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Metamorphosis - Stage 1 (Chapter 5)

I've said my peace about tires in my previous segment of my old project car, Project S Honda Prelude.  But just to re-cap, good tires play a pivotal role in the performance, safety and handling aspect of any car. To better the performance and handling of any car, it should be shod with good tires to enhance the driving experience and increase confidence levels in safety compromising situations. Sad to note that most drivers' on the road neglect this aspect and car enthusiasts tend to go for the horsepower chase rather than getting the basics right down pat. I was already blown away with the performance of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tires that I decided to try out another set of Goodyear rubber. 

This time around, I'd gotten a set of Goodyear Eagle RS Sport tires from Goodyear Malaysia. The Goodyear RS Sport has gotten quite good reviews and feedback from track day goers and drifters alike. I decided to see what the hype was all about and why this tire is basking in the glory of all who had shod a set of them on their rides.

My current set of rims comes from some obscure brand which looked horrible on the DC5 giving it that pizza pie look and are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. To cap it off, they were 18" X 10's which was way too wide, a wrong offset and gave it that over exaggerated appearance. Honda Integra's or any Honda Type-R's for that matter were calculated very thoroughly before rolling into production and every single aspect or change towards the original affects the handling greatly and in a lot of cases, in a bad way. This is something that most Honda owners have to experience and this process actually weeds out the true enthusiast and the trend follower. 

I decided to do away with the 'orrible 18"s that came from a certain ultra popular American Japanese Import movie and shod it back with 17" Advan Racing RZ from the Land of the Rising Sun. Ahh, now its exudes a touch of the JDM spirit. With re-instating the 17" rims to active duty on Project R, I decided that with great rims comes great tires and I hope that the Goodyear Eagle RS-Sport would be cut out for the job. 

Goodyear Eagle RS-Sport

Inspired by Goodyear’s racing technology, the gripping power of Eagle RS Sport tyres is immediately felt despite quickly gaining heat during acceleration. Even after a few laps, these tyres will not wear and still allow you to trace the line you were aiming for. The secret to its high gripping performance lies in the development of the RS compound that allows it to gain and lose heat while maintaining precise control.

Based on RS compound technology which provides amazing grip with the road from the moment of acceleration. High stiffness structure & ideal for high performance machines. This tyre uses tyre compound technology developed for the racing world such as the D1 Grand Prix. The focus is on maximizing tyre grip at all temperatures, by improving grip at low temperatures and limiting the effects of overheating by means of a sophisticated heat control technology. The tyre exhibits a spectacular grip right from the start which is maintained even at high temperatures. A specially designed high-stiffness structure is used in both the tread section and the sidewalls, resulting in high maneuverability and drifting performance. 

RS Compound enhances gripping power when it is at low temperature and suppresses tyre wear at high temperature contributing to a high level of heat control.

High Durability Ply enhances the control during cornering and improve traction delivering the power to the ground.

Wide Center Rib enhances the stability and control on straight roads and reduces tread wear.

Design patterns provide a high response

 High Performance machine corresponding to "rigid structure"

 Tread, the side together. "Rigid structure" and adopted a high output to ground to improve surface area, corresponding to high-speed vehicle.  Has contributed significantly to achieve high control performance and sporty driving performance.

Wide Center Rib Improves driving stability at high speed straight to contribute to the high control. The center of the narrow groove, the tread is cooled, reduce heat sauce. Rigid block Exclusively designed with large tread area comparable to Semi-Slick tires by rigid block, but the road Kuitsuki, high grip. Dual Aqua Tunnels Two groups of the tread straight "Dual Aqua Tunnel" is to improve drainage performance, high resistance to aquaplaning performance.

  Cooling Groove

 The higher part of the heat, "Cooling Grooves" are adopted.  At the time of circuit driving and especially hard to suppress the thermal sagging, this is where the Cooling Groove shines.

  Slanted Groove

 Big thick and deep groove "Slanted Groove" adopted.  Drainage and to achieve higher, by the end of the tapered ground rigidity.  Such as increased performance and cornering grip, both at a high level of drainage.

  Check break groove

 Place a shallow groove of the tire break disappears upon completion.  Please measure of the driving circuit.

