Pleased with new Michelin Commander II

[Turbo Turtle]

Just as the title says. I am pleased and impressed with this Commander II, and is without a doubt a stickier tire in the rain than the new compound Metzeler 888. I believe I like the 888 more than the E-3 I ran a couple of years ago. I hope this new Michelin Commander II tire lasts the duration of my upcoming road trip.
I did get 10K+ on the 888 before a nail got me. It looked to have a few more K in it.

aka

[Infidel!]

Turtle got nailed!

Keep us posted on the Michelins

[Dinero]

I'll be real interested in your later reports on them.

[Ancient Iron]

I'm fixin' to give the Commander II's a spin also. I just mounted and balanced a set for my bike last night.

The front American Elite at 10k miles had developed a pretty good vibration at 70 mph and up. Weights were still there. Also had some decent sidewall cracks. Noticed after I had it dismounted and the sun shining across it through the garage door you could see some cupping.

P.S. Haven't ridden on them yet but I am a bit irritated that it took 3 oz. on the back tire to balance. We'll see how it goes.

[Fe Butte]

Yes I heard good things about the new ones from other people in the Department.


The earlier version, "1", was more of a clone of the old HD Dunlop.

[GregD]

I had an American Elite put on the rear before Eureka Springs last year and am really pleased with wear and performance. (Though I don't push it near as hard as Turbo and the fast riders do.)
I had the front replaced with the same a day before the stator went south. I expect to be as pleased with the performance.

Think I may look at a MII after reading Bob's reports on his experience.

[Turbo Turtle]

Well Guys, and gals, I've got more rain time on this new Commander II than I do dry time so far, and can say without a doubt the Commander II is a better tire in the rain than the Metz 888. It's a bit early to tell, but dry time is better than the 888, and it doesn't feel to be as hard a riding tire either. It handles triple digits well
It will not likely last as long being stickier, but I much prefer a sticky tire. I gave it what it took to break the tire loose a few times searching for that adhesion lose point and am much happier with said Michelin.


Now to get this new Shinko 777 mounted up front. I've run this Shinko exclusively on the front for the last three years. The current 777 is starting to cup but still has much usable tread at 12K+. This same Shinko gets me 4-5K on the rear, but they stick like glue.
Ride Hard, Ride Safe

ps. Greg, If I had to ride a longer lasting tire up front than the Shinko I currnetly run, I believe I would have no concerns with a Commander II up front

BOB

[DAK47]

Glad it is working out!! Ride the wheels off...... I have to see if there are any options besides Dunlops for my goofy back rim.

Dirk

[Backroad Mike]

Originally Posted by DAK47

Glad it is working out!! Ride the wheels off...... I have to see if there are any options besides Dunlops for my goofy back rim.

Dirk

The only options don't have the same load rating.

[fxr4mikey]

Originally Posted by Turbo Turtle

Well Guys, and gals, I've got more rain time on this new Commander II than I do dry time so far, and can say without a doubt the Commander II is a better tire in the rain than the Metz 888. It's a bit early to tell, but dry time is better than the 888, and it doesn't feel to be as hard a riding tire either. It handles triple digits well
It will not likely last as long being stickier, but I much prefer a sticky tire. I gave it what it took to break the tire loose a few times searching for that adhesion lose point and am much happier with said Michelin.


Now to get this new Shinko 777 mounted up front. I've run this Shinko exclusively on the front for the last three years. The current 777 is starting to cup but still has much usable tread at 12K+. This same Shinko gets me 4-5K on the rear, but they stick like glue.
Ride Hard, Ride Safe

ps. Greg, If I had to ride a longer lasting tire up front than the Shinko I currnetly run, I believe I would have no concerns with a Commander II up front

BOB

I can't ride as hard as TT and Backroad Mike, Ricky, Slowhound, Russ, and the list gones on, its a long un ...

So I should be very happy with the MC II up front and rear .... they should be here in the nest 2-3 days ...

I am happy to hear they are sticky, and stick well in the rain .... I get my fair share of riding in the rain, so I lke sticky when wet .....

I was hoping, from the adversitments that they'd get better milage than the stock donefloppies, which have 14K miles and 4/32 inch still remaining on the rear and front .... new the rear would have something between 9 and 11 32nds and the frong 5-6 .... so there's still milage left in them ... but I am antickpating about 4500 mile trip at the end of this month ... from here to Ingram, then to MI then back to SC

Originally Posted by Backroad Mike

The only options don't have the same load rating.

OH, don't know what size wheel you have Mike ... I looked at mine, 180/65/16 and iirc the load rating was near 1K pounds @ 42psi for the commander ii

[Ancient Iron]

I have a couple K on the Mich Com 2's, much of it in the wet, and I agree with Bob. They do a very good job in it.

Kind of odd but I really can't find any reason to complain about them.