I agree with the 212 folks completely. Only the electric start and lights are any advantage over a juiced up 212, and that can be put on. My own 212 is juiced up to 15+hp. transmitted through a cheap CVT to a live axle.
A huge win for juicing the 212 is the use of a billet connecting rod to replace the OEM rod. It will practically guarantee reliability from the engine due to its modified oil scoop arm (that's scoop, not splash) that's also bored through to the rod bearing, guarantees to keep it slippery. If an OEM engine fails, it'll probably be by breaking off the rod's oil splash arm and lunching the rod.
You can have the added bonus of ordering your rod .020" over stock length for more compression, and the hi-perf gasket set you order for sealing it all back up can come with a thinner .012" stainless steel head gasket for more compression coming the other way. So many different ways to juice a 212, that's only a small portion.
As for the lack of a magneto to power a battery for lights, I didn't put a magneto coil in mine. I got a 9600mah lithium-ion battery pack from Ebay for $30 to fun my 70 watts of headlights, Harley bullet tail/brake lights, stereo system, etc. Recharges with an extension cord to an external plug.
$99 for a 212 on sale off of $129 regular price, $322 from my hi-perf guy in N.C. for juicing it up to 15+hp., and a $53 Chinese CVT to push a 520 lb. kart. Scalded dog. Raped ape. Cooler than a skint d__k with sunglasses.