Michelin Commander II
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: South Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Commander II's on my 09 Heritage
Well after getting 2 flats almost IMMEDIATELY after putting them on (Front and Rear) I was almost ready to throw them in the trash. Rear flat was bad enough but the front one scared the hell out of me! Good thing I was a block from the house and going REAL SLOW. A friend who does a lot of work on my bike picked it up we very carefully pulled the tire off and inspected things. It seems in BOTH cases it was inner tube failure. Both were bought from a Harley dealer. Not sure why they both failed , but they did. Have at least a couple thousand miles on them now and very happy. I'm also very interested in seeing how long they last. My last rear tire an Avon Viper barely lasted 5,000 miles before the bias ply started coming through!
Dave G.
09 Heritage
Dave G.
09 Heritage
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta
Uneven Front Tire Wear
Well, I said I would keep all those interested posted.
I have one issue that I'm going to have the dealer look at when I have them put the tire on. My rear tire has worn evenly, but my front tire is noticeably more worn on the right side than the left. This suggests an alignment problem to me. I would expect my bike to be pulling, forcing me to compensate and be riding more on one side, but when I take my hands off of the handlebar on level road at about 45 mph, the bike keeps straight.
This is not a premature wear issue for the tire since the left side is down to the bar, just noticeably more wear on the right side. Everyone looking at the tire notices it, there's that much of a difference.
Could the wheel be out of alignment, but the fact that these are radials have any bearing on this not manifesting into pulling that I notice? I'll be the first to admit that I'm a complete newbie when it comes to the geometry of a bike.
I have one issue that I'm going to have the dealer look at when I have them put the tire on. My rear tire has worn evenly, but my front tire is noticeably more worn on the right side than the left. This suggests an alignment problem to me. I would expect my bike to be pulling, forcing me to compensate and be riding more on one side, but when I take my hands off of the handlebar on level road at about 45 mph, the bike keeps straight.
This is not a premature wear issue for the tire since the left side is down to the bar, just noticeably more wear on the right side. Everyone looking at the tire notices it, there's that much of a difference.
Could the wheel be out of alignment, but the fact that these are radials have any bearing on this not manifesting into pulling that I notice? I'll be the first to admit that I'm a complete newbie when it comes to the geometry of a bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta
After 1000 miles on my Wide Glide, I am very happy with the Commander II tire. The bike felt more stable immediately (I guess new tires always feel better), but these tires feel MUCH more stable on tar strips than my new Dunlops did. I haven't run in the rain, yet, so I can't comment on that.
I had the tires installed at HD of Cartersville, GA. Their price on the tires was very reasonable ($96 front, $132 rear). Labor charge was $80. With the tubes, weights, rim bands, repack of the bearings, tax, balance, etc, the total was $400. They did the install while I waited, and I have to say, that I am very happy with this dealer.
Next test will be rain performance and overall longevity.
I had the tires installed at HD of Cartersville, GA. Their price on the tires was very reasonable ($96 front, $132 rear). Labor charge was $80. With the tubes, weights, rim bands, repack of the bearings, tax, balance, etc, the total was $400. They did the install while I waited, and I have to say, that I am very happy with this dealer.
Next test will be rain performance and overall longevity.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Metro Atlanta area
I had the tires installed at HD of Cartersville, GA. Their price on the tires was very reasonable ($96 front, $132 rear). Labor charge was $80. With the tubes, weights, rim bands, repack of the bearings, tax, balance, etc, the total was $400. They did the install while I waited, and I have to say, that I am very happy with this dealer.
JL
Michelin Commander II tires are amazing
I have been riding Metzeler ME880s for almost twenty years and logged over 100,000 miles on them in all kinds of conditions including one borderline hurricane and one snowstorm.
Last Summer, Michelin threw the gauntlet in Metzeler's face when they announced that their new Commander II tires would handle as well as the ME880s, AND would also last almost twice as long! My FXRP was due for tires, so I mounted a set of the Michelin Commander IIs to try them out myself.
I now have over 2000 miles on the MCII's and I must say that they are now my favorite tires. I have tested them on milled roads, steel grate bridges, and over 300 miles in the rain at Interstate speeds (70-80 mph). Handling is phenomenal in dry conditions and for the first time in my riding career I feel absolutely confident in the rain. Seriously, if you couldn't see that the road was wet you would have no idea that it was raining; these tires feel completely solid and planted. I have never felt this relaxed on a motorcycle in bad weather.
