Tire review: Continental Conti Motion Sport Touring

[et]

For the past several years I have been using Continental Road Attacks.
But this past July I was short on $$ and needed new tires.
With a set of Road Attacks being almost $300 and a set of Continental Conti Motions costing ~$175.
I thought I'd give a set of Conti Motions a try.

Since I could not find many reviews on the Conti Motions back in July or now.
And mine now have 8,500 miles on them.
I thought I'd give a brief review of them.
Details:

• Motorcycle: '00 GSXR-750
• Type of Riding: Primarily commuting
• Commute type: Mixture of interstate and two lane county roads
• To work: 65 miles all Interstate.
• From work: 80 miles 99% two lane county roads.
• Speeds: It's a GSXR; how the hell do you think I'm riding ?  

The Conti Motions handle nearly identical to the Road Attacks. They were neither too fast or too slow steering. And felt neutral once in a corner.
In the dry I could not tell any difference between these Conti Motions and Road Attacks.
But they appear to have a slightly harder compound. And may possibly not stick as well as the Road Attacks in the wet.
There have been a couple of times when the rear gave way in the wet.
But it slipped so little and so briefly it could have just been me riding over some road debris; such as a stone or stick.
With Winter coming upon us. I'll have to see how they are in cold weather.

But with this 60, 50, and 40 degree fall weather we've been having in the Mid Atlantic states.
They been performing very well. No sliding; yet.

Here's what they look like after 8,500 miles:








The front tire looks rather good for 8,500 miles.
Any other sport-touring tire I've used would have shown some cupping and squaring-off by now.
And I'm guessing there should no problem getting 10,000+ miles.
The most miles I think I ever got out of a set of Road Attacks was ~12,000 miles.
And that was with them handling like crap the last 6,000 of those.

But with that stupid no-tread-in-the-middle. It's hard to tell how many miles are left in that rear.
It may be less than 1,000 or it may be another 4,000+. I don't know.
But with all other tires I've used. With the exception of Tomahawks; I've always had front and rear need replacing at the same time.

I will probably be buying another set of Conti Motions when these need replacing.

--ET

[Mastros2]

A good friend is raving about the ContiMotions.  He was a big Brigestone 016 fan (which I think is a great sport tire) and now can't stop talking about these.

One of my concerns was mileage.  You answered that.  Thanks for the long term report.  

[garry]

My experience was not as positive. The tires stuck fine for street use, but the rear was toast in under 2500 miles (down to cords). The front might make 4K, but I change tires in sets, so it's in the tire pile with the other dead soldiers. FWIW, I can't get 4K out of rear tire except for the Dunlop RoadSmarts. Most sporty ST tires are shot around 3500. I got the set for $135 plus PA sales tax, so I can't complain too much.

[cognosticator]

On a 2009 C14 I got 3250 out of the rear and the front is still on and looking good with 4750, I put a PR3 on the rear.  I hope to get 6k out of the PR3, if so that will be the same cost per mile for the rear with 1 less tire change for the 6k miles

[maddjack]

My experience was not as positive. The tires stuck fine for street use, but the rear was toast in under 2500 miles (down to cords). The front might make 4K, but I change tires in sets, so it's in the tire pile with the other dead soldiers. FWIW, I can't get 4K out of rear tire except for the Dunlop RoadSmarts. Most sporty ST tires are shot around 3500. I got the set for $135 plus PA sales tax, so I can't complain too much.

Big V twins can eat tires, its common, my Ducati's used to go through rears like water

[Rincewind]

Because of the bargain pricing, I also installed a set of Conti Motions this summer on my Triumph 675.  They have been in use for approximately 3000-3500 miles (I lost my tire log file to tell the mileage exactly).  I have a little less than 1mm until I hit the wear bars.  I anticipate replacing the rear within 1000 miles.  

Except for wearing somewhat quick (I prefer 6000+ miles on a rear), the tires have handled rather well.  I agree that it seems like a slightly harder compound, at least compared to the Angel ST's which I used repeatedly.  My riding is mostly back roads with minimal interstate.

[Jesse]

 Big V twins can eat tires, its common, my Ducati's used to go through rears like water

Yep, just over 2900 miles on the rear Conti Motion on the Uly and it's toast, toast as in a 3/4 inch strip of belt showing the whole way round.

Rincewind, there's very little left after you get to the wear bars on the Conti Motions, this was my first set and I was wondering, now I know!

[Rincewind]

Thanks for the heads up, Jesse!  I should probably get a new rear ordered pretty soon.  

[06_wi_vfr]

• Motorcycle: '00 GSXR-750
• Type of Riding: Primarily commuting
• Commute type: Mixture of interstate and two lane county roads
• To work: 65 miles all Interstate.
• From work: 80 miles 99% two lane county roads.
• Speeds: It's a GSXR; how the hell do you think I'm riding ?  

Interesting.  This describes my riding almost to a T - except mine's a 2006 VFR - and I just ordered a set this morning based pretty much on price.  I hope to have an equivalent experience.  Thanks for the review!

[stromgal]

I've been trying for a couple months to find a on-sale set for my son's SV650; no one has the rear tire. They give me the 'it'll be back in stock _______' and then another date, and yet another after that one's past.

