Michellen comander 2
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Whittier ca
Michellen comander 2
Originally wanted me888 metzlers but i can't seem to find them from a local shop to have them installed on the spot. So they talked me into the comander 2s. 169 for tire 65 for install....i was going to take the wheel off to save a few bucks but its only like 30 more to just bring the whole bile in. Seems a little unheard of to charge 30 bucks just to mount and balance a tire on a loose wheel
Either way im out the door at around 220 for a new tire. What do u guys think about these tires? Any good?
Either way im out the door at around 220 for a new tire. What do u guys think about these tires? Any good?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 837
Likes: 8
From: Wyoming
I've been running them for a little over a year now which translates into about 10,000 miles. The big advertising hook with these tires is their longevity, and I think that claim is bearing out. After 10k miles the treads are still deep. They are no where near close to being finished.
Obviously, there is a trade off. To get such long lasting tires, the rubber compound has to be harder. Thus, they are less sticky than other tires I have ridden over the years, and they are not the best in the rain either.
I will also say that despite the statements above, they are stickier and better in the rain than the brand new Dunlops that came on my bike when I bought it used several years ago.
Obviously, there is a trade off. To get such long lasting tires, the rubber compound has to be harder. Thus, they are less sticky than other tires I have ridden over the years, and they are not the best in the rain either.
I will also say that despite the statements above, they are stickier and better in the rain than the brand new Dunlops that came on my bike when I bought it used several years ago.
Last edited by jmb79; Aug 8, 2015 at 02:50 PM.
I've been running them for a little over 4k miles now and really like them. Much better than the stock Michelins that came on my bike. They're dual compound so you have a harder rubber in the center for longevity and a softer rubber on the shoulders for traction in the corners. They can get a little hairy in the rain if you're hard on the throttle but overall they've been great tires. Would get them again
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,305
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
Works great for me. Hard to believe but bike acts better and yet runs with a less intense feel of like too hard tires. Run manual pressure. I ride easy and safe. So, no test results. They will howl loudly when you pitch them over in the S off ramps at post speeds around here. Never have figured out why. Have ran , 3 sets of Lops and one set of 888s. Harley dealer is crazy high on labor charge. Got my quote over the phone. Carried wheels in and labor was higher than what they quoted for whole bike. When I questioned it, and a little discussion between employees, person who wrote it up though they had removed them from bike. (he was the same person who rolled my wheels back no less)
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 8, 2015 at 01:57 PM.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 98
Likes: 7
From: Maurice, La
Great results with the commander II
I had great results with the commander II on my last bike which was a street glide. Long lasting and good in the rain I had 20k on the rear when I traded it and still had plenty of tread left. That said a co worker bought a set based on my recommendation and the side walls did some scary splitting on his with less than 10k. I think he is still working with Michelin on that issue. They far out performed the dunlops. I have never let the stealer do tires for me. They want 400 to buy, balance and mount a rear and 350 for a front. I can take off a front rim myself, buy a tire Online and have it mounted for less that 200 and the rear I took to an Indy who got the tire, balanced and mounted for under 250. I love Harley bikes but they tout their shop, parts, etc and are way too proud when it comes to price.... 350 for the 1st service? A 350 dollar oil change ? Really? I can check " critical fasteners" and change oil and adjust the clutch for about 60 myself with no special tools. They get my money at the purchase but no more after that.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
I am on my second set. The first set went about 12k miles. They would have gone way longer if I was the kind of person that kept track of tire pressure. I had plenty of tread left, but the tires were cupped.
For reference, the Dunlops that came on my bike were bald at 6k miles.
For reference, the Dunlops that came on my bike were bald at 6k miles.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 677
Likes: 1
From: bay area
For the love of god... You've been a member for a full year and never came across a review or used the search engine?
Sorry, just tired of seeing all these threads asking the same thing.
Sorry, just tired of seeing all these threads asking the same thing.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,460
Likes: 3,554
From: Idaho
Just put a set on my Super Glide. So far I love them. Far, far better than the Scorchers that came stock.
First impressions:
Because they are a dual compound tire, with a harder center section for long tire life and a softer side section for grip, they do ride a little firmer. Plus, the fact that they're a bias ply and not a radial ply tire also adds to the firmness. Good part: because of the firm center section they feel exceptionally light and easy to turn. They really just fall into a curve with minimal steering input. It's terrific!
I haven't found any problem with grip at all. I ride hard, and I push it in the twisties, and I have no complaints. In fact, I have gone at high enough speed through a sweeper to have experienced the "Dyna wobble" more than once. With the Commander IIs I can go faster, and the wobble feels much more gentle and less...ummhhh...frightening. I assume the more gentle movement is due to the firmer sidewall.
Haven't ridden them in the rain yet, but these tires have microscopic silica flakes embedded in the rubber, and they are supposed to be as good as you can get in the rain. No other tire has better wet grip.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to give a review on tread life, because I'm looking at a new Road Glide Special.
Oh, btw, my dealer quoted me $800 for both tires, installed. Unfortunately, the service manager told me I'd have to sign a waiver relieving them of any responsibility for their work, because the Commander IIs don't say "Harley-Davidson" on the sides. Seriously. So, I went to the local BMW/Honda/Kawasaki dealer, and he mounted a pair for $440. Total.
Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
First impressions:
Because they are a dual compound tire, with a harder center section for long tire life and a softer side section for grip, they do ride a little firmer. Plus, the fact that they're a bias ply and not a radial ply tire also adds to the firmness. Good part: because of the firm center section they feel exceptionally light and easy to turn. They really just fall into a curve with minimal steering input. It's terrific!
I haven't found any problem with grip at all. I ride hard, and I push it in the twisties, and I have no complaints. In fact, I have gone at high enough speed through a sweeper to have experienced the "Dyna wobble" more than once. With the Commander IIs I can go faster, and the wobble feels much more gentle and less...ummhhh...frightening. I assume the more gentle movement is due to the firmer sidewall.
Haven't ridden them in the rain yet, but these tires have microscopic silica flakes embedded in the rubber, and they are supposed to be as good as you can get in the rain. No other tire has better wet grip.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to give a review on tread life, because I'm looking at a new Road Glide Special.
Oh, btw, my dealer quoted me $800 for both tires, installed. Unfortunately, the service manager told me I'd have to sign a waiver relieving them of any responsibility for their work, because the Commander IIs don't say "Harley-Davidson" on the sides. Seriously. So, I went to the local BMW/Honda/Kawasaki dealer, and he mounted a pair for $440. Total.
Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
Last edited by IdahoHacker; Aug 8, 2015 at 11:19 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
I paid $225 for a set on the internet and received a $20 coupon off future sales. Took wheels off and paid an indy motorcycle tire shop $56 to mount and balance them.
I probably should have mounted them myself but don't have any rim protectors and was just too lazy to save the $56. Interesting thing was the indy motorcycle tire shop would have charged about $75 more overall if I bought from them not counting the coupon I then used for a bag.
I probably should have mounted them myself but don't have any rim protectors and was just too lazy to save the $56. Interesting thing was the indy motorcycle tire shop would have charged about $75 more overall if I bought from them not counting the coupon I then used for a bag.