Michelin Commander II Poor Handling!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
I must be the "odd man out".... 12k on the CommanderIIs.... handle well in wet or dry.... no issues at all
2005 FLTRi..... I've had the E-3s for the past few tire changes... great tire... but the C-IIs are just a bit better (to ME, on MY bike)
2005 FLTRi..... I've had the E-3s for the past few tire changes... great tire... but the C-IIs are just a bit better (to ME, on MY bike)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
Maybe there is a bad run of tires? I love my Com II rear tire but I don't doubt those that are having a bad experience. I'll post the date on my tire when I get home. Maybe if there are some dates from the good experiences and dates from the bad experiences a pattern might emerge. Remember manufacuter lot date not purchase date.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,211
From: Snow Hill, NC
Yo Penn.... you us big boys... you can stick anything on our bikes and our big asses will make it stick to the ground anyway...LOL...
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Put on the rear Commander II 6 months ago and loved it. Wanted to get rid of the pinstripe whitewall up front so I bought the front Commander II and immediately developed a weird front end drift over 65 mph. Running 42 psi and I am only at about 500 miles on it. It is starting to look from others this is not going to go away.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
After almost 10 years of Dunlop 402's, 1 rear every year and a front every other year, I purchased a set of Commander II's. Since I bought a new bike this year I wanted to save a little on the new tires for the old bike. Also liked the advertised "Twice the Mileage". From the start these were slick, Taking a corner I have taken a thousand times, 1 mile from my house, I found myself standing the bike up to keep from loosing it and off road into the church yard grass. They slip when I cross painted lines, they spin or chirp in gears 1 through 4 and I can't take a corner or don't trust them in the corners. Mine were made in Thailand I know some are made in Spain. Maybe that is the difference.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
Also as a FYI, more pressure if it exceeds the max inflation on the sidewall does not increase the tires carrying capacity.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
Sorry to hear that some folks are not having good results from their CII's. I've had my rear on for over 6K & front probably less than 3K. I like them very much. I've had no problems w/ handling in wet or dry. I live in the Ozarks, so I get play in the curves often, they handle fine for me. I just hope I can get more mileage out of these than the Elite 3's...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I don't care what's posted on the tire, or the manual, different rubber, different design, adjust the pressure to perform correctly for you within a safe range.
Just changed over to a Metzler on the front and rear. I discovered that dropping the front to 36 pounds made a huge difference in how it handled on my bike.
At 40 it didn't have enough rubber on the road. Turned like power steering but really washed out and wobbled on the corners.
Just changed over to a Metzler on the front and rear. I discovered that dropping the front to 36 pounds made a huge difference in how it handled on my bike.
At 40 it didn't have enough rubber on the road. Turned like power steering but really washed out and wobbled on the corners.
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I agree w/JC. I run usually 41R and 39/F on my MCII's. That is in the summer. I'm a bit of a light weight on the bike. But I find in the colder wx...I need to drop the air alittle in the front or I get the power steering thing. No wobbles in turns...but I chose 40R and 37F and the bike seems to tame down a little.
BTW, JC did you work/fix your windshield? Any update? If ya did, hope it worked!
BTW, JC did you work/fix your windshield? Any update? If ya did, hope it worked!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I have to disagree. You should ALWAYS set the tire pressure to what the decal on the bike states. (Given that the size and type are the same as what the decal calls for). The tire may fit a number of different bikes so inflating to the max may degrade the tires performance. Air pressure dictates the carrying capacity and the "footprint" of the tire, thereby affecting the handling characteristics of the tire.
Also as a FYI, more pressure if it exceeds the max inflation on the sidewall does not increase the tires carrying capacity.
Also as a FYI, more pressure if it exceeds the max inflation on the sidewall does not increase the tires carrying capacity.