Conti RoadAttack suggestions.

[kevin_stevens]

Decided to try a set on my ZX-14, since the Pilot Road 2s aren't here yet.  They're on the way, any comments or suggestions from people with experience?  I've heard they like lots of pressure, and that the fronts particularly wear like iron.  Issues with the ZX weight/power?  Will they be appropriate for the occasional slow trackday?  Can you read the name from the tread in the paste of the squirrel you hit with them?

KeS

[servicerifle]

I don't have experience with them on a ZX-14, but on a Triumph Sprint.  Since you didn't complete your profile, I don't know where you live, so info about tire wear there might vary.

In NC/VA/TN the tires stick VERY well on corners, I've never felt them slip, and run the rear at 40 and the front at 36.  Every person I know with the Conti RA on the front gets pretty bad cupping on the sides if you do twisties a lot.  I'm on my third RA front (I think...I've lost count) and they all did the same thing.  The front will last about 8k I think, and the rear about 6k, maybe.

They'll spin very easily when cold, but doesn't everything?

[Lawn Dart]

I was never happy with Conti RA's.  However my understanding is that they run best on high pressures.

[kevin_stevens]

I don't have experience with them on a ZX-14, but on a Triumph Sprint.  Since you didn't complete your profile, I don't know where you live, so info about tire wear there might vary.

In NC/VA/TN the tires stick VERY well on corners, I've never felt them slip, and run the rear at 40 and the front at 36.  Every person I know with the Conti RA on the front gets pretty bad cupping on the sides if you do twisties a lot.  I'm on my third RA front (I think...I've lost count) and they all did the same thing.  The front will last about 8k I think, and the rear about 6k, maybe.

They'll spin very easily when cold, but doesn't everything?

Actually no, I'm kind of spoiled by Metzeler M3/M1s working so well cold, but these can't be worse than the stock BT014s.  Was the cupping issue supposedly addressed by the whole reverse-the-front sidewall marking debate?

36/40 is about what I run for normal cold pressures on the street, that doesn't sound especially high to me.

And I did fill in my profile location, very accurately - though apparently not to your satisfaction.

Thanks for the info.

KeS

[kevin_stevens]

I was never happy with Conti RA's.  However my understanding is that they run best on high pressures.

One of the reasons I wanted to try them is that there seems to be a strong difference of opinion about the tires; people seem to really like or dislike them.  This is a good opportunity for me, as what I *really* want to try are the new Pilot Roads.  So if I don't like these, I'll just take them to a trackday and burn them up when the Michelins become available.  ZX-14s are good at eliminating undesirable tires.  

Can you articulate what you weren't happy about, so I can compare?  Also an example of a tire you like would be useful info.  Tx!

KeS

[throttlemeister]

The new MPR2 are a great tire. Excellent grip wet or dry, pretty good wear and good handling.

As far as the Conti RA, put me in the dislike camp. They have excellent grip when it is warm and dry, but if it is cold they slide quite a lot (though in a predictible, somewhat fun way). In the wet, they are the worst tire I have ever had. To me, it was like riding on ice. Zero trust. Sliding fronts and rears. YMMV

[maddjack]

I ran a couple of sets on my Speed triple,they like some where around 36 psi front/40 rear.I didn't get the cupping on my front,maybe my suspension setup(settings) is different .i got decent wear ,no issues ,good wet performance ( I qualify for submarine dolphins  ).I have run (all the following ST rubber on this bike) bridgestones(garbage),Avons (good) Metzler Z6 (good) The Conti's are softer IMHO .I have heard thatthere is a RA for higher HP bikes ,you may want to research this.
As far as the temp thing ,well My experiance was different,I ran to ESTN in temps from 35 to 48 degrees in rain and drizzle and never once had an issue ,running West Virginia twistys for a solid day and i didn't take it easy on that ride

[BobW]

SR, I guess he told you Shame on you for not being a mind reader. I'm guessing a rider in Florida might have criteria for wear that is different than one always riding twisty mountain roads so your comment on location made sense to me.  

Cheers
Bob

[JoelCool]

Do a search - you'll find a very detailed review of the R/A by BMW-K.  I ran about 4 sets of them and liked them on my R1.  They did seem to loose some feel toward the end of life - other than that, no real issues.

[kevin_stevens]

SR, I guess he told you Shame on you for not being a mind reader. I'm guessing a rider in Florida might have criteria for wear that is different than one always riding twisty mountain roads so your comment on location made sense to me.  

Cheers
Bob

And how would my location assist him in providing information?  Does he have an abrasion chart for every highway in the world?  No, all he can speak to in any case is his locale, not mine.  I thanked him for the input, but he can go build his own soapbox to preach from.

