I've been spending a lot of time with the rexing mayaris 2 lately, and honestly, it's one of those pieces of hardware that makes you realize just how far sim racing has come. If you've been around the hobby for a while, you know that Rexing isn't exactly a newcomer. They've built a reputation for making stuff that feels less like a toy and more like something ripped straight out of a real-life GT3 or Formula cockpit. The Mayaris 2 is their latest attempt at perfecting that formula, and after a few dozen hours of hot-lapping and endurance stints, I've got some thoughts.
First Impressions and That Carbon Fiber Finish
The moment you pull the rexing mayaris 2 out of the box, the first thing that hits you is the weight—or rather, the lack of unnecessary bulk. It's incredibly light because the entire front plate and a huge chunk of the structure are made from high-grade carbon fiber. It's not that cheap "carbon look" plastic you see on budget wheels; this is the real deal, 4mm thick and stiff as a board.
Holding it in your hands, the ergonomics feel immediate. Rexing went with a 290mm diameter, which I think is the sweet spot for a multi-purpose wheel. It's wide enough to feel stable in a GT3 car like the Ferrari 296, but it's still snappy enough to handle the twitchy nature of an F1 car or a Super Formula chassis. The grips are finished in a high-quality Alcantara or suede-like material that feels great, though you'll definitely want to wear gloves. Not just to keep the material from getting gross over time, but because the force feedback translates so sharply through this frame that you'll appreciate the extra grip.
That Gorgeous Integrated Display
One of the main reasons people look at the rexing mayaris 2 is for that center screen. It features a 4.3-inch USBD480 integrated display, which is pretty much the gold standard for high-end sim wheels. It's bright, the colors are punchy, and most importantly, it's fully compatible with SimHub.
If you haven't used SimHub before, you're missing out. It allows you to customize exactly what you see on the wheel. Want a replica of the Porsche 911 GT3 R dashboard? You can do that. Want a custom dash that shows your fuel trim, tire temps, and ERS deployment? Easy. The refresh rate is smooth, so you don't get that weird ghosting or lag that can sometimes happen with cheaper integrated screens.
Surrounding the screen are 15 RGB LEDs for the RPM bar and another 6 on the sides for flags and spotter alerts. You can configure these to do almost anything. I usually set the side LEDs to flash yellow when there's a hazard or blue when I'm about to be lapped (which happens more often than I'd like to admit). The brightness is adjustable, too, which is a lifesaver if you're racing in a dark room and don't want to be blinded by the shift lights.
Buttons, Encoders, and the Tactile Experience
Let's talk about the buttons, because that's where the rexing mayaris 2 really shines. It has 10 back-lit push buttons that have a very distinct "click" to them. There's no mushiness here. When you press a button to engage your pit limiter or flash your high beams, you know you've done it.
Then you've got the rotary encoders. There are two "funky" switches (those 7-way multidirectional switches that let you navigate menus like a pro) and four thumb encoders. The thumb encoders are great for on-the-fly adjustments like brake bias or traction control. They have a nice, heavy detent, so you won't accidentally skip three settings when you only meant to change one. There are also two front-facing rotary switches that feel solid and metallic.
Everything about the interface feels intentional. I've used wheels where the buttons feel like they were placed wherever they could fit, but on the Mayaris 2, your thumbs naturally find the most important controls without you having to look down. When you're doing 150mph through Eau Rouge, the last thing you want to do is hunt for a button.
Magnetic Shifters and the Dual-Clutch System
The back of the rexing mayaris 2 is just as impressive as the front. It comes standard with magnetic paddle shifters that are—and I don't use this word lightly—addictive. The snap is loud and mechanical. It uses neodymium magnets, so the resistance is consistent every single time. It gives you that tactile confirmation that you've actually grabbed the next gear, which is vital for immersion.
Below the shifters, you'll find the dual-clutch paddles. If you're into competitive standing starts, these are a game-changer. You can set a bite point using the wheel's internal menu or through software, allowing you to drop the first paddle and hold the car right at the edge of traction before releasing the second one. It makes those starts in iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione feel much more professional and, frankly, much faster.
The paddles are also adjustable. You can move them closer or further away from the grips depending on how big your hands are. It's a small detail, but it shows that Rexing was thinking about the end-user's comfort.
Connectivity and Compatibility
A common worry with high-end wheels is whether they'll actually work with your existing setup. The rexing mayaris 2 uses a standard 50.8mm and 70mm bolt pattern on the back, so it'll fit on just about any quick release out there—Simucube, Fanatec (with an adapter), Moza, or VRS.
It connects to your PC via a coiled USB cable. I know some people really want everything to be wireless these days, but when you have a high-resolution screen and dozens of RGB LEDs, a wired connection is just more reliable. You don't have to worry about batteries dying mid-race or signal interference. The cable provided is high quality and has a secure aviation-style connector on the wheel side, so it's not going to accidentally pop out during a heavy counter-steer.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it: the rexing mayaris 2 is a premium bit of kit. It's priced at a point where you really have to be serious about your sim racing to justify it. You're paying for the materials, the hand-assembled quality, and that integrated screen.
But if you compare it to other "boutique" wheels on the market, it actually holds its own quite well. The build quality is on par with stuff that costs several hundred dollars more. What you're getting here is a wheel that doesn't flex, doesn't creak, and provides a level of feedback clarity that cheaper wheels just can't match. Because the frame is so stiff and light, you feel every little detail the wheelbase is trying to tell you. You feel the kerbs, the weight transfer, and that moment right before the rear tires lose grip.
Final Thoughts on the Racing Experience
After living with the rexing mayaris 2 for a while, it's hard to go back to anything else. There's a certain "pro" feeling you get when you flip the switch on your rig and the Mayaris 2 screen boots up with your favorite telemetry layout. It completes the immersion of a high-end sim rig.
Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you're just starting out, this is overkill. But if you've already got a solid direct drive base and you're looking for that one upgrade that will change how you interact with your favorite sims, this is it. It's a specialized tool for people who love the technical side of racing. It's tactile, it's beautiful to look at, and most importantly, it performs flawlessly under pressure.
Whether you're grinding out laps in a 24-hour endurance race or just chasing a personal best in time trial mode, having a wheel like this makes the whole experience feel a lot more special. It's one of those rare products that actually lives up to the hype and the price tag. If you're on the fence, just know that your hands will thank you—even if your wallet might not.