Featured Continental Road Attack 3 Review

Discussion in 'Tyres' started by OsteKuste, Jul 25, 2020.

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  1. BATEBY45

    BATEBY45 Well-Known Member

    Apr 29, 2014
    619
    93
    Hi all, recently fitted RA3's to my 900 Trophy, I run 36 front and 41 rear and they ride really well even in todays monsoon on dual carriageways, roundabouts and Leicester city, and towing a trailer.
     
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  2. BigCLM

    BigCLM Senior Member

    Nov 30, 2017
    1,017
    243
    San Rafael, CA
    The stock Pirelli back tire on my Street Twin still has plenty of tread depth, however, I just got a huge nail in the tire the other day. So now I am forced to get a new rear tire. Due to positive reviews I will go for the Cont Road Attack 3. Super excited.
     
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  3. Royston Jones

    Royston Jones Member
    Subscriber

    Jul 2, 2020
    28
    18
    Strensall York
    Great review. I Could not wait to get my Pirellis off my Street Twin. Conti Road Attack 3 all day long. Confidence in their ability to keep you safe is certainly part of their DNA. Quite a few people have changed to Contis after experiencing slips with the stock tyre, Pirelli. Love them.
     
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  4. OsteKuste

    OsteKuste Intergalactic Warlord
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    Oct 22, 2017
    2,197
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    Tennessee, United States
    Just wanted to give an update on the Contis. I’ve got a couple thousand miles on them now, slowing down over the winter. I’ve done some fairly cold days on the bike, down to 34f. Tires still seem to grip well even in the cold weather, and still riding with recommended pressures front and rear. Both front and rear are wearing evenly and as much as expected. I did do a quite spirited run up a local mountain road in late fall when temps had still hit the 90s, and the tires got so sticky they had road grit and gravel sticking to them after a good run. I do tend to push the Cup to its limits, so that might not be normal. This does make me think these tires might have a major meltdown if you tried a track day with them, but that’s not really what they are made for. I will definitely be buying these as long as they make them.
     
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  5. OsteKuste

    OsteKuste Intergalactic Warlord
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    Oct 22, 2017
    2,197
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    Tennessee, United States
    Ready to share another update on the Contis. With a bit more riding (and sometimes not checking the pressure) I started noticing a bit of feathering on the outside thirds of the rear tire, like the tread had raised lip from front to back of the sipe. The front had started to get a wavy up and down profile between the center treads as well. I have run a few trips loaded with camping gear. I felt that maybe the recommended pressures for oem fitted rubber might be low, so I started running 40 psi in the rear, and 36 in the front. This is an increase of 4 psi in both. After several good rides the tread is evening back out on both front and rear to the point I can’t see much evidence at this point. I will continue to run this pressure riding light and packed with gear the rest of the season unless I see a change for the worse. I may only drop a bit of pressure on the blistering hot summer days we will have later. More details as I see them, but so far these tyres will be on my bike as long as they make them.
    Cheers
     
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  6. OsteKuste

    OsteKuste Intergalactic Warlord
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    Oct 22, 2017
    2,197
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    Tennessee, United States
    Another update. Summer riding has gone well with the Contis. The adjustment in air pressures have done well, wear is back to normal and even. It also looks like I will get decent mileage out of these tires if current rate of wear continues. So far I would definitely buy a second pair, although I wouldn’t mind trying a set of Avon’s for comparison.
     
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  7. robert moore

    robert moore Nobby

    Jul 4, 2021
    204
    93
    Malvern Hills
    A great thread and totally agree with the opinions and experience riders write about as I also find it difficult to understand the choice of OEM Pirellis. Come payday I will change mine but what I cant fathom and would like to know is why Triumph made such a choice. Surely their test riders experienced the same as us so why did they proceed with such a choice that could put so many buyers off?

    Has anyone had an answer from Triumph as to their reasons and choice of tyre, which cant be costs?
     
