Continental road attack.. where to get B and Z's???

[smitty141]

Called around, emailed and no one state side knows what a Z or B spec tire is.. I looked at load ratings, and the avons are the same as the road attacks. The front is 58, and the rear is 73. I have read other posts saying to get these...

Type and size:

Front: Conti RoadAttack Z 120/70ZR17

Rear: Conti RoadAttack B 180/55ZR17

But it looks like know body know anything about this tire. I know some members think there ****, but I am tired of my bars shaking, and spending to much time balancing.

If the load rating is the same, does this mean there equal. I am sure there are other factors, so you tire experts help a brother out. I need to order 2 sets of tires this weekend, one will be the Avon for stock (someone will want them). But I would really like to try something other than the avons, or stradas,or pilot roads.... Now post up.... Thanks Smitty

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Smitty,

I bought some Pilot Roads! Can you say ROAD TRIP TO SMITTYS HOUSE? I know i can!

Call me sometime!

 

[twowheelnut]

+1 on GB's comment

I've lost the link to wc's scathing write-up of two years ago and I'm not sure it even pertains to the current Conti. I'm enjoying the PR's much more than the Avons and have deemed this tire the best for me. Try 'em, you'll like 'em.

Lookie here, though...

 

[sportryder]

Called around, emailed and no one state side knows what a Z or B spec tire is.. I looked at load ratings, and the avons are the same as the road attacks. The front is 58, and the rear is 73. I have read other posts saying to get these...
Type and size:

Front: Conti RoadAttack Z 120/70ZR17

Rear: Conti RoadAttack B 180/55ZR17

But it looks like know body know anything about this tire. I know some members think there ****, but I am tired of my bars shaking, and spending to much time balancing.

If the load rating is the same, does this mean there equal. I am sure there are other factors, so you tire experts help a brother out. I need to order 2 sets of tires this weekend, one will be the Avon for stock (someone will want them). But I would really like to try something other than the avons, or stradas,or pilot roads.... Now post up.... Thanks Smitty

I just mounted up those tires yesterday. Went for a short ride today to scuff them in. I tried going with their recommendation of tire pressure and set them at 36 front and 41 rear. They recommend 34-36 front and 40-42 rear.

The ride wasn't lengthy - about 30-40 miles. These tires are replacing the OEM Metz Z4s.

The ride was noticeably more harsh than with the Metzlers. Handling was good but I need to further evaluate since the Z4s were so trashed for wear that any tire would've seemed good. I'll try lowering the tire pressures a pound or so and see if that makes an improvement. The front wasn't too bad at 36 cold but the rear at 41 was too stiff. It might not have been bad riding 2-up with fully loaded bags etc but riding alone and no luggage, it definitely felt less compliant. I'll try 35 front and 38-39 rear and ride a while like that.

One last thing. Those road attacks have some seriously stiff sidewalls. What a bitch to mount up with spoons. That experience was enough to make me go out looking at the nomar website today. :lol:

Almost forgot, I got them for $209 delivered to the door from www.ridedirect.com. Ordered them Sunday, and they were sitting on the porch on Wednesday.

 

[Scab]

Sportryder, please keep us informed on the tires. I for one would be interested to know what you think with them on the fjr.

I had the original stones, then Avons, now the Pilots. I am just not feeling the love for this front Pilot. Nevermind what TWN says about 'em. He rides with a couple of ho's for pimpin' hanging off the back so his front rarely even touches the ground.

 

[mindtrip]

Hey Smitty... I just had to weigh in on this one. I bought these at the end of July as I had worn out my OEM BT020's at 8000 miles. I just got back from a 2 1/2 week trip to Banff, where I had ample opportunity to test these. It was me, my GF, camping gear, all the stuff for a long haul, and we were at least loaded to capacity (if not overloaded). When I finish uploading my trip reports and photo's, you can read my blog at www.plumbus.therapy.com.

Meanwhile, I'll give you my quick 'n dirty impression: I didnt find them to be harsh, I didn't think they were any easier/ harder to balance than the Avons I used to ride on my Thunderbird (Av45/46's), though the sidewalls are so stiff I wound up bending a spoon mounting the rear one, and it was a nice (and pricey!) spoon, and I marred the **** out of my rims despite taking great care.

As far as the ride, I was very happy with the tires. They were quite grippy, handling was very good, etc etc. Vibration was somewhat better, but that may have been due to the extra-good TBS I did before the trip. I can't say they were markedly better than the Azaros, though maybe a bit. On one mountain pass, I was leaned wayyyyy over doing about 50 in a yellow 20, when I hit a cattle grate at the apex. The pavement had buckled up on either side of the grate, and we had a frightening several seconds, and the tires kept us upright.

I picked up a nail at Glacier, plugged it with a Wal-Mart kit, and the tire got us the 2000 miles home without problem.

My only bitch, and its a big one, is that when we rolled into the garage, 5500 miles after mounting them, the tires were down to bare cord. I've never, ever gotten less than 8K out of a set of tires, and those were the 020's.

I just got my new Azaros Friday night.

 

[Mike-H]

Smitty141....please keep us in the loop for what you do.....after WFO....I stopped @ highlanders & mounted a new rear tire (Z6)....when I got home after riding the dragon, the snake, the blue Ridge Parkway & Shenandoah National park. The sides of the rear tire were bald :blink: (like my noggin) but the center still had lots of rubber left ....so I put on a set of stones that I had with about 800 miles on them to finish this season with but am also looking for something different for next year so please keep me updated....thanks Mike.... B)

 

[madmike2]

.......but am also looking for something different for next year so please keep me updated....thanks Mike.... B)

P.R.s, Mikey, P.R.s!

[SIZE=8pt]18 to posts go...and counting! [/SIZE]

 

[smitty141]

Ordered a set of Road attacks today from www.ridedirect.com. I did the phone order, and it shipped today. Was cheaper than anyone else... I would like to thank everyone for there imput, and Lee @ Traxxion for the site... I will let everyone know what I think about this tires. A up coming trip to Arkansas will test there worth. Smitty :assassin:

 

[teerex51]

Ordered a set of Road attacks today from www.ridedirect.com. I did the phone order, and it shipped today. Was cheaper than anyone else... I would like to thank everyone for there imput, and Lee @ Traxxion for the site... I will let everyone know what I think about this tires. A up coming trip to Arkansas will test there worth. Smitty :assassin:

Smitty,

I've got 2000 miles on my Conti R.A.s (Zee and Bee) and I'm really pleased with them. Good grip, no shakes and good ride comfort. I expect they'll last as long as the stock BT020s (which in fact was not a heck of a lot, 3500 miles) but at least there's no sign of cupping on the front one.

Conti are trying to win back some market share here in Europe and the price is pretty competitive (while being still a damn sight more expensive than your price stateside... :angry: :angry: :angry: )

Stef

 

[smitty141]

Mounted a fresh set of road attacks last night. The rear is very stiff, and a little tuff to mount. Life span for a set of tires is about 5 weeks for me. So if there crap I won't have them on very long anyway. Headed to the great roads of Arkansas this weekend. I will let everyone know how they work...Ride on....Smitty