|
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | This is a picture of my Vision with the Commander II rear tire I installed last Summer. It has 20,500 miles on it. I am changing it out Tuesday for another one only because the front tire is worn out and I want to have a new matched set of commanders. The last 15K or so I used Dyna beads and checked the pressure on a regular basis. This time around I will have Centramatic wheel balancers installed to the rims which should improve the ride and mileage even more.
For those who have never heard of the wheel balancers here is the website. I had them on a GW and they made a huge difference. Dyna beads were OK but not quite the same results in ride.
http://centramatic.com/Page.aspx?page=Motorcycle%20Balancers
(commander tire (Small).jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 commander tire (Small).jpg (95KB - 9 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| For that kind of money they should buy you dinner
Half of what there say I think is BS.
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | johnnyvision - 2013-05-19 6:24 PM
For that kind of money they should buy you dinner
Half of what there say I think is BS.
I will be in Prairie Du Chien, WI next weekend if you want to ride my bike and see for yourself. Just PM me if you want to meet. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | looks great. Thanks for sharing, Larry. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | that is great mileage for a back tire! Is this tire American made? |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Leighton, IA | That's awesome mileage from a rear tire. I thought the Commander II were only available in Bias Ply. Is that correct?
Centramatics sound interesting. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I might have to try those next time I change tires. they're reusable so the price over the life of the bike isn't bad. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I checked some reviews and they are mostly positive for price, dry grip, and the long life seems to be consistent. At least one reviewer said they are slippery in wet, another noted confidence inspiring ride over tar snakes. They are made in Thailand and also are noisy according to reviewers. I'll stick with E3's. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | jimtom - 2013-05-20 6:28 AM
I checked some reviews and they are mostly positive for price, dry grip, and the long life seems to be consistent. At least one reviewer said they are slippery in wet, another noted confidence inspiring ride over tar snakes. They are made in Thailand and also are noisy according to reviewers. I'll stick with E3's.
I can address the slippery when wet. I have not noticed anything different from the E3 and Commander riding in wet weather.
Noisy? Wow, that is a new one. The Avon Venom I had on the front is the noisy one. There is no more road noise from the Commander II than the E3. I always had howling on an E3 through the curves. Either way you can't go wrong with either tire. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | yea, my E3s are noisy in the turns. I can't personally speak on the C II's as I have no experience with them. Just relaying reviewer info. Thank you for sharing your experience. It's good to have options, I run E3's because they are made here but not everyone shares that conviction and that's ok. Again good to have options and get others experience. that's what forums are for. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | I like the idea of this product, I don't like the price, I think I'll stick with the Beads! Thanks for the heads up though! |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
Bella Vista, AR | lstayner, what size are you running front and rear. If different that stock size, can you give me some pro's and cons? |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | That price is insane!! If you need something like that to make you bike ride "smoother" then you have other more important issues.. 1) defective tire (s) 2) improperly installed tire 3) improperly balanced tire (s) .
This would mean that every tire on every motorcycle on the road that does Not use this would ride like $hit... I have dyna beads in my 2011 vision. I noticed no Improvement in ride... but that's not why I bought them. I also have not noticed any imperfections in handling or smoothness of my ride. How do 99.9999% of motorcyclists enjoy their ride with out these?? Give me the money, ill sale you magic marbles and give you the ultimate placebo effect...
Edited by Arkainzeye 2013-06-23 5:49 AM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | If you read their claims, there are sooooo many other determining factors that ALSO affect your ride.. Tire pressure, weight distribution, and the list goes on and on .. SOME (not all) of their claims are border line "snake oil". reminds me of back in the day of those products you saw on commercials (PROVING) they worked! Dura-lube, slick 50, Prolong, zmax,etc... drain your oil and let the engine run! They showed it on tv so it must be true!
keep in mind... on TV they showed these products doing amazing things !!! this is why i dont trust website "customer reviews"... I had a friend that swore he for 10-15% more power from his truck using those products now look years later..
