Triumphrat

Hagrid · 09-12-2007

I posted this a minute ago after finding a tire thread in another Rat forum. I'm not quite up to speed with the new website format and wanted to make sure my T3 Classic brothers got this post. Regards...Hagrid

Haven't tried the Avons (or Dunlops) yet but have gone through a set (at least) of most of the others out there. Just hit the 60K mile mark on my 99 Legend, which still seems to be getting better with age (unlike me).

Tire sequence is as follows:
Battlax 010, Battlax 020, Metzler Z4, Battlax 020, Pilot Road, Pilot Road, Pilot Road!!! (Michelin).

I really like the Pilot Road but they tend to wear to a point because I have not been good at checking tire pressure as much as I should. It also could be due to the softer edge compound they use.

Anyway...I was considering Avons or Dunlops this time and reading a bunch of reviews. I came across the Canyon Chaser website where they rave about the Conti Attacks and decided to give them a try. The Pilot Roads are their second favorite.

I found an online dealer (Ride Direct) in Kentucky that had the Conti's at $98 US for the 120/70/17 front and $120 for the 180/55/17 rear. They ship free above $200 (UPS) with no sales tax ($218/set!!!!). That is more than 50 bucks cheaper than the best hard bargain I've been able to get from my local dealer for the Pilot Roads .

Conti Attacks: Put them on this past Sunday. Love them so far. (200 miles) They are also the coolest looking tread pattern I've seen. A new set of shoes always feels good but this is not my first Rodeo. The Attacks give you a much better feel of the road conditions while being easy on the 'roids. A very planted feel. I scuffed them in on a run through the Helderburg Hills (outside Albany, NY) in the rain. They are amazing.

Around here the cracks in the roads through the hills get tarred periodically as a temporary repair. I call them "road snakes" and they can really bite you especially in a hilly turn. My Pilot Roads didn't like them much even on a dry day. The Attacks stayed on-track with no side-slip over the "snakes" on rain soaked twisties!!!. I could not believe the difference.

They also say the Attacks will outlast the Roads. I'll let you know when I get there. Unless I have a problem down the road I'd have to conclude (right now) that they are better, much cooler and cheaper that the Michelin Pilot Roads (which I still think is a darn good tire). From what I've read Michelin thinks so too as they are ready to introduce the Pilot Road 2 with a belt structure that mimics the Conti Attacks.

By the way....I have no financial interest in Ride Direct or Continental Tires. This definitely not a paid advertisement (although I'll take their money if they insist)

Keep the Shiny side up....Hagrid

rickj · 09-12-2007

thanks for the report. I have around 6500 miles on my 04 TBS and my tires look OK - but I guess I'll be looking for tires soon. I live about and hour and a half due west of you so some of the issues (cool fall temperatures, road snakes wet roads) are similar for me- by the way- what is the range of useful tire life on oem tires??

Wombat · 09-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickj

what is the range of useful tire life on oem tires??

Rick,
I changed my OEM Metzler ME Z4s out at 13+K miles. they still had a bit of life in them but not much and I had the $$.

vonbonds · 09-12-2007

I too am running Conti Road Attack tires. I have them on my Daytona wheels and love them! So far I have done about 3000 miles I suppose and they still look new.

ruscook · 09-13-2007

I'm an an S3 but my second set of Conti's. I put the softer sport attack on the front to give me increased confidence in the front and the road attack on the rear. I prefer this combination to the pilot powers that Speedy comes with OEM.

This set have 9000km on them and only look about 70% worn. Which is a bummer as I have a 5000km ride coming up next month so will have to change them early!

I've done slab comutting, day rides, and a few hundred K of dirt on them (including a flooded causeway crossing

).

I'd like to try the Avons, one day, but so far the conti's have performed so well there's no need. I don't like metzeler personally - unfair really as it was a cross ply metzler I last tried about 11yrs ago!

Oh, me getting over 9000km (should see 10000 no probs) is unheard of, I'm a heavy lump at 125Kg so I don't usually see long tyre life on tyres I have confidence in. Here's a pic of the rear @ 8000km - almost like new.

Russ

ruscook · 09-16-2007

Here's an update on my tyre after today's 400km 1/2 day ride. 2 pics of my current Continental Road Attack Rear. First, when fitted. The second (taken today) 9400km later. I think I'll get the magic 10,000km out of this one (well if I clock that up before changing shoes to go to the island).

The point is, I'm a heavy bugger and do scratch a bit so it's definitely unusual to get close to 10,000km out of a tyre with that combination (weight, commuting, day rides). I think the Conti's give better grip than Pilot Roads, and about the same as Pilot Powers. Confidence wise they turn in a tiny bit slower than the Powers and don't track ruts/bumps as much so "feel" more predictable - but that's purely subjective.

Hence you see why I like these shoes

Russ