The MOZA R9 + FSR Formula Wheel + Hub Kit bundle is clearly positioned as a serious gateway into the world of Direct Drive for demanding sim racers. It's no longer an "improved toy", but not yet the ultra-extreme base that requires a competition chassis and bodybuilder's arms. On paper, this combo promises an interesting trio: controlled power, a complete single-seater-style steering wheel and a coherent ecosystem.

What attracts is this compromise: a compact, silent Direct Drive, controlled by a modern formula steering wheel with integrated screen, all in a package that aims for value for money rather than marketing overkill. It's clear that MOZA is targeting the PC sim racer who wants to take immersion and precision to a whole new level, without blowing the setup or the budget.

My angle here is simple: does this bundle provide a real gain in feel, control and comfort over time, compared to a belt-driven base or a less-equipped entry-level Direct Drive? And above all, is it a coherent combo for riding iRacing or ACC as well as more accessible titles?

Design & manufacturing

The first thing you notice about the R9 is its compactness. The base is dense, massive for its size, with a metal casing that gives the impression of a solid block. Nothing moves, nothing sounds hollow. Perceived rigidity is truly superior to that found on many belt-driven bases of equivalent range. It exudes seriousness, without being overly flashy.

The FSR Formula Wheel follows the same logic: metal frame, visible carbon fiber areas, rubber or Alcantara grips depending on version. In hand, you immediately feel that the wheel is denser than a plastic entry-level steering wheel. The buttons click cleanly, and the gearshift paddles have a crisp, mechanical feedback that gives them that pleasant "race car" feel. You immediately feel what you're doing, without hesitation. Buttons can be tapped without looking, and you know they've been activated.

What's surprising is the overall level of finish for this price range: clean adjustments, correct screws and bolts, easy-to-read integrated display, and an overall robust quick release with very little perceptible play. Compared to some of the more plastic mid-range steering wheels, this is a clear step up in quality feel. You get the impression of holding a real piloting tool, not a gaming accessory.

What's a little disappointing are the details: some of the secondary materials are a little more "cheap" on certain non-critical parts, the design remains fairly industrial, without the finesse of some of the more premium competitors, and the grips may seem a little hard on very long sessions for sensitive hands. But all in all, compared with the compact Direct Drive references on the market, we're well placed in terms of perceived quality.

Settings & customization + compatibility

On the software side, the bundle is based on the MOZA ecosystem, with in-house software centralizing base and wheel settings. The interface remains accessible to motivated users: sliders, clear menus, profiles for each game, and the ability to save and export presets. It's not an unreadable gas factory, but it does take a little time to get to grips with each parameter if you want to get the most out of the FFB.

The settings that are really useful on a daily basis revolve around overall strength, filtering, friction and the way the base handles fast effects (grip details, bumps, vibrators). The good news is that the R9 offers enough leeway to really adapt the behavior to your style: you can have a very clean, fluid FFB, or on the contrary a rougher one, with lots of texture. The learning curve is reasonable: starting from the presets provided, a few adjustments are all it takes to make it very enjoyable.

The bundle is PC-centric, with generally good compatibility with the main modern sim racing titles. For consoles, the question becomes more complicated depending on the configuration, and specific compatibilities need to be checked before purchase, especially if you want to use it on several platforms. But this combo is clearly aimed at the PC gamer who wants to get involved.

MOZA's ecosystem includes other steering wheels, cranksets and accessories (shifters, dashboards, etc.) that fit neatly around this base. The Hub Kit and quick release ensure a solid connection with the brand's range of steering wheels. In practice, the R9 can be used as a starting point for an evolving setup: start with this bundle, then add a more advanced crankset, a GT steering wheel and a stiffer cockpit. The power is sufficient to support these evolutions without having to change base too quickly.

Sensations in play

On the track, the R9 quickly shows its character: a compact Direct Drive that favors legibility and fine force feedback, rather than raw power. In the bends, the steering loads up progressively, without breaking. You can feel the car "leaning" on the front axle, and the transition between grip and the onset of slippage is much clearer than with a conventional belt drive. You immediately understand what the car is doing.

Grip reading is one of the strong points of this combo. On a technical circuit, micro-losses of grip, the beginnings of understeer or oversteer are perceptible in the steering wheel through small variations in torque, slight vibration or mid-corner release. It's not violent, it's informative. It helps to correct just what's needed, at just the right moment. Where a less powerful base tends to "smooth out" this information, the R9 retains the useful details without turning into a permanent shaker.