Duralube - http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/03/motor.shtm
slick 50 - http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1996/07/slick.shtm
Prolong - http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/09/prolong.shtm
on the website bobsitheoilguy.com a person bought a new container of zmax and had it tested (unused) it came back 78% Mineral oil !!! and the rest were dyes.. but let tv commericals PROVED it was magic in a bottle! customers swore they got more power and their engines would last for ever! it has to be true, it was on TV and had customers testimonies ...
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | Glad you posted this. What kind of miles did you get out of other tires? Any chance you could grab a couple more pics, maybe zoomed out a wee bit and/or with a wear bar in frame? I was pretty much already decided on this for my next set anyway, glad to see a positive review on the specific bike. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | BrandonM7 - 2013-06-23 5:36 PM
Glad you posted this. What kind of miles did you get out of other tires? Any chance you could grab a couple more pics, maybe zoomed out a wee bit and/or with a wear bar in frame? I was pretty much already decided on this for my next set anyway, glad to see a positive review on the specific bike.
Sorry I can't post any pictures of the tire. It went to tire heaven a few weeks back. I have about 4K on a new rear and front Commander already. I just rolled through a ride today in NE IA, MN & WI. rode through quite a few twisty roads at well above the limit and the tires just stick like glue. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | lstayner - 2013-06-27 6:09 PM
BrandonM7 - 2013-06-23 5:36 PM
Glad you posted this. What kind of miles did you get out of other tires? Any chance you could grab a couple more pics, maybe zoomed out a wee bit and/or with a wear bar in frame? I was pretty much already decided on this for my next set anyway, glad to see a positive review on the specific bike.
Sorry I can't post any pictures of the tire. It went to tire heaven a few weeks back. I have about 4K on a new rear and front Commander already. I just rolled through a ride today in NE IA, MN & WI. rode through quite a few twisty roads at well above the limit and the tires just stick like glue.
No sweat - the review is good enough to convince me. The Michelin Pilot series tires I've run on my sportier bikes are fantastic - add your review of these, and I'm sold. |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
Bella Vista, AR |
+1
Edited by fish51 2013-06-28 11:29 AM
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Michelin does NOT recommend any of their tires for the Vision.
http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tire-selector
The Commander comes in a 180-65-16 Bias configuration were the Vision is set up to use a 180-60-16 radial.
http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tires/michelin-commander-ii#dim |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
Bella Vista, AR | I think that not showing the Vision on their fitment list is not the same as saying it is NOT recommended. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | bigfoot - 2013-06-29 5:59 PM
Michelin does NOT recommend any of their tires for the Vision.
http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tire-selector
The Commander comes in a 180-65-16 Bias configuration were the Vision is set up to use a 180-60-16 radial.
http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tires/michelin-commander-ii#dim[/QUOT...
I have never seen a car tire mfg recommend their tire for the Vision either. Go figure.  |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | When a company that makes tires to sell for a profit doesn't recommend their product for my motorcycle, I tend to pay attention and not argue with their reasoning.
They are willing to lose the sale, so there must be something troubling with their tires on my bike.
I've never pretended to know more about a company's product than they do.
I will say that I would never use a bias tire again if I can help it.
Radial tires tend to run cooler than bias ply tires, and since I ride from sun up to sun down when I'm traveling, I like the idea of cooler tires.
When first looking at the Vision I saw that it was clad with radials and that was a big selling point for me.
I've had blowouts on one front tire and 3 rear tires over my 44 years of riding and I hope I never experience another one.
I've had radial tires go flat and there was no drama at all.
I also "think" that radials offer a lower profile tire than bias tires offer and firmer sidewalls which "might" help keep the tire on the rim in the case of a blowout. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | bigfoot - 2013-07-01 6:32 PM
When a company that makes tires to sell for a profit doesn't recommend their product for my motorcycle, I tend to pay attention and not argue with their reasoning.
They are willing to lose the sale, so there must be something troubling with their tires on my bike.
