Michelin Commander III - New Tire Review
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
I can not figure out, how you guys with baggers that ride "fast & hard" can get 15,000+ miles out of a rear tire, when I use the same brand/model tire.
I'm on a bike that's 150 lbs lighter than a bagger, with no passenger, and I'm conscious of tire pressure (41PSI.) And yet, I'm almost on cords at 11,000 miles. And I don't ride "hard nor fast."
I don't do "jack rabbit" starts nor burn-outs. (Unless I enter a burn-out contest.) But that hasn't happened since 2002.
So, what is the secret, here?
(And no, I don't scale 400lbs, either.) I'm barely half that.
I'm on a bike that's 150 lbs lighter than a bagger, with no passenger, and I'm conscious of tire pressure (41PSI.) And yet, I'm almost on cords at 11,000 miles. And I don't ride "hard nor fast."
I don't do "jack rabbit" starts nor burn-outs. (Unless I enter a burn-out contest.) But that hasn't happened since 2002.
So, what is the secret, here?
(And no, I don't scale 400lbs, either.) I'm barely half that.
I get 10k or so (which after years of forum bullshit I think is normal) and I generally do 2 rears per front. (the horror!)
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
I was expected much more out of the tire but seeing that the tire has "split" it needed to be replaced anyway.
I'm went back to Dunlops and installed a Dunlop AE.
The Dunlops seem to not last as long as the Michelin but the Dunlops handle better.
From what I've read however the Commander IIIs are supposed to have improved handling over the Commander IIs.
Last edited by Bluraven; Apr 13, 2020 at 10:56 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Germany
I was the Metzeler guy. I ride a Harley Streetglide like a sport bike, and many people came to me for recommendation. I was a big fan of the Metzeler 800 series. Ran two or three sets. Dunlops and Avons are good tires. Metzeler are better. Everyone with Avons took some talking to get to Metzeler - and then comes back and says "wow". But this is a Michelin review, right?
Metzeler 888 is a decent tire. The Cruise Tec was where I wanted to go but no 18 inch tire and the Street Glide runs 18 on the rear. Multiple calls to Metzeler (owned by Pirelli) and no one would commit. How do you make a line of tires with no 18"?. The Pirelli Night Dragons came into consideration. Great handling, but lower mileage. Older design. And essentially two different tires, The initial Pirelli didn't handle Street Glide size loads. So Pirelli Dragons on my front and redesigned for load Dragons Max (don't remember exact name) on the back. So I'm mixing two tires? I couldn't wrap my arms around that. So after MUCH research I decided the best tires on the market were the Michelin Commander II. But I took the plunge and went with the Michelin Commander III. The tires are new, the Commander II"s are highly regarded. Good handling, due to my need to hang with Ducatis on my Glide is my #1 requirement. The ads about the III were they were designed to add more mileage and wet handling to the excellent Commander II. It took time to dig intot he Commander II reviews to figure out that there was great handling as a given. Ad great mileage to that - can you sent those III's overnight please?
Speed Test Scrabble Word Finder Solitaire
So I did my first long ride.
1) Great handling. Even. My but is sensitive enought that I can tell when the Metzeler on my Deuce are gripping harder in front than back or vice versa. These provide exceptional deep into a turn handling.
2) A tremendous surprise out of these tires with stiff carcases for long mileage, they #$%^& ride awesome.
3) We did Jersey to PA. Best tires ever on Metal bridges.
4) They track well on the road.
5) They are great on my pet peave they don't follow road imperections or tar strips.
The only thing I didn't get to try is tar strips in the heat. The one thing I really hated on the OE Dunlops is that if you tried to handle across those strips in 95 degree weather you'd feel like the bike was slipping out from under you.
If these tiree come close to the prediction of 15-20,000 miles Michelin says they can reach they should be a 7 on a scale of 1-5. Highly recommended.
Metzeler 888 is a decent tire. The Cruise Tec was where I wanted to go but no 18 inch tire and the Street Glide runs 18 on the rear. Multiple calls to Metzeler (owned by Pirelli) and no one would commit. How do you make a line of tires with no 18"?. The Pirelli Night Dragons came into consideration. Great handling, but lower mileage. Older design. And essentially two different tires, The initial Pirelli didn't handle Street Glide size loads. So Pirelli Dragons on my front and redesigned for load Dragons Max (don't remember exact name) on the back. So I'm mixing two tires? I couldn't wrap my arms around that. So after MUCH research I decided the best tires on the market were the Michelin Commander II. But I took the plunge and went with the Michelin Commander III. The tires are new, the Commander II"s are highly regarded. Good handling, due to my need to hang with Ducatis on my Glide is my #1 requirement. The ads about the III were they were designed to add more mileage and wet handling to the excellent Commander II. It took time to dig intot he Commander II reviews to figure out that there was great handling as a given. Ad great mileage to that - can you sent those III's overnight please?
Speed Test Scrabble Word Finder Solitaire
So I did my first long ride.
1) Great handling. Even. My but is sensitive enought that I can tell when the Metzeler on my Deuce are gripping harder in front than back or vice versa. These provide exceptional deep into a turn handling.
2) A tremendous surprise out of these tires with stiff carcases for long mileage, they #$%^& ride awesome.
3) We did Jersey to PA. Best tires ever on Metal bridges.
4) They track well on the road.
5) They are great on my pet peave they don't follow road imperections or tar strips.
The only thing I didn't get to try is tar strips in the heat. The one thing I really hated on the OE Dunlops is that if you tried to handle across those strips in 95 degree weather you'd feel like the bike was slipping out from under you.
If these tiree come close to the prediction of 15-20,000 miles Michelin says they can reach they should be a 7 on a scale of 1-5. Highly recommended.
Last edited by zkaleem zae; Apr 17, 2020 at 03:25 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 94
From:
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,445
Likes: 34,502
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
My last rear tire.
Last edited by Tommy C; Apr 17, 2020 at 10:22 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
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 94
From:
QUOTE=Tommy C;19046747]I'm curious how you get your bike to make it through a turn without leaning your bike.
My last rear tire. [/QUOTE]
Dude what are you talkin about - the marks come up to almost the edge of the tire?? wtf are you talking about? You're not even showing your chicken strips bro..
My last rear tire. [/QUOTE]
Dude what are you talkin about - the marks come up to almost the edge of the tire?? wtf are you talking about? You're not even showing your chicken strips bro..
Last edited by nine11c2; Apr 18, 2020 at 11:38 AM.
