Raid steering wheel review

I thought it might be helpful to share my experience with the Raid steering wheel I recently installed. It�s the 365mm size with perforated leather. I think it�s the only model in this size. (But if someone finds otherwise and wants to know which model I have, please pm me and I look it up when I see your message.) Overall, I�m glad I have it. It is a bit closer to my chest � the main reason I wanted it � particularly the top of the wheel, since that is affected not only by the location of the wheel, but by the smaller diameter (stock is 380mm, I think). So I definitely need to reach less when turning the wheel 90 degrees or more Also, I like having my hands a bit closer together. And I like how it looks. As for the size, I think 365 was the right choice for me, because if it were any smaller, I would not be able to see the top of the tach (and yes, I have the seat all the way down). However, it�s not nearly as big an improvement as I hoped, and there are things which Raid could easily improve. First, the rim is too fat. It�s like the fat steering wheels BMW has put on some M models, about which I�ve seen a lot of complaints in the press. Second, it is only slightly closer to me. I have difficulty believing it is as much closer as I was told to expect, unless that meant the airbag hub. The reverse would be better. My impression is that steering wheels have gotten further from the driver in the past 20 years, probably so drivers don�t sit too close to the airbag. That being the case, the ideal on an aftermarket wheel designed for sport and track oriented drivers is to bring the rim closer, not the hub. This wheel seems to do it the other way around. However, as I don�t bring the seat as close to the wheel as I�ve seen some women do, I figure I�m not the person manufacturers are trying to protect from airbags (and my girlfriend is instructed not to sit too close), so I may invest in one of Raid�s extenders to get the wheel a few cm closer. Third, the wheel was definitely not designed for a quarter to three driving position, which again, is odd for a sport/track oriented wheel. Of course, I understand some people prefer 10 to 2. But the ideal is a wheel that works for both positions. For instance, a round wheel. Without fatter sections/protrusions in the wrong place. GT3 cup wheels are round, no? If I were making just one wheel in a given diameter, I�d make it round. Finally, the leather is not very grippy. So I end up holding the wheel tighter than I�d like. Though definitely less so after a few thousand miles. So either I�ve adjusted to it, or it�s getting better � I hope so. So yes, I�m a bit frustrated, but nonetheless, I�m still glad I have it.