Featured Continental Road Attack 3 Review

OsteKuste · Jul 25, 2020

As promised I want to take a few moments to give my opinion of the new version of the Conti Road Attack 3 tires. I have put just over 500 miles on them as of today, and finally got into some wet weather today.
The tires are the oem sized set mounted on my Street Cup, common to the Street Twins as well. I do believe the Contis physically measure out a bit smaller in person, but not by much. My original Pirellis were done after 7k miles, and I should have replaced them sooner. All my riding is on two lane mountain twisties and the front tire resembled a slick by the end.
My opinion of the Pirelli Phantoms is not too great, I never felt like they were settling down. Any groove or tar snake on the road and it followed it like a train on rails. I always felt a slight bounce in the front fork and thought it was poor small bump sensitivity due to the non adjustable basic design of the forks. Not confidence inspiring when in a corner at all. Wet weather traction on the tree slime covered roads did not exist, I found myself slowing to a crawl on slightly damp roads, never mind a real rain. The original tires are supposed to be a “retro” looking tire to match the styling of these bikes but I’m sorry, looks aren’t important when it’s what keeps you upright. The rear tire profile even when new is squarish, and there’s a steep lip between the tread and sidewall that gets the rear of the bike squirrelly if you are in a good lean (my pegs do hit the ground on occasion).
Riding the Contis is like night and day, so much that if I bought another bike they would go on before it left the showroom. Smooth as glass, and I can’t believe how smooth the front suspension is now that the tire isn’t beating it to death. The profile of the rear tire is a nice even curve all the way down into the sidewall, so no weird break over feeling in the corners. All in all a complete change in how the bike handles. I’d describe it as before the swap being a retro styled bike that rides the way an old bike would. Now it’s a retro styled bike that rides the way a modern bike should.
One more observation, in wet weather I was very timid before, now it doesn’t seem to matter wet or dry. These tires have not slipped yet, something the old ones did from day one when any water was encountered. Ride like you have some sense in the wet and they keep straight and true. I even hit a couple miles of gravel road today, and the bike acted like it wanted to be a scrambler, digging along without a complaint. Puts the idea in my mind to pick up a scrambler for a project bike!
Sorry for the long post, but this forum is a great source for all of us, so I felt it was worth the time.

Hobnail · Jul 26, 2020

Second your opinion on the Conti's Very satisfied with them on the Speed Triple going into my second season.

mountainstumble · Jul 26, 2020

Just fitted some on my street twin. Felt the same about the OEM tyres following any imperfections in the road or even the painted lines. These are so much better although I've only done a few hundred miles so far. Not tested in the wet yet so good to hear that they are an improvement there as well.

OsteKuste · Jul 26, 2020

I didn’t mention one small detail. The Continental manufacturing process does not use mould release on the tires. They have a fine texturing which you can see in the tires that also means no scrubbing in. They are ready to go from mile one.

OsteKuste · Jul 26, 2020

I’m thinking about dropping the tire pressure a bit as well. Triumph suggest 36 psi rear, 32 in the front. They did spec a radial and a bias ply for some odd reason with the oem tires. With the Contis both being radial and marginally smaller I’m thinking of dropping down a couple psi. Maybe 34 and 30. What have you lot been running in your Street Twin/Bonnie 100 series?

mountainstumble · Jul 26, 2020

OsteKuste said: ↑

Triumph suggest 36 psi rear, 32 in the front.
Click to expand...

The guy that fitted mine said 39 on the back and 33 on the front. Also interested to know what other people are running at with these.

OsteKuste · Jul 26, 2020

OsteKuste said: ↑

I’m thinking about dropping the tire pressure a bit as well. Triumph suggest 36 psi rear, 32 in the front. They did spec a radial and a bias ply for some odd reason with the oem tires. With the Contis both being radial and marginally smaller I’m thinking of dropping down a couple psi. Maybe 34 and 30. What have you lot been running in your Street Twin/Bonnie 100 series?
Click to expand...

