Triumphrat

Saigon5 · 09-12-2005

2 bikes, one brand of tires: Conti Road Attack

Mine mounted on a Sprint ST and my friend on a CBR 929.
Me riding 2 ups with tank bank and 3 cases, he riding solo with back pack on the rear seat.

Chosen road for the test. From Montreal to Deals Gap and back. Total ride distance was 5800 km (3625 miles). The pace was fairly aggressive, enough to test the tires.

The tires have seen all kind of possible roads. The tires have a sportier profile than all the other sport touring tires I have tried. They are actually quite similar to Michelin Pilot Sport. The main difference is that the front tire profile matches the rear tire. You will reach the edge of the rear tire with a little left in the front. This does provide the front with more rubber on the pavement and it is easily felt. A very nice plus noted on the front tire, no cupping at all and that is while braking hard for curve entrance and throwing the bike in the curves.

First thing I noticed is that the grip under braking is one of the best I have felt on a front tire. To make sure I was not dreaming, I asked my riding partner if he noticed anything different from is usual Pilot Sport. His comment was that they are a lot smoother and the front is grippier. A test made in Europe has the Conti braking faster on wet pavement than the Avon 45 on the dry.

Back to profile, they are very easy to turn and stay solidly planted at the chosen angle. Contrary to Pilot Road, on which you have no chicken stip making a U turn, I have a chicken strip of 1/8 of an inch in the back and that is with scraping the pedals. I kind of like this since I am sure I have rubber on the pavement at all angles. Stable at all speed we drove, they are not disturbed by grooved pavement and metal bridge. My friend worked very hard to try to have the rear tire loose traction. He was successful in sliding it in a few curves and the tires never gave the impression that it was going to leave you unannounced.

My only problem is the same as usual, mileage. Riding 2 up loaded does put a lot of weight on the back tire an I can expect another 2 to 3 thousand km at the most. One thing is sure is that I get better mileage than the Pilot Sport. I had to replace a completely worn out Pilot Sport at 5800 km. My friend should make it to 10,000 km or 6000 miles before the end of the Conti which is not bad considering that we are not too mellow while riding. I think that for price versus quality it is the best deal out there.

Conclusion: We now have 2 riders that will buy more Conti Road Attack.

Paul-K · 09-12-2005

Have you ever run the Avon av45/av46 combo or the Metzler Z6's? If so, how do they compare?

DaveM · 09-12-2005

Paul,
search the tyre thread lost about all of this in there.

davem

Saigon5 · 09-13-2005

Quote:

On 2005-09-12 19:53, Paul-K wrote:
Have you ever run the Avon av45/av46 combo or the Metzler Z6's? If so, how do they compare?

Never tried the Z6 but I did try 2 sets of Avon. I like the Conti more than the Avon. More grip, sportier profile. Probably a bit more life out of the Avon.

I forgot to say that I could not run the Conti in the rain. In 9 days of riding, we could not find a drop of rain.

cyclebob · 09-13-2005

Nottoo much experience in the rain lately, but the little bit I did, the Conti's felt better than most, though I admit a great aversion to unplanned protective gear testing, so didn't push them much when wet.

Paul-K · 09-13-2005

Well Davem, I have been there and done that. I think you will find very little comparison between the Avons, Metzlers and Continentals. I asked this question because it hasn't been covered to death - NOT because I am too lazy or stupid to look things up for myself.

DaveM · 09-13-2005

Sorry Paul,
didn't mean to imply you were lazy.

I just thought you might find a lot of interesting stuff you may not have been aware of.

You are probably right until Saigon5's comments I am not aware of any one comparing the Azaro and the Conti.

I have had three sets of Azaro's I can testify that they are good in the wet, very good grip in the dry but as said above not as sporty as some tyres and I found they steer a bit slow. Longevity on azaro's is very good though.

I have currently got the Michelin Pilot Powers on board and am really impressed with the excelent handling and turn in speed and grip. They are the best sports tyre I personally have ever used. I prefer them over Pirelli's. The down side will I imagine be longevity will be sacrificed a bit for the good handling characteristics.

cheers,
davem

Stlakid · 09-14-2005

Quote:

On 2005-09-13 21:20, DaveM wrote:

You are probably right until Saigon5's comments I am not aware of any one comparing the Azaro and the Conti.

I have had three sets of Azaro's I can testify that they are good in the wet, very good grip in the dry but as said above not as sporty as some tires and I found they steer a bit slow. Longevity on azaro's is very good though.

davem

WOW! The other tires must be amazing! When I switched from the stock 020's to the Azaros I thought it felt almost scary for the first couple of miles they turned in 'So much better' than the 020's which I will never run again even though I did get GREAT mileage from them. I would be interested in anyone who has used the Conti's and the Avon's as well. I am quit happy with the Avon's, but wouldn't mind saving a little if it's still seems like a win-win deal. I currently have 7200 miles on my Avon's and they will no doubt go another 2-3k so I'm keeping an eye out for my next set.

Saigon5 · 09-14-2005

Tires are quite personnal when you think of it. I remember a seminar on tire choice and in the end the best tire is the one you have the most confidence on. I prefer a sportier profile, I am allready fighting with the luggage and the passenger to turn, I do not need to fight with the tires on top of it.

Shame on me because I did run 2 sets of Avon and I forgot to keep the mileage I did with them. I am quite sure that I did get more lileage on the Avon on the rear tire. The front will proove different since the Conti does not seem to have any intention of cupping. I had the cupping appear on the Avon at around 3 to 4 thousand miles. I can not run front Bridgestone and Dunlop, I am too poor. With those I needed 2 front tires for a back. Too expensive.

Keep in mind that different riding styles will have much effect on tire life. I have 2 friends that are both riding CBR 954 RR and one of them is allways 2000 miles shorter on his tire life.