05 February 2021
My only option, in Greece, for a 225 50 r15 tire, which is all weather, V rating, and not, just, for the left wheels, as some directional tires are, suitable for a fast 4x4 car.
Nankang xr611 M+S
( Wave tread pattern, Pirelli 1995, P6000)
A comparison based on a 2013 test of 54 summer tires:
tyrereviews.uk 2013 test 54 Summer tires
tyrereviews.uk 2017 test 11 All season tires
And here is a synthesis of the data of the Summer 2013 test to All season tires of the year 2017:
Recommended! (My humble opinion).
“…and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire which is improved in the steering stability on dry roads and running performance on snowy/icy roads by improving the configurations of sipes”.
,
(03.2015)
German magazine "Auto Bild" has published the "Summer Tire Super Test 2015". The tested tire size was 185/60 R15, test vehicle a VW Polo.
This test is a special test
with 53 participating products. The evaluation consists of 2 parts:
Part 1: dry and wet braking test, selection of the 18 best products, called
"Finalists":
|
N° |
Brand |
Model |
Braking distance, m |
Total, m |
|
|
wet |
dry |
||||
|
1 |
Pirelli |
Cinturato P1 Verde |
47,5 |
37,0 |
84,5 |
|
2 |
Continental |
PremiumContact 5 |
48,1 |
36,6 |
84,7 |
|
3 |
Dunlop |
Sport BluResponse |
49,5 |
35,9 |
85,4 |
|
4 |
Bridgestone |
Turanza T001 |
49,8 |
36,4 |
86,2 |
|
5 |
Hankook |
Kinergy Eco K425 |
50,2 |
36,3 |
86,5 |
|
6 |
Nexen |
N'Blue HD Plus |
51,2 |
35,7 |
86,9 |
|
7 |
Goodyear |
EfficientGrip Performance |
51,8 |
36,1 |
87,9 |
|
8 |
Fulda |
EcoControl HP |
52,6 |
36,1 |
88,7 |
|
9 |
Sava |
Intensa HP |
51,4 |
37,5 |
88,9 |
|
10 |
Vredestein |
Sportrac 5 |
53,2 |
36,0 |
89,2 |
|
11 |
Falken |
Ziex ZE914 Ecorun |
53,3 |
36,0 |
89,3 |
|
12 |
Michelin |
Energy Saver+ |
53,4 |
36,9 |
90,3 |
|
13 |
Zeetex |
ZT1000 |
52,8 |
37,7 |
90,5 |
|
14 |
Kumho |
Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
54,2 |
36,7 |
90,9 |
|
15 |
Roadstone |
CP 661 |
52,7 |
39,3 |
92,0 |
|
16 |
Uniroyal |
RainExpert |
53,5 |
39,2 |
92,7 |
|
17 |
Apollo |
Alnac 4G |
56,2 |
37,6 |
93,8 |
|
18 |
Yokohama |
BluEarth AE-01 |
56,8 |
37,9 |
94,7 |
|
19 |
Semperit |
Comfort Life 2 |
55,4 |
39,7 |
95,1 |
|
20 |
Barum |
Brillantis 2 |
55,2 |
40,0 |
95,2 |
|
21 |
Dayton |
D210 |
58,6 |
36,6 |
95,2 |
|
22 |
Torque |
TQ021 |
56,9 |
38,7 |
95,6 |
|
23 |
Nankang |
XR611 Toursport |
60,3 |
35,4 |
95,7 |
|
24 |
Hi Fly |
HF201 |
58,2 |
38,2 |
96,4 |
|
25 |
Firestone |
TZ300 |
57,6 |
39,5 |
97,1 |
|
26 |
Riken |
Maystorm 2b² |
60,3 |
37,2 |
97,5 |
|
27 |
Nokian |
Line |
60,0 |
37,8 |
97,8 |
|
28 |
Taurus |
Touring 301 |
60,2 |
37,8 |
98,0 |
|
29 |
Petlas |
Imperium PT515 |
58,6 |
39,5 |
98,1 |
|
30 |
GT Radial |
Champiro 228 |
60,1 |
38,2 |
98,3 |
|
31 |
Viking |
City Tech II |
60,6 |
37,8 |
98,4 |
|
32 |
Evergreen |
EH23 |
61,2 |
37,6 |
98,8 |
|
33 |
Maxxis |
Victra 510 |
61,5 |
37,7 |
99,2 |
|
34 |
Starmaxx |
Novaro ST532 |
61,7 |
37,7 |
99,4 |
|
35 |
Matador |
MP16 |
59,2 |
40,5 |
99,7 |
|
36 |
Zeta |
ZTR20 |
61,8 |
37,9 |
99,7 |
|
37 |
Marshal |
Matrac MH11 |
61,5 |
38,6 |
100,1 |
|
38 |
Kleber |
Dynaxer HP3 |
62,4 |
38,1 |
100,5 |
|
39 |
Tracmax |
F-101 |
63,1 |
37,7 |
100,8 |
|
40 |
Gilsaved |
Urban*Speed |
62,2 |
39,1 |
101,3 |
|
41 |
Trazano |
H550-A |
64,5 |
37,7 |
102,2 |
|
42 |
General |
Altimax Comfort |
63,0 |
40,0 |
103,0 |
|
43 |
Cooper |
CS2 |
63,8 |
39,4 |
103,2 |
|
44 |
King Meiler |
Sport 1 |
66,0 |
37,7 |
103,7 |
|
45 |
Avon |
ZT5 |
64,1 |
39,8 |
103,9 |
|
46 |
Sailun |
Atrezzo SH402 |
71,2 |
38,6 |
109,8 |
|
47 |
Insa Turbo |
Ecosaver-E |
69,7 |
41,3 |
111,0 |
|
48 |
Tristar |
F109 Ecopower 2 |
72,3 |
39,1 |
111,4 |
|
49 |
Autogrip |
