Continental ContiAttack SM 2 Review & Rider Experiences

ContiAttack SM2 Score

7.0 Perfect!

The Continental ContiAttack SM 2 has officially reclaimed the throne as the gold standard for Supermoto tires. By essentially taking the DNA of the high-end ContiRaceAttack 2 Street and optimizing it for lightweight machines, Continental has created a "dream tire" that eliminates every weakness of its predecessor, the SM Evo.

The Good

1. Fast warm up
2. High grip level
3. Perfectly made for Supermotos

The Bad

1. Expensive
2. Low mileage

• Grip Dry 10
• Grip Wet 5
• Warm-Up 8
• Handling 10
• Mileage 4
• Value for Money 5
• User Ratings (1 Votes) 9.9

With the ContiAttack SM 2, the German tire manufacturer has finally released a successor to the widely loved but aging Supermoto tire, the Attack SM Evo. Whether it is a worthy successor and how the hypersport tire for lightweight machines performs in real‑world riding is what you’ll find out here in our full ContiAttack SM 2 review.

Technologies & Improvements of the ContiAttack SM 2

The ContiAttack SM 2 comes equipped with a wide range of high‑quality, sporty Continental technologies. With the update of the Attack SM series, the SM 2 finally receives GripLimitFeedback and RainGrip technology. Below is an overview of the functions and improvements these technologies bring to the Attack SM 2.

Note: TractionSkin is an extremely clever invention by Continental. The Attack SM 2 can be ridden at full performance from the very first meter. Even the tire shoulders — which may be used less frequently — are always 100% grippy and ready for action thanks to TractionSkin.

ContiAttack SM 2 Improvements According to the Data Sheet

Continental states the following improvements for the Attack SM 2 compared to the Attack SM Evo:

• 16% more mileage on the front tire → Based on our SM Evo values, this equals approx. +288 km.
• 28% more mileage on the rear tire → Based on our SM Evo values, this equals approx. +896 km.
• Better wet grip → −2.37 seconds lap time on test track
• Better dry grip → −1.17 seconds lap time on test track

You can read about how these improvements translate into real‑world performance further down in the test report.

The Continental ContiAttack SM 2 uses both carbon black and silica in its compound.
The center strip is continuous (slick), ensuring longer durability. On the shoulders, the SM 2 features an extra‑large slick area that provides even more grip at lean angles.

Available Sizes – ContiAttack SM 2

• 110/70‑17 – KTM 390 Duke, KTM RC 390, KTM 125 Duke, Yamaha R3, Yamaha MT‑03
• 120/70‑17 – KTM 690 SMC‑R, Husqvarna 701, GasGas SM 700, Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono
• 140/70‑17 – Yamaha R3, Yamaha MT‑03
• 150/60‑17 – KTM 390 Duke, KTM RC 390, KTM 125 Duke
• 160/60‑17 – KTM 690 SMC‑R, Husqvarna 701, GasGas SM 700, Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono

Continental ContiAttack SM 2 Review

For many years, the Attack SM Evo was the gold standard for most Supermoto riders. Although the SM Evo was certainly not a bad tire, its age and its origins from the RaceAttack 1 were clearly noticeable. In recent years, many better tires have emerged that also worked well on Supermotos. In particular, the ContiRaceAttack 2 impressed us in our Supermoto test and was simply a bit better than the Attack SM Evo.

With the new Attack SM 2, the cards are finally reshuffled – and we now get our dream Supermoto tire based on the ContiRaceAttack 2. How big the differences are compared to its predecessor and the RaceAttack series, and how the SM 2 performs on our GasGas SM 700, is what you’ll find in this test and experience report.

Grip on Dry Roads

The ContiAttack SM 2 delivers insane levels of grip. Like chewing gum, the tire “sticks” to the asphalt and provides top‑tier traction. With its latest evolutionary step, the SM 2 also offers a wonderfully short warm‑up time and even works flawlessly when cold. In general, the thermal behavior of the Attack SM 2 is outstanding. The tire performs just as well on cool spring days as it does on hot summer afternoons and under extremely sporty riding. It retains heat very well, allowing the SM 2 to be ridden perfectly in mixed riding between attacking and cruising.

The soft carbon‑black/silica blend sticks like glue and inspires enormous confidence. The front tire, in particular, feels so planted that it almost seems like there is no grip limit at all. You can push the SM 2 deeper and deeper into the corner radius without ever feeling uneasy. Overall, the ContiAttack SM 2 not only delivers massive grip but also endless confidence and excellent feedback.

