Direzza Z1 Star Specs
my star specs. Best in the rain - I barely even blink when I see water now. 
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Modesto, California
cooper from the tire rack posting on honda-tech regarding the tires tested.
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2572880
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2572880
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 100
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From: New Zealand, South Island
Originally Posted by DarkAngel8,May 29 2009, 07:20 PM
I was at the honda dealership the other day and a sales man was talking about tires. I mentioned that I maybe getting some tires off line from tire rack and he shouted how different the online tires are compared to "OE" HONDA tires... not sure what that meant. He began to explain about thread and whatnot... anyone care to explain?
It appears that car manufacturers sometimes work with tyre manufacturers to produce an OE tyre that performs better than the same tyre off the shelf.
Bad to think about.
Apparently true.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by Emil St-Hilaire,May 25 2009, 04:17 PM
Any report yet???
If so,where can I find it ???
If so,where can I find it ???
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 74
My Review:
So I've had the Specs on for about a week now, and they are great. I stuck with AP1 sizes, and I can confirm that they are almost as wide as the stock S02 in 225/50 form.
Initial impressions: At 32psi, holy cow they are squishy. The sidewalls are like butter, they even flex in your hands before mounting. Steering response is lost massively compared to the S02s, but the total grip is still there. Upped it to 40psi, and there is a lot more response so they are adequate, but nothing like the super-natural response of the stiff S02s.
After breaking them in, the total grip is very comparable to the S02s, which is a lot. After being very rough on them, they look a bit more chewed up than my MXs or the S02s ever did. That could have just been the break in though, I wasn't very gentle. The soft sidewalls are still noticeable when sticking with 40psi, and it adds a different feel on how you manage the limit of grip. You tend to over-angle them without knowing they've reached their limit, so I see more slip more often. With the S02s, you get so much feedback you can always prevent going over the limit of grip. Since the front still grips just as hard, lots of times you get a boingy snap effect that breaks the back loose with fast inputs as the sidewalls rebound. I would almost say that this tire in 50-55 sidewalls are not for the newb, as the "snap" breakaway might surprise some. I however find it endlessly entertaining as I learn to contain it
The comfort from the the softness of the Star Specs is quite nice too, but not so much as it might be a defining feature. The S02s in 50-55 form do a great enough job that its not a huge difference.
The wet: the day after they were broke in, we got a downpour. I never intentionally drive the S in the rain, but I had to right after the rain stopped. I was very impressed, the Star Specs are the best wet tire I have ever had. Attempts at breaking the rear at ordinary speeds were difficult, and I experienced no understeer. The wet braking distances still easily beat normal car's dry distances.
Tire Noise: There is none. Well, tire squeal here and there of course. A breath of fresh air after a trip in the MXs.
Verdict: value for money is great. Total grip is great. Response is good, but could be better. Would I buy again? S02s will be my next purchase. That extra couple hundred is worth the magical go-cart S2000 feel.
So I've had the Specs on for about a week now, and they are great. I stuck with AP1 sizes, and I can confirm that they are almost as wide as the stock S02 in 225/50 form.
Initial impressions: At 32psi, holy cow they are squishy. The sidewalls are like butter, they even flex in your hands before mounting. Steering response is lost massively compared to the S02s, but the total grip is still there. Upped it to 40psi, and there is a lot more response so they are adequate, but nothing like the super-natural response of the stiff S02s.
After breaking them in, the total grip is very comparable to the S02s, which is a lot. After being very rough on them, they look a bit more chewed up than my MXs or the S02s ever did. That could have just been the break in though, I wasn't very gentle. The soft sidewalls are still noticeable when sticking with 40psi, and it adds a different feel on how you manage the limit of grip. You tend to over-angle them without knowing they've reached their limit, so I see more slip more often. With the S02s, you get so much feedback you can always prevent going over the limit of grip. Since the front still grips just as hard, lots of times you get a boingy snap effect that breaks the back loose with fast inputs as the sidewalls rebound. I would almost say that this tire in 50-55 sidewalls are not for the newb, as the "snap" breakaway might surprise some. I however find it endlessly entertaining as I learn to contain it
The comfort from the the softness of the Star Specs is quite nice too, but not so much as it might be a defining feature. The S02s in 50-55 form do a great enough job that its not a huge difference.
The wet: the day after they were broke in, we got a downpour. I never intentionally drive the S in the rain, but I had to right after the rain stopped. I was very impressed, the Star Specs are the best wet tire I have ever had. Attempts at breaking the rear at ordinary speeds were difficult, and I experienced no understeer. The wet braking distances still easily beat normal car's dry distances.
