Does anyone have any opinions on these? They seem to be gaining popularity as a decent middle ground choice between performance road tyres and full on track rubber. I'm considering a set to replace my Federal RS-Rs on my Clio 172, but most reviews I've seen pit them against things like R888s, where they predictability fall short as you would expect.
Nankang NS-2R
- Thread starter Skeeter
- Start date
Soldato
I'd be very interested in this, almost bought a set of the 120 tread wear ones for my scoobys track wheels.
Change of plans (no money) made me delay it slightly
Change of plans (no money) made me delay it slightly
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
I suspect the chances of Nankang being utterly unable to make a road tyre that is anything other than terrible yet happening upon the ability to suddenly make a semi-decent track day tyre are somewhat remote, but I guess stranger things have happened.
I suspect they are getting popular because on internet car forums, 'cheap' will always subconsciously win through.
Thats how the Falken 452, the most over-rated tyre on the internet, became so popular. People were so desperate for them to be good, because they were half the price of everything else, that they managed to convince themselves and everyone else they were
If you've had decent results with the Federals why not stick with a tyre you know?
I suspect they are getting popular because on internet car forums, 'cheap' will always subconsciously win through.
Thats how the Falken 452, the most over-rated tyre on the internet, became so popular. People were so desperate for them to be good, because they were half the price of everything else, that they managed to convince themselves and everyone else they were
If you've had decent results with the Federals why not stick with a tyre you know?
[TW]Fox;26160216 said:I suspect the chances of Nankang being utterly unable to make a road tyre that is anything other than terrible yet happening upon the ability to suddenly make a semi-decent track day tyre are somewhat remote, but I guess stranger things have happened.
I suspect they are getting popular because on internet car forums, 'cheap' will always subconsciously win through.
Thats how the Falken 452, the most over-rated tyre on the internet, became so popular. People were so desperate for them to be good, because they were half the price of everything else, that they managed to convince themselves and everyone else they were
If you've had decent results with the Federals why not stick with a tyre you know?
What Fox said basically. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
How much have the RS-R's gone up by, surely it can't be that much per corner?
15s are up to 90 a corner for the Federals, but there are deals about where you can get them for 70. The Nankangs are 70ish.
I'm not averse to trying something new. I got the Federals when they were the 'in thing' expecting them to be rubbish, and have been surprised. They aren't without their issues though, hence not just defaulting to another set.
I'm not averse to trying something new. I got the Federals when they were the 'in thing' expecting them to be rubbish, and have been surprised. They aren't without their issues though, hence not just defaulting to another set.
The Federals are OK, no more, tried them disliked them, only OK when they are hot and in dry/damp conditions. Cold they are terrible and poor in the wet, but in hot dry conditions they are ok and low cost.
But make no mistake a set of R888's or Michelin cups are far superior in all conditions, I'd even say AD08's are better as well, especially in the wet than all of them.
But make no mistake a set of R888's or Michelin cups are far superior in all conditions, I'd even say AD08's are better as well, especially in the wet than all of them.
Soldato
The Nankang NS-2R is actually well rated amongst the MX5 community, its now the control tyre for the Max5 race series for both Mk1s and Mk3s, replacing the Federal 595RSR. Can't comment on road use but for the track its meant to be pretty decent.
Now for Max5 the decision to change the spec tyre was done in the close season, as an effort to keep costs down though those with existing Federal tyres (the 595RSR) are allowed to still use them if they want for the 2014 season (next year will be Nankang NS-2Rs only), so cars are racing each other with both Federals and Nankangs.
Some of the keener/better funded racers (who have left over Federals and the budget to buy some Nankangs to try) have done some testing to compare them, to see what advantage they could get....
Consensus from what has been written is that the 595RSR and NS-2R are very evenly matched, lap times on track were well within the margin for driver error and no tyre seemed especially faster or slower on identical cars throughout the test periods. The Federals warm up slower on track but go off quicker, the Nankangs last better at high temperatures.