Wondering what you disagree with @Helmut Visor those are the pressures quoted in my owners manual and the Haynes manual. There are also plenty of sources when the Street Twin bikes were new that state that Triumph specd the mismatched tires due to some factory testing gave them the best handling. Do you disagree with dropping the pressure? And for what reason? Please explain

Sandi T · Jul 26, 2020

OsteKuste said: ↑

As promised I want to take a few moments to give my opinion of the new version of the Conti Road Attack 3 tires. I have put just over 500 miles on them as of today, and finally got into some wet weather today.
The tires are the oem sized set mounted on my Street Cup, common to the Street Twins as well. I do believe the Contis physically measure out a bit smaller in person, but not by much. My original Pirellis were done after 7k miles, and I should have replaced them sooner. All my riding is on two lane mountain twisties and the front tire resembled a slick by the end.
My opinion of the Pirelli Phantoms is not too great, I never felt like they were settling down. Any groove or tar snake on the road and it followed it like a train on rails. I always felt a slight bounce in the front fork and thought it was poor small bump sensitivity due to the non adjustable basic design of the forks. Not confidence inspiring when in a corner at all. Wet weather traction on the tree slime covered roads did not exist, I found myself slowing to a crawl on slightly damp roads, never mind a real rain. The original tires are supposed to be a “retro” looking tire to match the styling of these bikes but I’m sorry, looks aren’t important when it’s what keeps you upright. The rear tire profile even when new is squarish, and there’s a steep lip between the tread and sidewall that gets the rear of the bike squirrelly if you are in a good lean (my pegs do hit the ground on occasion).
Riding the Contis is like night and day, so much that if I bought another bike they would go on before it left the showroom. Smooth as glass, and I can’t believe how smooth the front suspension is now that the tire isn’t beating it to death. The profile of the rear tire is a nice even curve all the way down into the sidewall, so no weird break over feeling in the corners. All in all a complete change in how the bike handles. I’d describe it as before the swap being a retro styled bike that rides the way an old bike would. Now it’s a retro styled bike that rides the way a modern bike should.
One more observation, in wet weather I was very timid before, now it doesn’t seem to matter wet or dry. These tires have not slipped yet, something the old ones did from day one when any water was encountered. Ride like you have some sense in the wet and they keep straight and true. I even hit a couple miles of gravel road today, and the bike acted like it wanted to be a scrambler, digging along without a complaint. Puts the idea in my mind to pick up a scrambler for a project bike!
Sorry for the long post, but this forum is a great source for all of us, so I felt it was worth the time.
View attachment 102609 View attachment 102608 View attachment 102607 View attachment 102606
Click to expand...

Great photos and review, OsteKuste! Thanks for sharing both. Have fun on those new tires. Looks like you've already gotten a good start on that.

Sandi T · Jul 26, 2020

Hobnail said: ↑

Second your opinion on the Conti's Very satisfied with them on the Speed Triple going into my second season.
Click to expand...

Based on OsteKuste's fine positive review of the Conti's and your satisfaction with them, Hobnail, I will definitely put them at the top of the list to consider when I'm due for new tires on my Speed Triple. Thanks for chiming in with your opinion of them.

Helmut Visor · Jul 27, 2020

OsteKuste said: ↑

Wondering what you disagree with @Helmut Visor those are the pressures quoted in my owners manual and the Haynes manual. There are also plenty of sources when the Street Twin bikes were new that state that Triumph specd the mismatched tires due to some factory testing gave them the best handling. Do you disagree with dropping the pressure? And for what reason? Please explain
Click to expand...

Sorry mate, should have clarified. Unless you are track riding then I disagree with dropping the pressures as you stated, to my mind they are too low for normal road riding although others may disagree. I have run all my sports bikes on 32/36 whilst on the road.

beerkat · Jul 31, 2020

Continental RA 3's went on my Street Twin last week and I agree with OK's detailed review, although I haven't got the pegs down (yet!) and not tried them on gravel (neither do I intend to). A definite thumbs up.

beerkat · Jul 31, 2020

Continental RA 3's went on my Street Twin last week and I agree with OK's detailed review, although I haven't got the pegs down (yet!) and not tried them on gravel (neither do I intend to). A definite thumbs up.

mountainstumble · Jul 31, 2020

beerkat said: ↑

Continental RA 3's went on my Street Twin last week and I agree with OK's detailed review, although I haven't got the pegs down (yet!) and not tried them on gravel (neither do I intend to). A definite thumbs up.
Click to expand...

What tyre pressure are you running them on?

Bad Billy · Jul 31, 2020

Helmut Visor said: ↑

Sorry mate, should have clarified. Unless you are track riding then I disagree with dropping the pressures as you stated, to my mind they are too low for normal road riding although others may disagree. I have run all my sports bikes on 32/36 whilst on the road.
Click to expand...