Vibrators are well rendered: you can feel the difference between a flat, aggressive vibrator and a more rounded one. You can also feel when you're biting it halfway or when you're riding it hard. It's not at the level of brutality you'd expect from a very high-end base set at a high setting, but for a base of this power, the sharpness is really pleasing. You get the "mechanical construction site" feel of modern F1 wheels, without falling into caricature.

Over long sessions, consistency is good. The engine doesn't seem to lose any noticeable punch, and above all, arm fatigue remains reasonable if torque is adjusted intelligently. The FSR steering wheel, with its formulaic ergonomics, invites you to drive GT, LMP and virtual F1 cars for a long time without undue hand strain. The shape of the grips helps maintain a stable position, reducing unnecessary strain.

In rapid corrections, the R9 is truly at ease. Direct Drive makes the steering highly responsive: when you need to make up for oversteer or a loss of rear-end control, the steering wheel turns quickly, with no perceptible latency, and the effort required remains manageable. Compared with a less powerful, more filtered base, you gain in confidence when you need to "catch up" with the car. You feel that the base is following the movement, rather than braking it.

In terms of immersion, the base + steering wheel combo works well. The FSR screen is a real plus: live lap information, delta, gear engaged, etc. You look less at the overlays on the screen, and more at the steering wheel, which reinforces the illusion of driving a modern single-seater or GT car. The whole system remains silent during operation, which is a nice touch if you're playing in a shared room.

Compared to a much more powerful base, the R9 obviously feels less physical and less spectacular in terms of maximum effort, but the essential driving sensations are still there. The gain over a belt-driven system or a very basic Direct Drive is threefold: the sharpness of the grip, the responsiveness of the corrections, and the sensation of a direct mechanical link with the tires. This is where the base really changes the experience.

For whom? + What we like / What we don't like

This bundle is clearly aimed at the sim racer already somewhat involved in the hobby: PC users ready to invest in a Direct Drive, with the desire to progress on demanding titles. A highly motivated beginner can also find his way in here, provided he accepts a short learning curve, both in terms of settings and driving. For the occasional or console-centric gamer, the interest diminishes somewhat, especially if compatibility is not guaranteed.

The strong points quickly become apparent. The first is the ratio of sensations to compactness: the R9 offers a clean, nuanced FFB, with enough strength to be immersive, without requiring a monstrously rigid cockpit. The second is the overall quality of the FSR steering wheel: grips, buttons, paddles, screen, everything is efficiently designed for modern formula/GT driving. It feels like a serious tool in your hands. The third is the MOZA ecosystem, which allows you to upgrade your setup without changing everything, by adding other steering wheels, a more advanced crankset, a shifter and so on.

There are limits, however. Firstly, while the R9's power is more than sufficient for most uses, it will not appeal to those looking for an ultra-violent FFB "physical training" style. Some very seasoned racers will prefer a higher torque for heavy prototypes or hard-charging GTs. Secondly, the very formulaic FSR steering wheel is not ideal for rally or drift drivers, where a round steering wheel may be more appropriate. Finally, the ecosystem remains PC-centric, and console compatibility varies according to the combination, which somewhat reduces the appeal for a multiplatform player.

In terms of investment, this is a bundle that requires a real budget, but the perceived value is solid: feel, finish, upgradability. This is not an "impulse" purchase, but rather an important step towards transforming an existing sim racing setup.

Verdict

The MOZA R9 + FSR Formula Wheel + Hub Kit Bundle brings a distinct change to a setup that comes from a belt-driven steering wheel or a very entry-level Direct Drive. We gain in legibility, finesse of information, and feeling of connection with the car. The base becomes a steering tool rather than a simple controller.

On the market, this bundle is positioned in the accessible mid/high range: more serious than an entry-level solution, less extreme than a very powerful high-end base. It's ideal for sim racers who want to take a real step forward without going overboard.

I particularly recommend it to circuit-oriented PC users (F1, GT, LMP, single-seaters) who want a coherent, clean, upgradeable setup, and who value precision over raw spectacle. For someone who's more into arcade racing or rally fun, or who's more interested in the console, there are simpler or more suitable options.

If you're looking for a compact, serious, single-seater/GT-oriented Direct Drive that finally gives you the feeling of "talking" to the car without blowing your budget, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.