Michelin Commander II tires

[Angelo]

As far as I can tell, this tire is not made in the stock size for the front and I don't want to run the smaller size for the guys that are running it, what tire are you using for the front. I hate the thought of mixing tires but if it rides, handles and lasts like everyone says it does I want to give it a shot.

 

Second thing, I swung in to the bike shop to see what they would charge to mount one for me and he asked what I was looking for. I told him and he made a comment about them being bias ply and that because of that they make noise. Any truth to that or just another moron at the bike shop?

[friesman]

I run commander 2s front and rear and like the narrower tire upfront. It made it feel lighter at low speed and quicker on the highway. I did have one instance where it felt light in the front when I had a passenger on board, WHen I added more air to the rear shock it beefed up the ride and the squiireliness went away. I would not go back to the wider tire. Ive had the back C2 on for about 20000 miles and it really isn't showing any signs of wear, but you can tell its not new anymore, and Ive had the front on for most of this riding year with about 10000 miles on it and it still looks new. these tires grip well in the rain and it the best tire Ive ridden on for my tastes...

Brian

[cowpuc]

Hey Ang, I am now running Mich Commander 2 on the rear with a Conti-Tour on the front of my 83.. Not sure if you can find the sizes necessary for your 2nd Gen in the Continental but I gotta tell ya,,, for running in the western heat - that combo seems to work awesome and wear fantastic!!

[MikeWa]

99 RSV uses bias ply tires.

 

Mike

[billmac]

I switched to commander II and went with the smaller front ( 130) and the bike handles better than the stock 150.

[djh3]

I just changed from the narrower front C2 to a oem size in a Shinko. After having my MC2 on for over 17k I had to kind of re-learn to ride. I like the C2 tires and would probably spend the bucks to go back when the Shinkos are done. For a less expensive tire the Shinkos are not bad. But need to see what kind of milage they will go. Also the C2 has a higher weight rating than most tires for the 2nd gen.

[Bert2006]

I run commander 2s front and rear and like the narrower tire upfront. It made it feel lighter at low speed and quicker on the highway. I did have one instance where it felt light in the front when I had a passenger on board, WHen I added more air to the rear shock it beefed up the ride and the squiireliness went away. I would not go back to the wider tire. Ive had the back C2 on for about 20000 miles and it really isn't showing any signs of wear, but you can tell its not new anymore, and Ive had the front on for most of this riding year with about 10000 miles on it and it still looks new. these tires grip well in the rain and it the best tire Ive ridden on for my tastes...

Brian

 

Same here and no noise from the tires.

[Ace]

I will be trying C2's next. I used to run Avon Venoms for 100,000 miles on my 06 they served me well. When I got this bike I put E3's on it. I do like the way they handle and wear but boy does that back tire make some annoying noise when it starts to wear. There are enough people on here now using the C2's with nothing but positive results to convince me that they are my next tires.

[Mike G in SC]

As far as I can tell, this tire is not made in the stock size for the front and I don't want to run the smaller size for the guys that are running it, what tire are you using for the front. I hate the thought of mixing tires but if it rides, handles and lasts like everyone says it does I want to give it a shot.

 

Second thing, I swung in to the bike shop to see what they would charge to mount one for me and he asked what I was looking for. I told him and he made a comment about them being bias ply and that because of that they make noise. Any truth to that or just another moron at the bike shop?

 

On my 2009 RSV and my 2006 RSTD I am running the MC II on the rear and stock size Dunlop E3 on the front.

On both, I am on my second rear MCII.

The RSV got 22k miles and still passed inspection in PA when I replace it.

Last week, the RSTD had 16K miles and had more to go but,,, I don't like to see how far I can go before I see belts. So, replaced it.

Maybe the difference is due to the RSTD is my daily local ride, the RSV is my two up tourer, and more interstate & tour miles.

(I'm at 100k miles on the RSTD and 68k miles on the RSV.)

 

But anyhow, back to the front tire. The stock size E3 is similar tread pattern to the MCII and feels fine. No issues on "mismatch". No abnormal wear or cupping.

So, got over 40k miles this way between two bikes.

 

Yeah, wish they simply made the MCII in stock size. I have run the small front on the RSTD,,, prefer the stock size. I like that stout tire.

Oh,,, and I get no noise from the MCII new or 20k miles later.

 

(I had previously use Avon Venoms. Good but had one that had to be replace and usually got cupping on the front near end of life. Not seeing issues with what I have now.)

Edited November 15, 2014 by Mike G in SC

[djh3]

The C2 has more groves that "criss cross" the tire than the E3. That is why I liked the C2 better. In rain I did not feel as stable as with the E3. The dunlaps are a good tire, dont get me wrong, but the tread pattern on the C2 is better at getting water out from under the wheel to me.

C2