ContiTrailAttack 2 on/off-road tyre launched

Continental has launched its new ContiTrailAttack 2 on/off-road bike tyre for bigger capacity dual-purpose machines. The manufacturer says it has “dramatically improved” wet grip and mileage through compound development, while the tyre also features Conti’s “Traction Skin” rider safety aid.

Conti says it tested “countless tyre compounds” in optimising the advanced version of its Black Chili tread compound for the wide-ranging demands the ContiTrailAttack 2 will be subjected to. This new compound contains higher levels of silica, yielding improved wet grip and warm-up. In addition, the compound’s high structured carbon black gives improved dynamic stiffness at higher temperatures for reduced tread block edge roll-over. This leads to greater feel at greater lean angles and better wear characteristics. New grip resins give improved macro and micro interlocking of the compound with the road surface for better traction. This means that braking feel is increased and braking distances are reduced, and under acceleration the rear tyre gives a greater degree of drive control.

The ContiTrailAttack 2 also features Continuous Compound Technology (CCT). With CCT the compound undergoes complex, carefully controlled temperature differences across its width during the final stages of production. The single compound then takes on the performance properties of a dual-compound tyre with a stiffer tread centre for increased durability as well as better acceleration and braking traction, and more flexible tread shoulders for increased side grip during hard cornering. Another advantage of CCT is that it eliminates the step change sometimes associated with dual-compound tyres when rolling over from one compound onto the other, giving the ContiTrailAttack 2 a more continuous transition feel from upright to full lean. This second generation has retained the ContiTrailAttack’s original tread pattern.

In its construction, the ContiTrailAttack 2 aims to meets the rigorous requirements of fast and sometimes heavily loaded adventure bikes, a strengthened 0° steel-belted construction was developed and is used in both the front and rear radial versions of the tyre. This method of construction improves high-speed stability on straights and in long curves. It also has outstanding bump absorption properties that lead to increased ride comfort. The revised profiles improves handling with good trajectory accuracy so the ContiTrailAttack 2 feels responsive but without the need to input steering corrections.

Traction Skin is the name given to the safety feature that has been successfully used on all of Continental’s new radial tyres since the ContiRoadAttack 2. The micro-rough, tactile texture of the tread surface optimises mechanical adhesion when the tyre is new and minimises the scrubbing-in process. This is a result of a mould coating technology that eliminates the need for tyre release agents.

The ContiTrailAttack 2 has all of the features to take it to the top of the class and KTM has already chosen it as the only original equipment tyre for the new 1190 Adventure and Adventure R models, and BMW has selected it as OE on the new 2013 R1200GS.

Continental Motorcycle brand manager, Graham Matcham said: “In what is rapidly becoming one of the keys market sectors for tyre development, the ContiTrailAttack 2 represents a significant step forward for Continental in all-weather performance and safety. To reinforce our own confidence in the tyre, KTM have chosen to fit it as original equipment on 100 per cent of their exciting new 1190 Adventure and Adventure R machines and BMW are also fitting it on the new 2013 R1200GS. That’s something we’re very proud of.” The tyre is available in the UK from Cambrian Tyres.

Sizes available:

Front:120/70 ZR17 58W Tubeless

100/90 -19 57H Tubeless

110/80 R19 59V Tubeless

120/70 R19 60V Tubeless (BMW R 1200 GS, 2013)

120/70 ZR19 60W Tubeless (KTM 1190 Adventure)

90/90 -21 54S Tube Type

90/90 -21 54H Tubeless

90/90 -21 54V Tubeless

90/90 V21 (54V) Tubeless (KTM 1190 Adventure R)

Rear: 120/90 -17 64S Tubeless

130/80 -17 65S Tube Type

130/80 -17 65H Tubeless

130/80 R17 65H Tubeless

140/80 R17 69H Tubeless

140/80 R17 69V Tubeless

150/70 R17 69V Tubeless

170/60 R17 72V Tubeless (BMW R 1200 GS, 2013)

170/60 ZR17 72W Tubeless (KTM 1190 Adventure)

180/55 ZR17 73W Tubeless

190/55 ZR17 75W Tubeless

140/80 -18 70S Tube Type

150/70 R18 70V Tubeless

150/70 ZR18 70W Tubeless (KTM 1190 Adventure R)

All ContiTrailAttack 2 tyres marked Tubeless can be fitted with an inner tube when used on tube type wheel rims.