MOZA R9 V2 & RS V2 Bundle: a serious entry point into Direct Drive

The MOZA R9 V2 & RS V2 bundle is clearly aimed at the heart of the PC sim racing market: those who want to switch to Direct Drive without going overboard with torque or blowing their budget. We're talking about 9 Nm, with a good-diameter GT-type steering wheel, aimed at versatility rather than hardcore single-seaters.

Above all, this combo promises three things: clean, precise force feedback, a compact package that doesn't require a naval-steel cockpit, and a coherent ecosystem to evolve from. It's attractive because it's positioned right between the old belt-driven sets and the big Direct Drives, which are very demanding in terms of rigidity.

For my part, I'm approaching it from a simple angle: does this bundle really change the way you fly compared to an entry-level base, and does it stand up to the other "mid-range" DDs on the market? I'm looking at perceived quality, FFB finesse, comfort during long sessions, but also ease of installation and adjustment.

This is a product designed to be ridden often, for a long time, without the headache of each game launch. The promise is clear: a compact, serious Direct Drive that's still usable and enjoyable on a daily basis. It remains to be seen whether the sensations really match the technical specifications.

Design & Manufacture: compact, clean, reassuring.

In hand, the R9 V2 base immediately gives the impression of a solid block. The metal chassis inspires confidence, with a sober, unadorned yet clean finish. It's compact and dense, and you can feel the engine inside, with no hollows or "cheap" sounds when you handle it. For a desktop setup or light cockpit, this compactness is clearly a big plus.

The RS V2 steering wheel plays the versatile GT card. The crown is well-sized, neither too thin nor too thick, with a grip that holds well in the hand. The casing is a blend of metal and synthetic materials, with the overall feel of a well-assembled product. Buttons feel good under the fingers, paddles are clean and firm enough to give a clean click without being too noisy.

What's most surprising is the rigidity of the interface between the base and the steering wheel. The QR (quick-release fastener) locks securely, with no perceptible play under normal driving conditions. In this respect, we're very close to other well-established brands in this range.

Where it's a little disappointing is on certain details of the steering wheel's visual finish. We're not at the level of a very high-end premium steering wheel in terms of materials or the refinement of the covering. Nothing to worry about in use, but the most fastidious will notice the difference.

Compared to an entry-level geared or belt-driven unit, there's a clear improvement in perceived quality: it feels more like a "driving tool" than an improved toy. Compared with more expensive Direct Drive bases, the R9 V2 holds its own in terms of construction, while remaining more compact and easier to fit into a small space.

Settings, customization & compatibility: accessible but comprehensive

On the software side, MOZA offers a fairly clear interface, with sliders for torque, hardness, filters and general FFB sensitivity. You'll find the classic settings (overall force, damping, friction, inertia, road effects) with a layout that remains easy to read for someone not used to fiddling with profiles for hours on end.

Game-specific presets help a lot. You can start with a typical profile for a specific simulator, then refine it to suit your style. The really useful settings, from my point of view, are overall strength, damping and how you filter the very high frequencies. This is where you adapt the base to what your cockpit and arms can handle. You can obtain a very direct, rather rough behavior, or on the contrary a softer, more progressive rendering.

The learning curve remains reasonable. There's plenty to fine-tune for enthusiasts, but you're not drowning in obscure terms. In just a few sessions, you'll find a "daily" profile that suits most serious racing games.

In terms of compatibility, this bundle is clearly aimed at the PC. That's where it really comes into its own, with full settings management, firmware updates and the MOZA ecosystem. On consoles, the situation is highly dependent on support and the presence of a dedicated mode via other hardware: at the time of writing, it should be considered first and foremost as a PC-oriented product.

The MOZA ecosystem is already well supplied with other steering wheels (GT, F1-like, rally), pedals, shifters, handbrakes and dashboards. It's a coherent entry point for setting up a complete setup, or for gradual evolution. The R9 V2 is a durable base for the majority of riders: powerful enough not to be limited too quickly, without going overboard with 15 Nm or more, which requires a very strong cockpit. For many, it will be a long-term "sweet spot" rather than just a stepping stone.

In-game sensations: Direct Drive speaks clearly, without brutality

On the track, the first thing that stands out is the clarity of the feedback. You can feel that this is a Direct Drive: the FFB runs directly from the engine to the steering wheel, with no intermediate belt to round out or erase certain details. Micro-variations in load during cornering arrive cleanly, with reassuring continuity. You quickly understand what the car is doing.

