Hi all I converted my Kitfox III from a Rotax 582 to a HKS 700E 2 1/2 years ago I now have 229** hrs on the engine and really like it I would never go back to the 582. I did not have any really problems with the 582 flew it to 297 hrs, but I never truly trusted it, didn't like the semiannual ritual of carb adjusting in the spring and fall but I really disliked the low TBO of 300 hrs.
The HKS has a 800 hr TBO burns 3 gph the preformance is so close to what I was getting with the 582 except for cruise which increased by 5 / 7 mph.
Operating cost for the HKS is 1/2 of that of the 582 about $12.00/hr VS $24.00
for the 582.
An update: HKS Japan says they will announce an increase in the TBO to 1000 hrs later on this year.
** 291 hr TT 9/18/08 GB