Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
Okay, WVRDKING, I'm running out of time (tire) here. How many thousands of miles did you put on your bike this weekend? Have you had the wife get the garden hose and wet down the driveway for you to test them on wet pavement? Dang, I really need some new tires.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
ORIGINAL: MNPGRider
Thanks for the initial report. Do us all a favor and ride like hell for the next couple of weeks and see if the rear lasts longer than 10,000 miles and report back....
I'm due for tires and am going to try the Michelins. I had Elite III's on my Venture Royale and never got less than 16,000 on the rear. 10K stinks on these stock Harley Dunlops.
Thanks for the initial report. Do us all a favor and ride like hell for the next couple of weeks and see if the rear lasts longer than 10,000 miles and report back....
I'm due for tires and am going to try the Michelins. I had Elite III's on my Venture Royale and never got less than 16,000 on the rear. 10K stinks on these stock Harley Dunlops.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
ORIGINAL: iclick
Amen, which is why I'm moving to the E3, and just ordered a rear yesterday.
Amen, which is why I'm moving to the E3, and just ordered a rear yesterday.
Jim
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
WVRDKING, I was going to check on Dunlop E3's, but after reading about your bad experience when you called Dunlop, figure there's no reason to give them more business. So, now leaning toward the Michelin's. Need to know what sizes you're running front and rear. Do you know if the 140/90-16 can be used on the rear? Metzler stage 1 upgrade indicates it can without any changes. What do you think?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
ORIGINAL: Taterdog
WVRDKING, I was going to check on Dunlop E3's, but after reading about your bad experience when you called Dunlop, figure there's no reason to give them more business. So, now leaning toward the Michelin's. Need to know what sizes you're running front and rear. Do you know if the 140/90-16 can be used on the rear? Metzler stage 1 upgrade indicates it can without any changes. What do you think?
WVRDKING, I was going to check on Dunlop E3's, but after reading about your bad experience when you called Dunlop, figure there's no reason to give them more business. So, now leaning toward the Michelin's. Need to know what sizes you're running front and rear. Do you know if the 140/90-16 can be used on the rear? Metzler stage 1 upgrade indicates it can without any changes. What do you think?
I'm using the MT90B16 on the front and the MU85B16 on the rear which is applicable for my '07 Ultra. Don't know if the 140/90 can be used on your '00 Classic. Might need to check with Michelin Customer Service. The H-D P&A Catalog lists the MT90B16 for the front ('81-'08 Touring) and the MT90B16 for the rear on all '81-'03 Touring bikes. H-D switched to the MU85 in 2004 and I'm not sure what changes were made to the rear running gear to allow the change.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
ORIGINAL: Taterdog
Okay, WVRDKING, I'm running out of time (tire) here. How many thousands of miles did you put on your bike this weekend? Have you had the wife get the garden hose and wet down the driveway for you to test them on wet pavement? Dang, I really need some new tires.
Okay, WVRDKING, I'm running out of time (tire) here. How many thousands of miles did you put on your bike this weekend? Have you had the wife get the garden hose and wet down the driveway for you to test them on wet pavement? Dang, I really need some new tires.
LOL! Rode 630 miles round trip this weekend, and never did experience any wet weather! And I was actually hoping to ride in the rain........at least to allow some feedback on wet weather handling!
Anyway, I did get some serious high speed time on I-40/I-81, a couple hundred miles through the Smoky Mountains, and an aggressive ride across the Dragon's Tail; and these Commanders exceeded all my expectations! Don't know if it's the tires, dyna beads, or more realistically a combination of both; but this was the smoothest ride I've ever experienced on a Touring bike!Was running 80+ on the Interstate, two-up with bags and tour pak loaded, and I kept thinking: man, this thing is smooth!
The real kicker for me was that trip across the Dragon! Was pushing the Ultra as hard as traffic and conditions would allow, and as I've said before it was like riding on a rail. IMO, these Commanders can easily exceed the capabilities of an Ultra.
Since I've never ran a set of Metzlers, Avons, Continentals, or any other popular brands my feedback may not be completely unbiased. And I still don't know how the Commanders will do with regards to wet weather handling and treadlife. But my gut feeling is I'll be totally satisfied once they've run their lifespan.
Now, go order those tires your needing!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: Michelin Commanders: Initial Impressions
For those interested, here's the reply I got from AMT about running a Michelin Commander 140/90-16 on the rear, similar to the Metzeler stage 1 upgrade.
The 140/90HB-16 will fit – no issues. It is the same size as Metzeler’s tire and would be a great upgrade.
So, think I'll order the Michelin Commander MT90B16 for the front, and 140/90HB-16 for the rear.
The 140/90HB-16 will fit – no issues. It is the same size as Metzeler’s tire and would be a great upgrade.
So, think I'll order the Michelin Commander MT90B16 for the front, and 140/90HB-16 for the rear.