I agree, but the only thing I would add is go with the tyre manufacturers recommended settings for road which may vary slightly to Triumphs for the OEM tyres.
On track I was destroying rear tyres through running 28 psi cold, when I got hold of Pirelli's recommended pressures sheet I was supposed to be running at 26 psi, I now run as low as 24 psi cold depending on ambient temperature & tyre wear is much better.

beerkat · Jul 31, 2020

mountainstumble said: ↑

What tyre pressure are you running them on?
Click to expand...

Been using Triumph’s recommended pressure and no probs so far.

Lazy Greyhound · Jul 31, 2020

great review, just what i needed to hear. only just ventured into the triumph brand, got a street twin last year and just thought it was the way it was supposed to handle? i came from a sports bike background and just figured that was the norm.Less than 3000 miles on the clock, not gonna wait until the tyres need changing, just going to throw away and get these.thanks again for the review.

Wessa · Jul 31, 2020

OsteKuste said: ↑

As promised I want to take a few moments to give my opinion of the new version of the Conti Road Attack 3 tires. I have put just over 500 miles on them as of today, and finally got into some wet weather today.
The tires are the oem sized set mounted on my Street Cup, common to the Street Twins as well. I do believe the Contis physically measure out a bit smaller in person, but not by much. My original Pirellis were done after 7k miles, and I should have replaced them sooner. All my riding is on two lane mountain twisties and the front tire resembled a slick by the end.
My opinion of the Pirelli Phantoms is not too great, I never felt like they were settling down. Any groove or tar snake on the road and it followed it like a train on rails. I always felt a slight bounce in the front fork and thought it was poor small bump sensitivity due to the non adjustable basic design of the forks. Not confidence inspiring when in a corner at all. Wet weather traction on the tree slime covered roads did not exist, I found myself slowing to a crawl on slightly damp roads, never mind a real rain. The original tires are supposed to be a “retro” looking tire to match the styling of these bikes but I’m sorry, looks aren’t important when it’s what keeps you upright. The rear tire profile even when new is squarish, and there’s a steep lip between the tread and sidewall that gets the rear of the bike squirrelly if you are in a good lean (my pegs do hit the ground on occasion).
Riding the Contis is like night and day, so much that if I bought another bike they would go on before it left the showroom. Smooth as glass, and I can’t believe how smooth the front suspension is now that the tire isn’t beating it to death. The profile of the rear tire is a nice even curve all the way down into the sidewall, so no weird break over feeling in the corners. All in all a complete change in how the bike handles. I’d describe it as before the swap being a retro styled bike that rides the way an old bike would. Now it’s a retro styled bike that rides the way a modern bike should.
One more observation, in wet weather I was very timid before, now it doesn’t seem to matter wet or dry. These tires have not slipped yet, something the old ones did from day one when any water was encountered. Ride like you have some sense in the wet and they keep straight and true. I even hit a couple miles of gravel road today, and the bike acted like it wanted to be a scrambler, digging along without a complaint. Puts the idea in my mind to pick up a scrambler for a project bike!
Sorry for the long post, but this forum is a great source for all of us, so I felt it was worth the time.
View attachment 102609 View attachment 102608 View attachment 102607 View attachment 102606
Click to expand...

What a cracking write up mate, thanks for posting.......

FAT999 · Aug 3, 2020

Interesting.....I have a new Street Twin with the Pirellis but it's my first bike in nearly two decades. The Pirellis seem ok so far but I'm really just running the bike (and myself) in and haven't been out in the wet at all. General opinion seems to be that the Pirellis could be better. Will certainly look at the Contis when the time comes to replace, if not before.

Richard Goss · Oct 3, 2020

Great review that convinced me to get some Road Attack 3s fitted yesterday. Typically it was the wettest day of the year so wasn't able to put much mileage on them, but just a 15 mile ride home in horrendous conditions showed to be better than the Pirelli's, even from new they gave good confidence in the (very, very) wet and they don't follow every ridge in the road. Looking forward to getting a proper ride out on them.

beerkat · Oct 3, 2020

A couple of weeks ago I took my Street Twin, recently fitted with Conti RA3's, from Manchester to Land's End, then back up through Wales, Yorkshire, the Lake District and eventually Scotland to John O'Groats during the Great Malle Rally, a total of 2021 miles. We encountered all weathers, including driving rain. The tyres performed faultlessly. Far more confidence inspiring than the OEM Pirellis.

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