Michelin Commander II report
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
I put one on the front of the bagger before my Sturgis trip. I purposely followed the tar snakes and they were hands down more stable than the Dunlop. This year was the first time with good weather both directions on this annual ride, so I can't really comment on monsoon handling. They have about 5K now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I cruise on mine but if I road raced i'd run a softer set of rubber. I've noticed no tracking or handling issues with the Dunlop's that many complain about. Dunlop's have been around motorcycles ever since I've been riding and well I'm over half a century mark in age
. Oh btw cruising doesn't mean I don't ride the throttle hard
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Michelin recommends running OEM pressures on their Commander II's (and all of their tires for bikes actually).
"For use on the road, it’s essential to use the tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer of your motorbike.
You’ll find it in the bike’s handbook or on the machine itself."
And from their fitment guide PDF: "Michelin recommends the tire pressure quoted by the motorcycle manufacturer, except where otherwise stated."
http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/ad...tire-pressures
www.michelinmotorcycle.com/pubs/fitment2013.pdf
"For use on the road, it’s essential to use the tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer of your motorbike.
You’ll find it in the bike’s handbook or on the machine itself."
And from their fitment guide PDF: "Michelin recommends the tire pressure quoted by the motorcycle manufacturer, except where otherwise stated."
http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/ad...tire-pressures
www.michelinmotorcycle.com/pubs/fitment2013.pdf
Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Sep 29, 2013 at 09:20 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Michelin recommends running OEM pressures on their Commander II's (and all of their tires for bikes actually).
"For use on the road, its essential to use the tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer of your motorbike.
Youll find it in the bikes handbook or on the machine itself."
And from their fitment guide PDF: "Michelin recommends the tire pressure quoted by the motorcycle manufacturer, except where otherwise stated."
http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/ad...tire-pressures
www.michelinmotorcycle.com/pubs/fitment2013.pdf
"For use on the road, its essential to use the tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer of your motorbike.
Youll find it in the bikes handbook or on the machine itself."
And from their fitment guide PDF: "Michelin recommends the tire pressure quoted by the motorcycle manufacturer, except where otherwise stated."
http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/ad...tire-pressures
www.michelinmotorcycle.com/pubs/fitment2013.pdf
What bothers (nags) me, is Michelin's vague recommendation to use the motorcycle manufactures recommended inflation pressures.
Unlike the Commander II which is designed to be used on a fairly broad range of motorcycle brands, the Dunlop 401 is specifically made for Harley, to Harley specifications, and it's designed to be run in most cases, at less pressure than the 401 counterparts, like the Metz 880, Dunlop E3 and Avon Venom.
So, I guess I'm still left questioning whether Michelin's "broad brush" recommendation, is really very accurate.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
That's good info, and it's typical of what I've found in the past when researching Michelin tire data.
What bothers (nags) me, is Michelin's vague recommendation to use the motorcycle manufactures recommended inflation pressures.
Unlike the Commander II which is designed to be used on a fairly broad range of motorcycle brands, the Dunlop 401 is specifically made for Harley, to Harley specifications, and it's designed to be run in most cases, at less pressure than the 401 counterparts, like the Metz 880, Dunlop E3 and Avon Venom.
So, I guess I'm still left questioning whether Michelin's "broad brush" recommendation, is really very accurate.
What bothers (nags) me, is Michelin's vague recommendation to use the motorcycle manufactures recommended inflation pressures.
Unlike the Commander II which is designed to be used on a fairly broad range of motorcycle brands, the Dunlop 401 is specifically made for Harley, to Harley specifications, and it's designed to be run in most cases, at less pressure than the 401 counterparts, like the Metz 880, Dunlop E3 and Avon Venom.
So, I guess I'm still left questioning whether Michelin's "broad brush" recommendation, is really very accurate.
I have a few friends from college that went to work for Michelin, so I can't really blame them if what they spec seems odd. The general engineering community really has no reason to lie when it comes to anything like this. I'm happy to run what is recommended.
I've got about 7k on the rear, and I was honestly surprised about that (I had to check my logs) because it still looks brand new, even with a generous amount of 2-up riding. Only time will tell.
As far as I know, Michelin recommends to run OEM pressures. That said, Harley also recommends running their fluids and other stuff, so you know how much we all follow their recommendations.
And 1200Cdriver, mine squeaks when I move it on my smooth concrete garage floor as well. It was a little worrisome at first, because only flats have done that in the past, but it just seems to be a smooth concrete thing. It doesn't do that on any other normal surface.
Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Sep 29, 2013 at 04:29 PM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Agreed, there is a difference between tire manufactures and specific models of those tires. My new Ultra Classic of course has Dunlops. They are not the Elite 3 model, but also not the 401 and 403 I've had experience. I can't remember what they are, but they handle much better than any Dunlop tire I've had on a bike in the past.