Continental tires aren't the first thing that comes to mind if you're thinking of replacing rubber on a high-performance sports bike, but the German tire tycoon is about to fix that. We were recently invited to try the latest offering from Continental motorcycle tires for the sports segment, the CONTIROADATTACK 3. On our track in Hanover, Germany dubbed the Contidrom. I couldn't miss this event, so I jumped at the opportunity to try these tires!
Ten years ago, the company decided to reorient motorcycles, and the ContiAttack tire family was the result of that resolution. Since then, significant growth has been achieved in all key markets. Now with the CONTIROADATTACK 3, Continental is coming, proving they have what it takes to be the best in the sports tire segment.
The Continental CONTIROADATTACK 3 summer tire is designed for motorcycles in all conditions. It perfectly combines the qualities of touring and sports tires. Therefore, this model has excellent speed characteristics and increased reliability. This was achieved thanks to new materials and innovative technologies used in the manufacture. This model is very popular with motorcycle manufacturers. It is used in the basic version of Honda and BMW motorcycles.
New tread design
Deep drainage channels of unusual shape and different depths increase stability and controllability even in heavy rain. The reinforced shoulder area with a special sharp edge provides excellent stability in all tilts of the motorcycle. The extended profile of the Continental CONTIROADATTACK 3 increases straight-line stability. The use of grooves of different sizes has reduced driving noise, making the ride as comfortable as possible.
Improved components in the rubber compound
To obtain improved driving performance, new components were used in the rubber compound. Silica was used to increase the elasticity of the tread. Due to this, the tire has excellent grip on any road surface and quick recovery properties. Silicon helped to increase the wear resistance of the tread, which increased the life of the tire. The new rubber compound has increased speed parameters and reduced braking distances. Even at high speeds, the tire has excellent handling and increased stability.
Optimized frame design
The new carcass is made of steel tape and reinforced cord, therefore it perfectly withstands increased loads and provides reliable protection, preventing damage and punctures. Even on long-distance trains, the tire offers increased comfort, excellent stability, and increased safety.
According to the manufacturer, the new tires offer increased grip on wet surfaces, made possible by an improved tread pattern that accelerates water drainage. The new silica compound also improved grip in rainy weather.
The Continental CONTIROADATTACK 3 features Grip Limit Feedback Technology, which increases safety at high lean angles, as the tires inform the driver in advance of the possibility of a critical situation. The tire design was specially developed for modern sports bikes and provides the necessary stability and handling, including due to the increased contact patch. MultiGrip technology in combination with a large contact patch and low void ratio in the center of the tread increases the service life.
During development, more than one hundred prototypes with various cages, profiles, and compounds were tested on the track in Uvalde (Texas, USA), the Contidrom proving ground, and race tracks in Germany. The goal of the developers was to achieve the optimal balance between safety on wet roads and m, maximum, stability on the racetrack.
The Continental CONTIROADATTACK 3 tires will be available in several sizes with 17-inch diameters, with sales expected to begin in the first quarter of 2016. All tires are handcrafted in Germany. The novelty is intended to close the gap between the touring Continental ContiRoad Attack 2 Evo and the racing Continental ContiRace Attack.
Main features of the Continental ContiRoad Attack
- excellent grip on any road surface made it possible to use the tire, both for travel and for high-speed driving;
- the reinforced frame reliably protects against possible damage and increases the ability to withstand increased loads;
- New components in the rubber compound have increased grip on wet road surfaces and extended tire life.
- "EasyHandling" technology gives the tire predictable linear handling even when the stabilizing gyroscopic forces are nominal (eg when cornering). Accuracy is improved at the same time, which applies to all traffic situations.
- Balanced performance from the first to the last kilometer.
- "TractionSkin" technology provides extremely safe and short entry times. Thanks to the revolutionary new micro-rough tread surface, virtually no tire break-in is required.
- Proven "MultiGrip" technology for increased mileage and maximum grip on extreme slopes. This technology allows the use of a one-part compound to regulate traction, thanks to the temperature-controlled curing of the tire during production. The result is a flexible shoulder tread zone that provides excellent traction and a wear-resistant center zone for high mileage.
- "RainGrip" technology provides optimum grip on wet roads thanks to a specially activated silica compound.
After laying out all the advantages of the CONTIROADATTACK 3, it's time to test the rubber on the Contidrom. It was just an acquaintance with the track, the test itself will be later. First of all, there was a dry run-in for testing Traction Skin. The CONTIROADATTACK 3 provides excellent grip after just a few bends of brand new tires. Incredible!
The one-part compound in the center and on the sides of the tire has proven better grip in wear than the two-part counterparts! Was tested the CONTIROADATTACK 3 on a street pace track and found the grip to be excellent. Found the limits and got an idea of working with new tires. Highly trained Continental test racers guided us around the track and the pace increased. "fell" on fresh tires without breakdowns for two minutes at a full-tilt with a "knee". This is an impressive, brand-new street tire with uncompromising ride capability! I would say Traction Skin works and works well.
Riding on the track is very enjoyable when direction changes are quick, shifting the bike from one side to the other with a constant sense of control. The grip quality is impressive. Even with the recommended street pressure, the tire holds well and feels great on slopes. It is only when you persistently open the throttle in a lean that you get the rear-wheel slip. Even at that moment, it is predictable and easy to control. Never once did I suddenly lose grip.
After spending several hours on the road, was hit the oval end of the Contidrom to test the stability of the CONTIROADATTACK 3 at high speeds. In this part of those 100, I was worried and thrilled at the first glance at the incredibly steep climb. The outer edge of the concrete surface is tilted 80 degrees! We’re told that if you We’rego too fast, overloading can lead to the darkening of the eyes. For three laps I had a Triumph 675 and at the edge of the Contidrom oval, the CONTIROADATTACK 3 tires were rock-stable.
There's no more extreme test than the Contidrom's oval race. CONTIROADATTACK 3 is flawless. When I tried to hold my head, the muscles in my neck burned and my vision became worse. It was an exhilarating and exhausting race, but the CONTIROADATTACK 3 never failed. These tires are like rock, they are built for really scary speeds and loads.
Constant streams of water on straight sections and corners, just a little more and the track will become more a lake than a space for testing tires. The Conti's grip was as much as you'd expect from a high-performance tire for a high-performance sports bike. At a reasonable pace, the grip on the sidewall of the tire is sufficient. Open the throttle with a jerk and you will get out. Riding in heavy rain is perfectly possible, but as long as you practice common sense.