the rope. The air filter is under the red part of the shroud. The muffler is under the deck, but the exhaust exits through a curved exhaust pipe just in front of the engine. This thing is a lot quieter than the HR214!

Yeah, the handle is pretty unique. The starter rope actually runs from the recoil, up through that handle pipe and comes out at the beginning of the triangular part.