Continental Sport Attack 2 vs. Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

[D3ADLYTuna]

I know, I know it's another which tire should i buy thread!!!

So after reading a bunch of shit today and thinking i should really get new tires to replace my old conti road attack 2's.

I've narrowed it down to these two tires in terms of performance and lots of people regularly giving them good reviews, both
in terms of stability, grip, wet traction and life.

Has anyone used both of these tires?

I'm particularly interested in the Conti Sport Attack 2's as i really liked my conti road attacks but i want a little more dry grip.

As a general rule i try to avoid wet riding and rain riding but you don't always get what you want so it needs to perform well in all conditions.

Alternatively can you recommend another brand/model tire that will give me good grip and wear while being nice a stable like the conti road attack 2's.

I would consider dunlop as they appear to have some awesome tires but they also appear to be WAY out of my price range. I am looking up to Approx $500.

Cheers!

[AllanB]

I've just spooned some Road Attack 2's on the Hornet - very impressed so far.

If you are going to a sport tyre from a sport/touring you'll notice a quicker corner drop-in as the sport tyres have a more agressive profile.

PS - bugger all 'decent' under $500 a pair unfortunately.

[mossy1200]

Im looking at these also but they havent arrived in the shop yet im not sure you will get a review on them yet from anyone.I could be wrong though maybe other shops have had them a while.
what price did you get quoted for them?

[Blackbird]

You've got a light bike, so have a serious look at the Michelin PR3 - huge grip in all conditions and amazingly, a long life too. I've had all sorts of sport and sport touring tyres on my Blackbird and Street Triple and the PR3 is the best all-round tyre yet. My detailed progress report is here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/michelin-pilot-road-3-tyres-progress.html

Cheers

Geoff

[malcy25]

I haven't used a lot of other road tyres (don't road ride much), but am completely sold on the Dunlop Q2's. Especially if you do the occassional track day (and having a GSXR why wouldn't you).

Good mix of road tyre with track aspirations, but built for the real world note they are not a race tyre mascerading as a road tyre.... I fitted them after a set of RS1/RS2 racetec Metzelers specifically for a bit better real life road speed / temp grip.

I've done nearly 2 seasons of track days on one set(!). Bike is completely neutral with them. No set up change from the Metzelers required and wear has been great.

[Ocean1]

You've got a light bike, so have a serious look at the Michelin PR3 - huge grip in all conditions and amazingly, a long life too. I've had all sorts of sport and sport touring tyres on my Blackbird and Street Triple and the PR3 is the best all-round tyre yet.

If they're better than a PR2 in the wet they'll be the next fitted to the 1125.

[jrandom]

A GSXR750 will overwhelm Anything 'Road' Anythings unless you spend all your time being frightened of the throttle and brakes.

The OP asks a good question. Pity nobody's answered it yet.

(I can't, because I haven't tried Sport Attacks.)

Edit: Most of the guys who can answer this are probably at the Taupo trackday right now. Should be some decent posts in the thread this evening.

[Blackbird]

If they're better than a PR2 in the wet they'll be the next fitted to the 1125.

Have never tried a PR2, but Avons are a great wet weather tyre and the PR3 is better than them!

[D3ADLYTuna]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys...

Being impulsive and me i have gone and won an auction on tardme tonight for a rear tyre. Woo!
paid way more than i wanted to but still cheaper than new so im happy nonetheless.

Bought a Dunlop Sportmax Q2 180.

Now my current conti RA2 (road attack 2) has plenty of life and isnt worn so crazily on one side like my rear.
Thanks Manfield!

I'm thinking that i should pick up either a dunlop sportsmart for the front or just another Q2.

Thoughts?

Also. The sport attack 2 can so far only be gotten from Coleman's for $650 a set. So that price put me off.
Maybe next set will be them unless something else comes up but I'm very impressed with my conti RA2's.

For those wondering i have done 4 manfield trackdays and in total just under 10,000 kms on them. about 250kms off.

