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Conti Road Attack 3 Opinions Wanted

17K views 51 replies 16 participants last post by  Thruxty 
#1 ·
I need new tires for my new-to-me '10 mag wheel Bonnie and have spent days searching for replacement radials in stock sizes. The 7 year old stock Metzlers, while almost new looking, are hard as rock and I find the front wheel breaking out on curves. I've run across the Continental Road Attack 3s, which offer the standard 110/70-R17 front and 130/80-R17 rear. Has anyone had any experience with these tires? I've read mixed reviews of the RA2s. I'm more concerned with traction on curves and mixed pavement than I am with longevity. Any insight appreciated. Thanks.
 
#36 ·
Spooned on a 150/70-17 and a 110/80-19 last week. Stiff sidewalls and a heavy carcass - much different than the PR4s I have run for six sets. The single downside I have found with PR4s was how compromised the ride becomes in the last 1000-1500 miles. I know next to nothing about tire construction principles, but I attribute this to how flexible the tire is from beginning to end. That said, they grip like glue up to the bitter end. It was a rather difficult decision to go the next 10K+ miles (fingers crossed) with a different make and model of tire. I have been a Michelin proponent for quite some time. Times may have changed...

The Continental Road Attack 3 is the best new tire I've had on a bike. The Traction Skin feature is no gimmick - push these a bit and you're rewarded with a tire that has 'broken-in' grip from the jump. I like the profile of these tires. They are a like a V-bottomed-U. I suspect that this contributes to longevity. Turn-in is quicker than a new PR4. The PR4s are nearly perfectly round in profile, which is feels pretty neutral.

I will update over time.
 
#37 ·
I had another opportunity to push these today. To those in the Los Angeles area know Little Tujunga Canyon Road, then you may understand the even-change road surface, off-camber corners, decreasing radius corners, blind corners, and fast 'straights' that often lead to the aforementioned three... A real treat! I subscribe to the theory that 7/10ths riding is all I need on public roads. I've done the 9/10ths on public and 10/10ths on the track. Not interested in pushing it any longer.

These tires feel and respond amazingly well. What I'm beginning to understand is that the RA3s are better suited for the weight and purpose (huh?) of the Bonneville frame than the PR4s. In fact, I am reminded of the PR3s, which I liked very much when they were available. I did not feel as if I was using as much effort during transitions and trail braking. Although they are a heavier tire new than the PR4s, the RA3s felt lighter in this scenario. They also dealt with what little garbage I found on the road surface well.

More to come.
 
#39 ·
Questions for the experienced:
do we need to bother to make adjustments to the speedometer calibration by going to 150/70-17?
Some say that a 110/80-19 in the front would turn a little slower than stock size, but with much better rubber like these modern Continentals or Michelins, wouldn't the bike feel improve by going to a 110/80-19 radial in the front?
Thanks for the comments on the road attack 3s!
 
#40 ·
A 150/70-17 is approximately 0.1" taller than a 130/80-17. I wouldn't bother. I'm sure you can find someone on this forum that would/will.

I would tend to believe that most folks will feel a larger difference in the profile of a tire before they feel a 10% increase in width. Not really apples to apples, however.
 
#41 ·
Put 300+miles on a new set of Conti Road Attack 3's yesterday in the mountains of TN,SWVa, and NC. They did awesome, no wet pavement yesterday, but look like they should be good in rain. Previous tires were Mich. Pilot Activ's, Sport Demon's, and stock Metzler's. Only time will tell how longlasting they are.
 
#42 ·
Another update:

Holding up well after a few thousand miles. The only downside appears to be their proclivity to wander on rain grooves, and rain groves on freeways in Southern California are pretty brutal. So... I stay off the slab. It's not really an issue, only an observation. Never experienced this with the Pilot Road series, but I have with other tires on these bikes.

Oh, and the rear feels pretty awful to me above 38 psi. Hard, but not at all skittish. I have run the front between 30 and 33 psi for experiment's sake. 32-33 seems pretty good. Both front and rear do have very stiff sidewalls, so I bet they can take lower pressure just fine.
 
#43 ·
I run my tires 32-33 Front and 37-38 Rear, only increase if with a passenger. I wasn't a fan of the stock Metz, loved the Sport Demon's for grip but not longevity. I liked the Activ's for longevity and rain handling. The RA 3's seem to grip as good as SD's,hopefully they will last longer and handle rain.
 
#46 · (Edited)
I have made the switch to larger tires, and while you don't have to, it made sense to me to go tubeless. All good after a couple of years of riding. Easier to repair, should they puncture, without the need to remove the tire from the rim.
 
#49 ·
2013 Thruxton Still running stock Metzlers. Which I don’t really care for.

I'm used to sport bikes and sport tourers running Michelin pilot powers for years.

looking at the Conti Road Attack 3s in front 110/80zr18, rear 150/70zr17s or
doing front in the Conti and rear in the Michelin Road 5.

care the most about grip/handling and good wet performance then mileage but also don’t want to have to replace them in a few thousand miles.
 
#50 ·
May want to consider Pirelli Angel GTs too. Working well on my 2013 Thruxton, along with tubeless conversion. Same sizes as you indicate!
 
#52 ·
Above is my write-up, Part 2 is specific to the Angels, and many more have commented regarding experience with these tires on this forum too!
 
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