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CVO Technical => Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes => Topic started by: Unbalanced on January 14, 2020, 07:53:31 PM

Title: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Unbalanced on January 14, 2020, 07:53:31 PM
Has anyone tried this newest version of the commander tire?

https://michelinmedia.com/pages/blog/detail/article/c/a916/
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: dayne66 on January 14, 2020, 08:35:14 PM
The MAJOR complaint I had about the IIs was their poor wet grip....especially in the cold...looks like they've addressed it! It'll be interesting to see how they do on some guinea pig's bike for some early spring riding.
 
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: johnmowcop on January 15, 2020, 01:07:52 PM
Commander III

Tried buy them this last week in the UK, nobody seems to have them. So continued with Bridgestone.
JohnT
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on February 29, 2020, 07:59:17 PM
Ok it been a while since this was post in. Anyone running one yet or have anything to add about the III's? The AE on the front is getting close to replacement. Am i going to be the guinean pig?
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: J.D. on February 29, 2020, 08:14:42 PM
Looks like they just became available in January.

Based on the interweb information, sounds like it's the Commander 2 with slight tread and rubber tweaks to improve wet cornering grip without compromising tire life.

I intend to buy these next round but won't need new tires for awhile.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on February 29, 2020, 08:30:02 PM
Looks like they just became available in January.

Based on the interweb information, sounds like it's the Commander 2 with slight tread and rubber tweaks to improve wet cornering grip without compromising tire life.

I intend to buy these next round but won't need new tires for awhile.

That was pretty much what I have read too. If price is somewhat in line with the 2's I'll order a 3 for the front and give it a try
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: J.D. on February 29, 2020, 08:39:20 PM
I was able to find pricing online with a simple google search.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on February 29, 2020, 09:24:05 PM
I was able to find pricing online with a simple google search.

Yes sir, quick FleaBay search shows the just about the same price
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: iski on March 01, 2020, 08:29:13 AM
Following.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Boatman on March 01, 2020, 05:52:39 PM
After seeing Harry's post about the new Michelin's, I purchased a Commander 3 front tire from JP Cycles in late January for $169 plus tax.  That's the only place I could find one at that time.  My Commander 2's had a little over 12,000 miles on them.  The rear has a lot of tread left but is starting to show scalloping and not replaced.  The front looked almost bald in spots but showed 4/32 with gauge but changed anyway.  I believe the Commander 2 fronts were about 6/32 when new so not worn that much but they don't seem to have a lot of tread on them to begin with.  Real reason I replaced as I wanted to readjust the Legend axeo's on the front.   :-\
Have only ridden about 50 miles on them in 40 degree Ohio weather.  Be in Florida next week to try it out.
So Commander 3 on the front and Commander 2 on the rear.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Cvostu on March 01, 2020, 08:08:01 PM
Hey Bob.  I hear you are heading down. I'll try to catch up with you.   Stuart.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on March 01, 2020, 08:48:43 PM
After seeing Harry's post about the new Michelin's, I purchased a Commander 3 front tire from JP Cycles in late January for $169 plus tax.  That's the only place I could find one at that time.  My Commander 2's had a little over 12,000 miles on them.  The rear has a lot of tread left but is starting to show scalloping and not replaced.  The front looked almost bald in spots but showed 4/32 with gauge but changed anyway.  I believe the Commander 2 fronts were about 6/32 when new so not worn that much but they don't seem to have a lot of tread on them to begin with.  Real reason I replaced as I wanted to readjust the Legend axeo's on the front.   :-\
Have only ridden about 50 miles on them in 40 degree Ohio weather.  Be in Florida next week to try it out.
So Commander 3 on the front and Commander 2 on the rear.

I have not ordered yet so let us know your thoughts after your trip
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Tail Rider on March 10, 2020, 05:48:32 AM
A friend of mine has been less than ecstatic about the II's...makes it hard to think about jumping right into the III's. Waiting to hear on a rear test!
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Boatman on March 15, 2020, 06:18:32 PM
I put 1350 miles on while at Bike Week this year on the Commander 3 front.  I have a Commander 2 on the rear with 13,500 miles on it now.  It was a great week of weather and rode in no rain.  Couldn't tell any difference in the Commander 2 on the front that was taken off.

