I'm sure others have asked this many times before, but please answer it one more time.
Why do you have to order different size rear tires if you don't go with SO2s? If you check on Tire Rack's site for S2000 tires they show the stock size. Any help would be appreciated.

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Rocker
'03 spa yellow

 

I don't know how it came about...but Honda asked bridgestone to make a specialized S02 for the S2000.

Measurements on tires are just measurements. Just because you buy a jacket at Gap sized "L", does not mean that at J Crew...another jacket sized "L" will fit the same.

The oem S02 225/50/16 has an extremely wide tread width. It measures 8.5 inches accross.
It is so wide that I have seen a couple 255/35/18's that do not have wider tread widths.

If you were to compare against the average 225/50/16...the tread width would be ~ 7.5 inches.

So, to compensate for the oversized tread width...245/45/16 is an attempt.
People usually stick with the 205/55/16 fronts.

 

Thanks for the info.

_________
Rocker
'03 spa yellow

 

Just to add another .02 to the mix, because the measured rim width Bridgestone used for the S0-2 was 7-inches, the actual tread width of the S0-2 on the Honda 7.5-inch rear wheel is 8.7-inches (5 more mm) making it even wider.
Truly an interesting decision, this unusually wide stagger between front and back. That would be my first discussion point if I ever had a chance to chat with S2000 engineers.