F101 |
71,9 |
39,7 |
111,6 |
|
50 |
Toyo |
Nanoenergy 2 |
73,6 |
38,1 |
111,7 |
|
51 |
Silverstone |
Synenergie M5 |
73,2 |
39,5 |
112,7 |
|
52 |
Rotalla |
F109 |
74,1 |
39,3 |
113,4 |
|
53 |
Maxtrek |
SU-830 |
85,6 |
39,1 |
124,7 |
Here seems that the Nankang xr611 takes the # 23 position.
But, as in many other matters, the azimuth of the visual angle, may blur the clear, at a first glance, picture.
Firstly, the #23 Nankang xr611 m+s tire, beats the #1 SUMMER tire Pirelli P1 Cinturato Verde FOR THE DRY BRAKING by 1.6 m! Mission impossible for an all weather m+s tire.
Secondly, if we compare the results to all weather tires, another reality is revealed. And, yes, the data are comparable, since the same tires have a similar behavior, independently of the size or the vehicle it is used, within some error limits.
No comments!
14 February 2021
Anyone to recommend the xr611?
Well, except those who trust it in sizes above 205, where the tread pattern is different in comparison to smaller sizes, in terms of analogies, seems to be difficult.
But just a moment! There is a very big and serious one! In fact, he is so enthusiastic about it, that he goes one step ahead and even produces the tire!
Tires are on!
A sneak peak on a wet surface road is my first 10 km course.
What an irony! Sharp turns on a narrow country side road, when wet! Exactly on the wild side, according to the reviewers, I felt in danger!
But I went from, (Bridgestone Adrenalin r002, 8.5 kgr), 205 55 r15 to, (Nankang xr611, 9.5 kgr), 225 50 r15, wider tires, with the same, 6J r15, oem Sebring, wheels. Is it a matter of the 4wd, 4wt, of the car? Or of the wider tires?
At 40 psi, (vs 38 psi for the Bridgestone), all around, Nankang works as a magic carpet, absorbing much better the road noise, and this is easily understood as a matter of a softer carcass.
The handling on the wet tarmac, on the other hand, is unexpected, as well as, the reaction through the standing waters.
But a 10 km.road is a very short distance...
17 February 2021
Fate brought it and my first impressions about my Nankangs are for the rare cases, in my region, of the wet tarmac, as well as, of snowy roads, not having the opportunity to drive under the normal circumstances, for me, yet.
Climbing on a snowy hill seems to be extremely easy for my Syncro g60 with the xr611 Nankangs. Much easier than with my Bridgestone Adrenalin, although the xr611 are wider. For a level road, they behave perfectly on the, fresh, snow. Driving on the snow remains, almost, unnoticed, (for low speed of course)!
18 February 2021
M+S or not?
23 February 2021
On Sun, Feb 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Hi mr. …
I am Hellenic Vanagon. I like very much your work with the tire tests.
Just saw your answer to my Nankang xr611 comments: "We don't recall a test where this Nankang tyre was the best in braking, looking at the link it seems you're trying to cross reference tests which is sadly not possible due to differing conditions."
But if you look better into my link, you will see that the German magazine "Auto Bild" has published the "Summer Tire Super Test 2015". The tested tire size was 185/60 r15, test vehicle a VW Polo, and it is into my "Passat Syncro g60 tyres" page.
As you can see here, the best with the shorter DRY braking distance is the Nankang xr611, stopping at 35,4 meters with the second best at 35,7, (Nexen Blue HD Pass), Pirelli @ 37, Continental @ 36,6, Dunlop @ 35,9, Bridgestone @ 36,4, Michelin @ 36,9. It is impressive for a, budget, M+S tire isn' it?
For countries where rarely rains, (unfortunately), as Greece, the dry braking distance is especially important, as it is obvious.
