Michelin Commander II

[redjay]

Did the Commanders make the bike run smoother ? When I put Cobras on my Nomad it was much smoother. The stock Bridgestones on my Voyager are starting to get squirelly and do not seem to run smooth. No wonder they call them Brickstones.

[okiecop]

Just put the Michelin Commander II's on my Voyager. Totally different ride from the "Brickstones" that were replaced. Much better ride now. Running 36 psi front and 40 psi rear.

[redjay]

Thanks for your response. Much better ride how ? Smoother ?
My front stock tire feels like it is made from solid rubber.

[okiecop]

Yes, a lot smoother. With the stock front tire, I felt every groove on the roads. With the Michelin, can't tell when I hit a groove or "road snake" at all. I'd say it's a lot smoother and grips 100% better. The rear tire definately grips much better. I have about 200 miles on the tires since install and will have another 400 or so between today and tomorrow. Plus they look great on the bike!

[redjay]

The front Bridgestone on my Voyager is following grooves and road snakes really bad with only 9,000 kms on them. When I put Cobras on my 1600 Nomad they were a huge improvement over the Bridgestones which felt more like a solid tire than a pneumatic tire. The bike was much smoother. Cant wait for the Bridgestones to wear out.

[Gonzo]

Had a Commander II put on my back wheel. Still running OEM on the front. Bike handles much better. Also had dyna beads and nitrogen done.

[okiecop]

Yeah, I use the dyna beads too. Been using them for the past 5-6 years.

[Robert Fox]

got my new michelins and so far i really like them. i only got a few hundred miles on them but so far i really like how the bike handles and rides.

[Monkeyman]

Cant wait for the Bridgestones to wear out.

Sometimes it's better to swap out tires even if you have tread left. If I don't get the Nomad sold in the next month or so, I'll put some new rubber on it. I have plenty of tread left, but the tires just aren't very confidence inspiring.

[dogleg]

Sometimes it's better to swap out tires even if you have tread left.

I would have to agree. Down to the wear bars on the back but still had plenty of meat on the front at 6k miles. Every time I hit a wet tar snake, the bike would walk all over. It was high stress to even change lanes in the rain. They had to go.

I’ve had the Commander 2’s now for 3 weeks and 1300 miles. Where I’ve noticed a big difference is in less than favorable road condition. The bike just goes where I want it to. Wet roads, soft tar snakes, even some left over pot hole patch gravel I’ve been able to navigate with ease. Half of these recent miles were two up southern Ohio. If I can get 15k+ miles on this set I’ll be ecstatic.

[dholmer]

MonkeyMan why are you selling your Nomad after all the work you've done to it?

[Monkeyman]

I want a Harley, probably a Road Glide. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Nomad. It's a great bike and I could very well regret the change.

[redjay]

Ordered the Michelin Commander II's today.

[BC RED VAQ]

RAY where did you order the tires from and what kind of price did you pay if you dont mind Thanks BC

[redjay]

$340 Canadian plus tax (13%).

[Chili]

$340 Canadian plus tax (13%).

Where'd you order from? I just ordered today delivered to my door, tax in $286 Canadian from Pete's Superbike in Montreal. That was for the 130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 rear.

[redjay]

Are you sure its $286 taxes in and free delivery ? I enquired at Petes Superbike website and as far as I remember it never stated the delivery or taxes were included. If so you got a great deal.

[Chili]

Are you sure its $286 taxes in and free delivery ? I enquired at Petes Superbike website and as far as I remember it never stated the delivery or taxes were included. If so you got a great deal.

Not free delivery they charge for it but that is included. Here's a cut and paste from my paypal receipt. I was about to order from the USA when I checked their site, needless to say I'm thrilled to pay less and not have to make a trip to the border

Item# commander 2-021430 $113.95 CAD 1 $113.95 CAD
Item# commander 2-021445 $131.95 CAD 1 $131.95 CAD
Shipping and Handling (Federal Express - Ground)$26.58 CAD 1 $26.58 CAD
Subtotal $272.48 CAD
Tax $13.63 CAD
Total $286.11 CAD
Payment $286.11 CAD

[redjay]

Thats a great price for sure. A local place I got a quote from told me he cannot even buy them for the price I was quoted from Petes Superbike. The local guy wanted $440 plus tax.

[Chili]

I feel for the local dealers as I know they are taking it in the backside buying through the Canadian distributors. MSRP for the pair of those tires from Kimpex is $441.98 which means dealer cost is likely in the neighborhood of $265.

[redjay]

So where is the guy in Montreal (Petes Superbike) buying his tires to be able to sell a pair of Michelin Commander II's for $246, including taxes ?

[Chili]

My guess is he's buying through a US distributors and importing them or from his years of Factory racing has some sort of direct relationship with the manufacturers but I'd think that was unlikely.

[1st One]

Just installed A Michelin Commander 11 on my 2009 Voyager 180/65B/16 drove home in the rain! and city traffic! It handled way better than my balled Venom Viper Made it to my garage (this was my main concern at the time. I will post later on in the summer

[redjay]

Took a ride yesterday with the newly installed commander II on the fornt. The bike seems smoother, not as harsh. I have the rear tire in the garage waiting to be installed in a couple of weeks.

[bibendum]

My guess is he's buying through a US distributors and importing them or from his years of Factory racing has some sort of direct relationship with the manufacturers but I'd think that was unlikely.


For what its worth, michelin has VERY strict rules for selling across country lines. It is not allowed. I can install tires on Canadian trucks operating in the US, only if they are worn to the legal limit, or destroyed. I cannot sell loose tires, or knowingly sell tires for export. Apparantly the taxes are much lower here in the states.

[redjay]

From the sticker on the tire they came from Quebec via Illinois ? Maybe thats where they are made ?