I have a couple of GS-40's that have been good performers, and have seen the .61's which seem to be good engines also. Reliable and easy to start. I've found if you ditch that sock overweight power robbing muffler and go with a Macs muffler they run a whole lot better. Macs mufflers are well worth the extra expense!

Which version of the .61 do you have? Ringed or ABC? Follow their break-in instructions, especially if its a ringed engine.

Hogflyer