Thanks all. Mutt, you pretty well confirm my thoughts - that crews hate higher V1 speeds and therein lies most resistance to using improved climb when it is presented as an alternative set of numbers. However, when it is hidden by virtue of a single set of optimised V-speed figures, they happily accept the concept without perhaps realising that Mr Boeing or Mr Airbus is looking after their best interests, both commercially and performance margin wise.
As for tyre wear, I hear this from time to time. As a cost in the big scheme of things, do tyres really wear out that much on takeoff as opposed to landing, and in any case would their value over ride the considerations of payload and engine life?