The precision of the grip/slip transitions is really interesting for this range. When the front starts to widen, the slight loss of weight in the steering wheel is felt, with no perceptible latency. Conversely, when the front end hangs up, torque returns quite naturally. It's not ultra brutal, but it's straightforward. You gain in confidence because you know exactly what's going on under the tires.

On vibrators, the rendering is convincing. You can distinguish between large, aggressive vibrators that you should avoid, and flatter ones that you can bite into without too much risk. On some tracks, the highly textured edges stand out well, with a slightly grainy feel reminiscent of mechanical contact, not just artificial vibration. Here, the base clearly makes a qualitative leap over a geared or small-belt flywheel.

In fast corrections, the R9 V2 follows the movement well. When the rear stalls and you need to catch up, the base responds quickly, without excessive inertia. You can let go of maximum torque to maintain handling without losing information. The engine has enough punch to bring life to the steering wheel, but not to the point of making every countersteer physical or painful.

Over long sessions, consistency is the order of the day. No noticeable variation in behavior when hot, and no noticeable drop in strength after a while. The limiting factor comes more from the user (arm fatigue, cockpit comfort) than from the base itself. By adapting the force to your size, you can ride for several hours without feeling "broken".

Compared with a less powerful or belt-driven base, the gain lies mainly in the finesse of information and the linearity of forces. There's no longer the sensation of a "dead zone" around the center, or the blurring of small load transfers. Steering becomes more precise, especially on corner entry and on go-arounds, where grip changes rapidly.

Faced with a more powerful base, the R9 V2 is logically less impressive when it comes to pure maximum torque. You can push it, but it remains in a "controllable" zone for most riders. Those accustomed to very large DDs may regret a lack of brute force in certain extreme situations, but for versatile GT, touring and proto use, this is often an advantage: you stay within a comfortable, exploitable range, without turning every mistake into a physical struggle.

Overall, the sensations remain clear, predictable and detailed enough to progress. It's not a "show off" FFB that slaps you in the face for the sake of demonstration. Rather, it's a tool that provides useful, well-organized information. Here, the base really changes the experience, especially if you come from an entry-level steering wheel.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

The MOZA R9 V2 & RS V2 bundle is aimed primarily at the intermediate or motivated PC simracer who wants to make a serious switch to Direct Drive. It's ideal if you've already logged a few hours on "simu" racing games and want more precise, more reliable hardware for the long term, without going to extremes. For a motivated beginner on a budget, it can also be an excellent first purchase, provided you accept the more demanding FFB learning curve than an arcade wheel.

What I really like is the balance between power and control. There's enough torque to feel the car with intensity, without having to drastically reduce power to stay at ease. Next, the overall quality of the feedback is very convincing: details are present, but not drowned in parasitic noise. Finally, the MOZA ecosystem makes the whole thing coherent: you can add a pedal, a shifter or another steering wheel without starting from scratch.

In terms of limitations, the first is the PC orientation. If you're looking for a mainly console setup, this isn't the most plug-and-play or integrated bundle on the market today. Secondly, while the RS V2 steering wheel does the job well, it doesn't give that "luxury" feel you find on very premium models: it's solid and serious, but not ultra-refined. Thirdly, if you're already used to high-powered underpinnings, you may find the maximum torque a little too low on some very physical car/track combos.

In terms of investment, we're clearly talking about an attractive price/performance ratio. The bundle doesn't play the low-cost card: it's a well-considered purchase, with a substantial budget for a leisure activity. But in terms of sensations, possible evolution in the ecosystem and perceived durability, the value is there for someone who rides regularly. For a simracer who wants a serious setup without going "full pro", the equation is pretty solid.

Verdict: a serious "sweet spot" for switching to Direct Drive

The MOZA R9 V2 & RS V2 Bundle is a real setup changer, bringing a cleaner, clearer and, above all, more coherent FFB than entry-level solutions. The base becomes the center of your riding experience, with sufficient strength for all types of discipline without requiring a monstrously rigid setup.

On today's market, it's clearly positioned as a solid mid-range product, but with a "pivot" setup orientation: qualitative enough not to make you want to change quickly, while remaining accessible in terms of power, size and integration. It's not the most spectacular combo out there, but that's precisely what makes it a credible option for frequent riding.

I particularly recommend it to PC simracers who want to move up from the belt-driven/geared wheel level to a serious Direct Drive system, without aiming for excess. For the occasional pure beginner or mainly console user, there are simpler alternatives. For high-torque fanatics aiming for the very top of the range, you'll have to look a little higher.

If you're looking for a compact, precise, scalable Direct Drive that can become the central base of your setup for many years to come, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.