So what about the Michy Commder 2?

[AdrianR]

It has been brought to my attention that you can get the properly size tire for the front of our bike using Michelin's Commander 2 model.  Unfortunately, it appears to only be available as a bias ply tire.

So, how do you think the bike would handle with the bias tire and a radial? Or, how do you think it would handle period with bias ply tires fore and aft?

[Jess from VA]

Perhaps this is no help.  In my search for different front tires for my 1500, I ran a Mich Commander II radial (but in a 130/75) up front (instead of a 150/80).  It is a great handling tire and comes with almost no release agent.  It was great right from the start.  Any 130 turns a bit quicker than a stock 150.  But here is why I won't do it again.  I just made it to 7K miles before it was gone.  That's not enough miles.  I wish they made them in the right sizes for 1500 Valk in radials (or bias).

There are a bazillion good reviews of this tire on line.   

[Dragunslayer]

It has been brought to my attention that you can get the properly size tire for the front of our bike using Michelin's Commander 2 model.  Unfortunately, it appears to only be available as a bias ply tire.

So, how do you think the bike would handle with the bias tire and a radial? Or, how do you think it would handle period with bias ply tires fore and aft?

On a cruiser it may be negligible since pushing the limit of the tires is at a minimum. But I do know that a radial will offer more grip than a bias tire and if you have to think about whether you would rather loose the front in a turn or a rear then then this discussion is mute

[Shrubbo]

I ran a Dunlop D408F 130/60B19 M/C 61H for around 25000k before I tried a Michelin PR4T and they are bias.

Only 2 negatives for me...

1: It has a slight shake in the bars if you let them go.
2: Wet weather not near as good as the Michelin but I still rode a lot in the wet with no drama.

As far as handling goes I didn't really notice the difference that I could remember and I was a bit more stupid then so I was pushing the Valk' a way lot harder then most I would expect. Never gave me anything to be concerned about in the dry.

Looking at the wear on the Michelin PR4T I was seriously considering going back to the Dunlop but will give these new Michelin a try instead when the time comes.

Short answer: I have zero concerns after 25000k experience with a bias tire on the front. I will give it a go when the Michelin is no longer serviceable.

[Robert]

Some Harleys come factory with bias on the front and I have not found anyone that had anything negative to say about the combo. 

[Dragunslayer]

Some Harleys come factory with bias on the front and I have not found anyone that had anything negative to say about the combo. 

At the risk of grouping a bunch together. I have met my share of Harley riders and they are not the brightest candle in the house.

Let make a few points here.

1) Most Harley riders spend close to if not three times the money to get the performance from their engine that ours comes from the factory with.

Price of bike + 3K worth of performance upgrades

2) Most Harley riders are only riding from one bar to another.

They are not really testing the limits of their tires

3) Is more of a general statement about ALL riders. Most do not even have a clue what tire pressure they are running when asked. I always seem to get the answer "whatever the manufacturer suggests" instead of the actual number. This is usually a good indicator that they do not make a habit of checking the pressure.

Keep in mind that a lot of this comes from a guy like me that usually does not mix brands of tires much less bias/ radials.

When I was a kid I had bias tires on the front of a car and radials on the back and when making corners at certain speeds the back tires would just grip like hell and push the car off the road. Not so much when they were matched radials.

And to say that it is okay to mix bias and radials on a bike because HD does it just does not make sense to me since they are not really known for breaking any speed or handling records unless it is a quarter mile at a time.

These are just my opinions and you may choose to ignore them if you choose, I will not be offended.

[Shrubbo]

All good mate, you have your right to an opinion but have you actually tried them?

I have run similar and as stated I had minimal issues and I am quite sure I pushed it way past where commence sense said I should back off a lot in the early days before I woke up to myself. Top speed runs, playing silly buggers with sports bikes. All the dumb stuff and never once did that tire give me the slightest bit of concern in the dry.

I am looking forward to trying these new ones and if they don't pan out I am very much considering going back to the Dunlop D408F 130/60B19 M/C 61H which is the Harley Davison Breakout tire because it works well and has extreme mileage potential.

[Dragunslayer]

All good mate, you have your right to an opinion but have you actually tried them?

I have run similar and as stated I had minimal issues and I am quite sure I pushed it way past where commence sense said I should back off a lot in the early days before I woke up to myself. Top speed runs, playing silly buggers with sports bikes. All the dumb stuff and never once did that tire give me the slightest bit of concern in the dry.

I am looking forward to trying these new ones and if they don't pan out I am very much considering going back to the Dunlop D408F 130/60B19 M/C 61H which is the Harley Davison Breakout tire because it works well and has extreme mileage potential.

LOL thats why I said it was my opinion. I have not tried to run a bias on the front or rear. If memory  serves me you rode a sportbike before so you may be a little more comfortable than most to push this bike.

Not to mention all riders are not created equally. I am not telling anyone not to do it, just like I dont tell people NOT to run car tires. If you are okay with it then do it but it is not for me.

I expect a certain type of feedback from my tires and if the tire I have on does not give me the confidence I am seeking I try a different tire.

I personally never had an issue with the stock Dunlops other than the price I was unwilling to pay for them. They required a fair amount more input at the bars than the Michelins, but in my opionion offered just as much grip and Mileage as the Michelins I am running now.

[AdrianR]

Some Harleys come factory with bias on the front and I have not found anyone that had anything negative to say about the combo.  

At the risk of grouping a bunch together. I have met my share of Harley riders and they are not the brightest candle in the house.

Let make a few points here.

1) Most Harley riders spend close to if not three times the money to get the performance from their engine that ours comes from the factory with.