I cant fault the tyre. Predictable, when it lets go its easy to control. handled the track well and heated up VERY WELL.
Had the same kind of tyre beading you see on superbikes after the later track sessions.

Potentially i could write a review but at the moment i am PUI. ( posting under the influence )
:shutup:

[jrandom]

Bought a Dunlop Sportmax Q2 180.

Now my current conti RA2 (road attack 2) has plenty of life and isnt worn so crazily on one side like my rear.
Thanks Manfield!

I'm thinking that i should pick up either a dunlop sportsmart for the front or just another Q2.

Thoughts?

Get the same tyre on the front. Don't mix tyres, it'll fuck the way your bike turns. Depending on the mix. Some work better than others. Generally mixes of different brands are to be avoided.

[SPP]

^^^^ yeah go get a Q2 front to match the rear. The profile on them is very steep toward the edge to roll way over.


Good move though getting off Roads and on to sport rubber! It's a Gixxer after all and should be taken to a track. There seems to be mixed opinion on whether ST (Road xx) tyres are good enough but in my experience there's no comparison (supersport bike). On sport rubber you'll immediately notice the bike will feel light on it's feet and you WILL notice the extra side grip.

Q2's: On the road I have them at 36/42. There's plenty of grip for normal road riding and they'll last for ages. Drop them to 30/30 for the track.

Dunlop Q2s
<img src="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/large/dunlop-sportmax-q2-tires-13.jpg">


Note 1: I thought Sportsmart was the UK name for a Q2? and the Qualifier II was the next tier down tyre, see here (http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/tyres/on_road/)
Note 2: Perhaps sport touring tyres work for heavier bikes, or for powerful bikes, or for skilful riders who think nothing of a bike that moves around a little... I don't know. I personally couldn't get heat into PR2's without dropping the pressures and then they feel really sluggish.

[mossy1200]

Im getting the sport attack 2 set on bike next weekend fitted price 600 for 190/50/17 and 120 front.Ill try them out and let you know what they are like.

[D3ADLYTuna]

^^^^ yeah go get a Q2 front to match the rear. The profile on them is very steep toward the edge to roll way over.


Good move though getting off Roads and on to sport rubber! It's a Gixxer after all and should be taken to a track. There seems to be mixed opinion on whether ST (Road xx) tyres are good enough but in my experience there's no comparison (supersport bike). On sport rubber you'll immediately notice the bike will feel light on it's feet and you WILL notice the extra side grip.

Q2's: On the road I have them at 36/42. There's plenty of grip for normal road riding and they'll last for ages. Drop them to 30/30 for the track.

Dunlop Q2s
<img src="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/large/dunlop-sportmax-q2-tires-13.jpg">


Note 1: I thought Sportsmart was the UK name for a Q2? and the Qualifier II was the next tier down tyre, see here (http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/tyres/on_road/)
Note 2: Perhaps sport touring tyres work for heavier bikes, or for powerful bikes, or for skilful riders who think nothing of a bike that moves around a little... I don't know. I personally couldn't get heat into PR2's without dropping the pressures and then they feel really sluggish.




sportmax sportsmart is one up from the q2 as your link shows.

i got a sportsmart on the front and q2 on the rear and will replace rear with sportsmart when it dies hopefully another 8000+ kms. lol.
depends on trackdays.

The conti SA2's look awesome and tread looks mint but ive done a shodded my bike for now so it will have to be next time.

[SPP]

sportmax sportsmart is one up from the q2 as your link shows.

i got a sportsmart on the front and q2 on the rear and will replace rear with sportsmart when it dies...

Q2 (USA) and Sportsmart (Europe) are equivalent tyres for different markets apparently. So confusing.

