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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | I am in need of a new rear tire and so I wrote to Michelin about their Commander II availability for our bikes. Here is my email and their reply:
June 20, 2012
Hello Mark,
Thank you for your email. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
In regards to the email you sent stating:
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I know the Commander II tires are new and you have zeroed in on the HARLEY market. Many of us who don't ride Harleys would like to try your tire also. I ride a Victory Vision and you don't even offer Victory in your selection of motorcycles. FYI, my bike takes the same tire sizes as the Honda Gold Wing 1800 and there are literally THOUSANDS of those on the road. You don't make this tire for them either. You are missing a huge market! Let me know when they are available for 180/60R x 16.
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We do not have plans at this time of adding any new sizes to the Commander II line. We are forwarding your comments concerning a 180/60B16 to our Product Marketing department for future consideration.
We regret not having a tire to satisfy your needs.
We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Michelin.
It is our goal to ensure that your issue has been resolved or your question answered to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 1-800-642-4354 (toll free) between 8:00AM and 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday or between 8:30AM and 4:30PM Eastern Time on Saturday.
Sincerely,
Ken
Consumer Care Department
Certified Michelin Product Expert |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| They already have one that is a little tall for the rear (180/65 r16), but they do not have one for the front.
Edited by sgiacci 2012-06-20 7:49 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | I put the Commander II on my wife's CR and my Vision yesterday. I am taking a 2,500 mile round trip starting this Friday. The tire is a little taller than stock but fits with plenty of clearance. I am running the E3 on the front.
Some guys on the forum say not to run a bias on the rear and radial on the front. I have specifically asked that question to several dealers and there is no problem doing it. We aren't driving a car.
I will post my review of the tire when we get home. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| To understand the difference between radials versus bias belts tires, try to imagine a tire as it rotates against the road. As the tread makes contact with the pavement, the sidewall of a tire flexes outward and causes the tire to flatten and form a contact patch. While the tire revolves, the patch lifts from the road, the sidewall bounces back into shape, and the next section of the tire?s tread replaces the previous section to maintain the patch. Bias-belted tires have cords angled from 27 to 45 degrees across the center line of the tire, and they make for a very thick and inflexible sidewall. Tires of bias-ply construction are tough as a three-dollar breakfast steak, but not nearly as flexible as is ideal.
Radial tires, on the other hand, use cords place at a 90 degree angle to the center line and provide lots more flexibility. Flexibility is the radial tire advantage. Lots of energy goes to making a bias ply tire?s sidewall stiff, and that generates heat, and heat is a tire?s worst nightmare. You need some heat to make a tire work properly, but too much will cause the tire to fail. Tubeless tires run cooler, but that?s yet another story.
The sidewall of a radial tire flexes with ease, and as a result, there?s little or no friction between the belts and that means less heat. It?s the heat advantage that also makes radial tires considerably more durable. The additional flexibility of a radial tire also makes for a larger contact patch and gives you much, much more traction, and that?s a good thing.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 19
Harbor Springs Michigan | I just put on the ME880's front and rear on my 09 Vision this spring. Love em. Rode from Detroit to South Carolina and many weekend trips of 500 miles or so with excellent results. I would highly suugest them. Nix the radial and bias idea. Life is too short already! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | I have heard/seen way too many horror stories with the Metzler ME880s to ever put a set on my bike. I'll park the bike first. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I sis the Metzler ME880's a thousand miles ago. I think the bike stears better even in the rain and the tar snakes are a thing of the past. Never like how bald the E3's were the more groves the better the bike handles in the rain and curves. I think. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | The difference between 60 and 65 is so small I doubt it will make a noticeable difference in your ride, as long as there is enough clearance for the tire.
Hell, some guys put car tires on their ride!!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i found what Percentage of a difference is 65 to 60? i ask cause with A.B.S. you have to watch . i was told by a car tire place, they generally do Not want to exceed 3% difference due to how the ABS calculates when it needs to engage. just thinking out loud.. |
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Michelin Commander II tires