For those of you who've bumped up the width of your tire to 205, what effect did it have on your steering response?

I always hear people say wider is better for handling purposes, but I went up 10mm all around on my S2000 and it made the ride a little squirrely and the steering a little less responsive. Perhaps the S was highly engineered for the stock width tires and that's why it didn't respond well - don't know.

I love the handling and steering response of the Fit on my winter sport tires in stock size - just curious what your experience has been when you upsize...

Thanks!

 

I'd be more curious to know what else, other than steering response, you are looking for here. What did you expect to gain by increasing your tire size by 10mm on your S? (or on any vehicle for that matter). When inflated at the same pressure on the same wheel, a 215 width tire is making the same footprint as a 225. Only if you change the width of the wheel, the tire pressure or the weight of the vehicle is that going to change. I upped the front tires on my S from a 215 to a 225; but that's only because I couldn't get the tire I wanted in a 215.

As for the Fit though, after 17K miles on the stock Sport rims and tires, I knew it was time for a change. After moving to a 1/2inch wider wheel, +36 offset and a better tire (of the same size) steering response and handling ability are improved. The BFGoodrigh gForce Sports I find to be far superior than the stock Dunlops.

So, I guess you are going to find more variables that affect the steering response than just the tire width. Decide what your goals for the vehicle's handling are and go from there. That's what I think anyways.

 

Should of mentioned when I went to a wider tire on the S, I also was on a wider wheel. Also, I wasn't fond of the tire I went with - Goodyear Eagle FGSD3s, which were supposed to be really great but I was unimpressed compared to the stock Bridgestones...

With the Fit, I'm planning on going to 15x7 with a 41 offset, probably Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in 205/50/15... I'm hoping for increased steering response and feedback, instead of less.

 

Even though I went with a different size tire than what the topic is about,215/50/15 on a 15x7 +43 rim, I really like how much more planted the car feels , BIG improvement!! Oh yeah, the tires I went with are the BFG G Force Sports, non-silica compound (less "drag").

 

I've got 205/50R15 Toyo Proxes 4 on the Fit currently... steering response and control is GREATLY improved. However it's on 12lb Königs and not the stock wheels which is probably where most of the change comes from.

 

All good to know - thanks. I'm going with Enkei RPF1s - 9.5 pounds each.

 

on my car the wheels are pushed out 15mm (40mm offset) and
therefore have some numbness feel, but within acceptable
levels as i kept the tire profile lower and width at 195.

offset affects quite a bit more than just tires alone. if you run
stock wheels and use 205/50/15 im not sure if you'd feel a
difference in the response.

the wider you go (lower offset or wider tires), the less nimble you get.