gun:

Riding buddie and I just installed the Michelin Commanders (f&r's) on both Ultras. We're heading to Bridge Day tomorrow, and will be putting the new Michelins through their paces. Also installed Dyna Beads for balancing vs. wheel weights. The Dyna Beads are very easy to install, and if they work as advertised I'll never put another stick on weight on my bike.

BTW: the Michelins are a great "looking" tire, and they don't have the painted dot on the side that lines up with the valve stem of wheel or "heavy spot". Michelin told the tech their MC tires' quality doesn't require the "dot".

Hope to report back with initial ride impressions.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

i was looking at a fatbob at a dealer near here and the front had the michelin commander on it but the back had a dunlop on it. when i questioned the sales guy about it he said it came from the factory that way...ive yet to see another one with mismatched tires.

 

Fort Mill SC. Bobby..

You've got my Shop/Cell number!

 

Going to michelin's soon, hope they will be available when i am ready. even people
with metz's are converting thanks to this fourm.
[&:]

 

Do they make a wide whitewall tire for us Classic owners?

 

Hoping Michelin makes a white wall tire.........anyone know??

 

Only thing I heard is they have much more flex in the sidewall, the servive manger thought this was not good if you had a flat. Any opinions on this?

 

Partner has run front for the past 10K without any issues.

Planning on installing new front and recently released rear prior to winter.

He likes front a great deal.

YRMV

 

I'm now at 6,000+ miles on my Michelin Commanders.

I replaced the rear at 5,000 miles exactly, the rear had
just hit the wear bars at 5,000 miles so you can tell I
did not push the tire wear at all.

I ride mostly in the mountains all year round here in
the Carolinas. I ride pretty hard especially when I'm
alone. (exfactory road racer) "old but not dead yet"

My front has way more wear on the left and right then
it does on the center. The rear at 5,000 miles had the
left and right pealed pretty good, way more then the
center tread which was at the wear bars.

Most Ultra riders are not hard off the line at lights like
I am. I tend to be a good block away from the lights by
the time the first car clears the intersection, so I'm not
at all easy on the center of the rear tire. I never spin it
or do burn outs, how ever I do spin it out of corners in
the mountains. I also back it into corners pretty hard
when I ride alone (sometimes with the wife on back").
So I'm pretty hard on rears.

I use front brake late and into corners while leaned over
so that is where the front tire is getting more left and right
wear then the center of the tread. I would think I will even
the front tire wear out this long Thanksgiving weekend on
my 4 day ride in Florida formy annual visit to the "Turkey
Run" that is held in Daytona every year this coming
weekend.

I'll keep you guys up dated on if my front tire will last for
two rear tires or not.

Just for comparison sake: On my Ultra I get 7,000 out of
an OEM Dunlop and maybe 14,000 out of a front OEM
Dunlop. I get 6,500 miles out of a Metzeler rear and can
make just at 13,000 out of a front Metzeler. This will give
you guys a better idea where you might wear out Michelin
tires if you compare what you get out of OEM Dunlops or
Metzelers on your bike for your riding style..

I'll be reporting back on these Michelins, in the mean time
you guys all ride safe nowYa Hear"

 

chuck:

Thanks for the feedback from an aggressive Ultra rider!

Curious to what tire pressures your running since a very respected source recommended that I run 40psi in the front and 42-44psi in the rear.

Those pressures are where I'm at now; unfortunately the weather has restricted any long mileage rides and I"m just now at 1,000 miles on the new Michelins.

IMO, they're the best handling/best riding tire I've ever owned on a touring bike!

Ride safe, and enjoy your trip to the Sunshine State!

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