Dunlop Sportmax Q2 (USA)... I had these and will do again unless S20 review in another thread is good
<img src="https://dunlop-media.s3.amazonaws.com/tire_images%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2FQ2R_3-4.jpg">

Dunlop Sportmax Sportsmart (UK)
<img src="http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_euen/Images/SportSmart_tcm386-70625.jpg">

Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier II (UK)
<img src="http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_euen/Images/Sportmax_QualifierII_tcm386-52679.jpg">


Email floating around the interweb from Dunlop USA:
“The SportSmart is comparable to Q2. Both products were developed for the Sportbike segment. Both Q2 and SportSmart are outstanding when used on the track. Q2 was designed for US roads while SportSmart was designed for European roads. There is quite a big difference in road infrastructure and weather, which directly affects motorcycle treadwear.

In Europe, the landscape between regions just a few kilometers apart can be completely different. From narrow and twisty roads to cities mainly consisting of roundabouts. Roundabouts replace our traditional four-way signal intersections. Commuters in Europe subject their tires to more cornering forces while US roads subject tires to more braking and acceleration forces (stop and go).

On average Europe has 20-30% more rain days than the US. Also, gas prices in Europe are 2x higher than US. So Europeans tend to use motorcycles more for commuting. With this being said, the SportSmart needed to focus on European commuters with their wet twisty roads as well as track-day enthusiasts.

The Sportsmart will not be brought into the USA.

Should you need further information or assistance, please call Dunlop Consumer Affairs @ 800-845-8378
or e-mail us.

regards,
Virginia Gallant
Consumer Affairs Representative.
Consumer Affairs
Dunlop Motorcycle & ATV Tire Division”

[D3ADLYTuna]

ok so i ended up with a USA Q2 rear and a UK sportsmart front lol. oh well. they felt nice for the 6kms i rode home on them before weather turned to shit.
Still interested in hearing about the sport attack two's once somebody does a write up for them.

[SPP]

...Still interested in hearing about the sport attack two's once somebody does a write up for them.

Mossy1200 (above) has just bought a set. He's going post by the sound of it.

[mossy1200]

Mossy1200 (above) has just bought a set. He's going post by the sound of it.

They get fitted Sat 23rd but im oncall this weekend also so wont be able to travel to far from home but ill get them scrubbed and post on them if the phone doesnt prevent it.

[SPP]

They get fitted Sat 23rd but im oncall this weekend also so wont be able to travel to far from home but ill get them scrubbed and post on them if the phone doesnt prevent it.

cool

more chars

[mossy1200]

cool

more chars

Maybe ill get the go pro loaded and aiming at tyres.The front is very sharp v shape im expecting them to tip in fast and grip well on angles.

[D3ADLYTuna]

yea looking at the marketing material they have made the shape much more aggressive and better lean grip. Will look forward to hearing about them.

[Quasi]

My first set of tyres on my MonstA where the Sport Attacks. Stunning tyre, never let go once or thought about it, and I have some fabulous twisties on my doorstep that just beg to be played hard and fast on. The only downside I found was that they just didnt last - 4000km on the rear, but thats what you get with a nice soft sticky tyre. Went to the RA2 and have gone through 4 set, still a very good tyre, nice and sticky wet or dry and i can get a few more kms out of them then the SA.

[D3ADLYTuna]

right. but we are talking the sport attack 2's now. released last week in nz i believe. haha. unless you have managed to get an early set and run up 4000kms on them?
i really liked my RA2's as they just performed well. I guess this thread has turned into RA2's vs SA2's haha.

[SPP]

My first set of tyres on my MonstA where the Sport Attacks. Stunning tyre, never let go once or thought about it, and I have some fabulous twisties on my doorstep that just beg to be played hard and fast on. The only downside I found was that they just didnt last - 4000km on the rear, but thats what you get with a nice soft sticky tyre. Went to the RA2 and have gone through 4 set, still a very good tyre, nice and sticky wet or dry and i can get a few more kms out of them then the SA.

A friend of mine LOVES his Sport Attacks too based solely on his experience with "Black Chilli" Conti bicycle tyres. He's confident and relaxed riding them. Cool.

