Continental Conti Trail Attack Dual Sport Radial Rear Tire

I just bought a BMW R1200 GS. It came with Continental TKC80 tires but since I mostly use the bike for commuting I wanted something smoother and more road friendly. The knobbies lost too much traction on tight cornering on streets. I swapped them out with the Trail Attacks and noticed an immediate smoothing of the ride and improved cornering. The day I bought them was a rare day in California with rain so I got to try them out on wet surfaces. Being they were brand new I didn't test them too much but they stuck to the wet, greasy roads without any slippage. A few days later I took them on some fire roads and were surprised at how well they handled and gripped the loose dirt and gravel. I've put about 1,000 miles on them now and they still look new.

I am the original owner of a 1990 R100GSPD and spend 90% of my time on pavement and the other 10% on gravel and or unimproved roads. I have over the years tried many (most) of the tire brands and combinations available for my bike and have for one reason or another never been quite satisfied with either the durability/traction/cornering/stability/noise etc. I always kept looking and thinking that there had to be something better. When I installed these tires on my 21 year old bike they transformed my handling and riding experience in a way I had never imagined. To make a long story short I have stopped looking for the right tire for my bike. Over the years I have read many review's and considered many recommendations of tires yet have personally never until now offered one of my own. These tires are for me the best cornering, most stable, longest wearing, best traction in the rain of any and all tires I have ever tried on my bike. After riding these tires for a month this summer I got on the phone and ordered another set to keep on standby. I want to qualify that these are not the best tire for dirt and mud but they are surprisingly adequate in spite of there street like appearance.

Over the years I have tried many of the tire brands and types (Street, Dual Purpose, Off Road) available for my 1990 BMW R100 GS Paris/Dakar. I can say that for the most part they were reasonably adequate for their intended purpose but nothing that really stood out as exceptional until I happened upon the Continental Trail Attacks. Before I go further I would like to clarify that I am no expert and I don't make a habit of recommending/endorsing or even commenting on issues like this but only do so in order for other Dual Purpose Riders who may be hesitant (as I was) to try these tires because of their mainly "street style look." I do most of my riding on paved roads but do not hesitate to venture on the many 100+ mile unpaved roads here in Alaska. As for riding on unpaved roads the Trail Attacks are truly surprising in their ability to maintain contact, control and to inspire this riders confidence. It's on the paved roads that I must say they have transformed my riding experience, like no tire before, regardless of the road conditions or weather. They track, grip, steer, stop, and wear like no other tire I have ever tried. After installing these it was as if I were riding a new bike that I never knew I had. For what it's worth, I recommend to all you dual purpose riders out there that you give these tires a chance to transform your riding appearance like they have for me.