michelin commander II tires
Just put one on my Dyna and think it may have contributed to my wreck. I was going to take it off, but hadn't got around to it. Thought it would get softer. Going into corners hard would skid. A guy came straight at me after cutting a corner short and I dodged being hit head on, but tire instantly went into a skid and didn't grab until I went through the corner and into the dirt. I will be changing once bike is rebuilt.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 181
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
Love the Cdr 2s, they are a little harder than Scorchers, but you really only notice in the rain. Even the Commanders with full tread arent bad in rain. But the only time I've ever had an issue with Commanders is when they were near replacement tread wear and in heavy rain.
I'm a year round high mileage rider who loves twisties, the Commader 2s are my tire of choice so far.
I'm a year round high mileage rider who loves twisties, the Commader 2s are my tire of choice so far.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: ft worth tx
Just put one on my Dyna and think it may have contributed to my wreck. I was going to take it off, but hadn't got around to it. Thought it would get softer. Going into corners hard would skid. A guy came straight at me after cutting a corner short and I dodged being hit head on, but tire instantly went into a skid and didn't grab until I went through the corner and into the dirt. I will be changing once bike is rebuilt.
10k miles on 90/90-21
Michelin commander 2 is a really stiff tire and the front tire will push in hard cornering but i never had it simply go away and put me in the ditch. i just replaced it with a shenko tour master, $56 shipping inc. yea i know, but the price was right and i love the tire. super soft and easy to mount. the michelin's are rim bending nightmares to mount/dismount.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
I've been running MCIIs up front, for a couple of change-outs now, and no issue... however after changing up my front end, had a 130/90-16 mounted and the shop had to pressurize it to 120 to get it to seat on the bead... a little excessive if you ask me.. so yeah, they are stiff... I'll have to see how this one does in the wide configuration this year.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 5
From: NJ
You guys like the Scorchers?
I'm trying to find my next tire, too. If you guys say the Commander is worse than the Scorcher it must be dangerous to ride on. I can feel the rear Scorcher sliding around all the time and there is plenty of life left on it. The front feels good however. I run the pressure at the recommended 38. Maybe I should go a little soft, at least in the fall and winter colder temps. Anyway, someone please recommend a good GRIPPY tire for the twisties.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 227
Likes: 45
From: Santa Maria
I have a set on my bike, front and rear. Have over 10k on the front and it looks like its at 50%. Rear has about 4k.
To anyone saying these tires are too hard...I scrape pegs around corners and my front tire is worn to the edge. The tires are hard yes but i've never had any slippage. I've also ridden in the rain and never once had any issues with the tires.
To anyone saying these tires are too hard...I scrape pegs around corners and my front tire is worn to the edge. The tires are hard yes but i've never had any slippage. I've also ridden in the rain and never once had any issues with the tires.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
I'm trying to find my next tire, too. If you guys say the Commander is worse than the Scorcher it must be dangerous to ride on. I can feel the rear Scorcher sliding around all the time and there is plenty of life left on it. The front feels good however. I run the pressure at the recommended 38. Maybe I should go a little soft, at least in the fall and winter colder temps. Anyway, someone please recommend a good GRIPPY tire for the twisties.
