I know everybody really believes in Honda motors but I've got a couple and they are both cold-blooded and sometimes finicky to start. Frankly, I am disappointed in them both. They don't make great power and are so beholden to the EPA they can hardly run. (Lawn mower & pressure washer.) On the other hand, I've got a B&S motor in a push mower that I've basically ignored for 18 years and it mowed my buddy's lawn all last summer perfectly. Everyone has an opinion but I believe B&S motors are built in Wisconsin. To me, that is better than built in Japan and, if possible, I won't buy another Honda.
A couple years ago I considered repowering the 782 with a Honda motor. Somebody suggested, politely, that the Honda's were'nt half the motor that the KT17 is - less torque, less robust construction, etc. I got several comments from people that put the Honda's into their CC machines and were disappointed at the power delivery - including one guy that put a 25 hp in place of the KT. Moral of the story: Kohler is more better. If I have to repower, I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a new KT. It'll hurt but, like my dad used to say, no one every regretted buying quality.
Again...just my opinion.