Cold Grip – Attack SM 2: Cold grip is very good for a tire of this category. During warm‑up and on cold days, you can provoke the tire with throttle, but this is not a problem because the GripLimitFeedback technology gives very clear warning signs before traction breaks away. This small “deficit” disappears quickly and completely once the tire reaches operating temperature.

Warm Grip – Attack SM 2: Once the tire reaches operating temperature, the real magic begins. The warmer it gets, the better the SM 2 sticks to the asphalt. Even extreme heat and long, aggressive riding sessions are no issue – in fact, the tire seems to feel most at home in these conditions.

Grip on Wet Roads

Wet grip on the ContiAttack SM 2 is very similar to the RaceAttack 2 Street and significantly better than its predecessor, the Attack SM Evo. With the new SM 2, you can continue riding briskly and confidently on damp roads within legal limits.

However, because the slick area on the shoulders is quite large, water evacuation is not as effective. This means the SM 2 cannot match a Battlax S23 or Michelin Power 6 in terms of wet grip. The SM 2 is clearly focused on dry grip for sporty riding – compromises must be made somewhere.

Still, the tire provides a confidence‑inspiring feel in the wet and can be ridden sensibly without concern. We could not verify the claimed lap‑time improvements (as stated by Continental) during our road test, but subjectively, they seem plausible.

Braking Characteristics

The ContiAttack SM 2 behaves excellently under braking. It delivers massive grip and inspires great confidence at the front. Feedback and brake transparency are outstanding. Overall, braking grip is top‑tier, both front and rear.

Riders who disable rear ABS on their Supermoto can easily slide the SM 2. The tire behaves predictably and can be guided into a controlled slide into the corner. Unfortunately, our riding skills are not advanced enough to test this point in even more detail.

Riding Comfort

Riding comfort is the only minor criticism we have of the Attack SM 2. Although Continental claims the tire is slightly more comfortable than its predecessor, we could not detect any difference in real‑world riding.

The Attack SM 2 is firm and precise, which results in reduced comfort and damping. Short, sharp bumps are clearly noticeable and can be felt through the handlebars. While the Conti can handle rough, patched‑up roads, the difference compared to a Michelin Power 6 or Battlax S23 is very noticeable.

For us personally – and for the intended use – this is not a problem. A tire that is this stable, precise, transparent, and sporty must make compromises somewhere, and comfort is the best place to do so in order to preserve all its other strengths.

Tire Wear

The wear pattern of the ContiAttack SM 2 is simply beautiful. When ridden hard for long periods, it develops the typical caterpillar/fish‑scale pattern that indicates excellent mechanical grip with the asphalt. Otherwise, the SM 2 is extremely unobtrusive in terms of wear, suggesting long durability.

During the first 40–50 km of our test ride, we were surprised to see the TractionSkin still looking almost untouched — the old SM Evo practically wore down just from pushing it around the garage 😉

Addendum: With increasing mileage, the front tire loses a bit of sharpness and becomes slightly vague — especially if you run too little air pressure. This behavior is far less pronounced than on the SM Evo.

Mileage

We rode the Attack SM 2 almost exclusively in extremely sporty fashion on twisty country and forest roads.
A total mileage of around 2,100 km is acceptable for this level of performance. Riders who use the tire in mixed conditions (city, commuting, etc.) may achieve significantly higher mileage.

• Front tire: 1,788 km (very sporty)
• Rear tire: 2,100 km (very sporty)

New tread depth:

• Front: 3.8 mm
• Rear: 5.8 mm

This leaves 2.2 mm and 4.2 mm respectively until reaching the legal minimum.

Riding Stability / Cornering Stability

Stability on the Attack SM 2 is excellent. Fast sections and deep supermoto corner pushes are effortless.
The SM 2 requires very little physical effort to ride and inspires confidence at any lean angle.

High speeds and straight‑line riding are also no problem – the SM 2 tracks like it’s on rails. It is generally very difficult to unsettle the chassis.

When pushing into hairpins over the front, the SM 2 follows the intended line faithfully and feels planted and confidence‑inspiring. Even on the outer shoulder, stability remains high. Corrections are always possible and very precise.

