Michellin commander II's

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May 23, 2014 | 06:00 AM

#31

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,653

Likes: 9,113

From: Snow Hill, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmacdonald5

..gotta love the stock Dunlops....really?...they have to be the most mediocre tire ever made...they do everything you need a tire to do...just barely...rough ride?..check...follow tar snakes?..check...wear out fast?..check...squirrelly in weather?..check...ugly tread style?...check.... MC11's..get em..love em...enjoy em..best tires I've had in a long time!

I found that all the tires I have installed on the bike ,now about 10 I think rode great to start but start to show the tyre value at about 3/4 of the life cycle. Cupping, roaring etc...I was very disappointed in the MCII with only 10000 miles.....I found they also tracked the groves and tar snakes a bit more than the EIII, but overall they handled ok. Price was decent, and the rain was nit an issue. I hate that I have to get a stock Dunlop today but I want to ride this weekend and next weekend before I have carpal tunnel surgery on the 5th of June, then I will be off the bike for 30 days...later I will look to try the American Elite now that it's available for the 07...Please do no take this as a bash party towards the MC2....I keep experimenting with different brands.

Last edited by Notgrownup; May 23, 2014 at 12:43 PM. Reason: spelling f/up with smartphone

May 23, 2014 | 07:30 AM

#32

RKZen

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 6,065

Likes: 1,945

From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief1600

Not sure what you're referring to that isn't right...

My bad chief1600. I misread your post. Glad you like the MCII's.

May 23, 2014 | 11:50 AM

#33

Harleydaddy

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 456

Likes: 0

From: Upstate NY

Too bad about the MC II's. They sound like great touring tires for our bikes. I need new tires right now, and would love to buy a set, but I see nothing made by Michelin that comes in a white wall for us RK owners. I don't want black walls. I want white walls for my RK. And I don't really want to buy a Metz or an Avon gangster. So basically I'm stuck buying a Metz or an Avon gangster, or another crappy Dunlop in order to get a white wall.

Last edited by Harleydaddy; May 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM.

May 23, 2014 | 12:01 PM

#34

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,445

Likes: 2,816

From: Oklahoma

What is the max pressure shown on the sidewall of the MCII 140/90/16 rear tire?

May 23, 2014 | 12:08 PM

#35

$tonecold

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 4,697

Likes: 2,199

From: Gilbert, Az.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notgrownup

We'll I would be trying something different today ...bought a car tire and come yo find out my rear fender is offset by quite a bit so the thing won't fit...I am stuck putting a D402 for now if I want to ride tomorrow.... Been a while since I had one of those....like 70000 miles or so ....I will be curious to see how I toes compared to the CII.

I would think that to be an alignment problem. I don't know how much time you want to spend on it, but that can be fixed pretty easily. It does require the removal of the tank, some straight edges about 8 ft. long, and at least one (two is better) magnetic angle degree finder. I always found extruded aluminum angle to be straight and not extremely expensive. If your careful with it you can return it when your done. I have an '08 manual if you need the directions for alignment. Might be a reason your not getting the wear out of your tires that your buddies are getting and why your handling isn't up to par.

May 23, 2014 | 12:44 PM

#36

'12 FLHRC Cary

Novice

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: Oelwein, IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harleydaddy

I'm going to need to replace the rear tire on my '12RKC in a couple thousand miles. When I started reading this thread, I immediately went to jakewilson.com. Bummed that the MCII's are not available in wide whitewall. jakewilson does have the best price I've seen on American Elites for my bike.

May 23, 2014 | 12:53 PM

#37

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,653

Likes: 9,113

From: Snow Hill, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by $tonecold

I might get that checked but this is the fender that is off center, I see several new models on the showroom floor that are like that... I was told that some are offset at assembly...My alignment was fine at about 50000 miles as I had it checked then... Best mileage I ever got was close to 12000 (11500 is) with the Elite III, I got 10000 from a regular Commander and the same from the CII version??? I am not very tender on my machine, I dog it a lot and lot to do hard take offs a lot...That is my fault and I attribute the low miles to that for most part...

May 23, 2014 | 01:28 PM

#38

jmacdonald5

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,144

Likes: 10

From: Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notgrownup

...later I will look to try the American Elite now that it's available for the 07...Please do no take this as a bash party towards the MC2....I keep experimenting with different brands.

..no problem..I don't take it as anything. From what I have seen on these boards..the American Elite's sound like they are a good tire too...I'm not saying the MC11's are THE best tire..who knows?..I haven't tried every tire out there..but I have tried a few..and one thing is damn positive in my mind...I will NEVER go back to Dunlops..if I buy a new bike again, it will NOT roll out of the dealership with Dunlops on...

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May 23, 2014 | 01:48 PM

#39

$tonecold

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 4,697

Likes: 2,199

From: Gilbert, Az.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notgrownup

It was just a thought and observation from past experience. My '09 is pretty well aligned and as there is no adjustment that is a good thing. The '08 I had was closer to one side than the other and I was able to adjust most of that out of it. The swingarm alignment can move some without showing up in the overall alignment. Remember, if there is 1/4" difference between sides you only have to move it 1/8" to fix that. I can just about assure you that the 1/8" movement isn't going to show up. The alignment process just isn't that precise. The vertical alignment is easier get right. I would adjust it til you get the clearance you need for the Austone then set the vertical alignment and go with it. If the '07 is like the '08 and later models the rear wheel adjustment to in the swing arm is set by the cams welded to the axle. I think on my '04 you could adjust each side independently. I'm not saying that was better, it did allow an additional adjustment differential though. I've been working with this since I purchased an FXR in 1984, so I'm not a novice, although alignment isn't something that I've done often. One reason I really think the later frame design is an improvement is that it removes the need for alignment.