I've been thinking ahead about replacements (already -- I'll be at about 3.5K miles in a week), so this is an interesting discussion. I didn't know that the AP2/OEM fronts were so narrow.

Seems like there are two parts to this.

First, except for rubbing issues, the nuances here are probably only evident at the edge of control, like on the track, or in street situations that no one should get themselves into in the first place.

Second, there's more to handling than tread width (or, for a given tire pressure, contact-patch aspect ratio). There's also sidewall stiffness, which varies from tire to tire even for a given performance rating.

I switched to my S2K from an STi (don't really need AWD in Florida, and the convertible option was too sweet to ignore). The STi OEM tires (Bridgestone RE070s) have larger than average tread width and seriously stiff sidewalls. I replaced them with the Goodyear GS-D3s, which were somewhat softer (and quieter and more comfortable) and had less tread width. But the handling downgrade was minimal, as far as I could tell.

Softer sidewalls mean that a tire rolls more in tight cornering, changing the contact patch from the usual one to one that involves the shoulder, changing the aspect ratio to a wider one and giving more cornering grip (unless it's so soft that it rolls too far).

So wider fronts may not necessarily increase oversteer.

Probably the only way to resolve this completely is for some professional (instrumented) track comparisons. But the information here is a useful start. HPH

 

I would say it would depend on what you are looking for out of the tires. You can try 225/45R17 and 255/40R17.

 

F02k,

Was the point of your original post along the lines of "Honda put a tire on the car that is significantly different in size from everything on the market, and changing from the RE050 could therefore result in a very differently handling car, especially when the thing is so uniquely twitchy anyway"? I think that was the point of your original question, and I don't think it's been answered on this thread yet.

It's a great question. I don't think taking a position that you can just put on whatever tire you want to try without worrying about safety or performance is wise. Has Honda said anything about this subject and specifically recommended staying with the RE050 for these reasons?

Great detective work on your part.

 

Yes, that was my point exactly.

The post was not intended to solicit information for me, but to make others aware of the issue so people did not inadvertently buy tires that they would not be happy with.

The tire size issue seems to be even more pronounced on the AP2. For instance, on an AP1, going from OEM S02's to S03's (using OEM sizing) there is a change of 9% in the front to rear tread ratio. On the AP2 going from OEM RE 050, to S03's, there is a 16% change in the ratio. This change of course varies from brand to brand of tire.

I understand that other factors may negate, to a degree, the handling difference caused by changing tread widths. These factors might include suspension changes on the AP2, and alignment specifications.

The value of having a sticky is that it would offer a place for people to post their impressions of tire brands and sizes that they put on their AP2 cars. This would allow AP2 owners to make intelligent decisions regarding tire (and perhaps wheel) purchases.