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  8. OsteKuste

    OsteKuste Intergalactic Warlord
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    Oct 22, 2017
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    I believe the reason of choice was to find a modern tire with as close to a retro look as they could find. The fact that they tested enough to determine that a mix of radial and bias tires would handle best shows that they tried to do a decent job of it. The problem arose I believe because the factory does not test the tires through the whole life span. Mine were fine until I got to about half the tread, then they were terrible. Always shite in the wet, though. This is what happens when form goes ahead of function. I don’t mind riding a retro “looking” bike, but the important bits that keep my arse off the tarmac better be good. Using this same logic, Triumph should lace up some nice chunky looking drum brake hubs and try to sell them.
     
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  9. robert moore

    robert moore Nobby

    Jul 4, 2021
    204
    93
    Malvern Hills
    Mine have just over 1k miles under their belt so whilst not new I was alarmed the first time they made by backside squeak as I had never experienced anything like it since having cross ply tyres on a car back in the 80s.
    I’m thankful our roads are pretty decent and this forum to learn and move forwards and enjoy the ride
     
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  10. beerkat

    beerkat Senior Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    840
    243
    Cheshire UK
    You have decent roads?!! Is this Malvern in the UK? Can't be :confused:
     
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  11. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
    2,008
    1,000
    Lancashire
    #31 Iceman, Oct 17, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2021
    Whilst reading this thread I see that some appear to be experiencing difficulties with Pirelli tyres on their machines, some ask why Triumph fit them as OEM, all I can say is Triumph test machines with a range of tyres and decide on the most suitable tyre at the end of the extensive testing, based on feedback from the team of test riders. My STRS came with Pirelli Supercorsa's as standard, I have been using these for a number of years primarily on Triumph's although not exclusively. Contrary to popular belief these are good in wet conditions, as long as you keep to sensible speeds, the only downside is they do not last long, mine recently went toast at 2000 miles, I replaced them a few weeks back with Metzler Racetech RRs, again these offer superb grip in warm condition and perform well in the wet. My son and myself went for a ride out yesterday, the weather turned awful with heavy rain, he was riding his Panigale 1299s running on Supercorsa's, keeping to sensible riding (and I don't mean a miss daisy approach) both the RRs and Supercorsa's handled good in the wet, the Panigale puts out 215 BHP with the full factory Akro system and other mods. I know the Street Twin is a nippy machine, however I found the OEM Pirelli tyres handled very well when I borrowed one whilst mine was in for a service, it was cold and damp on the day, but still I managed some fun riding it. Both the 1299s and STRS cleaned up and ready to go again after being covered in road mud. Ride safe all

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  12. OsteKuste

    OsteKuste Intergalactic Warlord
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    Oct 22, 2017
    2,197
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    Tennessee, United States
    The Super Corsas are quite good tires, comparing them to the Phantoms that pretty much all in this thread have or have had is like comparing a pickup truck and a Ferrari. Not even close to the same. The Phantoms were partially selected as a good “retro” looking tread pattern, as quoted in some of Triumphs own early literature on the Street Twin series. There are plenty of examples of Triumph and pretty much all manufacturers spec’ing their bikes to a certain price point as well. Look at some of the suspension components on our bikes as an example. I think price point and looks had a fair amount of influence as well as reasonable performance. We’ve been discussing the reasons we are not happy with these specific tires and possible upgrades. I’d have considered the ‘Corsas, but another issue is they are not even made in the sizes for the bikes discussed, so it’s a moot point.
     
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  13. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
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    Lancashire
    I wasn't comparing the tyres, the post was regarding peoples perspectives and experience of the OEM tyres on the Street Twin, some rate the OEMs whilst other riders find them difficult to live with, personally I found them ok, again some riders find the Supercorsa's and Metzler RRs skittish in the wet, other riders find them ok, as do I. Modern tyres today are phenomenal compared to what was OEM tyres fitted to sixties Japanese motorcycles that the more mature forum members will recall, now they did give "heart in the mouth" moments, many of us switched to British made tyres, that's not the case now as we all know, today we have tyres with multiple compound's (hard in the middle softer on the edges), fast warm up times etc etc. Hope this clarifies the post. ride safe all.
     
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