these are just my observations based on the last 10,000 miles or so of driving the S2000

I've noticed that:-

when in a higher gear such as 3rd gear...mid corner....and you apply power progressively I get what I can only describe as a 'lazy' oversteer moment...it's deceptive and especially so with absence of any visual clues i.e when it's dark...it's less easy to spot therefore and by the time you correct it the slip angle is quite wide.....i.e more difficult to correct and more scope for over-correction

when in a lower gear....mid corner...and you apply power a tad more aggressively the oversteer is more sudden........but crucially more obvious...even without the benefit of any visual clues....the slip angle is less....(unless you bury the throttle peddle)...therefore easier to correct with a flick of opposite lock and less chance of over-correcting

Basically what I am trying to say in a rather round about way is that any 'moments' I have experienced with the S2000 is when I have least expected them i.e in a higher gear

Like I say these are just my observations and not meant to be taken in any other way

I find that I have much more control of the S2000 by not choosing too higher gear for the roadspeed...

 

Agreed, but a gentle lift in 3rd has a much less pronounced effect than the same in 2nd (less snap).

 

Let me get this right Zero - you apply more power mid-corner when the car is in a balanced state yet you get oversteer?

The acceleration should transfer weight to the back and give you more grip and so I don't understand why you're getting oversteer I'd understand it if the car become unsettled by you jabbing the throttle (you could end up in a hedge you know ) but you obviously aren't. Is the effect caused by the weight transferring to the rear wheels but the tyres (perhaps worn?) can't cope with it completely (hence the barely noticable drift)?

 

Isn't the reason it's more obvious to do with the fact it is more sudden?
I'm not sure I understand...........are you saying that with a lower gear, cornering at the same speed, that you get a more sudden oversteer? - if so, that's to be expected isn't it, considering the increased power (from the increased 'aggression') going to the rear wheels compared to the former scenario you mentioned.

With a higher gear, are you also more likely to be going faster, without realising it, round a corner, as you are 'freewheeling' it relatively more. (Note relatively )

 

exactly....more sudden and for me atleast easier to respond to



Sorry, I should clarify....I was referring to when the corner is not a constant radius and you end up needing to tighten your line as you make your way through the corner...although the weight is biased to the rear as you apply the power in the wet you can still break the traction in my experience

The point of my post really was that I feel more in control of the car when in a lower gear for the road speed as opposed to 'pootling' along in a higher gear

 

woah, in a high gear (carrying a fair bit of speed), in the wet, with a tightening radius and applying more throttle....

you're a braver man than I Gunger Din.

Do you find that in a lower gear the throttle is more responsive so you can control the car more and are you VTECing at that time?

 

isn't that what the side windows are for

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by zero_to60

 

? Sounds perfectly expected.

In a lower gear, throttle adjustments have a more pronounced effect on rear traction, as the torque is greater. It is probably easier to detect, but makes the car more likely to be upset if you move the pedal too much.

The accepted wisdom is that a higher gear is more stable in cornering.

I agree one has to listen to one's middle ear with the S2K, for if you don't notice that gentle sideslip increasing and deal with it, or lift off by mistake, it will be @@@@@@

I must admit, I like 2nd on really greasy roads, so one can keep twitching its arse at will!

 

Now he tells me!!!!!