KeS

[Lawn Dart]

All three pages of my review can be found on my website:  http://www.lengtheningshadows.com/Contiroadattack.html

Joel and I split on the RA's - he loved them, I hated them.  Could be the bike, could be the rider.    IMO, they were very good in the dry, very flickable and their odd shoulder profiles encouraged lots of lean.  On the other hand they scared the ever living piss out of me in the wet (Joel had good luck in the wet) to the point where when I got home I couldn't get them off the bike fast enough.  

Anyway, different strokes.  Z6's work great for my money.

BTW, I got 4,000 out of the RA's and the rear was flat out toast.  The front showed no signs of cupping at all.  But then again it could well not appear until later in the life of the tires.  I replace fronts with rears religiously so I may never reach the reported cupping issues.

[kevin_stevens]

The new MPR2 are a great tire. Excellent grip wet or dry, pretty good wear and good handling.

Good to hear, I wish they were available here in the States yet, but I can't wait (supposed to be September, I'll be through another set by then).  One negative I've heard about the Pilot Powers in general has been abrupt breakaway at the limit, do you find that in the PR2, since it's more Power-ish?

KeS

[kevin_stevens]

Do a search - you'll find a very detailed review of the R/A by BMW-K.  I ran about 4 sets of them and liked them on my R1.  They did seem to loose some feel toward the end of life - other than that, no real issues.

Thanks, I did actually search before starting this thread, and didn't turn that up - but he's posted a link below, so life is good!  Appreciate it.

KeS

[maddjack]

I think BMW-K "s comment different rider,different bike" is spot on. Every one is different.One thing I belive in is that when tire comparing the motorcycle that the tire was on is very important.If you look at the type of machine/riders that like RA's you will see Triumphs represented a lot,and in the Conti advertisements they used a Speed triple. So perhaps it is a tire well suited to an inline 3 of this type,it may totally suck on a large bore I 4.I would quizz other ZX-14 owners on what is working for them.Or at least stay on the large bore I-4's 1200 and up. just an observation and comment ,not criticizing anyone
Which is what you asked at the first post  after I reread it

[kevin_stevens]

I think BMW-K "s comment different rider,different bike" is spot on. Every one is different.One thing I belive in is that when tire comparing the motorcycle that the tire was on is very important.If you look at the type of machine/riders that like RA's you will see Triumphs represented a lot,and in the Conti advertisements they used a Speed triple. So perhaps it is a tire well suited to an inline 3 of this type,it may totally suck on a large bore I 4.I would quizz other ZX-14 owners on what is working for them.Or at least stay on the large bore I-4's 1200 and up. just an observation and comment ,not criticizing anyone
Which is what you asked at the first post  after I reread it

True, and you see even in the thread that there's a lot of contrasting opinion, moreso than you usually see on a particular tire.  That points to either a machine or rider taste dependency.

Many of the ZX guys are fans of the Avon Storm; probably the fact that one of the major forums sites is a dealer influences that.  That was the other tire I was going to try, but price and availability dictated I try the Contis first.

I've gotten a lot of good input on this thread, I'll be sure to post back when they're mounted and I have a qualified opinion of my own.  

KeS

[servicerifle]

And how would my location assist him in providing information?  Does he have an abrasion chart for every highway in the world?  No, all he can speak to in any case is his locale, not mine.  I thanked him for the input, but he can go build his own soapbox to preach from.

KeS

Because if you live in Nebraska, or Florida, or some other flat place with straight roads you maybe be SORELY disapointed with the RA's as they disentigrate pretty fast on straight road riding.  Tire choce IS to a large degree use and location dependent.  I ride in the Appalachian mountains nearly exclusively.  I hardly even ride to work, saving my tires for every weekend in the mountains...partially because of just what I said, they melt on interstates.  My question about your location and my criticism of your profile information remain valid.

[servicerifle]

SR, I guess he told you Shame on you for not being a mind reader. I'm guessing a rider in Florida might have criteria for wear that is different than one always riding twisty mountain roads so your comment on location made sense to me.  

Cheers
Bob

Bob, I'm glad it made sense to someone who understands the difference.  

[kevin_stevens]

Because if you live in Nebraska, or Florida, or some other flat place with straight roads you maybe be SORELY disapointed with the RA's as they disentigrate pretty fast on straight road riding.

Note how you could have said that with absolutely no knowledge of my location, and been done with it.  And that knowing I live within five miles of two interstates, and within ten of some of the best mountain roads in America, *still* gives you no idea of what my riding profile is like.

So you could have volunteered the information, or asked the *relevant* question; but instead of either of those productive approaches, you prefer to sit and grind your axe.

(shrug)  So be it.  Not really interested in your peccadillos, and I've already thanked you for the pertinent info.  Later.

KeS

[HipGnosis]

I got 10K from my rear R.A.

It was a Great tire in the rain.

