Hi all,

I recently replaced the rear tyres on my s2k but not the fronts (some of you will wince at that!). So i am now running 2x Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL (91Y) on the front (directional tyres), and 2x Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 XL (95Y) on the rear (asymmetric tyres). Since then, comparatively speaking the handling has been awful.

Previously i had the Hankooks all round and it was fine. Prior to that i've had different front tyre brands to the rears without an issue so i was confused and thought perhaps it was something else such as tracking. This is what i've had on the car during ownership (if i remember correctly), the first being what it came with:

• Bridgestone front, Kuhmo rear
• Bridgestone front, Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 2 rear
• Bridgestone front, Toyo Proxes rear
• Hankook front, Hankook rear
• Hankook front, Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 rear (current)

My S2k is a stock 2004 (215, 45, R17 front, 245, 40, R17 rear).
I was told recently by a Honda specialist that the S2k is a bit sensitive when mixing directional tyres with asymmetric tyres (lesson learnt then!). So i am going to replace the fronts but cannot find a tyre shop who has the tyres i need in stock. I have been looking for 2 weeks without luck. I'm after:

• 2x Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6's, 215, 45, R17, 91Y XL

What i can find is:

• 2x Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 5's, 215, 45, R17, 91Y XL
• 2x Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6's, 215, 45, R17, 87Y (not XL)

I need to sort this out sooner rather than later to see if it resolves the vague and light steering feel. Question - would you people recommend buying the Asymmetric 5's with the 91Y XL rating or the Asymmetric 6's there are not XL 87Y? I'm thinking the former might be the better alternative.

Cheers!

 

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): You either need to put a pair of Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 (Max Performance Summer tire) on the back or a pair of Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 6 on the front. Since you just spent money on the rears the economic solution is to put these same tires on the front.

I winced! "A bit sensitive?" The S2000 is tire sensitive even to the point of tire pressure differences. You've committed every major S2000 tire sin on the planet. Rookie mistake. Don't mean nothing, it's fixable.

If you want the car to drive and handle well you need the same tires (brand, type, and age) on all four corners. Mix and match does not work well with the S2000. OEM tires were asymmetric (non directional). While the new rear tires may be of a lower performance category (?) than the front they meet all the matching criteria. I'm not familiar with this Goodyear "6" tire but am guessing it's an All Season and not a Summer tire.

Always better to ask here first. Tire shop will sell you any tire that fits. And we discuss tires endlessly...

-- Chuck

 

I know it's a bit late now but....

I had PS4 all round on mine 2 years ago. Epic handling, fabulous grip. Predictable and confidence inspiring.
I now have PS5 on all 4 corners , more of the same.

Never mix tyres, and never go mid range. Buy cheap, buy twice

 

You can run 87 load rated tires up front on the S. The 87 load rated tire can hold 1201 lbs(545 kg) and a 91 can hold 1356 lbs(615 kg) You won't overload a 87 load rated tire with the S.

Those are some expensive tires if I found what you have. If you don't push your S to the limit on the track I would go to a good easy to find tire so you can replace the fronts or the rears without any handling problems.

Rod

 

Thanks everyone. I was under the impression the Goodyear tyres were a premium brand and the reviews seemed good. So i went with them. But next time I'll definitely match tyres all around. I found plenty of tyres for the front in that size, just not the GY asymmetric 6 XL (to match the rears). Sounds like the XL isn't necessary. Think i may have incorrectly thought the stiffer tyre wall would have helped handling.
I'll check out the Michelins in the future too.
Appreciate the feedback. Cheers

 

Check pressures, check alignment

After they are ruled out you can consider swapping the fronts imo, but not before, I have run 2 pairs with no issues

 

This. Check the alignment and pressures first.

 

i have the GY 6s on my s2k all round and happy with the handling. I dont think the XL will matter.

 

Thanks again everyone. I have experimented with the pressures already over the past 6 or so weeks but couldn't feel much of a difference.
The fronts have a bit of meat still but not a hefty amount so i've bitten the bullet and purchased some GY's for the front. Will update here how it went.
i intend to get the tracking done too. Would you trust any garage with that? e.g. F1, Halfords, National Tyre etc? i suppose a Honda specialist is best.

 

Same and you could be going to a totally different geo setting if you went from bald to new tyres, 6-8mm which is going to feel different. As a tyre wears you get used to the slight change in tracking.