front vs. back-- all things being equal, the higher the pressure, the less grip (less contact patch). At the same time, the higher the pressure the less roll-over onto the sidewall. In autox-ing, it's common to put a strip of chalk wrapping around the tread up the sidewall. If the pressure is too low, it'll be rubbed off the sidewall from rollover; if too high, it won't have rolled off much at all. (Another way is to use a tyre pyrometer and measure temps inside/center/outside).

The s2k's supposed handling issue is tail-happiness. That suggests lower rear for increased grip there is in order, and that is the factory recomendation. Note that Honda had to dial in more understeer after initial reaction was that it was too close to dreaded oversteer for liability reasons. (This may also be why we have teeny little fronts and way fatter than advertised rears).

For my taste, the vice of the S2k is an unsettled rear-end 'jounce' in a side-to-side transition under acceleration. It seems a little better to me with the rear equal or harder than the front. This might reduce the ultimate grip on the back,but it feels less twitchy to me, and increases my confidence approaching the limits. I run 34f/36r. Your opinion may be very different.

-dB

 

Is there also an ideal tire pressure that would possibly make the tires last a little longer...higher PSI/lower PSI perhaps?

 

Too high wears down the center; too low wears down the sides. There's a lot of room to play between too high and too low, you just have find what's best for you.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbrower
[B] Note that Honda had to dial in more understeer after initial reaction was that it was too close to dreaded oversteer for liability reasons.

 

[my report that understeer was added for production as pre-production models were tail happy]

I don't have a direct cite handy, but this was widely known as a change between the initial press junkets in Japan and the US release. Many of the very early articles on the web reported it. The nastiest accidents reported in the US boards have been with the tail coming out. Often the talent ran out, but many are correlate to bumps while loaded, which makes sense.

Let's see, "oversteer is when the tail hits the guardrail, understeer is when the front hits it."

I don't think I've gotten mine close to snapping out on a street, and I hope never to do so except on an autox course. As often as I say "slow in, fast out" to myself, I still overcook entries into frustrating plow.

-dB

 

When you guys are taking these pressure. Is it taken cold or after a couple of miles?
nick

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by YoungS2K
[B]When you guys are taking these pressure.

 

twohoos, I disagree. Cold pressure is not important, what matters is operating pressure. Measure your pressures after various amounts spirited driving in various weather conditions. I typically see changes of between 3 and 10 lbs. In my opinion, religiously keeping cold pressures accurate is a waste of time if operating pressures are varying widely.

 

Interesting you mentioned ... last night I couldn't sleep, so I got up and drove to a gas station to adjust my tire pressure. Before I leave, both front were at 30psi, and the rear was 30/29psi L/R. I got to the gas station, the rear didn't change much, give or take 0.5psi at the most, but the front were at 34/32 L/R. I only took 1 "real" left turn rolling at about 15MPH, and it was only a 5 minute trip; I guess S02 warms up fast when its flexed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbrower
[B]
For my taste, the vice of the S2k is an unsettled rear-end 'jounce' in a side-to-side transition under acceleration.