Continental, compatible with 2021 supersport bikes
The segment of sport and supersport bikes is always the most passionate. They are not the top sellers, but they are usually the ones that inherit the most advanced developments and technologies that have been tested before in world championships such as MotoGP or Superbike. To ensure that all this high performance is transmitted in the most efficient way to the asphalt, it is necessary to have a pair of high-quality tires capable of handling all that power.
Decades of development by Continental engineers in Korbach have resulted in a series of high-end tires. They have also been created for a wide variety of different types of use depending on the different needs and grades of superbike driving, and whether it is on the street or on the track.
For this reason, we have compiled a list of some of the top sport or supersport style motorcycles on the market as well as the Continental tires that can best suit each model. Which one is your favorite?
MV Agusta F3 Rosso
The Italian sports bike is now available in the already known Rosso versions. The MV Agusta F3 Rosso has reduced some components to make it more accessible than the versions known so far. But make no mistake, its performance is clearly improved by the use of an IMU unit, new to the family. The unit allows us to have at our fingertips a luxurious series of electronic assists such as cornering ABS (by the way, developed by Continental) with rear wheel mitigation function in hard braking and traction control, as well as anti-wheelie, departure control, cruise control and a third generation of the brand’s quick shifter. Let’s not forget that it is characterized by its 800 cc three-cylinder engine that achieves a performance of 145 hp. Other details of this luxurious sporty sports bike are the connectivity or the spectacular red color that dyes the entire MV Agusta F3 800 Rosso.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Ducati Hypermotard 950 / SP
The Ducati Hypermotard is a monster of a motorcycle. It is not an ordinary sports bike. In fact, it can be considered a supermotard ‘beast’, for its large twin-cylinder engine and its performance and equipment that go far beyond the usual single-cylinder circuit. Its 937 cc V-twin engine has an architecture and ergonomics that make it one of the most fun bikes on the market, both on the street and on the track. It is available in three versions, a standard, a Ducati Hypermotard 950 RVE with special decoration and quickshifter and the Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP equipped with improved suspension specifications, equipment and a new decoration for this season.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4, ContiRaceAttack 2 Street and ContiAttack SM EVO.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Ducati Panigale V4 SP
This is a new version available of the supersport with the MotoGP-derived V4 engine. The Ducati Panigale V4 SP takes back the acronym of ‘Sport Production’, motorcycles with equipment that puts them on the edge of the competition, although a step behind the Panigale R on which they are based for the World Superbike. They are limited, numbered and street-legal units, with a beastly power of 211 hp at 13000 rpm. On the outside it is easily identifiable thanks to its black color, typical of the decorations used in winter by the SBK and MotoGP teams, in addition to the exposed tank and fluorescent red, as well as carbon components. It receives parts from the exclusive and lightweight Superleggera such as carbon rims, Brembo Stylema brake calipers and Brembo MCS brake pumps, the STM EVO-SBK dry clutch (more efficient on track) and the same size chain (520, lighter) bringing its total weight down to only 173 kg. You can also fit it with a Racing circuit kit, so you can take full advantage of it on track together with specific tires.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Yamaha R7
The Japanese brand has added the Yamaha R7 to its catalog. It recovers this nomenclature more than two decades after the exclusive model it used to participate in SBK, but now very different. It is based on the popular Yamaha MT-07, keeping the 689 cc inline twin-cylinder engine that delivers 72 hp of power, but with a control unit and a gear ratio that slightly modify its behavior. Of course, it has been fitted with half-handlebars and a fairing, and the seat position and footpegs have been modified to give it a more aggressive attitude. However, it has some features that make it even a little more different from its MT sibling, such as an anti-rebound clutch, new adjustable upside-down fork and adjustable rear sport monoshock and 4-piston radial front brake calipers with a higher quality brake pump. In addition, this Yamaha R7 you can install an optional quickshifter that makes it much more efficient and fun. It remains one of the simplest bikes, with no electronics whatsoever, making it much more affordable.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiRoadAttack 3, ContiSportAttack 4, and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2.
