How to overcome numb steering feel
09-09-2009, 07:52 AM
#41
Sorry I can't add to the OP's question, but here is my two cents on the subject of steering feel.
I think Honda made a good decision with their choice of steering feel. If it was too noisey, then the GT cruiser customer field would be lost (a large part of their revenue for this model, unfortunately). I also think that relying on steering feel might be a less-safe strategy to let drivers rely on. I appreciate feel, but I now rely more on g-force sense, since I switch cars often. Tire surface and steering feel may lie occasionally, g's never do. Not that I prefer it over good steering feel.
When spirited driving for hours, heft can be tiring which may make the driver less safe. Turning the wheel of the S never tires me, but pushing that dead petal does.
Funny example, I've found myself associating wheel turn to expected g's. I do that so much that when I switch from a fast steering ratio to a slow one, I yank the wheel and get only a bit of yaw and g, causes a shot of "oh-crap, is this understeer?" Nope, just didn't turn the wheel far enough
I think Honda made a good decision with their choice of steering feel. If it was too noisey, then the GT cruiser customer field would be lost (a large part of their revenue for this model, unfortunately). I also think that relying on steering feel might be a less-safe strategy to let drivers rely on. I appreciate feel, but I now rely more on g-force sense, since I switch cars often. Tire surface and steering feel may lie occasionally, g's never do. Not that I prefer it over good steering feel.
When spirited driving for hours, heft can be tiring which may make the driver less safe. Turning the wheel of the S never tires me, but pushing that dead petal does.
Funny example, I've found myself associating wheel turn to expected g's. I do that so much that when I switch from a fast steering ratio to a slow one, I yank the wheel and get only a bit of yaw and g, causes a shot of "oh-crap, is this understeer?" Nope, just didn't turn the wheel far enough
09-09-2009, 08:45 AM
#43
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Originally Posted by PoweredByCamry,Sep 8 2009, 10:12 PM
I think you've hit the key point here. The big weakness is not the general level of effort, but rather the fact that the effort doesn't really vary at all in relation to the load on the front tires. Anyone who has driven a car with unassisted steering knows how the buildup of effort acts as a sort of load sensor, the forces build up as you approach the limit, and a loss of grip is communicated by the steering going light. This communication can tell you a lot about what the front tires are doing.
09-09-2009, 12:12 PM
#46
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NSX manual steering rack could be the answer if anyone is talented enough to fit it.
The steering feedback on that car is pheonominal.
91-94 NSX with manual transmission NSX has the manual steering rack.
1999 Zanardi also has manual steering rack.
The steering feedback on that car is pheonominal.
91-94 NSX with manual transmission NSX has the manual steering rack.
1999 Zanardi also has manual steering rack.
10-16-2009, 07:41 AM
#48
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To me, it's just a matter of shifting your "what is the car doing" from the wheel to your butt. Once I realized that, it became a lot easier: the S2000 has a really communicative chassis. My 911 and my 335 both have slower but much more communicative steering, and getting used to the s2000 is just a shift in where you are looking for information.
Unfortunately, short of swapping to a manual rack or adding a power steering pump, there really isn't a way to fix this easier. The NSX rack would be difficult in the s2000, since you have more weight over the wheels (the motor is up front)
Unfortunately, short of swapping to a manual rack or adding a power steering pump, there really isn't a way to fix this easier. The NSX rack would be difficult in the s2000, since you have more weight over the wheels (the motor is up front)
10-16-2009, 10:37 AM
#49
Originally Posted by kitwetzler,Oct 16 2009, 07:41 AM
To me, it's just a matter of shifting your "what is the car doing" from the wheel to your butt. Once I realized that, it became a lot easier: the S2000 has a really communicative chassis. My 911 and my 335 both have slower but much more communicative steering, and getting used to the s2000 is just a shift in where you are looking for information.
Seat and pedals. I have to listen really carefully to get any feedback from the hands.
10-16-2009, 01:53 PM
#50
Originally Posted by kitwetzler,Oct 16 2009, 07:41 AM
To me, it's just a matter of shifting your "what is the car doing" from the wheel to your butt. Once I realized that, it became a lot easier: the S2000 has a really communicative chassis.
i have no complaints about the steering feel on the s2000, although no one particular "feel" is better than another. it's a subjective issue we're talking about now...