On the two closed circuits, we were able to drive the vehicles more aggressively through cones set up to test lateral control through a slalom, tight corners and hard braking. Here the surface degraded into slippery and slush-covered in places, conditions familiar to Canadian drivers when cornering and when stopping and starting at intersections during the winter months. Especially this winter.
   Sailun Ice Blazer WSL2. Click image to enlarge |
Here, likewise, I was hard pressed to identify which vehicles wore the Tier 2 and Tier 3 tires, although neither tire excelled when stopping on the slushy, greasy, surface at the end of each circuit. While I can’t assume that a Tier 1 tire would be better, I can say that neither of the tested tires were appreciably better or worse on the closed circuits.
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For consumers looking for a credible tire alternative at the best price, this is the important factor, isn’t it? According to Mr. Mielko, the Hankook i*Pike tires sourced from a popular Toronto tire retailer cost $724 per set ($181 each); the Sailun Ice Blazer WSL2 cost $436 per set ($109 per tire), a savings of $288 before tax (or in Ontario, a savings of $326 including tax).
I can’t attest to the longevity of Sailun tires in comparison with other brands, or to their ability to resist punctures or handle other road hazards. But they arrive with Road Hazard Coverage that includes 100-percent replacement within 2/32-inch or 25-percent wear, and a four-year warranty covering workmanship and material.
If you’re not solely motivated by brand, Sailun would appear to offer a product whose performance is equivalent to a tire that costs significantly more. And with its recent approval by the Parent Tested Parent Approved network, Sailun may be on its way to acquiring the brand image that will elevate its status among consumers.
In the meantime, as they say, “Why pay more?”
