I often ride pretty rough, went through the stock scorcher in 4900mi. I ride nearly every day, lots of stop and go, highway, and very sporty riding with pegs and pipe scraping. I went with the Commander II's on my last bike (shadow 750) and they're the only tire I used out of many that still had like new tread after 3k miles and still beatin on the bike. When any other tire only got 4-5000mi. My dad is still running the same set of commanders on the shadow.

 

Well the only size I can get in the commander II are the 200/55... I guess I'll give them a shot and see if I can get more than 5k out of it...

 

Try the Michelins, I did some research, and they are a harder tire, put 5k on them and they still looked great. I can't report any more than that, because I sold the bike.

 

What size did you run? The 200/55? How was the handling on lean with re wider tire?

 

I know there's guys running the 200's on their stock 4.5" rim and say they run fine. Most 200's recommend a 5.5" or 6"rim. Anyone have a long term test on this set up ? I don't see it blowing off the rim but it would be a bummer if it burnt the center of the tire up.

 

That's what I'm worried about... Burning the center out quickly, that's what my night dragons did...

 

Im on my Second set of Michellin Commander II's. First set wasnt quite ready to be replaced but I was heading cross country and didnt want to take a chance. I can easily get 10K out of the front and rear. For the rear I went with the narrower (I believe the width I went with is 10mm less than stock) tire instead of going with a wider; no issues on handling or wear.

 

Commander II in a 160/70/17 that's pretty interesting... Might have to try that..

 

What air pressures are you running? Only getting 5,000 miles out of both front & rear tires is unusual. Hell, I'll get 6500 miles out of a Dunlop rear, and take 2nd place @ the All American Motorcycle Show burn-out contest!

Actually, I did!