Welcome to the premier gear site, where speed meets excellence. Today, we are unveiling the Continental Conti Road Attack 4. For an in-depth review of the Road Attack 4s, stay tuned. If you’re considering buying a set of Continental tires, we’d be honored if you choose to purchase through speed addicts.com. To make your purchase or explore other gear and parts essential for your two-wheeled journey, there’s a convenient link in the description below.
The Legacy of Continental Tires
Did you know that Continental Tires stands as the oldest tire manufacturer still operating today? Rooted in Germany, this legacy brand ensures that each of their Road Attack 4 tires is handcrafted with precision. A testament to their commitment to quality and innovation, Continental boasts a state-of-the-art test track. Located in Texas, the Nine Mile Loop Proving Grounds is where rigorous R&D activities take place, ensuring every tire meets the highest standards of performance.
The Rise in Popularity
Over recent years, with supply chain challenges affecting the industry, many riders who previously preferred brands like Dunlop, Metzler, or Michelin have transitioned to Continental. The feedback? Overwhelmingly positive. Reorders have surged, highlighting the satisfaction and trust riders have developed for the brand. If you’ve never experienced the Continental difference, the Road Attack 3 and 4 series might just be the perfect starting point for you.
What Sets the Road Attack Series Apart?
The Continental Road Attack series, especially the third and fourth iterations, are renowned for their balance of performance, durability, and ride comfort. With advanced rubber compounds and innovative tread designs, they offer optimal grip on both dry and wet surfaces. But it’s not just about performance; it’s about the legacy of Continental’s commitment to excellence and their continual efforts to push the boundaries in tire technology. If you’re looking for a tire that is backed by years of research, development, and rider feedback, the Road Attack series is a prime choice.
The Legacy of the ContiRoadAttack Series
Continental’s Road Attack series has been a standout performer in the world of motorcycle tires. The Road Attack 3, in particular, earned accolades and admiration from riders worldwide. Recognized as an impeccable sport touring and adventure tire, it featured innovative design elements like self-cleaning grooves extending all the way to the tire’s edge. Notably, it came equipped with 18 and 19-inch front wheels, especially tailored for adventure touring motorcycles. But, as technology advances and needs change, how does the Road Attack 4 measure up against its predecessor?
ContiRoadAttack 4: What Sets It Apart?
While the Road Attack 3 made a significant mark in the industry, the Road Attack 4 ventures into a slightly different territory. Touted as a hyper-touring tire, it adeptly bridges the gap between the famed Road Attack 3 and Continental’s sport touring offerings. With only 17-inch configurations available, the Road Attack 4’s design reveals some notable differences. For instance, unlike its predecessor, the grooves on this tire don’t extend all the way to the shoulder, opting for a more slick surface. This design change aims to enhance performance, especially during aggressive cornering, while maintaining robust wet weather traction. In essence, it’s a tire tailored for riders who don’t shy away from hitting the road, come rain or shine.
Who Should Opt for the ContiRoadAttack 4?
The Road Attack 4 shines as an all-weather tire, making it a prime choice for regular commuters or those who don’t restrict their rides to clear skies. If you’re a rider who occasionally faces wet roads or wants a tire to depend on throughout the year, the Road Attack 4 should be on your radar.
However, for enthusiasts who primarily indulge in blue sky canyon carving over the weekends, the Sport Attack might be a better fit, offering fewer grooves and superior cornering dynamics. In terms of dimensions, the Road Attack 4’s 17-inch fronts come in a 120 width. As for the rear, options range from 160s to 190s.
Pricing, Availability, and Unique Features
While tire prices can be dynamic, the current MSRP for the Road Attack 4 fronts hovers around $270. Rear tires, depending on the size, can be priced between $330 to $384. However, at Speed Ax, we’re always striving to provide competitive pricing, ensuring value for every dollar spent. We also leverage our expansive network of over 15 warehouses across the U.S., ensuring rapid delivery. And yes, shipping is on us! Next time you’re in the market for new tires, give Speed Ax a chance, and experience the difference firsthand. Another standout feature of many Continental tires, including this series, is the multi-grip technology. It’s an ingenious process where a single compound tread undergoes varying curing temperatures and durations. The outcome? A harder central portion for extended mileage and softer shoulders for enhanced grip – a fusion of durability and performance.
