Conti Road-Attack Tires

I've got over 8,500 miles on my Road Attacks and they are pretty much cooked now.
But I am going to buy another set. Not going to think about anything else. They are great and the prices on them are great as well. I must be an odd duck though, my front tires always wear more than the rear. Especially the left side. I guess that's from living in the norther hemisphere.. Oh and no head shake for me. Even with shot tires. I can stand on the seat and do jumping jacks.:thumbsup:

 

I have over 8500 miles on my Road Attacks and they are pretty much cooked now,
but I loved them and will buy another set asap. The prices on them are really good too.
I wear out the front a bit more than the back usually. I'm an odd duck.
Oh, and I have no headshake at all. I can stand on the seat and do jumping jacks regardless of tires.:thumbsup:

 

I will not recommend the Conti's to anyone... I too wore the front out faster than the rear... The front wore on the shoulders faster than on the center, and as a result the turn in was down right SCARY... I'd press and roll and the front end would not bite.. YIKES....

The head shake was insane once I got to 5500 miles... Just taking one hand off the bars to close my faceshield was an 'experience'...

I wish that Michelin would put out a tire like their original Pilot Sport... That tire was a great all 'round street tire. Oh Well..

I've got a set of the Pilot Road 2CT's on now and it's a little early to be singing their praises (<100 mi) but so far they are real nice...

-Stephan

P.S. TCarrol: Your avatar looks like Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) bangin' on the bass....

 

burned through 2sets of Rd attacks last yr on second front tire i did towards end of tire life have unusual tire wear on shoulders. when i took tire in to be changed found out rim was slightly bent and tech said I'm running 2 low tire pressure in front . just had a set of corsa III installed in dec back is already shot just under 4000km. they are grippie than RA and slightly better profile but almost half the mileage so much for 3 compound tires. next tires may have to be RA again. I'm beginning to think for the price they are one of the best all around tires

 

Well Folks,
This is my update. I did get near 5000 miles out of the set of Conti's. They wore evenly. The front had a few hundred miles left, but was no account in the rain, when the rear was gone. They were a good tire.
I am testing Avon Storms now. Hope to get the same milage from them. It seems that the Conti's were a fuzz better in the wet.

Mac

 

Well I have to say that I really like the Conti Road Attack tires. However, I do agree that it's not quite suitable for those more aggressive riders. The rounded profile makes it slow to turn. I had been using them for at least a year and half and the only reason I'm now on Metzeler M3's is I'm gaining more experience and I want to go faster.

If I ever wanted to go on a cross country trip I wouldn't hesitate to put Road Attacks on them. They're relatively inexpensive and have more than enough grip for highway rides.

 

I am still happy with mine after approx 2000 miles. I do notice the slower turn in but it does not bother me. I commute as well so I will sacrifice turn in for longer mileage.

 

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, drewl... I thought I would get at least 8000 miles out of the Road Attack tires, but only achieved 6500 before it was time due to wear and skiddish handling due to the front tire shoulders wearing quicker than the center rib... For reference I got 6000mi each out of the stock D204K, and two sets of Michelin Pilot Sport's before the Road Attack tires.

I know this is Michelin supplied propaganda, but the 'independent test' that was done shows the Pilot Road 2CT outperforming the Conti Road Attacks all around:

<SNIP>

BEST WET GRIP*​

1st Michelin® Pilot® Road 2​

2nd Pirelli Diablo Strada
3rd Metzeler Roadtec Z6
4th Continental Road Attack
5th Dunlop D220 ST
6th Bridgestone BT-021
7th Bridgestone BT-020



LONGEST TREAD LIFE*

1st Michelin® Pilot® Road 2
2nd Bridgestone BT-020
2nd (tie) Dunlop D220 ST
4th Pirelli Diablo Strada
5th Bridgestone BT-021(tie)Metzeler Roadtec Z6
5th (tie) Continental Road Attack

*Compared to the six leading competitors’ tires in the same market segment. Tests conducted by CERM (Centre d’Essais Routiers Mècaniques) in 2006, using tire sizes 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17.

LINK TO SOURCE: Michelin North America Motorcycle Tires

<SNIP>

I have no basis for mileage or wear yet, but according to at least one test (albeit paid for by Michelin) the PR2's SHOULD be better. The data does not quantify performance differences, but some data is better than no data.

I am more impressed with the MPR2's each mile I ride...

-Stephan

 

Interestingly enough, the Pilot Roads were my second choice but lost out due to price. Either way, I shall get more miles than the Pilot Powers I was running.

 

That little independent test has always interested me....but I really want one more comparison, and that's DRY GRIP.

I've been running Pirelli Diablo Stradas which I love..but wish there were a harder compound in the center of the tire for a bit more mileage. Question is, if the PR2's have the same dry grip, is the increased mileage worth the increase in the price in the tires? (Don't forget to figure in more tire changes and the cost associated with that as well!)

 

I am a very aggressive rider. I also teach the AMC Sport Bike course which is hell on my tires. I have 6500 miles on my RA & they are just about fried. The back is done & the front cant have more than a few hundred left in it. I have nothing but good things to say about this tire. It is 1000% better than the Dunlop 204 or 220. On one hand, I've never used the Michelin 2CT. On the other hand, I've NEVER heard a single bad thing about the 2CT. The Michelins are nearly $100 more for the set. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

OK, not to sound like a complete Michelin nut-swinger, but let me put it to you this way....