We'll have to wait a while to see how they are wearing compared to the Metzelers (I always got 15,000 miles from my ME880's) but even if they only go a little farther, these Commander II's are now my #1 tires.
Today I saw that Dunlop claims that their D407/D408 tires handle better than the MCIIs. Perhaps the Dunlops are marginally better in the handling department (I doubt it, as I've never ridden a Dunlop-equipped motorcycle that wasn't vastly improved by installing a better brand of tires) but I know that the D407's don't last for s%&t. To everyone who wants to stick with Dunlops because "that's what Harley-Davidson chose to equip my bike with" you should know that H-D chose Dunlop not because they're good, but because they are CHEAP. Hell, the bikes used to come with Goodyear tires (incredible garbage) and didn't switch to Dunlop until Goodyear stopped making motorcycle tires.
Last Summer, Michelin threw the gauntlet in Metzeler's face when they announced that their new Commander II tires would handle as well as the ME880s, AND would also last almost twice as long! My FXRP was due for tires, so I mounted a set of the Michelin Commander IIs to try them out myself.
I now have over 2000 miles on the MCII's and I must say that they are now my favorite tires. I have tested them on milled roads, steel grate bridges, and over 300 miles in the rain at Interstate speeds (70-80 mph). Handling is phenomenal in dry conditions and for the first time in my riding career I feel absolutely confident in the rain. Seriously, if you couldn't see that the road was wet you would have no idea that it was raining; these tires feel completely solid and planted. I have never felt this relaxed on a motorcycle in bad weather.
We'll have to wait a while to see how they are wearing compared to the Metzelers (I always got 15,000 miles from my ME880's) but even if they only go a little farther, these Commander II's are now my #1 tires.
Today I saw that Dunlop claims that their D407/D408 tires handle better than the MCIIs. Perhaps the Dunlops are marginally better in the handling department (I doubt it, as I've never ridden a Dunlop-equipped motorcycle that wasn't vastly improved by installing a better brand of tires) but I know that the D407's don't last for s%&t. To everyone who wants to stick with Dunlops because "that's what Harley-Davidson chose to equip my bike with" you should know that H-D chose Dunlop not because they're good, but because they are CHEAP. Hell, the bikes used to come with Goodyear tires (incredible garbage) and didn't switch to Dunlop until Goodyear stopped making motorcycle tires.
I have been riding Metzeler ME880s for almost twenty years and logged over 100,000 miles on them in all kinds of conditions including one borderline hurricane and one snowstorm.
Last Summer, Michelin threw the gauntlet in Metzeler's face when they announced that their new Commander II tires would handle as well as the ME880s, AND would also last almost twice as long! My FXRP was due for tires, so I mounted a set of the Michelin Commander IIs to try them out myself.
I now have over 2000 miles on the MCII's and I must say that they are now my favorite tires. I have tested them on milled roads, steel grate bridges, and over 300 miles in the rain at Interstate speeds (70-80 mph). Handling is phenomenal in dry conditions and for the first time in my riding career I feel absolutely confident in the rain. Seriously, if you couldn't see that the road was wet you would have no idea that it was raining; these tires feel completely solid and planted. I have never felt this relaxed on a motorcycle in bad weather.
We'll have to wait a while to see how they are wearing compared to the Metzelers (I always got 15,000 miles from my ME880's) but even if they only go a little farther, these Commander II's are now my #1 tires.
Today I saw that Dunlop claims that their D407/D408 tires handle better than the MCIIs. Perhaps the Dunlops are marginally better in the handling department (I doubt it, as I've never ridden a Dunlop-equipped motorcycle that wasn't vastly improved by installing a better brand of tires) but I know that the D407's don't last for s%&t. To everyone who wants to stick with Dunlops because "that's what Harley-Davidson chose to equip my bike with" you should know that H-D chose Dunlop not because they're good, but because they are CHEAP. Hell, the bikes used to come with Goodyear tires (incredible garbage) and didn't switch to Dunlop until Goodyear stopped making motorcycle tires.
