Conti Road Attack 3

[SaferRides]

Has anyone tried these yet? They are getting great reviews but no one seems to buy Continental motorbike tyres.

I might try a set on the R1 as I'd like to get more than 6,000 km from a rear.

[Laava]

I have just scrubbed in a pair on my monster, they seem pretty good but I am no Rossi...

[nzspokes]

Ran contis once. Quickest i have ever flat spotted a rear. PR5 is the tyre you want. Sporty profile as well.

Sent from my M5 Note using Tapatalk

[WALRUS]

I had a set of Conti Sport Attack 2's on my R6 back in 2010-ish. They were really great, felt good, lasted longer than the Michelin Power 3's I've got on the 996. I rate Continental as a tyre manufacturer but it's hard to find people who get them in over here and not many places are keen on fitting tyres they didn't sell you (even if you take the wheels in).

Like Metzeller, they are often unfairly overlooked (here, at least)

[SaferRides]

I had a set of Conti Sport Attack 2's on my R6 back in 2010-ish. They were really great, felt good, lasted longer than the Michelin Power 3's I've got on the 996. I rate Continental as a tyre manufacturer but it's hard to find people who get them in over here and not many places are keen on fitting tyres they didn't sell you (even if you take the wheels in).

Like Metzeller, they are often unfairly overlooked (here, at least)

There is a NZ distributor for Contis so anyone should be able to order a set. Moto1 in Auckland sell them.

I've used the Metzeler M7RR for the last 2 years. Brilliant tyres but it gets expensive replacing the rear every 6-7,000 km.

[caspernz]

There is a NZ distributor for Contis so anyone should be able to order a set. Moto1 in Auckland sell them.

I've used the Metzeler M7RR for the last 2 years. Brilliant tyres but it gets expensive replacing the rear every 6-7,000 km.

For most road riding, using a sport/touring tyre will give you the mileage, without sacrificing much in the way of ultimate grip. Like Spokes already commented, Michelin Road 5, is one good example. Metzeler M7RR is a sweet tyre, and yes I've run a set.

Or go old school and run sport up front and sport/touring rear, such as Bridgestone S21 up front and T31 on rear.

By the way, Michelin Pilot Power 3 responds about the same as Metzeler M7RR but at 2/3 the price with longer wear. First hand experience.

Often overlooked is state of suspension, correct spring rates and damping, never mind last time oil was changed in forks or shock :brick: Properly sorted suspension works wonders :yes:

[AllanB]

I ran a set of Conti RA2's on my previous bike. More sport than touring, and the rear did flat spot quickly compared to other tyres I had run. Stuck like glue.

Conti did a push in NZ years back when the Attack series were launched. Good pricing etc. The other big brands pushed back. Tough, small market. Good tyres though.

I ran the T30 after the RA2 on that same bike - best tyre I had on it, traded it before they died so can not atest to wear but they were looking good.


Try the Conti if you get a decent price.

[SaferRides]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I am concerned about how the RA3 rear will wear. The M7RR has quite a narrow band of harder centre compound, so you're onto the grippy stuff almost as soon as you lean it. This also prevents the dreaded flat spot from developing.

Continental vary the curing temperature so that the compound is progressively softer towards the shoulders. The earlier RA tyres did seem to flat spot easily, but it seems the RA3 is much better.

I'd like to try a set, but the M7RR is just such a good tyre on the R1.

[pritch]

Or go old school and run sport up front and sport/touring rear, such as Bridgestone S21 up front and T31 on rear.



That is a thing, and yes I've done it, but I wouldn't do it again. The manufacturers often put their best wet weather technology into their sport touring tyres. That could mean that in the wet, and unbeknown to the rider, the back tyre is stickier than the front. That could lead to a nasty surprise.

Michelin were making their sport and sport touring tyres in different profiles and no, there was nothing about that on the side of the tyre.

Some rear tyres don't have much water draining ability. The manufacturer is relying on the design of the front tyre to clear the water from the road surface. If you fit a different design front you are potentially creating another problem.

So I'm a fan of matched tyres but having said that I'm soon to change brands because the brand I've been using has no agent here. For a while I'll be running a mismatched pair. Unless I win Lotto.

[AllanB]

So I'm a fan of matched tyres but having said that I'm soon to change brands because the brand I've been using has no agent here.

I blame the Government - what can't you get anymore?