Tire Noise: There is none. Well, tire squeal here and there of course. A breath of fresh air after a trip in the MXs.
Verdict: value for money is great. Total grip is great. Response is good, but could be better. Would I buy again? S02s will be my next purchase. That extra couple hundred is worth the magical go-cart S2000 feel.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,430
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by AaronCompNetSys,Jun 1 2009, 10:28 AM
My Review:
So I've had the Specs on for about a week now, and they are great. I stuck with AP1 sizes, and I can confirm that they are almost as wide as the stock S02 in 225/50 form.
Initial impressions: At 32psi, holy cow they are squishy. The sidewalls are like butter, they even flex in your hands before mounting. Steering response is lost massively compared to the S02s, but the total grip is still there. Upped it to 40psi, and there is a lot more response so they are adequate, but nothing like the super-natural response of the stiff S02s.
After breaking them in, the total grip is very comparable to the S02s, which is a lot. After being very rough on them, they look a bit more chewed up than my MXs or the S02s ever did. That could have just been the break in though, I wasn't very gentle. The soft sidewalls are still noticeable when sticking with 40psi, and it adds a different feel on how you manage the limit of grip. You tend to over-angle them without knowing they've reached their limit, so I see more slip more often. With the S02s, you get so much feedback you can always prevent going over the limit of grip. Since the front still grips just as hard, lots of times you get a boingy snap effect that breaks the back loose with fast inputs as the sidewalls rebound. I would almost say that this tire in 50-55 sidewalls are not for the newb, as the "snap" breakaway might surprise some. I however find it endlessly entertaining as I learn to contain it
The comfort from the the softness of the Star Specs is quite nice too, but not so much as it might be a defining feature. The S02s in 50-55 form do a great enough job that its not a huge difference.
The wet: the day after they were broke in, we got a downpour. I never intentionally drive the S in the rain, but I had to right after the rain stopped. I was very impressed, the Star Specs are the best wet tire I have ever had. Attempts at breaking the rear at ordinary speeds were difficult, and I experienced no understeer. The wet braking distances still easily beat normal car's dry distances.
Tire Noise: There is none. Well, tire squeal here and there of course. A breath of fresh air after a trip in the MXs.
Verdict: value for money is great. Total grip is great. Response is good, but could be better. Would I buy again? S02s will be my next purchase. That extra couple hundred is worth the magical go-cart S2000 feel.
So I've had the Specs on for about a week now, and they are great. I stuck with AP1 sizes, and I can confirm that they are almost as wide as the stock S02 in 225/50 form.
Initial impressions: At 32psi, holy cow they are squishy. The sidewalls are like butter, they even flex in your hands before mounting. Steering response is lost massively compared to the S02s, but the total grip is still there. Upped it to 40psi, and there is a lot more response so they are adequate, but nothing like the super-natural response of the stiff S02s.
After breaking them in, the total grip is very comparable to the S02s, which is a lot. After being very rough on them, they look a bit more chewed up than my MXs or the S02s ever did. That could have just been the break in though, I wasn't very gentle. The soft sidewalls are still noticeable when sticking with 40psi, and it adds a different feel on how you manage the limit of grip. You tend to over-angle them without knowing they've reached their limit, so I see more slip more often. With the S02s, you get so much feedback you can always prevent going over the limit of grip. Since the front still grips just as hard, lots of times you get a boingy snap effect that breaks the back loose with fast inputs as the sidewalls rebound. I would almost say that this tire in 50-55 sidewalls are not for the newb, as the "snap" breakaway might surprise some. I however find it endlessly entertaining as I learn to contain it
The comfort from the the softness of the Star Specs is quite nice too, but not so much as it might be a defining feature. The S02s in 50-55 form do a great enough job that its not a huge difference.
The wet: the day after they were broke in, we got a downpour. I never intentionally drive the S in the rain, but I had to right after the rain stopped. I was very impressed, the Star Specs are the best wet tire I have ever had. Attempts at breaking the rear at ordinary speeds were difficult, and I experienced no understeer. The wet braking distances still easily beat normal car's dry distances.
Tire Noise: There is none. Well, tire squeal here and there of course. A breath of fresh air after a trip in the MXs.
Verdict: value for money is great. Total grip is great. Response is good, but could be better. Would I buy again? S02s will be my next purchase. That extra couple hundred is worth the magical go-cart S2000 feel.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: South Bend
I still don't have the test results but we should have them soon.
I liked the RE-11 the best overall in driving them. They are very good handling in wet and dry and they were compliant on the road.
I liked the RE-11 the best overall in driving them. They are very good handling in wet and dry and they were compliant on the road.
