Here is a review for all those with numb asses:

Put new tires on and I don't feel a damn thing.

 

I wish I lived in America and would have bought those re01r's when they were on sale
shipping and customs is killer for us canadian consumers.

 

Little early for a full review, but here is a two day 150 mile review. Old Potenza RE-050 vs. Potenza RE-01R.

My old 050s had 18k miles on them and I ran them cold 36-37psi rear and front 37-38psi. I seemed to enjoy these tires more as they wore. While being somewhat numb with feedback, they were very responsive and quick. With steering input there seemed to be no delay to the car responding. The rears seemed to loose a bit of grip as they wore, but this seemed to work well with a this car (lack of tq). Most of my fast starts seem to be at a corner (90 deg.). With the old 050s, I got just enough wheel spin to keep revs up through the corner while keeping the back end "fairly" planted and in control. Back to the feedback- In medium/fast corners (clover leaf on/off ramps) the fronts would tell you that you are at the limit when they began to understeer. Rears did the same with oversteer. While still very controllable, little warning. Higher psi likely aided this, but I like lots of air in the tires.

Quick note about finding proper psi for new 01Rs (nitrogen in 01R and air in 050). Most times I added air the 01Rs, they were warm or cold, not hot (so I looked for a cold reading). Never had nitrogen in tires before now. No, I am NOT saying you can feel the difference between air and nitrogen, however, you can feel the difference of 2 or more psi. That is, your pressure increases more as the tires get hot with air, as opposed to nitrogen where they stay pretty stable. So, my cold reading should be higher on the 01Rs to be equal to the psi of the 050s.

Even before I got out the parking lot, I couldn't believe how quiet these tires are. I see this as old vs. new tires, sure the 050 were not nearly as loud when new. Yes, with added psi the car does not seem as slow, but there still seems to be a straight line speed difference. Handling is good and bad. Lots more grip and better feedback. However, the new tires feel as if their side walls are not as stiff. There is a slight delay between steering input and car's response (maybe a little more than "slight"). My guess is the 01Rs side walls are same or stiffer than the 050s. So I believe it is greater tread depth (old vs. new tire) like someone mentioned above that is giving the slight spongie feeling. Yeah, sounds a little weird to me too, spongie feeling but better feedback? I did lift off gas on a very fast corner (120 ish running with a BMW 540...BTW, I got him) and got a floating feeling. I am seeing how the better feedback does not apply to fast transitions. Fast starts (like 90 deg. corners mentioned above) are not as fun...yet. I need to figure out a better way to drive these tires. Trying to do it like I did with the 050s results in back end sticking (not letting loose) and revs too low (somewhat of a bogging feeling as revs stay lower).

That's all I have for now. I believe I will enjoy these tire more and more as they wear and I learn them better. After finding proper air pressures I am enjoying them much more.

 

It may very well be that the newer tire is adding more rotating mass. If youve ever upgraded your rim size you will probably have the same feeling.

 

If you don't like them, ship them to me It seems they are just breaking in like you said.

 

With 400 miles on them, they are feeling much better. All still holds true with previous review, but everything has gotten a bit better. I still miss the ultra fast reaction of the RE-050s on the front end. Car is going to be tracked at end of May. I am sure these RE-01Rs will be much better on the track.

 

I have noticed that the 01R's take longer to warm up and smooth out than the 050's. Maybe they flat spot easier from sitting a few days too. After 5-10 miles, they are just as smooth though.