Yamaha YZF-R6
The legendary Japanese sports Yamaha YZF-R6 maintains a street version that meets the needs of all racing riders aiming to give the maximum on the track. In addition, it can be fitted with an R6 RACE GYTR kit composed of different special parts that bring it even closer in a racing bike.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4, and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Suzuki Hayabusa
The mythical ‘hawk’ is back. What was the fastest motorcycle in the world when it appeared in 1998 reappears in the catalog of the Japanese brand. The third generation of the Suzuki Hayabusa is not really a revolutionary motorcycle, but the use of electronic improvements and refinements in its four-cylinder engine and 1340 cc make it have a behavior more at the height of our days. It’s left with 187 hp of power that is so well managed that it promises improved performance over its predecessors. The electronic throttle and electronics package help the rider to push this colossal machine much harder with different riding modes and riding aids. This is not a sports bike in the canons we usually refer to, but because of its gigantic performance, we didn’t want to leave out this sport-tourer that you can turn into a hyperbike in the blink of an eye with a throttle.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
Aprilia RSV4 / Factory
The brand from Noale makes us fall in love again with its Aprilia RSV4, which in 2021 has given a twist with a series of improvements that continue to keep it at the top of the segment. Its V4 engine grows from 1077 to 1099 cc, maintaining an impressive 214 hp of power while maximum torque is improved (125 Nm). One of the obvious changes has been its aesthetics, much more modern and aerodynamic, very much inspired by the also sporty RS 660. The side wings in this case have been integrated into the double-walled fairing. There are also ergonomic improvements, more intuitive controls and a larger TFT screen. Engine management and the IMU inertial unit make it a step forward in these areas, making it one of the most sophisticated motorcycles in the world. It is again split into two models, a standard one and the Aprilia RSV4 Factory, the latter characterized by a different decoration and superior equipment components.
Recommended tires:
- Street and circuit: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Kawasaki ZX-10R / ZX-10RR
Here the Superbike world champion bike for the last six years. And not content with this record, the Kawasaki ZX-10R takes a step forward in 2021, especially in terms of aerodynamics thanks to some very innovative fins that are integrated into the structure of the fairing and get a ground effect 17% higher than its predecessor. Other ergonomic modifications have been made, with a taller screen, new TFT screen with connectivity and other chassis adjustments that aim to keep it at the top of the SBK podium for many years to come. Ninja lovers also have at their disposal a version called the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, the version specifically used for its World SBK homologation with only 500 units available. As expected, the RR brings a plus of features that bring it closer to a competition bike, a model that already draws attention for its full green color, but also in other more exquisite components in brakes, rims or the engine itself, more ‘tight’ climbing 400 rpm more than the standard and with better internal components.
Recommended tires:
- Street and circuit: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
BMW M 1000 RR
The BMW M 1000 RR is the first motorcycle launched by the well-known M division of the automotive group. It is based on the successful BMW S 1000 RR, but now comes this specification closer to the bike with which the German firm competes in SBK. For starters, its four-cylinder ‘mil’ manages to increase its performance to 209 hp of power and 113 Nm of torque, being able to climb 500 rpm more (up to 15,100 rpm) in addition to incorporating better internal parts. The use of titanium and other lightweight materials has resulted in a curb weight of only 170 kg (192 kg kerb weight), which can be further reduced with the M package, 169.8 kg dry and 191.8 kg in running order. Its aerodynamics are more radical, with spoilers on its sides, and it has had better suspension components or M brakes for the first time on a motorcycle, plus specific wheels, plus other features and extras that make it a real superbike.
Recommended tires:
- Street and track: ContiSportAttack 4 and ContiRaceAttack 2 Street.
- Track only: ContiRaceAttack 2 and ContiTrack.
Find out more about the right tires for your bike, Check out the Continental Fitment Guide