The tread pattern is different between a 2 and a 3. 

Again, the main reason I replaced the front tire was that it was off to remove the Legend axeo cartridges and readjust to a softer setting and am happy I did that. I also put in new fork bushings and seals.

Also, I put Ride-On in the front tire and no weights and it was smooth up to 80 mph..  Happy with that thus far.

One thing I can tell the difference in moving the bike around in my garage is that the Commander 2 squeaked when backing up and turning and the 3 does not.

I run 38 in the front and 42-44 in the rear. 

I am Michelin biased as it is my tire of choice for cars and trucks.  Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Bobs14Limited on March 15, 2020, 08:34:31 PM

Also, I put Ride-On in the front tire and no weights and it was smooth up to 80 mph..  Happy with that thus far.



Do you have the Harley TPMS on the bike? If so, it still works fine with the Ride-On in the tire?
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Boatman on March 16, 2020, 06:41:53 AM

Do you have the Harley TPMS on the bike? If so, it still works fine with the Ride-On in the tire?

No, my bike does not have the TPMS..
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: ltank on April 19, 2020, 04:31:55 PM
I just bought a Comander 3 tire, I should get it next week. I hope it last better than the Metzler ME888
130mm 16" rear tire!
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on May 31, 2020, 10:51:48 PM
Well, guessing I will be trying a 3 now. I have went through 3 of the AE's and all ran well for me but due to the good reviews from everyone on the Commander 2, I put one one. Well still don't have a opinion on the AE vs the 2's because today with about 6000 miles on it I run a nail through it. We did get lucky though because we were a couple miles from a convenience store with air when the bike started feeling funny. Pulled in sure enough it was going flat. Pumped it full of air. Found the hole and plugged it. Rode her the 50 miles home. So now I need another new rear so the Commander 3 will get ordered tomorrow
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Twolanerider on May 31, 2020, 10:56:02 PM
Those Okie nails are the worst.

Will be curious to read your impression of the 3.  I'm not that far off from a tire on one of them here and have used the Commander 2s for awhile.  So unless read/hear something unexpected the 3 would be what I do next.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 01, 2020, 09:23:58 PM
Okie nails that get transported to Ar. are pretty dang bad too! Don you may not have a choice but to go to the 3 if you have a 18 rear. I typically buy my tires off Ebay from OEM cycles, but didn't find a 2 listed at all for the 18"
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Twolanerider on June 01, 2020, 09:40:44 PM
Okie nails that get transported to Ar. are pretty dang bad too! Don you may not have a choice but to go to the 3 if you have a 18 rear. I typically buy my tires off Ebay from OEM cycles, but didn't find a 2 listed at all for the 18"


I'm 16 rear and 18 front on both the Road King and the Road Glide.  The Road Glide is what has run the Michelins for a long long time.  The Road King gets played on more and I really don't care how long they last; so it has some slightly stickier Avons.  Avons on the FXR also for the same reason.  Neither of the bike's with Avons rack up enough miles that I'm buying tires that often.  Hell, who am I kidding.  Even the Road Glide doesn't get a new back tire every year like it used to. 
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: fastfreddy on June 01, 2020, 09:50:06 PM
they have two different commander 3s , touring and cruiser , i put the touring on a couple weeks ago. no real miles logged on them yet so cant realy give an opinion yet other than bike rides smoooooooth as silk   :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 02, 2020, 06:55:31 PM

I'm 16 rear and 18 front on both the Road King and the Road Glide.  The Road Glide is what has run the Michelins for a long long time.  The Road King gets played on more and I really don't care how long they last; so it has some slightly stickier Avons.  Avons on the FXR also for the same reason.  Neither of the bike's with Avons rack up enough miles that I'm buying tires that often.  Hell, who am I kidding.  Even the Road Glide doesn't get a new back tire every year like it used to.