I've never pretended to know more about a company's product than they do.
I will say that I would never use a bias tire again if I can help it.
Radial tires tend to run cooler than bias ply tires, and since I ride from sun up to sun down when I'm traveling, I like the idea of cooler tires.
When first looking at the Vision I saw that it was clad with radials and that was a big selling point for me.
I've had blowouts on one front tire and 3 rear tires over my 44 years of riding and I hope I never experience another one.
I've had radial tires go flat and there was no drama at all.
I also "think" that radials offer a lower profile tire than bias tires offer and firmer sidewalls which "might" help keep the tire on the rim in the case of a blowout.
I think the reason they don't have it on their website is because they don't make an exact tire size for the rear. I am sure this is for liability reasons.
The E3 is a great tire but they are my second choice. The Commander even though it is a Bias ply tire it handles as well as the E3. With the cords being much closer together than a standard bias tire I think the tire has very similar characteristics.
I have not had a blowout on a tire yet and hope to never have one. Been with 2 people who have when it happened though. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | bigfoot - 2013-06-29 5:59 PM Michelin does NOT recommend any of their tires for the Vision. http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tire-selector The Commander comes in a 180-65-16 Bias configuration were the Vision is set up to use a 180-60-16 radial. http://michelinmotorcycle.com/tires/michelin-commander-ii#dim[/QUOTE] Thanks for posting this bigfoot. Not to write a small book on this but when any bike manufacture designs a bike they largely build it around a set of tires to match the frame and suspension. While there is some room for options if the bike frame and suspension was designed for Radial tires you want to stay with Radial tires and not run Bias Ply tires like the Commander II's. There is a huge difference in how these different type of tires handle especially in cornering. A couple of years ago I had a long and educational talk with both Victory and Dunlop engineers on this subject. I have had similar discussions with Metzler, Avon and Bridgestone engineers as well. If you go to Sturgis or Daytona these tire manufacturers have some of their top engineers there and they will be happy to go into deep details with you. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Spock, I couldn't agree with you more.
Living in what used to be the rubber capital of the world (Akron Ohio) I also have had the opportunity to discuss the complexities of tire building and the importance of proper fitment with engineers from the industry.
Asking them about fitting a car tire on a motorcycle is not something I would advise.
You are 100% correct in your statement about vehicle manufacturers building their vehicles around a tire.
From this site;
http://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/motorcycle-tires-101-91339.h...
"A fact too infrequently mentioned is that motorcycle manufacturers will go to great lengths to develop a motorcycle?s handling performance around a tire of particular construction.
Motorcycle companies will work directly with one, perhaps two, tire manufacturers to produce a tire set that will allow the motorcycle to perform exactly how the bike maker intended. Selecting a tire with different dimensions, even marginally different than the tire fitted as original equipment, can dramatically alter the way a motorcycle steers, stops or accelerates."
There's a lot more good information about motorcycle tires on that site.
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | It has been a few months since I installed the Commander II tires. 14K on front and rear. Here is a picture of what the rear looks like. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | ? |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | OK, I give, where is the picture of your rear tire? |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Oldman47 - 2013-09-27 9:39 PM
OK, I give, where is the picture of your rear tire?
Sorry guys, I forgot about the small size picture allowed to post. Thought I had cancelled my post until I can get it shrunk down. Microsoft in their infinite wisdom removed some of the photo editing software in windows 7. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | It doesn't get any easier than this
http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/ |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | This thread is useless without pics, lol!
Edited by baadawg 2013-09-28 11:04 AM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | LOL
(this thread is useless without pichers.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
this thread is useless without pichers.jpg (43KB - 1 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Patience Grasshopper. I had to work this morning. Here it is. 14K on the tire so far. A freind of mine is just replacing his on a CCT without the Centramatic wheel balancers with 19K miles. Over 1/2 of his miles are ridden with me so this should be a fair comparison with and without the balancers.