Price of bike + 3K worth of performance upgrades

2) Most Harley riders are only riding from one bar to another.

They are not really testing the limits of their tires

3) Is more of a general statement about ALL riders. Most do not even have a clue what tire pressure they are running when asked. I always seem to get the answer "whatever the manufacturer suggests" instead of the actual number. This is usually a good indicator that they do not make a habit of checking the pressure.

Keep in mind that a lot of this comes from a guy like me that usually does not mix brands of tires much less bias/ radials.

When I was a kid I had bias tires on the front of a car and radials on the back and when making corners at certain speeds the back tires would just grip like hell and push the car off the road. Not so much when they were matched radials.

And to say that it is okay to mix bias and radials on a bike because HD does it just does not make sense to me since they are not really known for breaking any speed or handling records unless it is a quarter mile at a time.

These are just my opinions and you may choose to ignore them if you choose, I will not be offended.

I like this post very much!  I love the line in where the statement *most Harley riders not being the brightest candles* etc....lol...  So true. Where I live Harleys outnumber all other bikes 10-1 EASILY.... Most of the time when asked why I ride what I do I must ONCE AGAIN educate them on their bikes! They have no clue how to differentiate the mechanical identities of a typical Harley design to that of any other non-Harley design.  Pathetic really, I hate it, that is buying things because everyone else does.  Make me barf...  I use to like Harley Davidson motorcycles and in a sense now I do not.  I still like them because their motorcycles, but I hate how the bias has become so common, so much that people don't even research other motorcycles...  Who does this with automobiles?

Anyway, I have to side with caution. I will stick with common tire designs fore and aft. Bikes are dangerous enough even when operating perfectly.

[Robert]

I believe one reason our bikes are limited to 125 is because the tire rating. The choices made are 61H which are up to 130mph the Michelin's and other tires are rated V,Z and W and are speed over 149 at least. While I do agree that a bias on front would probably do ok, I wonder about the traction and handling. I have seen this tire that some claim gets very good mileage I have to wonder with the lower speed ratings and the longer life what are the trade offs in handling. I was thinking also about the possibility of changing at least the rear out for one of these but keeping the 4's for the front. Well that idea is gone no rear in our size.

[Adirondack Bill]

AdrianR I agree with you. In most cases, when I ride with Harley  guys I get totally ignored. It's like if you are not on a HOG, you are second rate!  I don't "DOG" them even though stock Harleys are DOGS!  If you spend well over $20,000 on a bike you should at least have 100 ponies and 100 ft. Pounds of tourque! It should not matter what you ride, as long as you ride.

[AdrianR]

AdrianR I agree with you. In most cases, when I ride with Harley  guys I get totally ignored. It's like if you are not on a HOG, you are second rate!  I don't "DOG" them even though stock Harleys are DOGS!  If you spend well over $20,000 on a bike you should at least have 100 ponies and 100 ft. Pounds of tourque! It should not matter what you ride, as long as you ride.

Ha, I normally don't ride with them because I typically PASS them lol

[barney fife]

Yep the Commander II and also the Metzeler ME888 Ultra Marathon fit on the Valk, but they do not make a rear for it unless you what a 200 on the back.  At the time I was looking for a front tire, the only thing I could find in the right size was a Dunlop American Elite (bias ply made for Harleys).  It has been a good tire and currently has 12,000 on it and still looking pretty good.  I have a new set of Michelin Pilot Road 4's with a 120/70 front ready to be mounted.  If they don't work out well I am going to try the Pirelli Scorpions.

[The emperor has no clothes]

When I was a kid I had bias tires on the front of a car and radials on the back and when making corners at certain speeds the back tires would just grip like hell and push the car off the road. Not so much when they were matched radials.

And to say that it is okay to mix bias and radials on a bike because HD does it just does not make sense to me since they are not really known for breaking any speed or handling records unless it is a quarter mile at a time.

These are just my opinions and you may choose to ignore them if you choose, I will not be offended.

Mixing radials and bias tires on a 4 wheel vehicle is not good for handling. I have been mixing brands, bias, radials, fronts, rears for 60k with no handling issues at all.
 There are many Harley riders that can ride very well. There are many Honda riders that would be best served to stick with a car.

[Dragunslayer]

When I was a kid I had bias tires on the front of a car and radials on the back and when making corners at certain speeds the back tires would just grip like hell and push the car off the road. Not so much when they were matched radials.

And to say that it is okay to mix bias and radials on a bike because HD does it just does not make sense to me since they are not really known for breaking any speed or handling records unless it is a quarter mile at a time.

These are just my opinions and you may choose to ignore them if you choose, I will not be offended.

Mixing radials and bias tires on a 4 wheel vehicle is not good for handling. I have been mixing brands, bias, radials, fronts, rears for 60k with no handling issues at all.
 There are many Harley riders that can ride very well. There are many Honda riders that would be best served to stick with a car.

I agree with those statements and most riders are free to choose whatever they want to pair with. I know how I ride and in my opinion that combo would not work for me.

[Robert]

Just ordered these tonight to have in stock should I need to replace the ones on the bike. I was going to try the Pirelli but didn't want to try another tire since I am not really unhappy with these. Plus the handling is good both wet and dry and the mileage is ok not great but there really is nothing that is far superior to these in any category. I find myself changing tires about once a year with the mileage I put on. Not really happy about that but even with the 1500 was about the same, at least with this bike its a breeze to do.

I would really like to see more mileage out of the tires like 15k. I get almost that on the front but the rear is usually around 8k and that kind of sucks.