RE: And the S2000 is coming back too!
Discussion
The OEM tyres on the original S2K were designed by Bridgestone working with Honda's development team and were, effectively, wider tread width (just shy of 245) on a slimmer stiffer carcase (225 width) with very narrow sipes (S02 pattern). This provided a much wider, and less compliant, contact patch than non-OEM tyres of the same nominal size.
When I bought my S2K (nearly new) the previous owner had fitted ordinary 225s on the back (SO3s) and I didn't know about the tyre issue at the time. The back end was very twitchy and prone to sudden breakaway that was tricky to catch. Checking the car out more thoroughly, and with reference to the internet, I came across the OEM tyre story, bought and fitted some OEM tyres and it was like I had a different car. The back wouldn't break out until much higher speeds and when it did it became very progressive and manageable and really made the car come alive. The difference was staggering.
On a short wheelbase RWD car having the correct tyres really does make a big difference; as was stated earlier the Elise is another example (for the S1 Yokohama developed a tyre specifically for the car working with Lotus at their test track).
When I bought my S2K (nearly new) the previous owner had fitted ordinary 225s on the back (SO3s) and I didn't know about the tyre issue at the time. The back end was very twitchy and prone to sudden breakaway that was tricky to catch. Checking the car out more thoroughly, and with reference to the internet, I came across the OEM tyre story, bought and fitted some OEM tyres and it was like I had a different car. The back wouldn't break out until much higher speeds and when it did it became very progressive and manageable and really made the car come alive. The difference was staggering.
On a short wheelbase RWD car having the correct tyres really does make a big difference; as was stated earlier the Elise is another example (for the S1 Yokohama developed a tyre specifically for the car working with Lotus at their test track).
Thing is they have compliant rear bushes for passive rear steer. So anything you do to the other compliant parts.... Ie tyres. Will have an effect on the rear steer and how the bush is loaded. Its no real suprise. Softwall tyres on other fast Hondas have a similar degredation to feel and progressiveness.
JonnyVTEC said:
Thing is they have compliant rear bushes for passive rear steer. So anything you do to the other compliant parts.... Ie tyres. Will have an effect on the rear steer and how the bush is loaded. Its no real suprise. Softwall tyres on other fast Hondas have a similar degredation to feel and progressiveness.
That's why Toyo T1Rs suck on Hondas... 
Adz The Rat said:
Ive never driven a S2000, are they as good as people say?
There are pretty good, lacked steering feel and a flexible engine(great when on a charge), on plus side it was cheap to run, buy and reliable.I'd like to see another one, can't help thinking it will be under powered and won't be able to compete with the Boxster expect on price.
Edited by wheelsmith on Thursday 13th December 18:53
HokumPokum said:
Black S2K said:
HokumPokum said:
can someone opine on the electric steering?
has it been updated since it was produced? It feels lifeless to me.
A set of upper & lower chassis braces improves it immensely & allows one to feel the impending breakaway. One at the back also helps there, too.has it been updated since it was produced? It feels lifeless to me.
I'd say like that, the steering is about the same/slightly better than a GT86.
It's quite amazing the subtle, yet important difference it makes.
The DW and large (+55) wheel offset allows the S2000 to run a much purer centre-point set-up and one can wind back the caster, which may be partially why it initially lacked feel. The braces, oddly, make a big difference and ATM, I prefer the latter. The 86's handling is probably more way accessible to most, though. But actual EPS feel is still a bit blergh compared to a good DW and hydraulic set-up of the past and ignoring chassis differences, I'd say the stock 86 & modified S2000 are hard to separate purely on feel.
With the 17" wheels, Honda did change the bushing and increase the (front) bracing a little themselves, but it had a marginal effect on the steering feel. There were no mechanical changes to the actual steering mechanism, IIRC. The tamer handling & faster track times is partially the switch to the wider rubber, rather than the steering feel.
Kozy said:
For those wondering about steering feel, the rack is the same unit as used in the RX8. I don't see much criticism landed on that!
It may well be the same rack, but they do feel completely different. ETA: I'm guessing the RX8 has a greater distance from the track rod joint to the king pin, slowing the rack down?
Kozy said:
Feck knows, all I know is the EPS system which gets all the flack in the S2000 seems to be loved in the RX8. I drove an RX8 for a couple of weeks and loved it. Not driven an S2K to compare. Yet.
Yeah strange isn't it? I guess Honda got something wrong in the setup of the rack rather than it being a flaw of the rack itself.Torque sensors on the steering shaft and thinks like load detectors on the tie rods all feed into the calibration that decised the amount of assist, that is a constantly changing technology, The RX8 has a few years on the S2000.
Its like my Honda Insight, I think its actually the same EPS mech as in the NSX. But its not like that means they will drive the same!
Its like my Honda Insight, I think its actually the same EPS mech as in the NSX. But its not like that means they will drive the same!
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