I do not take much stock in claimed HP. I rather have the motor with out a electric starter and the extra HP. Heck if I can kick start a 113 CI with 11 to 1 compression I do not see why any one would have a problem starting these little motors. Back in the 60s Cushman went to a bigger motor with more HP and a electric stater. They would not go as fast as the smaller older kick motors as they added way too much weight and the extra power got eat up in weight. But as I said each to their own.