New Michelins are incredible

[Lumpy Rider]

Hello all. I ended up going with Michelin Commander II's on my Kawi though I tried to find a pair of Dunlop Elite II's locally. I have to say that they ride incredible! I can't remember when I've ridden a bike that really stuck to the road - so much that it was scary at first in that the bike responds acutely. Couple these tires with the Progressives I added and I was all smiles when riding today.

[archer500]

I agree, put a set on my 05 HD Sportster last year and have been very satisfied. What are the sizes of the Michelin Commander IIs you put on your VoyagerII? I need new tires on my 95 Voyager and was going to try them but wasn't sure if they had them in our size. I had read somewhere on this forum that someone tried Michelin Commander IIs and hated them. He said bike was very unstable, and switched back to Dunflops. I never had any luck with Dunflops on my Harly and was wanting to use Michelins on my Voyager. Please let use know how you like them as time goes by. Like I said please let me know your sizes , and keep us updated on there PREFORMANCE. Thanks, Robert B.

[Lumpy Rider]

Robert, I will post the tire sizes tomorrow, and will provide performance updates. The best way I can describe the handling of my Kawi with the new Michelins (over the previous E2's) is that it is very precise now, and really hugs the road when you lean into curves. Tire guy at Colorado Powersports says the Commander II is "10 times the tire" as the E2. Don't know how it compares to the E3.

[usmalenurse]

Should be 130/90/16 on the front and ?150/80/16 on the back. I've been running the Commanders for the past 6 years on both my bikes ('06 Vulcan Classic and '97 Voyager). I may try "the dark side" one of these days but if it's a MC tire, I'm sticking with the Commanders...

[the2knights]

Looking at changing out the front in a couple of months, encouraging to hear how much you like them. I have an E-3 on front, it is stable, but not really a road grabber for sure. Went darkside about 3 weeks before the Rally this year. Very satisfied with performance in all conditions, but did take some getting used to.

[Lumpy Rider]

Commander II sizes on my Kawi are 130/90/B16 (front) and 150/90/B15 (rear).

[usmalenurse]

Raining again down here so I got out in the garage for a while. Decided to check my tires and looks like I'm needing a couple. Remembered this thread and thought I'd post the mileage on the Michelin Commander II's. The rear on the Voyager now has 18,274 miles on it and it's time to go before I take another trip of any length. The front has 9,319 miles on it with hardly any sign of wear. Also noted that the front on my Vulcan Classic now has 19,300 miles on it and not quite down to the wear bar. It's the old Michelin Commander style. Satisfied with the mileage and ride with the Michelins but going to ponder the "darkside" before replacing the rear...

[voyager55]

Are these Bias tires?

[Relics]

Anyone else ever try Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewall tires beside me. Good tires.

[debron]

Went darkside about 3 weeks before the Rally this year. Very satisfied with performance in all conditions....

You won the bike games on a car tire? You should be satisfied with the performance!!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Anyone else ever try Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewall tires beside me. Good tires.

I had them on mine front and back, rear lasted me nearly 3 years and replaced it late last year. Front is still on it and looks ok but will need replaced by next I'm sure.
They give the bike a classic look wish other manufacturers would make them to fit.

[debron]

Anyone else ever try Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewall tires beside me. Good tires.

I had them on mine front and back, rear lasted me nearly 3 years. . .

3 years - How many miles is that?

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Anyone else ever try Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewall tires beside me. Good tires.

I had them on mine front and back, rear lasted me nearly 3 years. . .

3 years - How many miles is that?

Ok you got me, I didn't write down the mileage at tire change and I did ask the mechanic when he was switching out the rear for me as he keeps records/mileage etc but he couldn't find paperwork so I guess it never happened! At least at work if it isn't documented it never happened.
If I were to ball park I'd say (not much compared to E3's) about 8-10K miles. I know that's a big ball park.

[debron]

Scott, you need to ride more!

[the2knights]

Went darkside about 3 weeks before the Rally this year. Very satisfied with performance in all conditions....

You won the bike games on a car tire? You should be satisfied with the performance!!

I may have won the games, but that type of riding with the car tire is different for sure (still would not go back to a motorcycle tire on the rear). With the change in rear wheel track you can really push the front tire out from underneath you when leaned over a ways. Hoping the Michellins have a little more bite than the E-3 in that attitude, that may be balance the bike a little better so I can push it a little harder in the center of corner. At highway speed the balance is really good since the track is not much different.