Continental was founded in Hannover, Germany in 1871 as a rubber manufacturer -Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie. Today, Continental is the world’s fourth-largest tire manufacturer. Over the years, Continental has had some impressive successes, including ups and downs. Let’s learn a bit more about the Continental Motorcycle Tire history. The Hanover plant began producing bicycles and solid tires only, since the first fuel-powered motorcycle came up in 1894. Almost a quarter of a century after the company’s foundation, Continental was the main force dedicated to tire development. Since then its focus was crucially involved in the technological tire progress being made.

As far back as 1892, we were the first German company to manufacture a pneumatic tire. In 1904, we marketed the first tires with a patterned tread – a sensation in those times. We have also been involved in various racing events and broken many records. Daring bikers like Wilhelm Herz, cracked the 300 km/h mark in 1951 with an NSU Delphin. More recently, Carl Reese broke the record for most miles in 24 hours with an individual bike on a track. These achievements have immortalized the Continental brand name ever since.

The motorization of society in the early 20th century prompted the development of the German tire culture in its purest form. This German tire culture consisted of relentless research, tests and invention of motorcycle tires. To produce the best product, Continental covered hundreds of thousands of kilometers and applied for numerous patents until perfection was achieved.