In September 2015, we started a long-term assessment of Michelin’s Commander II tires mounted on a 1985 Honda Magna VF700C. The aim was to find out how the tires’ efficiency and sturdiness would examine to the same-model tire on a 2007 Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster. We wished to reply the query, “Does the ability supply of a V4 enable higher tire life than that of a V-twin?”The Michelin Commander II is a dual-compound tire that places a more durable compound band across the midline of the tread and a softer compound on the shoulders of the tire. That design is meant to facilitate longer total tread life, whereas offering improved traction for cornering.The Commander II makes use of Michelin’s Amplified Density Expertise (ADT), which ends up in a extra inflexible tire casing for improved suggestions and dealing with. The important thing issue on this design is utilizing 90 thread density plies as an alternative of the everyday 71 thread plies. Whereas some Commander II sizes can be found as radials, the pairs we evaluated had been bias ply.The rear tire options aramid fiber plies, which reduces weight and minimizes centrifugal distortion, additional bettering stability and tire life, in line with Michelin. The French firm says new compounds contribute to improved traction within the moist whereas extending tread life. Michelin claims sq. bead-wire expertise will increase casing rigidity for extra exact dealing with and ease of set up.Lengthy service life is the standard Michelin touts for the Commander II tire. In line with the corporate, impartial third-party testing confirmed the Commander II rear tire usually delivers about twice the mileage because the competitors. That declare is predicated on commissioned third-party checks carried out in 2011 on public roads evaluating Michelin Commander II, Metzeler ME880 Marathon, and Dunlop D407/D408 tires in sizes 130/80 x 17 and 180/65 x 16. The Michelin web site didn’t present any details about the mileage, tire loading situations, or standards used within the comparability.
After we wrapped up the assessment on the Michelin Commander IIs mounted on the Sportster, that they had been in service for 10,896 miles. As is normally the case, the entrance tire had sufficient tread to maintain going for maybe one other couple thousand miles, however the rear tire had a 14-inch-long space the place the complete outer tread layer of compound was worn away, exposing the substrate.Our aim was to see if there was any vital distinction within the service lifetime of the identical mannequin/sort tire between a V-twin-powered bike and a V4-driven bike of comparable weight and displacement. The Harley-Davidson Sportster 883R’s curb weight is about 590 kilos, in comparison with 535 kilos for the Honda Magna VF700C. We puzzled if the ability supply traits of a V-twin in comparison with a V4 may need a measurable impact on tire service life.The bikes had been ridden below comparable street floor situations, rider, cargo weight, driving model, and upkeep schedule. In each instances, the tires had been professionally mounted and balanced on each bikes. Neither bike was ridden on monitor days or used for road drags, stunting, or the like. Certainly, the one notable issue which may have adversely affected total tread life on both bike was a rear-wheel lock brake utility to keep away from hitting a deer in August 2017 whereas driving the VF700C.
For every assessment, we didn’t do a whole lot of prolonged high-speed Interstate journey, although there was a few of that. Many of the mileage we placed on the Michelins on every sort of motorbike was within the two-lane again street nation of southwestern Wisconsin—state highways, county trunk highways, and paved township roads the place a whole lot of cornering, braking, and accelerating would put the complete footprint of the tire to make use of and adhesion to the take a look at.Some driving on gravel roads and moist pavement additionally passed off on every tire set. As I used to be the one rider on each bikes for every assessment, variation in driving model—throttle administration, braking, cornering, and so forth—is unlikely to be a major think about tire put on.At this writing, there may be nonetheless some life left within the Michelin Commander II entrance tire, however the sipe depth on the rear tire is just about gone from the mid-line portion of the rear tire. The time for alternative had come.At present, this pair of Commander II tires has 12,574 miles in-service on the Honda VF700C Magna. That complete is 1678 miles—15.4 %—greater than attained on the Harley Davidson Sportster 883R.Whereas it means that our concept on variations in energy supply traits could have some validity, it isn’t sufficient proof to say that it’s the solely issue. For instance, the Sportster 883R is about 55 kilos (10.2 %) heavier than the VF700C Magna, so the impact of that further weight have to be thought of.Dealing with, journey high quality, and stopping adhesion was equally good on every bike. No seller service or restore work was required for both set of tires throughout these critiques. Total, primarily based on sturdiness, service life, and efficiency, the Michelin Commander II tires are a strong alternative for both sort of bike. As all the time, your mileage could range.
The Michelin Commander II tires have now been changed entrance and rear with Bridgestone’s new Exedra Max high-mileage touring tires. We’ll maintain you posted on how the Bridgestones carry out down the street.Michelin Commander II Tire SizesEntrance
- 130/90 x 16
- 120/90 x 17
- 130/80 x 17
- 140/80 x 17
- 110/90 x 18
- 100/90 x 19
- 120/70 x 19
- 80/90 x 21
- 90/90 x 21
Rear
- 170/80 x 15
- 130/90 x 16
- 140/90 x 16
- 150/80 x 16
- 180/65 x 16
- 160/70 x 17
- 150/70 x 18
- 240/40 x 18
