The New ContiAttack SM 2: Strong Mileage and Performance for Road and Race Track

The ContiAttack SM 2 has a unique selling point: a road-legal tire that is developed specifically for the supermoto segment and ideal for a trip to the track. Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental: “A tire for light but powerful supermotos has to meet completely different requirements than a touring or sports tire: What counts here is optimal stability and damping when constantly changing between extreme braking and brutal acceleration in the typical supermoto driving style. It's also about traction in maximum lean angles as well as short warm-up times for immediate confidence and strong grip even on wet roads. The ContiAttack SM 2 handles all of this perfectly – and is also approved for everyday use on public roads.”

The ContiAttack SM 2 is based on Continental's sportiest carcass and is inspired by the premium tire manufacturer's racing slicks, the ContiTrack. The low negative proportion of the profile guarantees the highest possible lean angle performance. The new supermoto tire pulverizes the lap times of its predecessor on the Continental test track, primarily on wet roads, and completes the reference course around three percent faster. It also keeps the previous generation of tires at bay on a dry track and covers the test lap around two percent faster. In addition, the ContiAttack SM 2 manages significantly more track runs than its predecessor – especially thanks to its increased tread depth at the front and rear.

The main reasons for the leap in performance compared to the ContiAttack SM EVO are two technologies:

• The innovative GripLimitFeedback technology increases the safety level in extreme lean angles, as it ensures precise feedback about jumps in the coefficient of friction and the interlocking of the tire with the road. This brings a higher level of control and more trust at the limit.
• RainGrip stands for excellent wet grip optimization – made possible by a specially activated silica mixture. The result: the best possible grip down to the microscopic level of the road surface, even under difficult conditions. The new silica compound on the front tire also improves wet grip in cold and slippery conditions without negatively affecting mileage.

The new ContiAttack SM 2 will be available from the first quarter of 2024 in the dimensions 120/70 R 17 (front) and 160/60 R 17 (rear). From the second half of 2024, the dimensions 110/70 R 17 (front) as well as 140/70 R 17 and 150/60 R 17 (rear) will complete the range.

The ContiAttack SM 2 benefits from the experience that Continental has gained in the supermoto segment since 2011 with the introduction of the ContiAttack SM and its successor ContiAttack SM EVO in 2018. In terms of construction, the latest model relies on a solid basic construction of the carcass as well as a larger contact area for more comfort and better grip when braking at extreme lean angles.

For the first time, the BlackChili Compound is used in a supermoto tire – Continental's exclusive tread compound, which is based on the latest findings in polymer and raw material research. Continental's tire engineers combine newly developed synthetic rubbers to create a high-performance tread compound that is mixed with nanometric soot particles. Surface and shape properties can be individually adapted to the desired tire usage. As a result, the BlackChili Compound enables better grip and increased mileage. In addition, tires with the Continental BlackChili Compound come up to temperature more quickly.