Replaced stock Michelin 225/40ZR 19 front tires with Nankang NS-25s

[Wilzer]

Ran over something that cut up my right front tire so replaced both fronts. The guys at RNR suggested Nankang NS25s which I had installed. Have to say a big positive difference between these tires and the stock Michelin. 1st thing I noticed was when I pulled out in traffic, there wasn't the sidewall roll over the Michelins had and then the ride was more firm, but softer. AWD steering was easier and when hit rough road, much less vibration. I like 'em. Will go with Nankang when the rear tires wear out. PS: I like RNR because of the care in mounting and balancing they take, pluis free fills, balancing other stuff.

 

[JSolo]

Congrats on not replacing a single tire but pair

Never heard of this brand.. Which stock michelins are you referring to?

 

[Wilzer]

Congrats on not replacing a single tire but pair

Never heard of this brand.. Which stock michelins are you referring to?

The original tires 224/40ZR19 Michelin sport pilots Never heard of Nankung either, however, one of the oldest and said to have developed the 1st radial tire. Tread design by Yamamoto Think Ford uses them as originals on some models. Of course, they have a cheap tire they sell at Walmart, but have performance tires too. Now I have seen the logo, realized I had seen them on cars before.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Never heard of this brand..

NS-25 All-Season UHP • Nankang Tires

Nankang's next generation of Ultra-High Performance tires has arrived. The NS-25 is perfectly balanced for today's higher performing vehicles that...

www.nankangusa.com

Looks a lot like the Nitto Motivo UHP A/S approach. (edit to add: on Discount Tires, the Nitto is more expensive but also has a 60K miles treadlife warranty: still under $200/tire.)

 

[nhcowboy28]

Good luck with that…

nothing like going from a top tier performing tire to a budget brand (regardless of the underlying parent company)…

the placebo effect your are attributing is 1) your old ones were Underinflated 2) worn 3) imaginary.

knowing that the front tires take the brunt of braking force… give yourself plenty of extra stopping distance.

 

[djerickd]

RNR = Rent-N-Roll, right??

 

[JSolo]

I would imagine there's a big difference going from a PSS (pilot supersport) or PS4 to this tire. Never had the PS4's but did run PSS on my last car. The car indeed handled like it was on rails. A penalty one pays for such performance is noise (as the tire wears) and shorter treadlife.

I never experienced the tread roll over effect with the PSS's. I think lower profile tires are more susceptible to pressure differences (becomes more noticeable) because the sidewalls are shorter to begin with. What pressures did you run the old tires at F/R and how often was this checked?

Also, any new tire will ride softer because there is more tread present, allowing for more tread squirm/give. Ultimately it depends what one is after in their tires. I like to corner fast (on/off ramps, twisty roads, etc). A grand touring tire does fine in straights but doesn't inspire any confidence when the road turns technical. I hope this tire lives up to your expectations. Looking forward to hearing your report after 10-20K miles.

 

[Wilzer]

RNR = Rent-N-Roll, right??

Right

 

[RM7]

I bought some cheap Chinese tires for an SUV a couple years ago. Never again. No matter how many times we tried, they would never balance and they hopped at about 65mph.

 

[Wilzer]

I would imagine there's a big difference going from a PSS (pilot supersport) or PS4 to this tire. Never had the PS4's but did run PSS on my last car. The car indeed handled like it was on rails. A penalty one pays for such performance is noise (as the tire wears) and shorter treadlife.

I never experienced the tread roll over effect with the PSS's. I think lower profile tires are more susceptible to pressure differences (becomes more noticeable) because the sidewalls are shorter to begin with. What pressures did you run the old tires at F/R and how often was this checked?

Also, any new tire will ride softer because there is more tread present, allowing for more tread squirm/give. Ultimately it depends what one is after in their tires. I like to corner fast (on/off ramps, twisty roads, etc). A grand touring tire does fine in straights but doesn't inspire any confidence when the road turns technical. I hope this tire lives up to your expectations. Looking forward to hearing your report after 10-20K miles.

The original tires only had about 12,000 miles, sidewall cut was the reason for replacing, not much driving during the Covid 2020/21 years. The sidewall rollover was one of the things I first noticed when Stinger was new, at all pressures and temps. The Nankangs were the same profile, the Micheliens were not shabby, these are just better. All tire companies have a budget line, a middle line and a performance line. I also am wondering how it will be after some time and the Florida sunshine has baked the rubber for a year or two.

 

[Wilzer]

I bought some cheap Chinese tires for an SUV a couple years ago. Never again. No matter how many times we tried, they would never balance and they hopped at about 65mph.

That's why I went to RNR, they know how to balance tires for speed. Found them when I had a Vette and they could jack it up without crushing the rocker arms and knew how to seal the bead when mounting.

 

[Wilzer]

I bought some cheap Chinese tires for an SUV a couple years ago. Never again. No matter how many times we tried, they would never balance and they hopped at about 65mph.

They weren't especially cheap, it's their top of the line. Think Cooper is about the only tire company that doesn't have tire factories in China, Michelin and Pirelli have China manufacturing plants.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I have some snike shoes and a somy wokman to sell ya too.

they look just like the others.

njoy!

They weren't especially cheap, it's their top of the line. Think Cooper is about the only tire company that doesn't have tire factories in China, Michelin and Pirelli have China manufacturing plants.

they are supposed to be cheap. It’s a budget brand.

perhaps never go to that tire shop again. (RNR)

 

[General_Vodka]

cheap tires on a performance car should only be used for 2 things: drifting and burnouts. The Firehawk Indy 500s that I run smoke super easily. They can still some what grip, once hot enough.

 

[JSolo]

@Wilzer

I'm trying to better understand this roll over concept. Can you share a pic of what you consider sidewall roll over (preferably of your own tire)?

 

[Wilzer]

WOW by the same logic, most volume is budget priced product, made in far east country, thinking perceived performance is imigination, your Kia Stinger is a seriously inferior vehicle.

 

[Wilzer]

@Wilzer

I'm trying to better understand this roll over concept. Can you share a pic of what you consider sidewall roll over (preferably of your own tire)?

Fairly common term, some call it flex.

 

[JSolo]

^^I'm trying to understand _your_ definition of it.

 

[Wilzer]

^^I'm trying to understand _your_ definition of it.

Feels like oversteer a little, like tire is underinflated, but it's not -- 1st thing to check. Went away with new tires.

 

[JSolo]

I think you mean understeer. If you turn the wheel but the car doesn't turn because the tire is giving in because of sidewall roll.

I was hoping to see a visual of the sidewall with significant wear past the tread.