Michelin Commander II report
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Y'all can do whatever you want, but I refuse to ever put another pair of Dunlop tires on my bike again. They're absolutely rubbish compared to other tires. Especially the Commander II tires.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
While the Dunlop 401 is a poor performing tire IMO, the Dunlop E3 performs well and the difference between it and the 401 is like night and day.
Michelin also has its share of lousy tire models as well.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
The problem with this statement, as frequently seen here on the forum, is that many people don't seem to know the difference between a tire manufacturer and a tire model.
While the Dunlop 401 is a poor performing tire IMO, the Dunlop E3 performs well and the difference between it and the 401 is like night and day.
Michelin also has its share of lousy tire models as well.
While the Dunlop 401 is a poor performing tire IMO, the Dunlop E3 performs well and the difference between it and the 401 is like night and day.
Michelin also has its share of lousy tire models as well.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
Here is the 18,650 mile tire in question, as you can see it is not worn more in the center than on the sides and there is no chalk. The rear 401 has no chalk on it nor up inside the fender. Maybe if the tire got to be 16 years old there might be some chalk from degradation but I doubt it. That chalk thing is obviously from a fertile and wild imagination.
I have no doubt the 401s I ran would also have made it 19,000 miles. What I do doubt is I would ever ride my bike in such a way to make them last that long. Further validating my observation.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
My rear D401 lasted ~23k miles, and my front ~26k miles. I ride in all kinds of conditions at varying intensity. I think the biggest thing is keeping up on tire pressure for your conditions. That seems to be the biggest reason for low mileage I've seen.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Same here. I am an aggressive rider and also ride two up alot. I have 12K+ on the rear with no issues. When its toast I will buy another.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
And I am meticulous about the TP, I never leave home without checking it. One thing I'll say about Commander II is that at 30 psi it appears to be underflated, so much so that it squeaks and squeals when I move it around on the tile floor in my shop. I run it at 32, whether that's good, bad, or doesn't matter I dunno yet.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
I have a dyna and run my pressures at 40-42 rear and 30-32 front. Mine also squeaks on my garage floor since it shines like a new penny from being power troweled. No squeaking on road pavement though. I am a fan of the CMDRII's. To each their own. Its your bike put what you like on it. My cool aint your cool so be cool.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
And I am meticulous about the TP, I never leave home without checking it. One thing I'll say about Commander II is that at 30 psi it appears to be underflated, so much so that it squeaks and squeals when I move it around on the tile floor in my shop. I run it at 32, whether that's good, bad, or doesn't matter I dunno yet.
But based on the commander II's construction and sidewall characteristics, I suspect the proper inflation psi will be close the the Dunlop E3 and Metzeler 880's which are shown below.
I'd start with them at, 38-40 Rear and 38-40 Front.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Thanks cHarley, I did some searching and all I found was a vague suggestion to use the stock Dunlop pressure. I blocked my bike up near verticle and then got down on the floor and it was obvious that the foot print of the CII was longer and the sides bulged slightly more than the 401 which suggested to me that the CII has a softer carcass.