[Frankienuckles]

I got about 1000 miles on my set of motions (on the gsxr) and I like 'em alot!

[dietDrThunder]

I wish I knew how that 5% or so of folks manages to get so many freaking miles out of tires. 10k on a set? The only tire I ever got 10k out of was a Metzeler Marathon, which is a hard-as-wood full magilla touring tire. The last tires I went through was a pair of 'Stone BT016's on the CBR1000F, and I got about 3200 out of the rear, and I was stunned to get that much out of such a sticky tire.

Are there lots of you going 8 or 9 or 10k on a rear tire? How do you do it?

[stromgal]

I'm guessing weight of bike/rider/gear; horsepower and power delivery; and judicious/injudicious application of throttle all enter into it. Oh, and road surface-- chip seal or striated concrete eat up rubber.

[Cablebandit]

Oh, and road surface-- chip seal or striated concrete eat up rubber.

That.  And many never hit a twisty road.  I've seen pics of PR3's with 11,000 highway miles that look new.  Mine are toast a little after 4-4500.  However they would last much longer if I ran the highway all the time.

[06_wi_vfr]

Yep.  A good 75% of my 12,000 per year are commuting, and 75% of those are on the slab.  That's the most logical reason for some getting 8 - 10k out of a set.
 

[Dailyrider]

I currently have ContiForce on my 01 F4i. 15,700 and the rear has just hit the wear bars, the front is good for another year. That said, it is strictly flat slab commuting miles, no twisties at all here is S.E. MI. I switched to Continental from the Dunlops that came with the bike new. I only got about 6,000 out of the Dunlops. I buy them online from Derby Cycles, they always seem to have the best prices.

[ConPilot1]

I have, believe it or not, a Pilot GT front spare with about 24K miles on the damn thing and it's just tipping the wear bars.

[tomek]

Speed , speed kills tires , it makes huge difference even if we are talking about straight line interstate riding .

Try to do real , true , honest , steady , all the time  80-90 mph and see how long that rear tire lasts.

Those who report unusually high mileage obviously ride like pussies .  

[sleazy rider]

Those who report unusually high mileage obviously ride like pussies .  

Can I save and use that statement for the next time I get stopped?    FWIW, I have about 9k on my PR2s and they will last until next spring for sure, which truly amazes me.  I have not been kind to them.

[coho]

Generally speaking, the less I like a given set of tires the longer they last.
Or at least it seems that way.  

[the drummer]

I put Conti-Motions on my  98' BMW K1200RS,only have 2100miles on them. They are a helluva'tire especially for the price!!!
  A very smooth ride,stick real good,decent in rain . I have NEVER found a tire that will last more than 5400 miles for me!
 Heavy bike, Heavy rider,very little slab,lots of backroad terrorizing though!! Looks like I wiil get at least 4grand out of these.
  Reviews to follow.....

[stromgal]

Competition Accessories (and probably others) has them back in stock.. $177 to $183 a set.

http://www.compacc.com/p/Continental-Conti-Motion-Sport-Touring-Radial-Z-Rated-Package-Specials

[maximrebel1]

Thanks for sharing this - I just ordered a set for my FJR1300 - had Metzelers (troubles), had Battlax BT-021's (troubles) and I'll give these a shot now.  I'll report on the progress - I have Dunlop Q2's on my FZ6 and absolutely love them, but I need better mileage for the FJR due to touring.  The price is awesome, allows me to check them out and if I don't like them get something else.

[cb400]

I have them on my '03 Tuono, and I've yet to make them do anything bad, even on the more than exuberant backroad dashes in the NC mountains. For the price, they work very well. Mileage yet to be determined.


--jeff

[JonS]

10,000 on a tire has always seemed like an urban myth to me.   So far PR2 are my favs, but I never get past about 5000 mi for the rear. Maybe I'll try the Contis next time, as I really love the feel of the road attacks.

[andras]

Yep.  A good 75% of my 12,000 per year are commuting, and 75% of those are on the slab.  That's the most logical reason for some getting 8 - 10k out of a set.
 

I wonder how much faster tires wear in summer than in winter.  Wouldn't be surprised if the 10 K
tire lifetimes are on bikes that commute in winter.

I commute year-round, and my tires only wore 0.1 mm (from 3.5 to 3.4mm) over the past 1000 miles,
compared to 1.0 mm the 1000 miles before.

[02Tac]

Those who report unusually high mileage obviously ride like pussies .  

 I usually get 9K or so out of the rear tire ( a conti of some sort usually) on my B12. I would argue that the reason folks like me get this king of mileage might more realistically be that we are the few that ride reasonably sensibly on public roads  .  

[02Tac]

10,000 on a tire has always seemed like an urban myth to me.   So far PR2 are my favs, but I never get past about 5000 mi for the rear. Maybe I'll try the Contis next time, as I really love the feel of the road attacks.

My guess would be that your riding style will have to change to get 10K from a tire.

[Cablebandit]

Like he said "like a pussy"

[homonger77]

I think I'll stick with the Road Attacks for a few deneros extra.