Edited by lstayner 2013-09-28 2:45 PM
(2013-09-26_17-26-30_61 (Mobile).jpg)
Attachments
----------------
2013-09-26_17-26-30_61 (Mobile).jpg (46KB - 2 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | That's good life. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | That's very good!! |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | How do the tires handle? How do they compare to the stock Dunlops? Avons? Etc. |
|
| |
|
Glendale, AZ United States | okie vision - 2013-09-28 7:44 AM
It doesn't get any easier than this
http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/
Tried it and uploaded the app. Wanted to update profile picture. Resized to medium and file too large, followed by small sizing. Guess what, too large. Last, but not least small mobile sizing and guess what, TOO LARGE!!! Custom sizing? What am I missing? I'm not computer nerd (Not that there's anything with being a computer nerd but I know how to post pictures with the exception of this site. To say that uploading pictures on this site is freaking hassle would be an understatement hence why there are not many fotos posted with posts and why I no longer bother either after today...
For the IT powers that be please take a look into this problem and fix it!! Thanks
Vlad.
(mieszanki 095 (Small).JPG)
Attachments
----------------
mieszanki 095 (Small).JPG (91KB - 0 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Glendale, AZ United States | After it's all said and done, keep an eye on the tire weight rating also. As you all know the VV weighs just about 900 pounds dry. With my fat ars and trophy spouse (Just in case she's reading what I'm writing and so she doesn't think I called her a fat pig in addition to gear, I'm looking at 1300 pounds plus of serious weight rolling down the interstate. From my standpoint and snooping on occasion on the Goldwing sites same issue arises. Is there really a tire out there truly designed to handle the weight rating of these heavy machines, riders, and gear, not too sure about that. Some folks I know personally will take it a step further and will change out the tire every 18 months irregardless of mileage, which for most of them is around the 20K mark. I too have the centramatics and will see what happens
Check this out, it may surprise some of you, Vlad
http://www.bikebandit.com/sem/dunlop-elite-3-motorcycle-tire
Edited by Vladezip 2014-05-27 3:37 AM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Vladezip - 2014-05-27 2:57 AM
okie vision - 2013-09-28 7:44 AM
It doesn't get any easier than this
http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/
Tried it and uploaded the app. Wanted to update profile picture. Resized to medium and file too large, followed by small sizing. Guess what, too large. Last, but not least small mobile sizing and guess what, TOO LARGE!!! Custom sizing? What am I missing? I'm not computer nerd (Not that there's anything with being a computer nerd but I know how to post pictures with the exception of this site. To say that uploading pictures on this site is freaking hassle would be an understatement hence why there are not many fotos posted with posts and why I no longer bother either after today...
For the IT powers that be please take a look into this problem and fix it!! Thanks
Vlad.
You should try loading a pic on the Indian site, Makes this look like a piece of cake. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Since they dont have a tire listed for our scooters, what size did you go with?
http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tire-selector#s=0
i see on the dunlop website that the stock tires that come on our bike has a load/speed rating of 80H
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-catalog/road/touring/elite-3/
the only commander II tire i saw close to the size we use is a Bias tire.. it had a rating of 81H
LOAD/SPEED rating http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/tire-data.htm
Edited by Arkainzeye 2014-05-27 7:53 AM
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | 180/65-16 bias ply
Changed the tire out at 19k because we went on a long trip and I didn't want to worry about tires. The front was with 2000 miles of hitting the wear bars. The rear wasn't as bad and probably could have gotten another 3 - 5 k out of it. I looked up the load rating before I used these and I believe they are higher than the stock E3 tire.