Harder the tire - longer it lasts..., less grip
Softer the tire - shorter it lasts..., more grip
Just the way it is (some want the longevity..., some want to get a grip (and frankly need to))
Key is finding the tire suited to your riding.., knowing there a trade off between longevity and grip
Appears you're looking for a "grippy" one -> pirelli night dragons
===========
For what they are.., and what they do - michelin commander II tires are good tires
Night dragons are much softer - and good at what they do
Ghost
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 5
From: NJ
To say tire brand "X" is worse than brand "y" - hence it must be dangerous - is unnecessarily over dramatic
Harder the tire - longer it lasts..., less grip
Softer the tire - shorter it lasts..., more grip
Just the way it is (some want the longevity..., some want to get a grip (and frankly need to))
Key is finding the tire suited to your riding.., knowing there a trade off between longevity and grip
Appears you're looking for a "grippy" one -> pirelli night dragons
===========
For what they are.., and what they do - michelin commander II tires are good tires
Night dragons are much softer - and good at what they do
Ghost
Harder the tire - longer it lasts..., less grip
Softer the tire - shorter it lasts..., more grip
Just the way it is (some want the longevity..., some want to get a grip (and frankly need to))
Key is finding the tire suited to your riding.., knowing there a trade off between longevity and grip
Appears you're looking for a "grippy" one -> pirelli night dragons
===========
For what they are.., and what they do - michelin commander II tires are good tires
Night dragons are much softer - and good at what they do
Ghost
Sorry you thought I was being dramatic. I didn't think I could offend someone with a comment about tires. Based on my experience with a tire that most on here are saying is better, I was just stating a guess as to the available grip from the Commander. I said nothing about any brand being better or worse. I am also fully aware of the trade-offs between hard and soft tires, and you are correct, if I was only after longer life, and rode in a relaxed manner all the time, the Commanders would probably be an upgrade. However, I don't ride this bike that way, and these Michelin Scorchers are the first tires I've ridden on that slide on clean dry road. Previously I've had H-D's and a VTX with Dunlop 401's and 402's , and a Kawi 1600 Vulcan with Bridgestones and I felt confident on all of them.
Last edited by Puma NJ; Nov 22, 2016 at 05:48 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
If it helps....
Over the summer I needed new tires. I have a Switchback and the tire sizes are not as common as a Street Bob. I researched the following...
- Michelin Commander II - Claims of mileage approaching 20k on the rear, but most around 15k. Some claims of cupping on the front. Some claims of slippage at riding extremes. Summary - if you're looking for a high mileage tire with somewhat better performance than stock, this is it.
- Dunlop American Elite - Claims of mileage approaching 15k. More claims of capable performance at riding extremes. Summary - If you're looking for a balance of higher mileage and performance capability, this seems to be a good choice.
- Pirelli Night Dragon - Claims of mileage approaching 12k, but most around 10k. Excellent performance ability for grip and rain. Summary - If performance is your key concern, this seems to be the choice. Mileage seems to be in stock tire territory or a little worse.
On the recommendations of those here that were more performance focused on their tire needs (TinCupChalice had some good info on the Pirellis'), I went with the Night Dragons. They have a very rounded profile which seems to aid getting the bike over in a turn. They are very confidence inspiring. Grip is fantastic. Only have about 1.5k miles on the tires, so too early to tell on longevity. So far, very pleased. Having said that, while they don't have the extreme grip and tire profile of the Night Dragons, I didn't find the stockers so bad. Depending on the longevity of the Night Dragons, I may try the Dunlop American Elites next go around.
Over the summer I needed new tires. I have a Switchback and the tire sizes are not as common as a Street Bob. I researched the following...
- Michelin Commander II - Claims of mileage approaching 20k on the rear, but most around 15k. Some claims of cupping on the front. Some claims of slippage at riding extremes. Summary - if you're looking for a high mileage tire with somewhat better performance than stock, this is it.
- Dunlop American Elite - Claims of mileage approaching 15k. More claims of capable performance at riding extremes. Summary - If you're looking for a balance of higher mileage and performance capability, this seems to be a good choice.
- Pirelli Night Dragon - Claims of mileage approaching 12k, but most around 10k. Excellent performance ability for grip and rain. Summary - If performance is your key concern, this seems to be the choice. Mileage seems to be in stock tire territory or a little worse.
On the recommendations of those here that were more performance focused on their tire needs (TinCupChalice had some good info on the Pirellis'), I went with the Night Dragons. They have a very rounded profile which seems to aid getting the bike over in a turn. They are very confidence inspiring. Grip is fantastic. Only have about 1.5k miles on the tires, so too early to tell on longevity. So far, very pleased. Having said that, while they don't have the extreme grip and tire profile of the Night Dragons, I didn't find the stockers so bad. Depending on the longevity of the Night Dragons, I may try the Dunlop American Elites next go around.
