looking at a graph of the speed/revs in each gear...2nd gear looks a shade too high since even at 9000rpm in 1st, you only can just get to 6000rpm in 2nd..and the VTEC point.

I wonder how many people in first outing with the car really let it go all the way in 1st before changing up...the noise is so mental the first time you hear it, you might think something is not right,..so if you change at 8 or 8.5k the engine has to climb back into VTEC from actually a low point on the torque curve which could give the impression of less torque than it could be??

I remember watching on one of the Best video's their first drive with an S on a circuit against other cars, the driver complains of unsuitable gear ratio.

I guess 2nd is set high enough to get to the magic 60mph without the need for a 2nd gear change., all the other gears you comfortably get into VTEC without holding to 9k in the previous gear.