Please, consider, also, that these are summer tires, which "ought" to be better @ dry braking! On the other hand, Nankang xr611, (and a lot of tires having the Pirelli/Sumitomo "new wave" tread, (or the "chaos" as Dunlop of Japan calls it), are All season or M+S tires, and it is expected to be worse comparing to the summer tires.
Somewhere in you site you say that "it is easy to make a tire to brake well @ dry but not @ wet, as the Nankang xr611", so it seems that you know, (of course), that xr611 is so good for the dry braking comparing it even to the summer tires!
For the wet performance it is not the best, but ,still, it is good comparing it, not to summer, but to All weather tires, which in reality it is, (Nankang has a M+S stamp on the label of 205 50 r15).
Mr. … I am a hobbist, I am not selling anything and I do not care about Nankang tires or any other brand. I do like that you are trying to be accurate, as I do too, and this is the only reason for this email.
Thank you very much for your time! (There is no way to answer through the comments section @ "Tyre reviews").
The Syncro Heresy
"Tyre reviews" answer:
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 5:46 AM
Subject: Re:
Hey,
I actually have that in the database on the site
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/2015-Market-Overview-Braking-Test.htm
It's worth noting that tyre technology has moved on a lot in the past 10 years, and also the nankang is classified as summer tyre even with the M+S marking.
Also the other test I have databased, which sadly we don't have the data for, had the same tyre significantly down in the dry overall.. Sometimes weird things do happen in tyre testing, and this is one of them.
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/2013-ACE-Summer-Touring-Tyre-Test.htm
Glad you're enjoying geeking out about tyres!
Tyre Reviews
www.TyreReviews.com | TyreReviews on YouTube | @Tyre_Reviews on Instagram
My answer:
Good morning mr. ...Thank you for your answer.#1 Sumitomo is the inventor of the xr611 tread pattern and says:"The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire, more particularly to a siped tread portion capable of improving steering stability on dry roads and running performance on snowy/icy roads".Link:#2 Nankang stamps the "M+S" indication on the label, (not always, strangely).#3 Many manufacturers are using similar tread patterns and promote their tires as "All weather" or "M+S" tires, (f.ex. Pirelli P Zero Nero, identicall to xr611 pattern, Continental Crosscontact LX20, General M+S, and a lot of others).So why Nankang Toursport xr611, (or "Crossroad" at the South hemisphere), is a summer tire?Thank you for your time!
By that do you mean different specifications, and these differences are valid enough to test a M+S tyre as a summer tyre in Europe?If so this must be declared by the reviewers!
"Tyre reviews" answer:
M+S is a different category vs 3pmsf. If this category is not recognized in Europe does not mean that it is not existent!
And, much more, cannot be ignored and equalized to something that was never intended to be!
Do you like to call the American Indian Apaches English noble men, since there are no Apaches in U.K.?"M+S vs. 3PMSF Marking on Tires: What’s the Difference?
Marking and symbols on tires can be confusing for the general consumer. They describe many details of the tire, but in this article we will cover specifically M+S and 3PMSF markings along with how they compete with each other. These markings are used for winter tire traction qualities. The tires undergo a test called the winter tire traction test; tires that pass this test have the symbol M+S on the side, which stands for Mud and Snow. By contrast, 3PMSF stands for 3 Peak Mountain Snowflakes. While the names are similar, the traction levels are actually very different.
M+S markings are usually assigned to All Season Tires, meaning they can be used in summer and winter. An important detail to consider is that the test for this type of marking is done in basic snow and mud. The tires do not undergo a test to see how much traction they have on ice, slush, and black ice. These terrains are very common in countries or states with harsh winters. If you will be using the vehicle in winter, it is best to change specifically to winter tires for enhanced safety.
3PMSF is often referred to simply as the Mountain/Snowflake marking. These tires will provide much better safety on unexpected ice or wet snow, which are both extremely slippery. The marking was first invented by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, or RMA. The tires undergo much stricter transaction tests in extreme winter conditions. In fact, most tires with the M+S marking fail the test that 3PMSF tires have to pass. This is due to the tread inside All Season and Summer tires will stiffen up when facing temperatures under 40F.
The main difference between the two symbols is that M+S will work perfectly in the summer, but as winter arrives it will only work at full performance traction levels on normal snow or mud. 3PMSF tires, by comparison, will operate at much higher traction on winter roads with ice, slush, and sub-40F temperatures."
The above is from here: https://www.otrusa.com/ms-vs-3pmsf-marking-on-tires-whats-the-difference/
Interesting...
"Tyre reviews" answer:
- M+S marking is awarded based on a declaration made independently by the manufacturer according to its own non-regulatory criteria.
- 3PMSF marking is a certification awarded to tyres that pass a winter traction test in accordance with European regulation UNECE R117.
The test results are factual and comparable. 3PMSF is the only true criteria for measuring winter mobility."