Now for Max5 the decision to change the spec tyre was done in the close season, as an effort to keep costs down though those with existing Federal tyres (the 595RSR) are allowed to still use them if they want for the 2014 season (next year will be Nankang NS-2Rs only), so cars are racing each other with both Federals and Nankangs.
Some of the keener/better funded racers (who have left over Federals and the budget to buy some Nankangs to try) have done some testing to compare them, to see what advantage they could get....
Consensus from what has been written is that the 595RSR and NS-2R are very evenly matched, lap times on track were well within the margin for driver error and no tyre seemed especially faster or slower on identical cars throughout the test periods. The Federals warm up slower on track but go off quicker, the Nankangs last better at high temperatures.
My issue with Federals you can't get heat into them on the road and even track was not so easy which they seem to highlight.
I know a guy with an M3 who tried NS-2R and he likes them but at same time has not tried anything else.
Agreed.
A lot of people (Not just on here) need to start giving these new companies a chance, just because they don't get it right from the start and have multi-million pound sponsorship with F1 teams doesn't mean they aren't decent tyres for what you pay, nor does it mean you're going to die in a fireball at the first sight of a wet bend.
I had a set of NS2's for a short period of time when I got my new wheels and in all honesty they were more than good enough for 90% of driving, granted if you want the very best grip they aren't going to be your first choice but I wouldn't knock anybody for choosing them as they are fantastic compared to some of the utter toss out there such was WanLi.
Are ns2's fairly new? I'm sure it was nankang Ns...something that were on the mr2 I spun( the only time I had a big moment in one) they were absolutely lethal on that car in the wet. No feel whatsoever just a complete breakaway without warning.
Wasn't the car as they were replaced by proxies (I think) which made the world of difference, and they're a fairly limited tyre in the wet too.
Mind you that must have been maybe 6 or 7 years ago
Wasn't the car as they were replaced by proxies (I think) which made the world of difference, and they're a fairly limited tyre in the wet too.
Mind you that must have been maybe 6 or 7 years ago
2012 Autobild:
7th: Nankang NS2
Positive: Low rolling resistance.
Negative: Dangerously long braking distance in the wet, wet understeer, reduced steering precision, loud and uncomfortable.
vs
more than good enough for 90% of driving
the regular ns-2 isn't bad
Good old tyre opinions, never fails to cause a massive gulf in description
7th: Nankang NS2
Positive: Low rolling resistance.
Negative: Dangerously long braking distance in the wet, wet understeer, reduced steering precision, loud and uncomfortable.
vs
more than good enough for 90% of driving
the regular ns-2 isn't bad
Good old tyre opinions, never fails to cause a massive gulf in description
All tyres perform well in dry when heated up, that's rubber for you. Though grip is just one factor, some have more of it whilst giving far better feel and communication. Another major feature which Michelin seem good at is tyre longevity.
The technology and premium brands hold big advantages in wet performance and braking, even more so in cold conditions. This is where cheap tyres can't compare to a decent tyre like F1AS2's, Conti's, Yokohama V105's or Michelins.
Soldato
I had them on my MX5 for 6 months until I sold the car.
They weren't bad but weren't great either. In the dry, they actually felt a little better than the toyo t1rs I had on before because of the stiffer side walls, but in the wet they certainly weren't as good.
I wouldn't say dangerous or "ditch finder" though, just not quite as good as more premium tyres.
Kumhos would probably be a better bet at a similar price range.
They weren't bad but weren't great either. In the dry, they actually felt a little better than the toyo t1rs I had on before because of the stiffer side walls, but in the wet they certainly weren't as good.
I wouldn't say dangerous or "ditch finder" though, just not quite as good as more premium tyres.
Kumhos would probably be a better bet at a similar price range.
This is what I find hilarious, I had Parada Spec-2's for ages and nobody said a word, the 2nd I had Nankang NS2's even though it was only temporary everybody commented on how bad they must be. Regardless of the fact the NS2's were so much better in the wet I can't put into words, the Yoko's felt like slicks in the wet compared to the Nankangs.
But hey, I guess that's brand snobbery for you
But hey, I guess that's brand snobbery for you