Nitto Tire Review
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Nitto Tire Review
I had a hard time finding reviews on the Nitto 555 R2 when I was researching, so I thought I would give a first hand account of my first experience after purchasing a set.
Before I ran last week end in HPDE4/TT with NASA at Firebird Main, I called Nitto tech/help line and asked what pressures I should run. They were very helpful and recommended 38lbs hot. They also informed me that the tires would not begin to work below 160 degrees. That turned out to be great info and absolutely true.
On my first run I took it easy and just tried to get a feel for the tires. I immediately noticed good turn in response. As they began to get up in temp, I could feel the grip improve rapidly.
On the second run the track was warm and I began to be astounded by how much better they felt than my old Kumho MX's and my original F1 Supercars.
As the day progressed, the Nittos got better and my times got faster.
They "communicate" well and are very predictable. Understeer is much less a problem and it was easy to control the car with throttle when needed. These tires seem to love heat! The ambient temp at the track was 96-98 and even with the last run of the day, the Nittos were tenacious.
Anyway the final verdict came after Time Trials when I took 4th overall and 1st in class! Then, I drove home on them.
In a nutshell:
Turn-in:excellent
Transient response:excellent
Predictability:excellent
Grip:ferocious! (for a street tire)
Highway ride:firm but not harsh
Price: high, but worth it.
If you need a superb HPDE tire that you can drive to the track, put this one on your short list. NITTO 555 R2.
I hope this helps those who don't have trailers and have to drive to the track, but also want good times at the track.
Cheers,
CV
Before I ran last week end in HPDE4/TT with NASA at Firebird Main, I called Nitto tech/help line and asked what pressures I should run. They were very helpful and recommended 38lbs hot. They also informed me that the tires would not begin to work below 160 degrees. That turned out to be great info and absolutely true.
On my first run I took it easy and just tried to get a feel for the tires. I immediately noticed good turn in response. As they began to get up in temp, I could feel the grip improve rapidly.
On the second run the track was warm and I began to be astounded by how much better they felt than my old Kumho MX's and my original F1 Supercars.
As the day progressed, the Nittos got better and my times got faster.
They "communicate" well and are very predictable. Understeer is much less a problem and it was easy to control the car with throttle when needed. These tires seem to love heat! The ambient temp at the track was 96-98 and even with the last run of the day, the Nittos were tenacious.
Anyway the final verdict came after Time Trials when I took 4th overall and 1st in class! Then, I drove home on them.
In a nutshell:
Turn-in:excellent
Transient response:excellent
Predictability:excellent
Grip:ferocious! (for a street tire)
Highway ride:firm but not harsh
Price: high, but worth it.
If you need a superb HPDE tire that you can drive to the track, put this one on your short list. NITTO 555 R2.
I hope this helps those who don't have trailers and have to drive to the track, but also want good times at the track.
Cheers,
CV
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
The NITTO tire is the only thing I've found with prodigious grip that I can drive safely on the street when I need to.
The only factor in question is how long they will wear and maintain their great performance. I'll keep everyone informed.
Cheers,
CV
#6
Le Mans Master
I'm happy to help, but remember:NOTHING grips like hoosiers.
The NITTO tire is the only thing I've found with prodigious grip that I can drive safely on the street when I need to.
The only factor in question is how long they will wear and maintain their great performance. I'll keep everyone informed.
Cheers,
CV
The NITTO tire is the only thing I've found with prodigious grip that I can drive safely on the street when I need to.
The only factor in question is how long they will wear and maintain their great performance. I'll keep everyone informed.
Cheers,
CV
I have some NT-01s right now on one set of wheels. They are pretty spiffy - but would have a very limited life on the street.
#7
Melting Slicks
Hi,
I run the Nittos R2s also and I am happy with them. Last season at Pocono I turned my quickest lap times-and thats with over 2 year old tires. With the age of these tires they did seem to get greasy as they got hotter.
Steven
P.S. And then drove back home approx 150 miles!
I run the Nittos R2s also and I am happy with them. Last season at Pocono I turned my quickest lap times-and thats with over 2 year old tires. With the age of these tires they did seem to get greasy as they got hotter.
Steven
P.S. And then drove back home approx 150 miles!
#8
That's what I am looking forward to. After a long track day, the last thing I feel like doing is changing tires. That's why I'm switching away from the Hoosiers (even though I love them dearly). I can also drive to the track the day of the event now and avoid the expense and "ambiance" of the motels near the tracks.
#9
Melting Slicks
That's what I am looking forward to. After a long track day, the last thing I feel like doing is changing tires. That's why I'm switching away from the Hoosiers (even though I love them dearly). I can also drive to the track the day of the event now and avoid the expense and "ambiance" of the motels near the tracks.
Steven
#10
Advanced
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last event at Streets of Willow I ran Nitto R2's on the front, NT01's on the back in the morning, and then Kumho V710's in the afternoon. I was 2 seconds faster on the Kumhos. I do love the Nittos though, both the R2's and NT01's. They are very fast for a tire you can drive on the street, and relatively durable.
#11
Team Owner
Sorry Sam, couldn't help it
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
The NT01 and RA1 would be a valid comparison and one I would like to see. The R2 is more streetable and therefore a different breed.
I wish there were more tests available for competition style tires, but it's expensive and time consuming. Grassroots Motorsports has done some testing but only on a limited basis. They have currently added a C5 FHC to their projects. Maybe they will test some tires for it.
Cheers,
CV
#14
Safety Car
it's been my impression that the nitto 555rii and the toyo ra-1 are in fact the same tire. same construction. same compound. just a different tread pattern and the nitto is molded with less tread depth to start.
#15
Safety Car
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
The NT01 and RA1 would be a valid comparison and one I would like to see. The R2 is more streetable and therefore a different breed.
I wish there were more tests available for competition style tires, but it's expensive and time consuming. Grassroots Motorsports has done some testing but only on a limited basis. They have currently added a C5 FHC to their projects. Maybe they will test some tires for it.
Cheers,
CV
How is the RII more streetable than the RA1? I run RA1's on the street and they seem to work very well.
#16
I drove 200 miles to a autox on Hoosier A6's ran 10 runs, and drove 250 miles back, had to drop off my buddy.
NO PROBLEMS......,but did get caught in a severe thunderstorm, for like 20 miles----slightly hairy.......but no real problems.
Obviously I am kidding about street driving the Hoosiers
NO PROBLEMS......,but did get caught in a severe thunderstorm, for like 20 miles----slightly hairy.......but no real problems.
Obviously I am kidding about street driving the Hoosiers
#17
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got a little more for you guys this year now. Sam, you'll probably still have a little more power then me, but not much. I would be able to hold my own on the front straight at Putnam now.
#18
Team Owner
Looking forward to seeing you at Putnam this year,
Sam and I and now Len will be there a few times
#19
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: Akron Ohio
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#20
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: Wilmington Ca.
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I feel the R11 NT01 RA1 are all street useable/friendly tires . Of the three the NT01 is slightly more track friendly but less wet weather friendly. Joel has been using NT01s on his car for a daily driver for some time now. He also uses them at the track if he doesn't take along racing slicks. I personally like the R11, they come is my size preference. They are friendly on the street and also track well. Now if you need to drive in wet weather or need to get more than 10/20K miles out of your tires there are much better tires out there. I live in sunny Southern California and leave the Vette indoors in wet weather but need tires that will harness HP. The R11 NT01 RA1 all have a 100 wear rating verses the 220 wear rating of the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar that came on the C5 Z06.
Last edited by frank dupuy; 04-17-2007 at 03:31 PM.