[throttlemeister]

Good to hear, I wish they were available here in the States yet, but I can't wait (supposed to be September, I'll be through another set by then).  One negative I've heard about the Pilot Powers in general has been abrupt breakaway at the limit, do you find that in the PR2, since it's more Power-ish?

KeS

I have indeed experienced that with the MPP, but I have not with the MPR2. In fact, I have had a hard time making the MPR2 slide at all. Only when being really ham-fisted on cold tires they want to slide, and even then it was more like a bit of squirming than really stepping out. I am very impressed with these. The only thing I don't like about them is their flatter touring profile, as I prefer the more agile (or nervous, depending on your view) profile of true sports tires.

[MK96xj]

I absolutly love the RA's. They have mad stick in the dry and i run them to the side wall regularly. I have only had one time where they slipped in the dry and that was likely due to my grab of too much throttle in a full lean. They slip however was very predictable and ridden out.

In the rain they are OK and i have pushed them to the point of slide just to get an idea of how far they would go. i have about 5K on them now with plenty more milage in them. I run 36 up front and 42 in the rear as specified by Kawi.

The front i have is mounted with the reverse tread as per Conti. I contacted Conti on this before mounting. I posted their comments in my post on the RA's in the past.

My guess is that the ZX14 will eat the rear before the front for the obvious power. But this would likely be the case for any tire.

I will definatly get another set.

The original Dunlops that came on the bike were absolute shit.

Mike

[Req]

I ran RoadATTACK!!!!1111s on my Vstrom 1K when I was using it for solely-pavement running.  I had the tires on for about 7 months and never once had an opinion about them, either for good or bad.  They seemed to be "eh" in every way.  They never dumped me or even slipped, and seemed to hold pretty well even in the wet (and in Seattle winters we have a lot of wet) but they weren't supremely confidence-inspiring the way I remember my Z6s being.  Turn-in was good, better than the Deathwings that were on before, but not great.  They did give the Strom a bit of a wobble at 75+ which was somewhat unnerving, but I suspect that's more a feature of the bike than the tire.

Now that I've gone to Anakees, I'm realizing that the RAs had one really great feature - they completely ignored tar snakes.  Honestly, until I had the Anakees on, I had never even considered avoiding tar snakes while cornering, because the RAs changed not a whit when I hit them.  Anakees, not so much.

edit: you might ping Galo about RAs.  He had a really great experience with them, I believe.

[kevin_stevens]

These original Dunlops that came on the bike were absolute shit. I will definatly get another set.

Mike

I get your intent, but  

KeS

[MK96xj]

I get your intent, but  

KeS

Fix that Thanks. Makes more sense now.

[K2D2]

I would listen to SR's suggestions.  I read his "Super Tramp" tour front to back.  This guy rode practically cross country and has seen some road surfaces.  

But then again, who am I?

[kevin_stevens]

Initial observations:

- Installed a week ago, 3600 miles on the ZX, 36/40psi.

- I haven't gotten them fully scrubbed (busy week), but the right side rear is down to about a quarter inch strip.  It's safe to say at this point that the issue I had with the stock BattleAx BT014s, with the front tire running out of tread before the rear, will not be the case with these tires, as the fronts are nowhere near the tread edge.  No idea what was going on with the Bridgestones, but I'm very pleased to not have to worry about that.

- These tires feel very different front/rear to me.  The front is very stable, stuck everywhere, and has an interesting kind of gyroscopic feel when leaning - it is so very neutral that there is not a particular feel of turn in or indication of lean angle.  The bike feels exactly the same straight up or leaned to any degree.  I like it, but see how some may find it unsettling.

- The rear is less impressive to me, it definitely tells you when the bike is leaned over, and feels somewhat squirmy.  At this point that just may be lack of scuffing and whisker removal; I'll have a better idea next week.

Overall, very comfortable ride, very light-handling tires; I think the front feels neutral rather than the "falling off a cliff" feel others have reported.  Feels very odd front/back, like I have mismatched tires.

More later...

KeS

[Galo]

I had them and replaced the first set with another, that's how much I like them. They wear well under normal conditions (more on this this later),  are soft-riding and I have never lost grip on them, including some very hairy, full-on cutting and thrusting during the last WCRM on Highways 36, 96, 1, et al.

Now, that said, if you push them hard (really hard), they wear pretty quickly.....see pic below of front tire after some 400 miles of hard (I mean HARD) twisties.  This tire left for the WCRM with 5000 miles on it and it was perfect.....doesnt quite look that way after honking a full-loaded Sprint ST for several hundred miles. It looked worse when I got back, after more Highway 36 hooliganism.

Still, this was after almost 6500 miles....

[maddjack]

I still like road attacks best for me,I have a set of Z6's on now,while they are a very good tire ,they are not as good grip wise or wet wise as the RA"S were.Next set will either be another set of the conti's or maybe I will try the new avons.
I agree that if you hammer the RA's they wear a tad quicker,but then again doesn't every tire?