I worked at Chrysler in the SRT (formerly Viper and PVO) group as a vehicle dynamics and development engineer. It was my job to drive cars like I had stolen them, tune their suspension, select their tires, etc. etc. etc. I've worked with Michelin and Goodyear on programs such as the Viper, SRT-4, and SRT-8 lineup of products.

The Michelin tire enginerds are incredible scientists and they test test test test and test some more. They know more about how their tire constructions perform than any other tire manufacturer knows about their own. We asked for tire data - they reciprocated. We asked for the impossible construction, they delivered.

In fact, they were they only tire manufacturer to have a rapid prototyping process for the tire selection process where we could evaluate 5 tire constructions on Monday, debrief with the tire engineers at 5PM, then they went to the plant and cooked new constructions for us overnight, and delivered them back to the proving grounds (still warm) in time for the techs to mount/balance them for us to evaluate starting at 8AM... Other tire manufacturers require two or three months between groups of tires to evaluate... I think you can appreciate how incredible that advantage is when you are developing cars on an incredibly short timeline.

SO, you'll definitely pay more for Michelin tires, but in my opinion, it is money well spent. They really know the SCIENCE behind tire design, development and engineering.

My Durango wears Michelin LTX AT2's.

My SRT-4 wears BFG KDW2's. (BFG is a Michelin brand)

My VFR now wears Michelin tires again - Pilot Road 2's. I have to admit it's nice to be riding on Mr. Bib's good stuff again. I wore out 2 sets of Pilot Sports before giving the Conti Road Attacks a try.... Live and learn I guess. Should have known, I guess... They have issues with their car tires also... http://www.tiresettlement.com/

SO... those on a strict budget might shop elsewhere, but if you want the best engineered tires in the land, you should be shopping Michelins...

BTW, you can get a pair of PR2's for $322 including shipping from reputable online tire retailers.

</michelinsalespitch>

-Stephan

 

I agree the RA are a very good tire but the main difference between the R/A & the 2CT is the feel & feedback you get from the 2CT's when in attack mode, I went through 3 sets of R/A and they never let me down, but last year on a road trip I was forced to buy a a new rear and since no one really stocks the R/A I went with the 2CT, just so happens 30 miles later I was on one of the best pure railing roads ( Hwy 36 Norcal )this nation has to offer, after a little scrubbing in it was go time on this tight & technical road, almost instantaneously a big grin and near laugh came within the helmet and I couldn't believe what I had been missing at my maximum lean angle, those soft side walls offer so much feel & feedback when edge riding you'll know why you spent the extra money, to me it just comes down to if you want to spend the extra money, the one thing I do know is you won't regret it once your on the road...

 

Metzeler Z4As

My 08 VFR has Metzeler Z4As and I have 763 miles on the bike.

Can't find much in the forum with regard to reviews of these tires.

Keep them or dump them?

Thanks!

 

Your point (as well as enthusiasm) is noted. You seem to have factual evidence as to your choice of tire. If I get the 2CT's & don't like them, can I bring them to DE & have you buy them from me? :biggrin:

That said, I don't think I would use Chrysler as a reference for anything. There isn't a vehicle Chrysler makes that's worth the Michelins under it. The ONLY thing Chrysler is even remotely involved with that is worth anything is the Cummins Turbo Diesel.

Yes, I have owned several Chryslers. If you gave me a Chrysler today, I would Ebay it tomorrow.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Are you talking the Pilot Power 2CT's or the Pilot Road 2CT's ?

They are nearly the same price, but VERY different constructions of tires.

 

If you don't like the Pilot Road 2CT's, you won't have trouble finding a buyer.

Chrysler is not the same company it used to be - that's for sure... When I started there in '98, I never thought I'd leave... By 2007, I couldn't get out soon enough. The SRT group developed some of the best mainstream performance cars and trucks on the planet...

Oh and while we're taking jabs at one another, I wouldn't use the Air Force as a reference for anything. Their premier flight demonstration team can't even pull off a split S without crashing. Apparently, a wet sensor can take down a B-2. And Air Force Pilots think it's cool to 'buzz the island'... Yes, I am a USAF vet, but I don't tell many people that and I am glad I am out.

-S

 

lol, and you didn't even touch on their dominance in the aviation industry! They redesigned the tires for the Concorde after its unfortunate accident when everyone said a better tire couldn't be had... and they're the standard of the aviation industry now. Ever heard of Near Zero Growth? that's Michelin technology for you.


Your story about Chrysler fits my experience as well. My late uncle used to work as a mechanic at the Chrysler proving grounds here in Chelsea, MI and he always had good things to say about Michelin if you could afford them. (He was a cheap bastage though! lol)

 

You notice I'm not questioning anything you said about the USAF, right?


Anyway, just so we're on the same page, I just want to verify the tire you are referring to.

You are talking about the PILOT ROAD 2 correct?

Not the PILOT POWER 2CT?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

My review was based on the PP 2CT, I might not get the mileage the Road 2's get but the PP 2CT's are the closest tire I've ever felt to a pure track tire...