Continental has won the retro bike category in tire tests conducted by German trade magazine Motorrad, with a combination of its ContiRoadAttack 3 CR (front) and ContiRoadAttack 4 (rear) triumphing in the competition.
The ContiRoadAttack 3 CR, built with a radial carcass, is designed for classic sports bikes and superbikes, emphasizing stable handling even on narrow wheels. The ContiRoadAttack 4 blends the characteristics of a touring tire with the responsiveness of a sport tire and has been introduced as original equipment for modern models such as the BMW R 12 nineT, while also serving as an upgrade option for older motorcycles, where it can enhance both agility and stability.
Retro motorcycles are gaining popularity, with most major brands now offering models that combine modern technology, such as ABS and traction control, with classic styling. While less focused on extreme performance, riders still expect safety and agility. To find the best tire for this segment, Motorrad conducted a comparison test on a Triumph Bonneville T120 with five competing models.
A Continental combination
In Motorrad’s test, the Continental tire combination came out top across the criteria on country roads, including handling, steering precision, stability, grip and cornering. It also excelled in wet conditions, showing strong results in braking distance, speed, lean angle and lap times.
The Motorrad team said, “Confidence makes you fast and, above all, safe! The Conti combination of RoadAttack 3 CR and RoadAttack 4 is the high-flying rubber for the Triumph. The sport handling comes ‘free of charge’ alongside the best riding characteristics in wet and dry conditions.”
Radial technology
Both winning tires use modern radial construction. The belt under the tread enables high stability and reduces centrifugal force deformation at high speeds. While a comparable bias tire grows by about 2cm in diameter at 210km/h, a radial tire expands by only a few millimeters. The result is higher high-speed stability, less heat build-up in the sidewall and consistent performance.
“Radial tires bring modern riding dynamics to classic motorcycles – recognizable by the ‘R’ in the size designation. Retro bikes with classic tire dimensions in particular benefit enormously from this technology,” said Sagren Nair, product manager for motorcycle tires at Continental.
“The test victory confirms our consistent development work for classic motorcycles and retro bikes. We offer maximum safety and precise handling without compromising the authenticity of the vehicles,” he said.
“Whether it’s an authentic classic or a modern retro interpretation, we have the right tires for the character and requirements of every motorcycle.”
In related news, Yokohama Rubber to supply Geolandar tires to Extreme H World Cup