Yup, they are bias ply. They aren't the bias ply of the 80's. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | jimtom - 2014-05-27 6:37 AM Vladezip - 2014-05-27 2:57 AM okie vision - 2013-09-28 7:44 AM It doesn't get any easier than this http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/ Tried it and uploaded the app. Wanted to update profile picture. Resized to medium and file too large, followed by small sizing. Guess what, too large. Last, but not least small mobile sizing and guess what, TOO LARGE!!! Custom sizing? What am I missing? I'm not computer nerd (Not that there's anything with being a computer nerd but I know how to post pictures with the exception of this site. To say that uploading pictures on this site is freaking hassle would be an understatement hence why there are not many fotos posted with posts and why I no longer bother either after today... For the IT powers that be please take a look into this problem and fix it!! Thanks Vlad. You should try loading a pic on the Indian site, Makes this look like a piece of cake. And why would I want to load a picher on the indian site? And where's my cake? |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Thanks lstayner!! Nice to see your review of the Commander II's. I hate the Dunlops, love my Cobra's, but have been thinking about the Commander's for a while. Still have a few thousand left on my Avons, but next set will be the Commanders.
Bigfoot, guess you ride all stock and all Vic Parts. Otherwise you are taking really big chances! LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | MaddMAx2u - 2014-05-28 11:20 AM
Thanks lstayner!! Nice to see your review of the Commander II's. I hate the Dunlops, love my Cobra's, but have been thinking about the Commander's for a while. Still have a few thousand left on my Avons, but next set will be the Commanders.
I recently read on one of my old Vstar 1300 forums that they are running a Metzler on front with the Commander II on the back. Their logic was that the Metzler tire would outlast the Commander front tire. I am going to watch this foe a while and may try it on the next go around. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | My pops has been a bit underwhelmed with his set on an '08 FXSTC. The rear slides a bit easier than his previous tires (so far the factory HD Dunlop, Avon Cobra, Pirelli Night Dragon, Cobra again, now the Commander II.) It doesn't look like he's going to get much better mileage out of it than the others, either. It kind of puts me back on the fence, as he and I have similarly aggressive riding styles (relatively speaking, of course.) It at least leaves me with a bit of fear. For me as a non-highway rider grip is paramount, then balance, noise, resistance to cupping/mileage is last. My ME880s are cupping like crazy, especially the front. It's starting to make the grip and feel of the tire fade. I don't ride the distances you guys do, so I don't guess I have the same needs. I think I may try the Avons next instead of the Commanders. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | BrandonM7 - 2014-05-28 1:51 PM
My pops has been a bit underwhelmed with his set on an '08 FXSTC. The rear slides a bit easier than his previous tires (so far the factory HD Dunlop, Avon Cobra, Pirelli Night Dragon, Cobra again, now the Commander II.) It doesn't look like he's going to get much better mileage out of it than the others, either. It kind of puts me back on the fence, as he and I have similarly aggressive riding styles (relatively speaking, of course.) It at least leaves me with a bit of fear. For me as a non-highway rider grip is paramount, then balance, noise, resistance to cupping/mileage is last. My ME880s are cupping like crazy, especially the front. It's starting to make the grip and feel of the tire fade. I don't ride the distances you guys do, so I don't guess I have the same needs. I think I may try the Avons next instead of the Commanders.
I think I can be about as aggressive rider as most experienced riders. Not to many riders keep up with me in the twisties. Living in central Iowa means I get to ride a ways to find some fun roads.
What kind of roads are you running? Oil roads with pea gravel tend to eat tires faster than concrete or asphalt roads.
What tire pressure are you running? Low pressure will wear a tire out just as fast.
I have experimented with Bridgestone (1300 & Goldwing), Avon Cobra (on 1300), Avon Venom (front on 1300 & Vision) Dunlop E3 (on V Star 1300, Goldwing and Vision). In my experience, the Commander handles as well if not better than most of the tires I have listed. I will say it hates a fresh Arkansas pea rock oil road that is wet but I am not sure any tire would be fun in those conditions |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | lstayner - 2014-05-28 3:32 PM
BrandonM7 - 2014-05-28 1:51 PM
My pops has been a bit underwhelmed with his set on an '08 FXSTC. The rear slides a bit easier than his previous tires (so far the factory HD Dunlop, Avon Cobra, Pirelli Night Dragon, Cobra again, now the Commander II.) It doesn't look like he's going to get much better mileage out of it than the others, either. It kind of puts me back on the fence, as he and I have similarly aggressive riding styles (relatively speaking, of course.) It at least leaves me with a bit of fear. For me as a non-highway rider grip is paramount, then balance, noise, resistance to cupping/mileage is last. My ME880s are cupping like crazy, especially the front. It's starting to make the grip and feel of the tire fade. I don't ride the distances you guys do, so I don't guess I have the same needs. I think I may try the Avons next instead of the Commanders.