 Provide high control performance, "Pure Sports Construction"

Round Profile Marginal performance improvement at the controls. Rigid circuit breaker Breaker adopts high rigidity, surface tracking performance and high control. Ply adopt rigid  Realizes high cornering control uses a two-ply construction. Also, when multiplied by traction, ensuring power is transmitted to the road surface, high-performance traction.

Driving Impressions...

I'm once more totally blown away with Goodyear's products. The Eagle RS Sport is an absolute gem and a winner. I'm in complete and totally in  awe and amazement. This is by far the best tire I have ever ever ever ever ever, had in any car since I started driving. Did I say ever? This tire grips and I mean really. I don't even know where to begin explaining about the merits of this tire as all the words flood in to my mind and attempt to wrestle with each other onto my keyboard. So here goes,

• Initial response after installation. Superb. The RS Sport doesn't need to warm up for it to respond to your driving input. Steering feel and feedback is excellent. Due to its harder than regular sidewalls, cornering work and lane change is sharp and precise. Car and chassis does not sway or robs me of confidence. 

• After driving for around 300 KM's, the RS Sport has nestled in comfortably and at this point, it turns a regular drive into a track day hero. I push the car harder through the corners, around 10 - 12 KM/H faster through every bend. With this amazing, ultra high grip level, you can exercise late braking, heel and toe from 5th to 3rd gear, and throttle your way through without losing your line. 

• Wet grip from this tire is phenomenal. The Integra doesn't buckle under severe wet conditions (i.e.: huge puddle in the middle of the highway) and water dispersion is excellent. It literally disperses water way to the left and right side and anyone unfortunate enough to be standing on the kerb will get a whole dose of nature's H2O. 

• Cornering stance is taut and firm as the R plows through the corners, I can feel the RS Sport compound seeking out each and every surface of tarmac and eating it away with its grip without losing any hint of composure.

• Noise levels are excellent as they are kept to a bare minimum on the highway. Despite the Integra's hardcore nature and the RS Sport's aggressive performance levels, comfort levels are still maintained at a very high level. 

• Due to its soft compound and high grip nature, takes about 17,000 - 20,000 KM's of serious driving to wear them out completely. 

In A Nutshell...

As my words come close to an end on this article, this phenomenal set of tires is no longer in Project R. Goodyear Malaysia has stopped importing this tire in due to new Malaysian Goverment tire regulations which were imposed on the 1st of January 2010. The RS Sport is the ultimate performance tire from Goodyear and its no exaggeration. Even though the wear may be high, but then again, there's always a trade off between performance and longevity. It only lasted me almost 18,000 Km's, but it was a great way to enjoy 18,000 Km's with loads of driving pleasure. Given that the RS Sport is of a ultra high performance breed, it lasts longer than some of the regular tires from other brands that I've tried namely Falken and Yokohama and both did not shine despite the amount of advertisement to highlight its claims to fame.  

It really breaks my heart and tore me up when I found out that this brilliant tire is no longer available in Malaysia. Its like you're having a little summer escape and finding love in some obscure little island only to discover that the vacation will soon be over and both of you have to part ways. Its this heart sinking feeling as I part with the Goodyear Eagle RS Sport and I have never been so emotional over four pieces of rubber before. 

Taking emotion aside, which I can't, this tire is possibly the best tire in the world if you're looking for an involving drive each and every time you get behind the wheel.  It is so engaging, and the grip is massive and it doesn't get slippery when wet and it induces this sensual tantric feel when the car comes alive in your hands. The Goodyear Eagle RS Sport tires somehow creates a sense of heightened spirituality and brings me closer to a drivers' Nirvana. It also maintains a very high level of safety as it improves braking trough the grippiness of its rubber compound. 

I'd hope that this tire would one day re-surface into the Malaysian market once again. The Eagle RS Sport shines to areas where most performance tires have failed to illuminate and this says a lot about the abundance of talent and capability this tire has in store for those who shod them on their rides.

*One more, our heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to Goodyear Malaysia for making the review of their Goodyear Eagle RS Sport tyres possible.*

Coming up next, Project R gets a brake system upgrade with Pro RS Stainless Steel Braided Brake Hoses. With great power comes greater safety. 

Goodyear Eagle RS Sport (215/45/R17)

Goodyear Malaysia

Persiaran Selangor, Kawasan Perindustrian Shah Alam
40000 Shah Alam,Selangor Darul Ehsan, MALAYSIA

Tel: (603) 5519 2411

N.A. (No Longer Available)

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