How Cold Blooded Are The SM Hondas Really?

As I’m getting closer and closer to getting a new auger, I’m starting to doubt my choice of the Strikemaster Hondas. I’m probably still going to go with them, since I love the weight, the ability to run the auger in a house, and I generally prefer four-strokes to two-strokes. However the only thing holding me back are the stories of it being a pain to work with in the cold. So I’m looking for personal experience here, at what temperatures do what issues arise, and how big are the issues?

If I have to pull it six times instead of two at -20, I’m fine with it. If I have to let it warm up for a minute or two, no biggie. But if it starts to get so bad that getting the holes drilled is actually in question, I’ll look at the Lazermags. Thanks guys!

I was out fishing monday and tuesday, in the bitter cold here locally. Had the auger in the back of the truck drove to lake put in sled hauled out on ice fired on second pull. Let it warm up for a few seconds and I was off and drilling. I just picked mine up at the ice show but I am nothing but happy with it so far.

Lake Winnipeg last winter is some of the coldest temps I have fished in at -20+ below, the Honda started on 3rd pull, set it down to let warm up while I unpacked my gear and set up the Otter. Then drilled a few holes to fishing inside. Moved several times that day and the same results showed.

I fished with mine all of last year…

A couple pulls and it always fired up… ok.. maybe 3 pulls once..

I live in SW Wi and took a couple trips to the great white north.. The IDO Show with James I had it out in some below zero temps and she worked flawlessly !!

Caught me a 15″ crappie thru a 5″ home !!! You might have heard the *POP* when it came thru the hole

Your gunna love your Honda Lite !!!

Mine started fine. Even while letting it warm up while putting on gear and getting other stuff ready, it still took a good 5 minutes of drilling to run optimal.

Don’t buy into all of the idiots whoobla. This is the motor to have. Unless your racing to drill ice holes, this is your auger. Honda makes one of the best motors all around.

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Don’t buy into all of the idiots whoobla. This is the motor to have. Unless your racing to drill ice holes, this is your auger. Honda makes one of the best motors all around.

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Easy there… let’s not forget we all play for the same team here.

While I’ve been nothing but impressed with the Honda as well everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

One thing everyone needs to remember is the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Meaning that the thousands of ice anglers that have enjoyed easy starts regardless of temp will often remain silent while those few that have had issues will make plenty of noise about it.

My Honda starts first or second pull regardless of temp and is ready to punch at full power by the time I lean over the top of the auger and hit the throttle. Honda has earned their reputation for making excellent motors that offer years of reliable performance. That didn’t change with the Honda 35 CC Lite.

Purchased a new HL-8 last week. Used it on Sunday and had to pull my arm off to get it to start and then it wouldn’t run at full throttle. Came back here for suggestions and guys told me to crack the fuel cap next time, so I was going to try that……My 14yr old took it out this evening, I didn’t give him any instructions on how to use or start it (didn’t know he was going to take it) he said it started right up for him and drilled just fine Maybe he has the magic touch, but he said he really likes it!!

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Maybe he has the magic touch, but he said he really likes it!!

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I think you have a winning hand to play here. Tell your 14 year old that the SM just won’t run for you so he has to punch all the holes.

When I got home with the new Lite auger the GF picked it up and said wow I can run this one