I think I can be about as aggressive rider as most experienced riders. Not to many riders keep up with me in the twisties. Living in central Iowa means I get to ride a ways to find some fun roads.
What kind of roads are you running? Oil roads with pea gravel tend to eat tires faster than concrete or asphalt roads.
What tire pressure are you running? Low pressure will wear a tire out just as fast.
I have experimented with Bridgestone (1300 & Goldwing), Avon Cobra (on 1300), Avon Venom (front on 1300 & Vision) Dunlop E3 (on V Star 1300, Goldwing and Vision). In my experience, the Commander handles as well if not better than most of the tires I have listed. I will say it hates a fresh Arkansas pea rock oil road that is wet but I am not sure any tire would be fun in those conditions
That's cool, thanks again - I didn't mean to overstate my abilities or offend. This is just my first bike with my ass lower than my hands. I'm used to dragging knees, so I found the floorboards of the Vision on my test ride of the demo model from the tour truck. I don't think my cornering really causes that much wear. It's my abrupt starting and stopping -- and lots of starting and stopping, at that. You're putting 25k+ miles per year on a bike, you probably aren't starting and stopping as often as a low-mileage short distance rider like myself. That's my guess from the stepping of my front tire - I stop too hard and too often. I guess that would actually be a positive case for the commander - hard in the center would resist the cupping from start/stop riding as much as it would highway miles, while still being good in the corners. Dad actually said the cornering grip of the C2 is good, it's just the straight up starting and stopping that is less. Dual compound tire, that stands to reason. And most of what he's griped about is dragging the rear wheel on braking and down-shifting, which is even less likely on the Vision with a couple of hundred more pounds holding it down. I'm starting to learn to use the rear brake, but 30+ years of habit is hard to shed.
Most roads here are fairly new asphalt - it's pretty rare that I go on a road that's a tire grinder, but there are a few around. I keep my pressures up well, been riding bikes where it was much more important for most of my life. The environment is pretty good for tires aside from the heat in summer that can cause excessive wear.
If you feel that the cornering grip of the C2 is as good as the others I might be back on board. Still iffy, but maybe. I guess I'm thinking it might be better than something super grippy when straight up. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 155
Victoria Tx, TX United States | So if I read correctly?? Commanders have a positive approval over E3's?? Im starting to look around. Dunlop, Michelin, Metz. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | BrandonM7 - 2014-05-28 4:03 PM
lstayner - 2014-05-28 3:32 PM
BrandonM7 - 2014-05-28 1:51 PM
My pops has been a bit underwhelmed with his set on an '08 FXSTC. The rear slides a bit easier than his previous tires (so far the factory HD Dunlop, Avon Cobra, Pirelli Night Dragon, Cobra again, now the Commander II.) It doesn't look like he's going to get much better mileage out of it than the others, either. It kind of puts me back on the fence, as he and I have similarly aggressive riding styles (relatively speaking, of course.) It at least leaves me with a bit of fear. For me as a non-highway rider grip is paramount, then balance, noise, resistance to cupping/mileage is last. My ME880s are cupping like crazy, especially the front. It's starting to make the grip and feel of the tire fade. I don't ride the distances you guys do, so I don't guess I have the same needs. I think I may try the Avons next instead of the Commanders.
I think I can be about as aggressive rider as most experienced riders. Not to many riders keep up with me in the twisties. Living in central Iowa means I get to ride a ways to find some fun roads.
