I'm a Michelin man now! (and a couple questions)

VulcanJeff · 07-20-2018, 10:27 AM

I finally did it. Instead of being a skinflint tightwad when it was time to buy tires, I splurged for Commander IIs. They are smooth and quiet. I am very pleased. The extra cost (over my usual Shinko 777s) was worth it.

I noticed the lack of a colored dot on the sidewall. Is this the norm for Michelins? Do they not mark the heavy side?

In general, do Commander IIs not take much weight to balance? Perhaps their lack of a colored dot is due to them not being "out of balance" to a significant degree?

**MAS Tequila** · 07-20-2018, 11:25 AM

The Avons I put on the Meanie were the same way, no markings.

So I mounted them and without any balancing of any kind, they're the smoothest tires I've ridden in a long long time.

Tortuga · 07-20-2018, 01:20 PM

I Don't know what the dot is but mine didn't have them either

VulcanJeff · 07-20-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

The Avons I put on the Meanie were the same way, no markings.

So I mounted them and without any balancing of any kind, they're the smoothest tires I've ridden in a long long time.

Very interesting...

I have been a proponent of balance beads for several years. I dump in the recommended weight (2 ounces) based on tire size and ride like the wind. No fuss no muss. Though very smooth as as stated above, I can discern what I suspect to be an out of balance issue, notably in the 30-40mph range, with my new front. After 75-100 miles of riding and a week's time to ponder, I suspect there is too much bead.

If a Michelin is so insignificantly out-of-balance that it isn't worth the effort to mark/stamp with a red dot, then 2 ounces of beads might be way overkill.

Last night I pulled off my front wheel and swapped in a brand new tube, without putting any beads in it. I want to get it balanced at the shop to see how much weight is required. I'm betting it is way less than 2 ounces.

The 2 ounces I've always used in my Shinkos must have been spot-on or real close to spot-on. I have heard they require more than most brands to balance out.

Scootergptx · 07-20-2018, 03:09 PM

I've never used more than 2oz on my Shinkos and never had any issues.

VulcanJeff · 07-21-2018, 07:47 AM

1/2 ounce. Just 1/2 ounce is all it needed LOL! The guy at the shop (who rides) backed up my suspicion and said let's spin it and find out. I asked him if he thought I would feel ANYTHING if I had NO weight at all. He said nope, probably not. I had him go ahead and throw a weight at it anyways.

I think I clearly see now why beads get such a bad rap. You obviously can't arbitrarily pour in a magic/recommended amount and expect good results. I feel pretty lucky to have gotten good results in the past with my Shinkos.

roadhawg · 08-03-2018, 12:38 PM

My Michelin commander rear Tire was $157. Installed, very well worth it! I am getting around 23 k miles Michelin rear tire, I also use Ride On tire sealer and balancer, so far so good.

jtascone · 08-03-2018, 02:20 PM

Really wish they would make the Commander II's in White Walls

DragonLady58 · 08-03-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhawg

My Michelin commander rear Tire was $157. Installed, very well worth it! I am getting around 23 k miles Michelin rear tire, I also use Ride On tire sealer and balancer, so far so good.

23K?????? Holy Crap! I must be doing something really wrong then!!!!!

Hahaha.....

redjay · 08-03-2018, 04:36 PM

Commander II and Avon Cobras are a great high mileage tire.

**Sabre-t** · 08-03-2018, 09:52 PM

I have 16,200 miles on my MC2s and not to the wear bars, yet. That includes over 7,000 miles pulling a well filled HF Tag-along trailer. I haven't had a chance to measure how much tread depth I have to the wear bars since I got back from Nova Scotia, but I would guess I have at least a couple thousand more miles left before they get close to the wear bars.

**Top Cat** · 08-03-2018, 10:53 PM

BE CAREFUL ON WET ROADS
I had Commander 2s put on the front and rear of my bike before the rally in Nova Scotia. Caught in rain on way home and twice the rear tire locked up when I hit the brakes. Fishtailed and I missed the exit both times. Both times I was trying to stop rather quickly but still, never had that happen with Cobras, Metzeler, Pirelli .
Pay attention on wet roads and leave plenty of time to stop.

07-20-2018, 10:27 AM	#1
VulcanJeff Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Galesburg, IL Posts: 309	I'm a Michelin man now! (and a couple questions) I finally did it. Instead of being a skinflint tightwad when it was time to buy tires, I splurged for Commander IIs. They are smooth and quiet. I am very pleased. The extra cost (over my usual Shinko 777s) was worth it. I noticed the lack of a colored dot on the sidewall. Is this the norm for Michelins? Do they not mark the heavy side? In general, do Commander IIs not take much weight to balance? Perhaps their lack of a colored dot is due to them not being "out of balance" to a significant degree? __________________ 2005 Vulcan 1600 Nomad - lovin' it! 2009 Vulcan 1700 Classic LT - gone, mostly forgotten 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI - gone but not forgotten Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-20-2018, 11:25 AM	#2
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	The Avons I put on the Meanie were the same way, no markings. So I mounted them and without any balancing of any kind, they're the smoothest tires I've ridden in a long long time. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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07-20-2018, 03:09 PM	#5
Scootergptx Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 654	I've never used more than 2oz on my Shinkos and never had any issues. __________________ 2011 Vaquero V&H slip ons Roaring Toyz intake PCV (removed) Ivan's ECU flash Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-21-2018, 07:47 AM	#6
VulcanJeff Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Galesburg, IL Posts: 309	1/2 ounce. Just 1/2 ounce is all it needed LOL! The guy at the shop (who rides) backed up my suspicion and said let's spin it and find out. I asked him if he thought I would feel ANYTHING if I had NO weight at all. He said nope, probably not. I had him go ahead and throw a weight at it anyways. I think I clearly see now why beads get such a bad rap. You obviously can't arbitrarily pour in a magic/recommended amount and expect good results. I feel pretty lucky to have gotten good results in the past with my Shinkos. __________________ 2005 Vulcan 1600 Nomad - lovin' it! 2009 Vulcan 1700 Classic LT - gone, mostly forgotten 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI - gone but not forgotten
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08-03-2018, 12:38 PM	#7
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	My Michelin commander rear Tire was $157. Installed, very well worth it! I am getting around 23 k miles Michelin rear tire, I also use Ride On tire sealer and balancer, so far so good. __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek
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07-20-2018, 01:20 PM	#3
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	I Don't know what the dot is but mine didn't have them either
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08-03-2018, 02:20 PM	#8
jtascone Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 282	Really wish they would make the Commander II's in White Walls
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08-03-2018, 04:36 PM	#10
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	Commander II and Avon Cobras are a great high mileage tire.
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08-03-2018, 09:52 PM	#11
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	I have 16,200 miles on my MC2s and not to the wear bars, yet. That includes over 7,000 miles pulling a well filled HF Tag-along trailer. I haven't had a chance to measure how much tread depth I have to the wear bars since I got back from Nova Scotia, but I would guess I have at least a couple thousand more miles left before they get close to the wear bars.
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08-03-2018, 10:53 PM	#12
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	BE CAREFUL ON WET ROADS I had Commander 2s put on the front and rear of my bike before the rally in Nova Scotia. Caught in rain on way home and twice the rear tire locked up when I hit the brakes. Fishtailed and I missed the exit both times. Both times I was trying to stop rather quickly but still, never had that happen with Cobras, Metzeler, Pirelli . Pay attention on wet roads and leave plenty of time to stop. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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