Run the Avon Venoms on my old FXDXT and loved them for holding power, but 6,000 was a long run for the rear
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 02, 2020, 06:56:25 PM
they have two different commander 3s , touring and cruiser , i put the touring on a couple weeks ago. no real miles logged on them yet so cant realy give an opinion yet other than bike rides smoooooooth as silk   :2vrolijk_21:

The 3 touring is what is headed my way!
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: dayne66 on June 02, 2020, 11:38:19 PM
I just bought a Comander 3 tire, I should get it next week. I hope it last better than the Metzler ME888
130mm 16" rear tire!
My II is lasting way too long...I wish it would go away so I can get an 888 so I can not ride like a pussy in the rain. I remember Michelin touting the II as good in the rain...it's not. The III is supposed to be improved....I'll let others determine that.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Twolanerider on June 03, 2020, 12:58:36 AM
Run the Avon Venoms on my old FXDXT and loved them for holding power, but 6,000 was a long run for the rear


I like the Venoms too.  On the bikes that are more play than travel the limited mileage I can choose not to care about. 
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: 9 1/2 Beers on June 03, 2020, 08:15:30 AM
they have two different commander 3s , touring and cruiser , i put the touring on a couple weeks ago. no real miles logged on them yet so cant realy give an opinion yet other than bike rides smoooooooth as silk   :2vrolijk_21:

 I also put 3's on, smooth.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: rayson56 on June 03, 2020, 10:22:31 AM
At just over 30K I'm getting ready for my 3rd set of rubber for my 18 CVO RG. With all the chatter about the Commander III's I decided to check them out, but hit a dead end. They don't build the 130/60B21 for the front of my bike.  :-\  So it looks like another set of D407 and D408's, which I have actually had very good luck with since 2010, are in the cards.  :nixweiss:
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 07, 2020, 10:38:24 PM
At just over 30K I'm getting ready for my 3rd set of rubber for my 18 CVO RG. With all the chatter about the Commander III's I decided to check them out, but hit a dead end. They don't build the 130/60B21 for the front of my bike.  :-\  So it looks like another set of D407 and D408's, which I have actually had very good luck with since 2010, are in the cards.  :nixweiss:

Are the Elites out for the front of your bike yet?
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: FLSTFI Dave on June 08, 2020, 07:06:57 AM
Yes, I run the Dunlop American Elite front and rear on my 2019 CVO Road Glide. 
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: fastfreddy on July 04, 2020, 01:09:52 AM
after about 3k miles had to replace front C3, it developed a vibration, and wanted over 3 ounces.  :nixweiss: returned it and now have a HD Dunlop on the front. so not recommending the C3 .... rear is doing ok so far
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Madmanmike on July 04, 2020, 07:43:42 AM
My local guy ordered the IIIs fur me, hopefully come in next week. I honestly didn't know they made 2 types, hope he ordered the correct set. Will follow up on this later.

Michael
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Madmanmike on July 11, 2020, 08:39:02 PM
Got the IIIs installed and only have about 200 miles on them, but installer said he put 2oz front and back.

They feel ok. But not many miles on them yet.

Michael
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Wascatch on July 22, 2020, 11:21:19 AM
Installed new front and back Commander 111. Attempted to balance with Ride-on, severe vibration from front and rear. Removed and installed Dunlop 408 front (only one available) and Michelin Scorcher rear. Balanced with Ride-on, no more vibration at all. Would not recommend Commander 111. I have used Commander 11 in the past with no problems.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: 05Quadrasteer on July 27, 2020, 10:23:35 AM
Initial impression is watch out when you first ride on these tires.  I know motorcycle tires are slick when first put on, but these are the slickest I have ever had.  Wasn't until over 75 miles that the feeling of the bike sliding out from under me went away.