Tire Construction: A Comparison
The art of tire manufacturing is complex, and brands take various approaches to achieve performance, durability, and safety. A common practice among many brands is to use multiple pieces in tire construction, joining them for the final product. However, this method can sometimes lead to decreased performance over time. Users have reported feeling a noticeable transition between the high-mileage backbone and the softer shoulders of the tire. Such inconsistencies can make the tire’s response less predictable during its lifespan.
Continental’s Multi-Grip Technology
In contrast, Continental employs its unique multi-grip technology, ensuring consistent performance across the tire’s surface. The technology eliminates the need for multiple pieces, resulting in a more uniform ride. A significant feature to note in the Road Attack 4, in comparison to its predecessor, the Road Attack 3, is the slick shoulder design. The absence of grooves extending to the shoulder guarantees enhanced cornering grip, giving riders more confidence in turns. Additionally, Continental’s grip limit feedback technology is a pioneering feature. It’s designed to provide riders with tangible feedback during high-angle turns, signaling when the tire is nearing its performance limit with a subtle shimmy. This innovative feedback mechanism acts as an in-built safety feature, alerting riders when they’re pushing the boundaries too far.
The Art of Cornering: Compound and Design
Continental’s focus on cornering dynamics is evident in the upgrades they’ve made over the Road Attack 3. The new compound promises enhanced wet weather performance and a faster warm-up time. A closer inspection of the tread pattern reveals its all-season groove design, which is markedly more aggressive than that of the Sport Attack 4. Especially intriguing is the intentional lack of grooves down the tire’s center. This design choice contributes to a quieter ride during straight highway cruises. The front tread pattern displays slightly more grooving, a necessary feature since the front tire is primarily responsible for displacing water and ensuring a stable grip during wet conditions.
Rain Grip Technology and Stability at High Speeds
Ensuring a tire performs optimally in wet conditions is a challenge that Continental rises to with their rain grip technology. The tire’s compound is rich in silica, enabling it to engage with the asphalt on a microscopic level, whether wet or dry. Furthermore, beneath the tread lies Continental’s zero-degree belt system. As tires rotate at high speeds, they tend to expand. This zero-degree belt system combats that tendency, ensuring the tire remains stable and provides riders with a consistent feel, even at elevated speeds.
The Distinctive Matte Finish
Continental Tires stands out in the market with its unique visual appeal.
Observing the tire closely, one can’t help but notice its matte finish. Unlike other brands, where fresh tires exhibit a shiny appearance, Continental veers away from this norm. But this difference is not merely aesthetic. The matte finish of the tire has functional implications that directly benefit riders, especially during their initial rides with a brand-new tire.
Traction Skin Technology: Revolutionizing the Break-In Period
The glossy appearance of new tires from other brands isn’t just about looks. The shine often indicates the presence of release agents used during the manufacturing process, which can make the tire slippery during its initial usage. This necessitates a longer and often precarious break-in period for the rider. Continental, with its focus on rider safety, employs the ‘Traction Skin Technology’. This ensures that no release agent is used when removing the tire from its mold. The result? A significantly reduced break-in period, ensuring safer rides right from the start.
Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program
Beyond the tangible product, Continental values the post-purchase experience of its customers. This commitment to rider safety and convenience is epitomized by their three-year roadside assistance program. Should riders experience a flat tire, Continental offers a complimentary pick-up service. All one needs to do is register their purchase on the Continental website, and the brand ensures support during unforeseen flat tire incidents, at no additional cost, for a span of three years.
The Road Attack 4: A Hyper Touring Marvel
Diving deeper into the offerings of Continental, the Road Attack 4 emerges as a compelling product in the hyper touring category. Tailored for sport touring machines, this tire is not designed to sit idle in the garage. It beckons riders to take on challenges, irrespective of weather conditions. Its features and technology promise not only performance but also safety and reliability.
Conclusion
The realm of tire manufacturing is flooded with brands vying for attention, but Continental Tires has consistently showcased its commitment to innovation, safety, and rider experience. The matte finish, indicative of the groundbreaking Traction Skin Technology, epitomizes the brand’s approach to ensuring rider safety from the get-go. The added peace of mind offered by the three-year roadside assistance program further cements Continental’s position as a brand that genuinely cares about its customers post-purchase. The Road Attack 4, with its slew of features, stands as a testament to the brand’s expertise in delivering top-notch products. It’s not just a tire; it’s an invitation to embrace the road, come rain or shine.