Slippage...

[Daniel Meyer]

Sometimes I don't listen so good...

http://lifeisaroad.com/blog/2015/05/12/3953/

[Valkorado]

Yikes!  That looks better than mine, and the replacement is waiting on the other side of this:

http://www.cotrip.org/m/cameraDtl.xhtml?id=18&rd=42

Tar snakes everywhere and ice in the shady spots.  Hopefully my fat lady won't speak to me much on the way over.

[Daniel Meyer]

Heh...seems like you might not be listenin' either!  ???

[RainMaker]

I listened - changed mine out last weekend.

[BIG--T]

Daniel, you're not the only one that didn't listen! I thought mine was ok because I just put a tire on late last fall and hit some thousand tar snakes leaning really low in some 90* S curves in the twisties and came close to losing her! Needless to say I'm putting a tire on and even thinking about trying out the darkside. 

[Jess from VA]

I don't even get half of 18K on any front tire.

My first experimental Commander II is at 7400 and has some left, but I need good rubber in a couple weeks.  So much for trying to get more miles from a Michelin.  It's a real nice handling tire, and about $50 cheaper than the OE size steel ME880 (which is something).... but about the same miles as anything else I have tried. (No E3s)

[Daniel Meyer]

I don't even get half of 18K on any front tire.

My first experimental Commander II is at 7400 and has some left, but I need good rubber in a couple weeks.  So much for trying to get more miles from a Michelin.  It's a real nice handling tire, and about $50 cheaper than the OE size steel ME880 (which is something).... but about the same miles as anything else I have tried. (No E3s)

Yeah, that's quite high for me as well. Surprised me though at the time/miles.

Handling/mileage wise I've had the best luck with Avons (Cobra before and now the Venom) but they do seem to have a high initial defect rate...

[Mr Whiskey]

I wasn't listening, but at least I was looking!
Washed, waxed, polished last Fri. in prep for a quick little weekend run to WV.
So we're standing around in the driveway, B.S.'n with the fam, when I look down at the now dry front tire & go SH!T, where'd the tread go!
8600 miles on a Bridgestone Exedra Max was at least 600+ more miles than she should have gone (I'm talkin' "Smooth")!
Glad we hadn't been caught in any good toad chokers lately, coulda got fugly.
Needless to say, we left alittle later Sat. morn (I already had the new tire hidden under the bed ).

[BIG--T]

I don't even get half of 18K on any front tire.

My first experimental Commander II is at 7400 and has some left, but I need good rubber in a couple weeks.  So much for trying to get more miles from a Michelin.  It's a real nice handling tire, and about $50 cheaper than the OE size steel ME880 (which is something).... but about the same miles as anything else I have tried. (No E3s)

Jess I never could find a Commander II! Where did you buy it?

[Jess from VA]

Amazon, of course.  

I've done a few earlier posts about this Commander II for the front.  It is not the right size, but it works very well.  Sticks as well as the Metzler, which is saying something.

The stock front is 150/80R17, and the closest to it in Michelin Commander II is 140/75R17.  The 150 to 140 is no big deal at all, and the 80 to 75 is about a half inch shorter.  I simply noticed no difference in handling, leaning thru curves, kickstand, or feet down at all (a half inch at the front tire translates to a quarter inch at the rider peg).  I also run full 13" 440 shocks.

Now I run car tires in back, but if I didn't, the Commander II's almost-fit is even better for the rear than the front.  Stock rear size is 180/70R16, and the closest Commander II is 180/65B16, but in bias only.

The reviews all over the web are very good, and it is supposed to be getting better mileage for everyone, but alas I could not even get 8K good miles from mine.  Max PSI on this tire is 42, and I run 41.  

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-commander-ii#desc

Amazon ($144.99 & FREE Shipping).
http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Commander-Cruiser-Front-Tire/dp/B006RQCDN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431476022&sr=8-1&keywords=Michelin+Commander+II+in+140%2F75R17

Vs my usual ME880 I may go back if I cannot get more miles from the Michelins, even thou they are $44 cheaper (right now)  (Price:    $189.44 & FREE Shipping) (I usually get at least 8K from them)
http://www.amazon.com/METZELER-ME880-80VR17-VALK-1335100/dp/B000GV1MYQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431475796&sr=8-3&keywords=me880+150+80R+17

And here's the Avon Cobra so many run.  I never have because they had so many defective tires from the factory over the years, though you don't read so much about that anymore.
($179.39 & FREE Shipping)
http://www.amazon.com/Avon-TireAV71-80VR17-COBRA-FRONT/dp/B001MAFVVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431476356&sr=8-1&keywords=avon+cobra+150%2F80VR17

[BIG--T]

Amazon, of course. 

I've done a few earlier posts about this Commander II for the front.  It is not the right size, but it works very well.  Sticks as well as the Metzler, which is saying something.

The stock front is 150/80R17, and the closest to it in   The 150 to 140 is no big deal at all, and the 80 to 75 is about a half inch shorter.  I simply noticed no difference in handling, leaning thru curves, kickstand, or feet down at all (a half inch at the front tire translates to a quarter inch at the rider peg).  I also run full 13" 440 shocks.

Now I run car tires in back, but if I didn't, the Commander II's almost-fit is even better for the rear than the front.  Stock rear size is 180/70R16, and the closest Commander II is 180/65B16, but in bias only.

The reviews all over the web are very good, and it is supposed to be getting better mileage for everyone, but alas I could not even get 10K good miles from mine.  Nonetheless, I will have two new ones on both bikes shortly, and try again.  Max PSI on this tire is 42, and I run 41. 

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-commander-ii#desc

Amazon ($147.10 & FREE Shipping).
http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Commander-Motorcycle-Tire-Front/dp/B005J88JLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431475189&sr=8-1&keywords=michelin+commander+II+140+%0975+%09R+%0917

Vs my usual ME880 (this is about $30 less than I ever paid in the past, and I will go back if I cannot get more miles from the Michelins)  (Sale: $162.99 & FREE Shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/Metzeler-Marathon-Touring-Front-Tire/dp/B002OP3G28/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431475304&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=metzler+me880+150%2F80R17

Haha, Well no wonder I couldn't find them using the oem size! I am going to try darkside and find out what all the fuss is about. I've heard some good stuff about the Yokohama Avid ENVigo 205/60  and the Goodyear TT.  People I know that run those Commanders love them

[Jess from VA]

T, note I amended my post and links while you were typing.

I've been running the Goodyears a long time on both bikes, and they are great for me, but there are probably better rounder treads out there.  And don't forget that Austone 175 so many are talking about

[BIG--T]

T, note I amended my post and links while you were typing.

I've been running the Goodyears a long time on both bikes, and they are great for me, but there are probably better rounder treads out there.  And don't forget that Austone 175 so many are talking about

Yeah I've heard a lot of good things about the Austone and might be an option for me since it's rounded  more like a MC tire for my first darkside experience. I've been told to look for a V tread pattern in a tire.

Thanks for the help!