Michelin Commander II tires and Ride-On

[NSASarge]

I replaced both tires at about 9k with Michelin Commander II. The parts guy suggested I also install a tire sealant called Ride On. Well documented usage from several sources like highway departments, taxi services, highway patrol in both car and bike users. OK, so, I tried it. All was well until I got about 2k on the new tires. I noticed a "tank slapper" effect between 40 and 50 mph. A front tire problem nobody wants! The dealer pulled a complete wheel/tire from a new Voyager and the problem went away. They installed a Metzeler ME880 on the front and sent the Commander back to Michelin. Michelin gave me a $100 credit for the store, so I got a set of ISO Grips and put them on the Voyager. A little change left over, so I bought a Battery Tender after adding a few dollars more. I will be looking at the new Dunlop American tires when the Commander wears out.

[rick]

I have almost 3000 on my front, and 6500 on the rear, both Commander IIs. I installed Dyno Beads when I put the front on, and am having no problems, may have just gotten a bad tire. Interested in how the Metzs work out for you, would like wide white walls.

[1700Guy]

My suggestion is Excedra Max on front and Dunlop E3 on rear I have been getting about 18000 on front and 16000 on rear and they have worn very evenly 40psi front 45 psi rear

[jhellman]

FYI - the rear E3 is no longer made in bias, only radial. I'm sticking with bias/bias and putting on a Dunlop American Elite bias on the back.

[HMB Don]

I've been using the American Elite 180 65 16 on the rear. I used an E-3 on the rear and it was good 19k, but when I switched to the American Elite mileage went to 26k. Air pressure is 40 to 42 psi on the rear and 40 on the front.

For the front I've used the Michelin Commander II, it was a wonderful tire. But it has softer sidewalls then the E-3. When pulling a trailer or being aggressive in the turns, would cause the front end of the Voyager 1700 to feel vague. I'm now on my second E-3 front, my next front tire will be an American Elite, they now make a black wall American Elite in the Voyager 1700 size.

The draw back to the stiff side walls is that the Voyager 1700 is very harsh, so I've had to readjust all of my suspension settings. Including going to the Race Tech front fork spring, and using 5w fork oil. On the rear I've changed the rear shock oil to 5w, and now using the #2 setting on the rear shocks. On the front forks I didn't install the Race Tech gold valve, and I can't wait until this winter to order and install.

[1700Guy]

After doing research on the American Elete I to will be going with that tire it sounds like they have hit a home run.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Yep Duane, they designed it for the HD market and it is a great tire, that works well with the VV. Dunlop listened to heavy bagger owners and they created a winner in the American Elite 3 tires.

Kevin Braddy
in Southern Illinois

[1700Guy]

Good to here from you Kevin I miss you guys. give me a call some time.

Sorry to hear about Linda Kern talked to Chuck yesterday.

Duane

[ewilberg]

My suggestion is Excedra Max on front and Dunlop E3 on rear I have been getting about 18000 on front and 16000 on rear and they have worn very evenly 40psi front 45 psi rear

Did you have any problem with the ABS light staying on when you changed your tires? Were they not the same size as the OEM?
Thanks ERic

[HMB Don]

No, no problems at all. I've used the 160 E-3, and 3 American Elite 180's with now ABS problems.