Continental Launched the First-ever ABS in 1969
In recent years we are seeing how the electronics of motorcycles are advancing by leaps and bounds, the machines are becoming more powerful and capable of pushing the rider to the limit. That is why the tires that fit them must be able to incorporate the necessary technology to be at the same level as the performance of today’s motorcycles. The latest addition to Continental’s catalog, the ContiRoadAttack 4, has a compound developed to adapt to models with ABS.
But first of all, what exactly is ABS, where does it come from, how has it evolved? The Anti-lock Braking System, better known as ABS, was originally developed with four-wheel vehicles in mind. Once installed in cars, it began to be developed for motorcycles as well. Its purpose is to prevent loss of control of the motorcycle in the case of emergency braking by means of a system that acts on the hydraulic brakes, releasing pressure when it detects that one of the wheels has locked up.
And if we talk about ABS, we have to mention that Continental is the only tire brand that manufactures these systems, in fact, the German firm introduced the first ABS in history in 1969. Since then, it has been further developed to what we have today, systems that have up to 50 additional functions and safety features, such as automatic release of the parking brake when changing gear or hill start assist.
In recent years, ABS systems are now able to take into account more data and factors collected by the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) when braking so that the wheel does not lock: position of the motorcycle, degree of inclination, speed…
ABS is one of the greatest advances in electronics in terms of safety, and is currently highly optimized for certain riding circumstances. So much so that serious accidents have decreased by up to 40% since motorcycles have been equipped with ABS. Continental, as the manufacturer and developer of these systems, is one of the leading experts in this technology, and now this knowledge has been applied directly to its tires as well. How? Through the compound of the new ContiRoadAttack 4.
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ContiRoadAttack 4 and ABS
If we think of the main function of a motorcycle road tire, it is undoubtedly to offer good grip during acceleration and braking. Continental works daily to incorporate and improve the technologies applied to each of its tires. That is why the new ContiRoadAttack 4 is one of the most complete tires currently available on the market.
The new Hyper-touring tire has been developed at the R&D center in Korbach (Germany) and has been created to work in conjunction with the rest of the bike’s parts. Its compound has been optimized to better adapt to braking situations on motorcycles with ABS, thus providing added safety for the rider.
The ContiRoadAttack 4 is one of Continental’s most advanced tires, and we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of other technologies that have been applied to the tire:
- MultiGrip: this is a compound vulcanized at different temperatures that provides more resistance/strength in the central area of the tread and superior grip on the sides.
- TractionSkin: prevents the tire from “skidding” in its first few meters. The initial rolling of the tire is eliminated by giving it a “micro-rough” surface, making it the safest tire from the start.
- ZeroDegree: this technology optimizes impact absorption and guarantees the rider extreme stability at high speeds.
- RainGrip: this exclusive Continental compound gives the tire more grip on wet or slippery surfaces.
- GripLimitFeedback: ensures that riders can better feel the tire’s performance by transmitting more faithful sensations during extreme lean angles. In critical situations, it is essential for the rider to receive tire feedback at an early stage to achieve a higher level of control at the limit.
- EasyHeadling: gives the tire linear handling even when gyroscopic stabilizing forces are nominal, such as when cornering. At the same time, precision and surface feel are improved to make the tire featuring this technology a benchmark.
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