Continental TRAIL ATTACK tyres/tires ongoing test

[Two Plugs]

Originally Posted by GillaFunk

Ok....so Im ready to change out my TA's. I think I got aobut 8.5K miles out of them. Pushed them pretty hard though. Ill get some pics up this weekend.

I'm going for my 2nd set thats for sure. My wife is setting of for a 2.000 km trip in to the Northern French Vogeze mountains next Wednesday and we just replaced her Anakees for Train Attacks (on a MK1 Honda XL1000V Varadero). I'm looking forward to hear her experiences... she always admired the Anakees...

[GillaFunk]

ok....so a rear...at about 8 or 9K miles. Keep in mind I ride kinda hard (so Im told by older vetran riders) so...... it looks like there is some meat left, but once I had got tire off....yah....not so much. DO NOT run the centers down much more than I did. SEROIUS mistake if you hit a nail or rock. POP GOES THE ......

[greedymonkey]

I have a fairly new Tourance on the read of my V-Strom, but need a new front. Anybody pair a front TA with a rear Tourance? Would it be a good combo?

Thanks

[GillaFunk]

shouldnt be a biggie. I used to use a TKC front and Tourance rear. Its all about what your riding style is

[Two Plugs]

Still... I never have been a big fan of 'hybrid' tire use... Especially if you make a combination with two different brands.

It can pop out to be fairly OK though. One of the old combinations was the good, old Michelin T66X front and the Metzeler Tourance rear... But that's on a '98 MK1 Honda Varadero which doesn't like any Metzeler on the front (shimmy in the steering).

Take good notice in the Bike's manual. In some countries you could have problems if you are involved in an accident... In Germany for example you have to put your bike to an MOT every (2?) years. Your MOT will be rejected if you have 2 different brands / types of tires... whilst here in The Netherlands we don't have an MOT for bikes - only for motorcars - but you will be prosecuted if your bike is not fitted with tires recommended by the manufacturer...

Last but not least: it's a brand thing (the bikes brand I mean). A BMW GS architecture is totaly different to the architecture of an Honda XL1000V Varadero or a V-strom. Where most Beemer owners love Metzeler, I hate them under my Honda...

The Conti TA on my bike is replaced in November. Not because it was totaly down, but I ad an puncture... At 10.000 Miles (16.000 km). Just (last weekend) finished a 800 km tour under winter conditions (-5 degrees Celsius, fog, rain, snow hailstorm and some sun) and have to admitt that the Conti TA is at this moment the best tyre I use for general purpose on my Varadero. By far!

[Terlingua]

Has eney one tryed these tires on the Ktm 950 with the stock rim size? I'm sick of changeing stock tires more offten then my oil.

[TruSound]

My 08 GS came with the Trail Attack Conti's , phenomenal tires, I'll buy another set in a heartbeat !!!!!

I rode some of the fastest canyons in the mountains around L.A. today...200 plus miles, one in particular, San Francisquito Cyn allows 90+ MPH at max lean angle in a number of sweepers, fantastic tires that inspire supreme confidence on the GS. When I say max lean angle I mean no chicken strips front or rear, not even a hairline.


I've owned a bunch of sport bikes over the last 25 years... this GS is My first Beemer, WHAT A FRICKIN BIKE...this bikes capabilities on the pavement are ridiculous !!!

Some of you may think I'm full of sheep dip, full tilt 90+ on a GS...Any of you here in L.A. are welcome to join me...

[GillaFunk]

Yup, its nice to have a tire that allows you soo easily to lean the Pyg over. Just remember, once those fookers get worn out, REPLACE THEM, dont 'push them"

[Loggiebone]

Interesting thread. I've got an 08 GSA that came with the T/A's and I initially like them on the road...held great in spirited riding. My feelings have since changed. Off road...gravel fire roads...not so well. Wet mud/clay...forget it because the rear may as well have been a street only tire. This is perhaps the least effective off road tire I've been on. You can get along well with it if you are very conservative but go fast...caveat emptor!

From new the front tire had a handlebar shimmy that has progressively gotten worse as the tire has worn. No issue with balance, bent rim or out of true...it's just the tire . Now the edges of the tires generate a rumble when turned in. And since I'm in the mtns...I do a lot of "edge" riding.

Last weekend I did a 2-up ride of 1500 miles (all on pavement)in a lot of periodic and hard rain. In a straight line the tires felt fine. Tight turns resulted in a vague feeling and several slips to the point where I lost confidence in them. On one metal bridge transition plate that was also in a gentle curve it felt we were near a crash...a real freeky moment for my passenger.

There's about 4500 miles on these tires and I'll be taking them off soon. I'm going with the Tourance or Anakee...haven't decided which yet. I do too much road for TKC although I use them on my 950A. Even the Scorpions that came on the Ktoom were better than these...to me.

So...in some I'd say that my initial enthusiasm for the tire is now significantly compromised. Doubt that I'd buy another set. FWIW.

Doug

[TruSound]

My experience with these Conti's is strictly on dry pavement on a 80+ degree day, just a glance at the tread pattern would tell you that's where they'll work best, not sure why their even called trail attacks, I wouldn't want to use them in the dirt or extreme wet, they're truly amazing on the dry tarmac though.

[Rapid Dog]

...read the thread...not much talk about how these perform offroad is there?
I put Anakees on my R12, good tire, good on gravel, etc., but noisy-ass mofo's...sounds like a tractor. Maybe I shoulda got these CTA's like I wanted in the first place...

[GillaFunk]

Id stick to fire roads. Nothing too aggressive.

Its mainly a street tyre, with some grip. I hit a little sand and these things were useless.

[MagpieGoose]

Just replaced my rear Anakee 2 with a Continental TRAIL ATTACK and went for a 600 k ride on my 04 r12gs .
60% on tar, 40% in mud/gravel (rained most of the trip .... )
Set the cold pressures at 38psi on the front and 40psi on the back .

I'm very impressed with The TAs on the tar.
great turn in , very confidence inspiring on dry tar.
very good ride loaded to the hilt ,me 310lbs plus gear 40lb.
(Yeah i know "lose some weight"! ).
found I was scrapping my boots again in the tight and twisties ...

Only problem.... shitfull in the mud and sand .. mind you thats no different to the old Anakees.
(and I'm to lazy to lower my pressures in the pouring rain
while standing in the mud... I'll just slow down instead.)

Thanks for this thread..
Most of my riding is on the tar and i'm glad I changed to the TA

[Rapid Dog]

That's grand to hear mate! Got mine coming in on Thursday, off with the noisy Distanzas, on with the TA's...

[refractor]

What brought me to this thread was wasn't any experience with the Trail Attack tire. It was the great price that I saw one for. I am re-tiring my 87 Virago. I went to my usual motorcycle tire internet store (american moto tire) and found that they had front CTA tires for my bike for 52 dollars. I couldn't find the same tire for the rear so I got a Metzler touring tire.