What kind of roads are you running? Oil roads with pea gravel tend to eat tires faster than concrete or asphalt roads.
What tire pressure are you running? Low pressure will wear a tire out just as fast.
I have experimented with Bridgestone (1300 & Goldwing), Avon Cobra (on 1300), Avon Venom (front on 1300 & Vision) Dunlop E3 (on V Star 1300, Goldwing and Vision). In my experience, the Commander handles as well if not better than most of the tires I have listed. I will say it hates a fresh Arkansas pea rock oil road that is wet but I am not sure any tire would be fun in those conditions
That's cool, thanks again - I didn't mean to overstate my abilities or offend. This is just my first bike with my ass lower than my hands. I'm used to dragging knees, so I found the floorboards of the Vision on my test ride of the demo model from the tour truck. I don't think my cornering really causes that much wear. It's my abrupt starting and stopping -- and lots of starting and stopping, at that. You're putting 25k+ miles per year on a bike, you probably aren't starting and stopping as often as a low-mileage short distance rider like myself. That's my guess from the stepping of my front tire - I stop too hard and too often. I guess that would actually be a positive case for the commander - hard in the center would resist the cupping from start/stop riding as much as it would highway miles, while still being good in the corners. Dad actually said the cornering grip of the C2 is good, it's just the straight up starting and stopping that is less. Dual compound tire, that stands to reason. And most of what he's griped about is dragging the rear wheel on braking and down-shifting, which is even less likely on the Vision with a couple of hundred more pounds holding it down. I'm starting to learn to use the rear brake, but 30+ years of habit is hard to shed.
Most roads here are fairly new asphalt - it's pretty rare that I go on a road that's a tire grinder, but there are a few around. I keep my pressures up well, been riding bikes where it was much more important for most of my life. The environment is pretty good for tires aside from the heat in summer that can cause excessive wear.
If you feel that the cornering grip of the C2 is as good as the others I might be back on board. Still iffy, but maybe. I guess I'm thinking it might be better than something super grippy when straight up.
No offense was taken. I try to be as straight forward as possible without being obnoxious. I do 25k miles a year too. That is one reason I went with the commanders. I figure my tires are going to last almost a season so if I try something new I won't be putting up with them for a few years like some riders who are less fortunate to ride as far as we do. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | el spanky - 2014-05-28 7:55 PM
So if I read correctly?? Commanders have a positive approval over E3's?? Im starting to look around. Dunlop, Michelin, Metz.
I was a huge fan of the E3 until the commander came out. I was an early adapter and am on my 3rd rear commander. The thing I dislike about the E3 is the side cupping that occurs about mid way through the tire life. You sound like a truck with snow tires. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | lstayner - 2014-05-28 9:32 PM
el spanky - 2014-05-28 7:55 PM
So if I read correctly?? Commanders have a positive approval over E3's?? Im starting to look around. Dunlop, Michelin, Metz.
I was a huge fan of the E3 until the commander came out. I was an early adapter and am on my 3rd rear commander. The thing I dislike about the E3 is the side cupping that occurs about mid way through the tire life. You sound like a truck with snow tires.
That's what my ME880s are doing -- it doesn't seem obnoxiously loud, but I wear earplugs so I may just not hear it. You can definitely see it and feel it, though. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | for what its worth.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z0pkqq9dbs |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Arkainzeye - 2014-07-08 8:54 PM
for what its worth.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z0pkqq9dbs
Great video. So is a Vision a heavy bike or a sport bike? Interestingly Michelin made tires to fit HD cruisers in bias ply. The part showing the traction patch confuses me a little bit. Riding the E3 and the Commander II, I find the Commander II has better wet road traction, not that either tire is that spectacular on a wet road. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Just pulled the Metzler ME880 off it had 17 thousand on it and was right at the end of the wear bar. Put on a Avon Cobra. I think it corners a little better and no tar snake problem.
If tar snakes move your front end its time for a new tire |
|
| |