I bought a set Conti bicycle tyres once and the thread keep unraveling from the bead. Because of that I haven't been near their motorcycle tyres lol... funny how that works.

[Quasi]

right. but we are talking the sport attack 2's now. released last week in nz i believe. haha. unless you have managed to get an early set and run up 4000kms on them?
i really liked my RA2's as they just performed well. I guess this thread has turned into RA2's vs SA2's haha.

:yes::wacko:yep - I kinda understood that - thats why I dont have a 2 after the word Sport Attack. The SA2 has a totally different profile for a start

[jrandom]

A friend of mine LOVES his Sport Attacks too based solely on his experience with "Black Chilli" Conti bicycle tyres.

Yes. Conti GP4000s are my favourite bicycle tyre.

Never tried Contis on a motorcycle though.

[D3ADLYTuna]

Just checking Quasi, no harm intended. :shutup:
Well i loved my RA2's but i heard lots of good things about the dunlops so ill give them a go and if they dont
perform how i want them too then it will be back to conti for me!

[malcy25]

Yes. Conti GP4000s are my favourite bicycle tyre.

Never tried Contis on a motorcycle though.


Never did many miles on the set I had. Do like my Scwalbes curently Durano S (training) and ZX (event) after Pro3Races which I also liked very much.

[jrandom]

Never did many miles on the set I had. Do like my Scwalbes curently Durano S (training) and ZX (event) after Pro3Races which I also liked very much.

I race on Contis (when I'm in any sort of form), but my daily riding (when I'm not commuting by motor) is done on Vittoria Randonneurs, which I've been perversely in love with for years.

[mossy1200]

im happy if i get 5tho km rear and front has a 1/3 tread left and im guessing they should get me those figures with good turn in and moderate wet grip.What i did find when i had 2cts is they delivered very even wear as the centre harder compound and softer edge went down equally giving me the same feal till the end.This may have been that they were on bmwr1200s which was a dream handler and looked after tyres.I like a tyre that delivers till its dead and still tips in later in life.At 600 fitted should be worth trying.

[malcy25]

I race on Contis (when I'm in any sort of form), but my daily riding (when I'm not commuting by motor) is done on Vittoria Randonneurs, which I've been perversely in love with for years.

Form, lost mine currently, must have dropped it somewhere. Commute on Maxxis Detonators 26/1.25's on my mountain bike at 90psi with roady pedals and seat!

[mossy1200]

I have started a Mossy sport attack 2 review on another thread so the details dont get burried in here.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/148079-Conti-Sport-Attack-II-Review?p=1130288128#post1130288128

[macka77]

i am a fan of the conti sport an race attacks nice light tire absorb bumps well instead of the suspesion like harder tires good dry grip they wear a we bit quicker but found i had a lot of hook up in corners, i like the pilot powers too for different resons they wear increadably well, turn fast in twisties great RAIN TIRE but doggy if goin fast on the track so many poeple get unstuck because they dont have the grip on smooth tarseal they can let go without warning but work good on road chip.
tried dunlop Q2 boring boring boring same with bridgestone 014 015 abit better, metzlers are great im impressed with them 2centworth

[Stephmrugsr]

Hi , i ve just changed from conti attack 2 to michelin pilot 2 ct , and i found it better i all conditions not extreme difference but enought to feel safer, specially here in mauritius where it hot and road often with rock sand etc etc , i have much more grip, but im not saying that the conti attack was bad ... Simply feeling better with the michelin

[mossy1200]

Hi , i ve just changed from conti attack 2 to michelin pilot 2 ct , and i found it better i all conditions not extreme difference but enought to feel safer, specially here in mauritius where it hot and road often with rock sand etc etc , i have much more grip, but im not saying that the conti attack was bad ... Simply feeling better with the michelin

unless you wore a set of sport attack II out in the last 4weeks your compairing road attack II (touring) with a 2ct(sports touring)tyre.