Last Summer, Michelin threw the gauntlet in Metzeler's face when they announced that their new Commander II tires would handle as well as the ME880s, AND would also last almost twice as long! My FXRP was due for tires, so I mounted a set of the Michelin Commander IIs to try them out myself.
I now have over 2000 miles on the MCII's and I must say that they are now my favorite tires. I have tested them on milled roads, steel grate bridges, and over 300 miles in the rain at Interstate speeds (70-80 mph). Handling is phenomenal in dry conditions and for the first time in my riding career I feel absolutely confident in the rain. Seriously, if you couldn't see that the road was wet you would have no idea that it was raining; these tires feel completely solid and planted. I have never felt this relaxed on a motorcycle in bad weather.
We'll have to wait a while to see how they are wearing compared to the Metzelers (I always got 15,000 miles from my ME880's) but even if they only go a little farther, these Commander II's are now my #1 tires.
Today I saw that Dunlop claims that their D407/D408 tires handle better than the MCIIs. Perhaps the Dunlops are marginally better in the handling department (I doubt it, as I've never ridden a Dunlop-equipped motorcycle that wasn't vastly improved by installing a better brand of tires) but I know that the D407's don't last for s%&t. To everyone who wants to stick with Dunlops because "that's what Harley-Davidson chose to equip my bike with" you should know that H-D chose Dunlop not because they're good, but because they are CHEAP. Hell, the bikes used to come with Goodyear tires (incredible garbage) and didn't switch to Dunlop until Goodyear stopped making motorcycle tires.
I have approx. 4600 miles on my rear and a little less on my front MCII. Changed them out this past April/May. Rode in some light rain and a few heavy down pours. And done some good highway speeds in the very HOT summer we've had in PA. I felt very confident with the tires at all times. No isssues. I don't hammer my bike but I do ride to enjoy it. Either way, the tires have proven to me they are pretty good. I've got alot of miles left from what I see. I keep'em up on air never let them go low. I have noticed on the colder mornings in PA, 38F or colder, that they do make the front end feel light. Sort of like more agile...not unstable mind you. I was running 39 front and 41 rear all season. For the colder temps I find 38 and 40 are working nicely. Seemed to tame the colder feel out alittle.
Very happy with them for sure. I see another set in my future for sure...that is WHEN I may need them. AND I perfer the all black wall as well. WIN - WIN - WIN!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
The original frt dunrock on my 07 FB wore the same way. the right side worn down more then the left. no pulling noted. did get some vibs from it because its a dunlop and chopped out.
Installing the MCII's when i get my wheels back from getting cleared.
Installing the MCII's when i get my wheels back from getting cleared.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Mostly hot weather riding, with a few storms in the mix.... no snow, and no hurricanes.
I'm happy... from what I see 15k should be no problems.... heck I put a C-II on my wife's bike, and she was impressed about how much better than the Metzler this tire is.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
Well, I have to say after reading some of the latest posts that i am a little disappointed at having to replace my II's after 8K. Then again, I had to replace the stock Dunlops at under 6K.
Wondering if maybe I'm a little too agressive in my daily highway riding. I didn't expect to get the miles that Michelin claimed, but I did think I'd get more than 8K. I probably have another couple of K on the rear, but decided replace them both.
I do like them well enough that I'm having another set put on this Saturday morning, and their cheap enough.
My Fatboy sizes are the most expensive, but I got both for a total of $305, free shipping, which is less than I paid for the first set in January.
Wondering if maybe I'm a little too agressive in my daily highway riding. I didn't expect to get the miles that Michelin claimed, but I did think I'd get more than 8K. I probably have another couple of K on the rear, but decided replace them both.
I do like them well enough that I'm having another set put on this Saturday morning, and their cheap enough.
My Fatboy sizes are the most expensive, but I got both for a total of $305, free shipping, which is less than I paid for the first set in January.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I have no idea why all of these Commander II threads have multiple good posts from riders happy with these tires while I can't say the same. I have had the snot scared out of me taking a well known corner less than a mile from my house, at my normal speed, finding myself standing the bike up in the middle of the corner to avoid loosing it. Fortunately I had the grass yard of the church in that corner. How is it possible there are so many happy customers, can we have that much variation in these things? I can't wait to get these things off the bike and get the ride back to normal