500 miles over the weekend in straight lines and twists, highway and country roads, dry and wet pavement.  Once the slickness wore off the traction and stability has been excellent.  A perception I have, but can't prove it, is it seems to be a bit rougher over bumps like maybe the sidewalls are stiffer.

Been running American Elites for 140,000 on the Road Glide Ultra CVO, figured I would give these a shot.  As I go further and do a complete run I will provider further updates on how they feel as the tread wears out and if the feel changes.


Bill
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: SDCVO on July 27, 2020, 10:41:38 PM
I have a few thousand miles on mine now (including about 100 in the rain) and I gotta say best tires I have had yet and think I have tried most. I am admittedly very tough on tires never getting more than 5-7 K out of a rear but these are sticking like crazy and seem to be wearing great.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: 9 1/2 Beers on July 28, 2020, 09:54:37 AM
I have a few thousand miles on mine now (including about 100 in the rain) and I gotta say best tires I have had yet and think I have tried most. I am admittedly very tough on tires never getting more than 5-7 K out of a rear but these are sticking like crazy and seem to be wearing great.

 x2
 I am happy with mine also.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: 09nessrg on July 28, 2020, 11:23:37 AM
Happy to hear SDCVO & 110 MOFO are happy with the Michelin iii, having a new set put on today after waiting for backorder, almost went with Dunlop because of backorder
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: rayson56 on July 28, 2020, 01:02:00 PM
I have a few thousand miles on mine now (including about 100 in the rain) and I gotta say best tires I have had yet and think I have tried most. I am admittedly very tough on tires never getting more than 5-7 K out of a rear but these are sticking like crazy and seem to be wearing great.

You must have these on your 2012 I'm assuming because they don't appear to offer fitment for our 21" front wheels in the III's??
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: SDCVO on July 28, 2020, 07:39:21 PM
You must have these on your 2012 I'm assuming because they don't appear to offer fitment for our 21" front wheels in the III's??
I do run them on my 12 CVO Roadglide. Use AE's on my 19 but will switch to the C3's if and when they make a 21
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: electraglideclyde on August 27, 2020, 10:04:31 AM
 Has anybody tried Continental tires on their bike ?   I was reading posts on another site about them.  They seem to have good reviews and are made in the USA. I didn't even know the made bike tires.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: Threephase on August 27, 2020, 03:24:20 PM
I put the Conti-tour on the front and back of my Streetglide before I went to Colorado in July. Will never go back to Dunlops.
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: 05Quadrasteer on August 29, 2020, 10:31:49 AM
At 5,000 on mine so far.  Doing well in the rain and dry.  Going to keep going and see what happens as I pass through 10,000 and hopefully to 20,000 like the American Elites were doing for me.

Bill
Title: Re: Michelin Commander III
Post by: longlast on August 29, 2020, 03:08:35 PM
Has anybody tried Continental tires on their bike ?   I was reading posts on another site about them.  They seem to have good reviews and are made in the USA. I didn't even know the made bike tires.

Had them on my Ultra Classic,  same thing read good reviews how they are new and improved for our type of road surfacing used in Europe and made for the heavy Harley Davidson touring model.😂😂
 couldn't get them off fast enough they were slicker didn't hold the road well at all, always felt little slips all the time on corners,  would get a wobble over 75mph when lane changing or overtaking. 
In my own opinion the side walls were to soft I had to run with 3psi over max air pressure to calm down the wobble. That was after I went through all kinds of hassle trying to sort out what was causing the wobble issue. I had contacted Continental told them what was going on and it was them that suggested increasing the air pressure by 3psi to stiffen up the side walls. :nixweiss:  thought they must be in cahoots with Harley Davidson that sounded like something they would say.
Those tyres scared the Bee-jee's  out of me.

I put Cll's on and since then the bike is glued to the road with no more issues.

That pretty  much sums up my experience with Continental's.   Not to say, Continental's made in the US my be a better made performing tyre then what they make on this side of the pond.

For me they're a bad memory.      Got about 8k on these Cll's now and liking them we'll see if the write up on getting as much as 25k out of them holds any water.