The Nankang NS-2, also marketed as Ultra Sport NS-II or Sportnex NS-2, is an ultra-high performance summer tire featuring aggressive directional tread pattern designed for passenger cars seeking enhanced performance at budget-friendly pricing. Despite being nearly 20-year-old design, the NS-2 remains available through multiple markets targeting cost-conscious performance enthusiasts willing to accept compromises in refinement and wet weather capability for economical pricing and decent dry grip characteristics. The tire carries speed ratings up to Y providing high-performance traction and cornering grip appropriate for spirited driving in favorable conditions, with Nankang backing H and V-speed rated models with 40,000-mile treadwear warranty and W and Y-speed rated variants with 30,000-mile warranty. Pricing starts around $74 and up making the NS-2 among the most economical ultra-high performance summer options available from established tire manufacturers, attracting budget-limited enthusiasts seeking basic performance improvements over standard all-season alternatives. The NS-2 has evolved into NS-2R track-focused variant while the original continues serving value market segment, though aged design shows limitations compared to modern alternatives incorporating current compound and tread technologies.
The Nankang NS-2 delivers mixed ownership experiences with user reviews averaging 65% across 1,806,999 miles driven, revealing tire works best as cheap, hard-wearing option providing decent dry grip and predictable handling at moderate speeds while accepting significant performance compromises. Dry performance proves adequate for budget applications with reasonable traction and controllable handling characteristics appropriate for daily driving and moderate spirited use, with many drivers praising the tire's longevity and wear resistance providing good value through extended service life. However, substantial criticisms emerge regarding wet weather performance with large portion of users citing very poor wet grip, dangerously long braking distances, wet understeer, and reduced steering precision creating safety concerns during precipitation. Additional complaints include frequent noise and humming at highway speeds, mixed comfort levels, and overall refinement falling well short of premium alternatives. Some users report more positive wet experiences noting adequate traction when driving carefully within the tire's limitations, suggesting performance may vary based on conditions and driving techniques. The NS-2 serves extremely budget-conscious drivers prioritizing dry weather performance and extended tread life at minimum cost, representing economical entry into ultra-high performance category while requiring acceptance of meaningful wet weather safety compromises, elevated noise levels, and dated design characteristics that fall substantially short of modern tire technologies incorporated in premium alternatives costing two to three times more but delivering measurably superior capabilities across all conditions.