Agility / Turn‑in Behavior

After our first test ride, we immediately wondered how Continental managed to build a tire that is both extremely agile and extremely stable. Most tires excel at one or the other – the SM 2 can do both depending on lean angle and speed.

At low speeds, in tight hairpins, and in quick direction changes, the SM 2 feels extremely agile.
As the pace increases, the tire becomes more stable. In all situations, it follows the intended line effortlessly – almost as if controlled by thought.

Turn‑in via the front is phenomenal. The Attack SM 2 behaves extremely precisely, delivers tons of feedback, and sticks like glue.

Uprighting Tendency

Uprighting tendency was a major criticism of the Attack SM Evo. This has been completely eliminated in the SM 2. Braking at lean and trail braking into the corner do not cause the tire to stand up or fall in. Continental has succeeded in creating a wonderfully neutral tire that meets the demands of sporty riders in this regard.

Tire Pressure

We rode the ContiAttack SM 2 with the stock GasGas pressures and they worked perfectly.

Our best results were with:

• Front: 2.0 bar
• Rear: 2.0 bar

On the racetrack, Continental also recommends using the manufacturer’s stock pressures.

Continental ContiAttack SM 2 Tire Pressure Recommendation

• Front: 2.0 bar
• Rear: 2.0 bar
• Track pressure = stock vehicle pressure

ContiAttack SM 2 Experiences

Since we had already tested the RaceAttack 2 and RaceAttack 2 Street extensively on our GasGas SM 700 (the SM 2 is based on these tires), our expectations regarding innovations or improvements were rather low at the beginning of the test. However, this changed instantly within the very first meter on the SM 2.

At no point did we expect Continental to achieve so many changes – and especially such significant improvements – in riding behavior. After just 50 kilometers on the new ContiAttack SM 2, it was clear: there is currently no better tire technology available for Supermoto riders.

The Attack SM 2 feels 200% better than the Attack SM Evo and eliminates all weaknesses of its predecessor without exception. Whether grip, stability, or agility — the Attack SM 2 is the benchmark among sport tires for street Supermotos and lightweight sport machines.

The slightly firm carcass setup is absolutely no issue in our view and fits perfectly with the sporty character the SM 2 delivers. If you want lots of feedback and precision, you must accept compromises somewhere – and this is the right place.

The Attack SM 2 does have one “problem”: It constantly tempts and provokes the rider! With so much grip and confidence, the SM 2 always encourages extreme corner attacks – which could become a problem for your driver’s license in the long run 😉

Note: From our perspective, the Attack SM 2 is also the ideal tire for sporty bikes like the KTM 390 Duke or KTM RC 390. The tire was specifically tuned for lightweight chassis and is therefore the sportiest recommendation on the market for these machines as well. With available sizes 110, 140, and 150, the SM 2 is perfectly suited for these small fun machines, even on trackdays.

ContiAttack SM Evo vs. ContiAttack SM 2

Here is how the new ContiAttack SM 2 compares directly to the SM Evo.

Category	Attack SM Evo	Attack SM 2
Grip	++	+++++
Mileage	+	+++
Wet Grip	+	+++
Agility	+++	+++++
Uprighting Moment	–	+++++
Sportiness	++++	+++++
Price	approx. 275 € / set	approx. 275 € / set
Verdict	Good, but getting old – the successor is better in every respect!	Benchmark! The SM 2 is superior in every single aspect, and at the same price!

SM Evo vs. Attack SM 2 in keywords

• Better wet grip
• No uprighting tendency
• Less unpredictable
• More grip
• More stable
• More precise
• More feedback
• Same price

We now only recommend buying the new Attack SM 2, as this tire is simply far superior to its predecessor in every respect and finally brings a modern Supermoto tire back to the market that reflects current technology. The new SM 2 is pure joy and the best Supermoto tire on the market.

Alternatives to the Continental Attack SM 2

The following alternatives to the ContiAttack SM 2 are suitable options – including current top products and equivalent or even better choices. However, keep in mind: the ContiAttack SM 2 is currently the only tire specifically tuned for Supermotos.

• ContiAttack SM Evo (predecessor)
• Bridgestone Battlax S23
• Dunlop Qualifier Core (budget)
• Metzeler Racetec RR
• Metzeler Sportec M9 RR
• Continental SportAttack 4
• Michelin Power GP 2
• Maxxis Supermaxx Sport MA‑SP (budget)
• Avon 3D Supersport (budget)
• Mitas SportForce+ EV