[SaferRides]

That is a thing, and yes I've done it, but I wouldn't do it again. The manufacturers often put their best wet weather technology into their sport touring tyres. That could mean that in the wet, and unbeknown to the rider, the back tyre is stickier than the front. That could lead to a nasty surprise.

Michelin were making their sport and sport touring tyres in different profiles and no, there was nothing about that on the side of the tyre.

Some rear tyres don't have much water draining ability. The manufacturer is relying on the design of the front tyre to clear the water from the road surface. If you fit a different design front you are potentially creating another problem.

So I'm a fan of matched tyres but having said that I'm soon to change brands because the brand I've been using has no agent here. For a while I'll be running a mismatched pair. Unless I win Lotto.Mixed tyres can be fine when both are new, but in my experience the problems start when they wear. I ran a SportSmart front with a RoadSmart rear for a while, which felt fine when they were new. Not so good as the rear wore, and started losing grip compared with the front.

[pritch]

I blame the Government - what can't you get anymore?

Dunlop Roadsmart. I can get them, but none of the local dealers stock them so they cost much more than Metzeler, Michelin or Pirelli, which they do stock.

I used to run Metzeler so I’ll work my way back to them.

[Banditbandit]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I am concerned about how the RA3 rear will wear. The M7RR has quite a narrow band of harder centre compound, so you're onto the grippy stuff almost as soon as you lean it. This also prevents the dreaded flat spot from developing.

Continental vary the curing temperature so that the compound is progressively softer towards the shoulders. The earlier RA tyres did seem to flat spot easily, but it seems the RA3 is much better.

I'd like to try a set, but the M7RR is just such a good tyre on the R1.

I've run Road Attacks on my 650 Bandit for years - awesome tyre - better than the Bridgestones, PRs and Pirellis I have run ..

You are right to be concerned about the wear - I killed my first Road Attack in 3,001 ks - yes you read that right. I went to Road Attacks because Continental said I'd get 8,000ks out of a Road Attack, after learning I killed the PRs and Pirrellis in 5,000ks .. they were wrong - but they are such great tyres I still use them. The cost is worth the fun ..

I don't run them on my 1250 Bandit - I ride that a bit different and the RAs made the bike turn a bit faster than I liked .. I run PRs on that ..


Different tyres suit different bikes and riding styles - the best thing is to try them and see how you like them and if they last ..

[Banditbandit]

Or go old school and run sport up front and sport/touring rear, such as Bridgestone S21 up front and T31 on rear.



I ran a grippy sports tyre on the front and a sports/tourer on the rear on my big Bandit - a couple of times the rear let go while the front was still gripping - I don't do that any more - matching tyres on both bikes ..

[SaferRides]

I spoke to AJ at Motohaus the other day. The feedback he's getting is the RA3 doesn't wear, so looks like the rapid wear issues are in the past.

The rear now has a puncture so time to decide. Looks like a trip to the Burt is on in February next year, so maybe the RA3 will be the way to go.

[Banditbandit]

I spoke to AJ at Motohaus the other day. The feedback he's getting is the RA3 doesn't wear, so looks like the rapid wear issues are in the past.

The rear now has a puncture so time to decide. Looks like a trip to the Burt is on in February next year, so maybe the RA3 will be the way to go.

February ??? I will have killed a couple of rears by then .

[SaferRides]

February ??? I will have killed a couple of rears by then .
On a Bandit 650? How many km do they last?

I went for the M7RR - there are some reasonable deals on sets. If we have another summer like last year, the rear could be pretty much toast by February. :)

I'll watch for a set of decent, used sport-touring tyres if the trip becomes definite.

Restorace out west have Angel GT sets in 180 and 190 for $430 plus fitting.

[Banditbandit]

On a Bandit 650? How many km do they last?

I went for the M7RR - there are some reasonable deals on sets. If we have another summer like last year, the rear could be pretty much toast by February. :)

I'll watch for a set of decent, used sport-touring tyres if the trip becomes definite.

Restorace out west have Angel GT sets in 180 and 190 for $430 plus fitting.

I killed my first Road Attack in 3,001 ks .. after that I didn't look ..

I was commuting to work on a high country back country road - 55ks one way gate to gate - did it in 28 minutes .. If you work that out then it is 110ks per day - so 3001 ks is just under 30 days going to work ..

Love the tyre though - still use them