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I am going to replace my tires this spring. Currently, there are Michelin Commander 2's on her from her past owner. I have heard a lot about vibration issues with the Commander 3's in the touring sizes. The 2's seem ok, but I have nothing to compare it to. I have heard a lot of good things about the Dunlop American Elite. Which one is a better option? The 3's or the AEs?? Thanks in advance!
Can't speak for anybody else. I have a 2008 FLHT that I've used several different brand tires on, with varying degrees of satisfaction. The ones I have now, and have kept coming back to, are the American Elites. I'm not a knee dragging canyon carver, but I sometimes do tend to exceed the posted speed limits..I've had to ride through heavy rain, snow or, hail covered roads, and they have always felt secure and planted. Unlike some others I've tried. The worst, on THIS bike, were the Metzeler Marathon tires. On a wet, smooth road, 40 mph sweeper, and the front end slid sideways on me, while doing the freaking speed limit. They came off as soon as I got home. Strange, because I used them on my old 1980 touring bike, and they worked just fine. Anyway, all I run now are the AEs. Hope that helps.
I am one of the unfortunate that had problems with the front C3, and now am on my 2nd set of AE's since then. I believe the majority of the problems with the C3 were in the 130/60-19 size, which is what I had. The AE is a great tire.
I am on my 7th set of American Elites and think they work really well. It takes a lot of throttle to break the back one loose and they handle well. I get 16K out of the rears and 24K out the fronts but some times change them early because of an upcoming trip.
I did the first tire replacement roughly 4 years ago, went with the originals and out the door for both was $432 for my 2014 Limited. Just got back from the dealer service desk. They no longer do the free labor with the tire purchase so their price is close to double.
I did the tire removals on my 1995 FXSTC, bought the Dunlops online and had an indy do the swap out, pretty simple but the Limited is a whole new world of hurt so I need a game plan.
I get about 20k on my Dunlops and see no reason to look for a different tire. Sorry I am no help.
I have had excellent tire life, handling and traction in rain with Dunlop. Have continued to replace the stock tires back with the stock tires that HD designed and selected for the bikes. Like mentioned I have consistently got 17k to 20k miles out of both front and rear.
Last year I put new Dunlops on my 2017 FLHTK, and I just had new AE's put on my 2005 FatBoy. So far I like them. Rode the tail of the dragon about 4-5 times on the FLHTK, tires worked fine for me. Even rode in the rain on the Chiwahowa (SIC) parkway.
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2014 FLHTK tires