[stromgal]

2 Conti Motion sticky buns arrived today, for younger son's SV.  $160/set, shipped, from Sportbike Trackgear. For his needs these will do quite nicely.

[rgbeard]

The way that's worn in the middle, and unused at the edges, wanna consider Darkside?

 


 

[reppans]

I wonder how much faster tires wear in summer than in winter.  Wouldn't be surprised if the 10 K
tire lifetimes are on bikes that commute in winter.

I commute year-round, and my tires only wore 0.1 mm (from 3.5 to 3.4mm) over the past 1000 miles,
compared to 1.0 mm the 1000 miles before.

My winter tires don't last nearly as long as summer.  PR2s: 5k summer & 3k winter.  Just twisties, no commuting, in CT.

However, there're a couple of key reasons for it.... for me at least, YMMV.  First is with all the foliage down visibility is way up... no more blind corners.  Secondly, it's too freaking cold for 250 mile days exploring - if I'm going to be uncomfortable on 50-100 mile rides, I stick to the best 3 or 4 routes that I know.  And when you know a route like the back of your hand, well, you know.

[Hotbrakes]

I put a set on the VFR last week and love them.  Great feedback and turn stability.  Previous tires were BT-021's and a race takeoff Pirelli (that felt nice).  The Contimotions feel like warm race tires all the time, cold and wet, hot and dry, I like 'em.  1000 miles down so far.  

I used to try and keep a log of tire life but never kept up with it well.  So I took a silver Sharpie and wrote the odometer on the sidewall of the Conti's.  As long as the Superduke stays broken they should be about done come May.

[sleazy rider]

This is an 11k mile PR2 on a 145 hp Daytona.  Half it's life has been spent leaned over in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.  I do commute regularly on the bike, 62 miles round trip.  It's dirty from the 1 mile of dirt road into my house.  They do alright offroad too.  



I ran Conti Road Attacks for a long time and recommended them to several friends.  I'm now firmly in the PR2 camp.

[beamer04]

Bought a set of Coni Motions last wk. from SW Moto for $137.00 Ordered them late Fri. nite had them wed. noon.
I`m interested in the mileage I`ll get on my K1200rs


beamer 04

[sleazy rider]

   Ok, for that price, I'll flip flop.  Just ordered a set to get me thru till the end of June.  I've got some serious highway miles to cover in the next few months.  I may order a couple more sets when the tax returns come back.  That would get me thru 2012.

[stromgal]

Bought a set of Coni Motions last wk. from SW Moto for $137.00 Ordered them late Fri. nite had them wed. noon.

Did you have a promo or coupon? I get $172 in the cart.

[beamer04]

If you look at the coni tire chart you`ll see motions listed twice. Number 4 has a price of $54.57, Number 18  price is $64.95. Called to find out the why the  difference and was told that`s a mistake on the computer and gave me the lower price. Both #4 & #18 are the same tire. My price of  $137.09 was for a 120/70/17 and 180/55/55.

[02Tac]

Like he said "like a pussy"

I prefer to call it "riding responsibly" as public roads are not and should not be treated  a race track.

I recently put a Motion on the front, have had one one the rear for around 5K. They work well on the Bandit and appear to stick just fine wet or dry.  

[dietDrThunder]

This is an 11k mile PR2 on a 145 hp Daytona.  Half it's life has been spent leaned over in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.  I do commute regularly on the bike, 62 miles round trip.  It's dirty from the 1 mile of dirt road into my house.  They do alright offroad too.  



I ran Conti Road Attacks for a long time and recommended them to several friends.  I'm now firmly in the PR2 camp.

Is your Daytona turbocharged? The only place that bike made 145ghp was at the brochure.  Mine was jetted, degreed cams, and a thinner head gasket for a small compression bump and I was able to get it into the 120's...man I loved that bike. I miss it.

Seriously...about the tires. I've got a CBR-XX now, and I think I have to try a set of these. I mean, they're _so_ inexpensive...seems silly not to try them.

[2RR2NV]

i'm thinking i might be trying to these out since i don't ride the street like a race track either. my factory tires are wearing down the middle too quick. only got 1500 miles and i MIGHT get 3k out of these.  that's pathetic. i'm used to getting 8k or more. the best were Avons on the Busa... 13k. still had tread left but because i took em to the track with 11k, they lost their stickiness REALLLLLL quick. so the last 1-2k were slippery everywhere. for some reason, riding on cold "ice melt coated" roads at midnight with cold tires, even letting the clutch out slowly would make the tires spin a bit.

[sleazy rider]

I ended up changing the PR2s out at 12,500 miles and put the Motions on.  They now have ~3500 miles and might make 6000.  For the price I got them for, it wasn't a bad deal.  I just hate having to swap tires every other month.  

Is your Daytona turbocharged? The only place that bike made 145ghp was at the brochure.  Mine was jetted, degreed cams, and a thinner head gasket for a small compression bump and I was able to get it into the 120's...man I loved that bike. I miss it.

Really?  I had a '95 Trophy 1200 that dynoed at 125.  By the seat of the pants, this bike has much more useable power.  Guess I'll have to have this one tested too.