A new generation of supersport tyres that brings track performance to the road.
Some sports tyres seem to force you to choose between the road and the track. The new ContiSportAttack 5 takes a different approach: it offers clearly supersport-oriented handling without losing sight of the way most motorcyclists will use their bikes. That’s why Continental has developed it with an 80% road and 20% track focus, seeking an even sportier balance than that of its predecessor, the ContiSportAttack 4.
The result is a tyre designed for those who enjoy winding roads and sporty riding, but who also want to be able to head out onto the track from time to time without changing tyres, using tyre warmers or adjusting tyre pressures. And it achieves this by combining grip, agility, precision and quick warm-up
Because it takes the supersport concept further
The ContiSportAttack 5 arrives as the evolution of the ContiSportAttack 4, but the change is not limited to a new generation. Continental has sought to take a further step towards demanding sport riding, adjusting the balance between road and track use.
Whilst the previous model had a 90/10 approach, the new ContiSportAttack 5 is designed for 80 per cent road use and 20 per cent track use. It is an evolution designed for those who combine sporty road riding with occasional track outings and want greater margin for manoeuvre when demands increase.
That’s why it’s a particularly good fit for high-performance supersport and naked bikes, such as the BMW S 1000 RR, the Yamaha YZF-R9, the BMW S 1000 R, the Kawasaki Z 900, the KTM 1390 Super Duke R EVO, and many others.
Because you can take it to the track without changing the road pressures
Here we find one of the most distinctive features of the new ContiSportAttack 5. Its design allows you to take it onto the track whilst maintaining normal road pressures, without needing to use tyre warmers or adjust the tyre’s set-up for the session.
The explanation lies in its new internal structure. The carcass features variable stiffness: in the central area, the metal belts are closer together to create a firmer, more stable structure; at the shoulders, the greater spacing allows the structure to be more flexible and elastic.
Thus, even though the internal pressure increases considerably whilst riding on the circuit, the tyre is still able to deform correctly when the motorbike is leaned over and maintains a wide, stable contact patch.
Furthermore, this design greatly simplifies the experience for those who ride on the circuit occasionally. You can arrive at the circuit with the same tyre pressures as on the road, ride hard and return home without having to worry about readjusting the pressures before heading back onto the open road.
Because it offers more consistent grip as the pace increases
In a sports tyre, grip is one of the top priorities. The ContiSportAttack 5 features a new evolution of the BlackChili compound, developed to improve grip on the tarmac and maintain consistent performance when the tyre is operating under high demands.
This is particularly noticeable when the pace increases and the motorbike begins to place greater demands on the tyre. The new compound aims to deliver consistent grip both when cornering and during acceleration, whilst allowing for more even wear management during intensive use, such as track days.
And there is another important aspect: performance is not limited to dry tarmac. The combination of the new compound, its higher silica content and RainGrip technology also helps to maintain good performance in wet conditions, extending the tyre’s range of use on the road.
Because it makes changing direction easier and more natural
Agility is another major advancement of the ContiSportAttack 5. To achieve this, Continental has developed MultiZoneBelt technology, which varies the arrangement of the steel belt depending on the area of the tyre.
In the centre, the windings are tighter to provide greater stability in a straight line and at high speeds. On the shoulders, however, the structure is more open, promoting a larger contact patch when the motorbike is leaning. Between these two zones there is a gradual transition that facilitates changes of direction.
In practice, all of this is designed to deliver a very specific feel: a motorbike that’s agile when cornering, yet stable when maintaining a high pace on open roads.
Because it offers more precise steering
Agility wouldn’t make much sense without precision. That’s why the ContiSportAttack 5 also features a new carcass construction in which the stiffness zones have been specifically adjusted to modify the tyre’s response according to the riding situation.
The aim is to make steering more precise and ensure the tyre holds its line better when tackling a series of bends or riding at high speeds. Furthermore, the feedback it provides is clearer, allowing the rider to maintain a consistent line with fewer corrections.
Because it takes less time to start delivering its performance
Another objective in the development of the ContiSportAttack 5 has been to reduce the time required to reach its optimal performance range. To achieve this, Continental has optimised the tread areas to accelerate the tyre’s warm-up.
Added to this is TractionSkin, a technology already featured in the ContiSportAttack 4, which ensures safe use right from the start, without the need for a lengthy running-in period. The result is a more immediate response from the moment you start driving.
Because you don’t have to choose between the road and the track
And this is, perhaps, the idea that best sums up everything mentioned above. The ContiSportAttack 5 is not intended to be a road-legal racing tyre, but rather a sports tyre that can perform reliably in a variety of scenarios.
Its new tread pattern incorporates wider slick zones at maximum lean angle and a layout designed to optimise both drainage and stability. Together with the compound and its technologies, this allows it to retain its sporty character without compromising on road use.
That is why the ContiSportAttack 5 makes sense for anyone who wants to tackle winding roads, enjoy a sporty ride and, from time to time, take their motorbike to a circuit.
Source: CONTINENTAL MOTO