[ELCID86]

I just put a set of Yoko A052 245/35/19-275/35/19 on my 987.2 Cayman S. A tight fit, but I have clearance. The sidewalls are not recessed like the RE71 so the rims look exposed. Anyway, off to VIR this weekend to see ihow they hold up. Hope they are as good (feedback/control) as the RE71's. I'll post my thoughts when I get back.

BTW my tire guy said there are synthetic and natrual rubber shortages currently and they are having problems getting a lot of brands and sizes. My A052's took 3 weeks.

And I’m hearing prices are headed up accordingly...

 

[red_stapler]

Hope they are as good (feedback/control) as the RE71's.

Devin @ TireRack said:
A052's are....odd. I've found that their personality changes pretty radically depending on the pressures you're running. Higher pressures and they feel more alert like RE71r's, lower and their more forgiving and mushier, more similar to BFG's.

 

[wrongway]

Review of the A052's after a weekend at VIR. I think they are at least as good as the RE71's for stick, car control etc. No roll over at all so a good sidewall and nice even wear for the camber I run. I started with 30 PSI cold all around ended the session at 39 front and 42 rear, bleed them to 36/37 hot and that seemed to be the sweat spot for me. However, I suggest you have them heat cycled before track use. I've never had a problem with break-in on RE71's. Drive them aggressively on the street a few miles and let them sit overnight and you're good to go. Not so with the A052. The first two-three runs they screamed in every turn and slid all over the place. In fact, (I will blame them, the driver can do no wrong) I went two-off on the last climbing S, that ate my 996 GT3 brake ducts in my second run. It was so bad I was ready to switch to my street tires for the rest of the weekend. The next day, they were completely different tires, low noise until the limit and incredible grip. I did beat my personal best in this car at this track by almost a second on day two. The weekend weather was great, low 70's to mid 80's. I hope they do as well in hot weather. Wear-life is unknown at this point, maybe they are wearing faster but that’s a guess. Back to VIR at the end of the month and I'll post again. BTW I made a point to look and quite a few Cayman's were wearing them this weekend. K

 

[ajahearn]

Thanks Wrongway, lots of details. My first time on them will be in a few weeks at Buttonwillow and central valley gets quite hot. I won't have the chance to have them heat cycles beforehand but I drive down to the track so this will hopefully address the break-in. Any ambient temp differences across the two days? You don't mention it but I found the RE71Rs to not telegraph too much before they break away - perhaps just me.

 

[wrongway]

A052 Review Part 2,

I have 5 track days on them now. Good even overall wear. I swapped them side to side before this weekend. I'm close to the wear bars on all four tires. Just guessing I'd say 10-12 days max on a set for me. I drive 9/10's and push the car in the corners. Lap times improved this weekend also but that may be due to working on left foot braking and carrying more speed in the Climbing S's and early acceleration out of turn 17 onto the front straightaway. That said, the tires do provide all of the grip of 71RE's and more, maybe 15% faster wear? There is always a tradeoff. I'd buy another set no problem. Tire pressures were consistent when starting at 29, I end up with 36-37. Ambient temps were in the '60-'70s with mostly cloudy skies. A 90+ degree day with full sun may require lowering starting pressure a 1/2 lb or so.

 

[wrongway]

Thanks Wrongway, lots of details. My first time on them will be in a few weeks at Buttonwillow and central valley gets quite hot. I won't have the chance to have them heat cycles beforehand but I drive down to the track so this will hopefully address the break-in. Any ambient temp differences across the two days? You don't mention it but I found the RE71Rs to not telegraph too much before they break away - perhaps just me.

Hi ajahearn, how did the tires do for you? I've found that they let you know audibly when you are reaching the limit if loaded. See my review part 2 on temps. K

 

[txbdan]

A052s are certainly faster than RE71Rs. They are softer and more vague, though, especially when brand new. A052s also don't hold up to heat as well as RE71Rs. I run a TT series and have lots of data to support this from me and other guys.

 

[ajahearn]

Hi ajahearn, how did the tires do for you? I've found that they let you know audibly when you are reaching the limit if loaded. See my review part 2 on temps. K

Sorry for the long delay in response. They are as good, if not better than the RE71Rs in grip but they wear faster (24 sessions and they are at the wear marks - I need to unwind faster). I think for me the 36PSI hot was a bit too high but they worked well. They are quieter (for those long drives to the track) but they don't telegraph much. Since they are not directional I am going to swap (side to side) to get one more track weekend out of them.

I ordered a new set a few weeks back - got the fronts immediately but had to wait 6 weeks for the rears. Tirerack shows some as available. Just didn't want a repeat of the RE71Rs. Hope this helps.

 

[Jordan718]

They'll work, but not ideal for track, you want wider rim supporting tire sidewalls. You'll be better off 225/40/18 255/40/18 on those rims. Wider tires do not translate to faster times. Cayman is not a very powerful car and 225/255 front/rear is fine for track driving. Especially if running sticky R compound.

I respectfully disagree on the cayman not being very powerful. Maybe the older ones aren’t.