Watch BEFORE you BUY! Michelin Commander III Touring Tires
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
- Watch BEFORE you BUY! Reviews found on multiple sites/portals indicated there is an issue for some people with the Michelin Commander III Touring tires. In this video we aggregate those posts, make a determination about the reason for the issue, the likelihood you'll encounter it, how to avoid it, and our PERSONAL experience with these tires. If you're in the market for a set of Michelin Commander III Touring Tires, you'll definitely want to watch this video until the end before you make a decision.
UPDATE! Be sure to read the comment I've pinned for this video in the Comments for the latest info on this issue, and what Michelin has done to correct it. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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UPDATE!
While I wish Michelin would have come out and admitted there was an "issue" with these specific front tires, they instead quietly issued a redesign/refinement of the front tread for current production. If you look at the information on Michelin's website for the Commander III Touring tires, you'll now find this little "admission", or confirmation, that there WAS an issue for tires manufactured PRIOR to 06/2021.
From Michelin's website-
"Starting in June 2021, the Michelin Commander III Touring front tire has been redesigned, including an enhanced tread pattern, to limit its natural frequency. Internal testing has confirmed the redesigned solution eliminates the harmonic resonance or buzzing sensation to deliver an enjoyable riding experience."
There's also a pictorial reference on the page that has the verbiage above that shows the change in their tread pattern.
So, use the information in the video to determine your date of manufacture code. If the tire was manufactured DURING or AFTER 06/2021, you're very likely getting a tire WITHOUT the issue.
Ride Safe, Namaste -GeezeRider
Previous Update-
In July of 2023 I rode over 2100 miles round trip from the East coast of the US to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I'm happy to report that the Michelin Commander 3 Touring tires performed admirably. While I was lucky enough to not have wet weather riding on that trip, I have ridden them in the rain. Performance is on par with, or just a tiny bit less than, the stock Dunlop's in that regard. The majority of the miles on the aforementioned trip were obviously highway, and here's where the C 3's really shine. NO appreciable wear visible at the end of the trip. They still looked brand new. Traction, handling, and ride comfort were great. There is a slight "transition" from center tread to side tread as you corner harder, out of the center of the tread and get more into the side tread; but it is not alarming or something you have to make adjustments for when you lean. Just a 10% or so difference in feel. It's very subjective as many riders say they've never noticed. Now, on to the elephant in the room! 99% of the time I experienced NO buzzing, noise, or vibration from the front. On certain road surfaces at certain speeds on center tread I noticed a very mild buzz to the bars. Overall handling was not affected, and it wasn't alarming in the least. Again, this was maybe 1% out of over 2100 miles on a variety of road surfaces and speeds. For me, it's a non-issue, and all things being equal at this point, I would consider Michelin Commander 3 Touring tires again when the time comes. Ride Safe, Namaste -GeezeRider
Appreciate your thouroughness of your investigation! I can now look at getting a commander lll set of tires without the worry. I'm an auto mechanic by trade so I'm grateful for your time for making this report for us viewers. Doug
Thanks Doug, we appreciate your positive comment and feedback, and wish you luck with your new tires. If you have time, please let us know the size and date code of what you get (as well as if you get Touring or Cruiser version of the III's) and what you put them on. Also would be helpful to know if you have any issues at all. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Hey chief, I'm an auto mechanic by trade, so I understand the "diagnostic trail" you took to prove your point. You showed authenticity of character, and, that speaks louder than ANY amount of words can only dream of doing! Doug🤓🐻😁
Good info and good tires, in my experience. I just came across your channel in my feed actually. I'm happy to support your efforts and those of other fellow moto content creators. I look forward to seeing and hearing more from you in the future ; keep up the great work and ride safe out there.
Thanks for the info. I'm looking into fluid added through the valves for balancing. I've used this method on my truck and works great!
Thank you for the great information!! Greatly appreciated!!
A viewer was kind enough to share their personal experience, and has brought to light something I left out of this video: Remember to check the manufacturers website/fitment guide to make sure they support the Year, Make, Model, and current configuration of your motorcycle before ordering. If they don't have it listed as a supported configuration, contact them before ordering. Unfortunately, just because they have a tire that "fits" (when you check by size vs. your bike year/make/model), it doesn't mean it is supported for your bike. This could be for a variety of reasons- Example: You have aftermarket rims of a non-stock size, etc., or they simply don't support your bike for some reason for a particular tire model/size. In that case, they have the option of not supporting the tire for that bike, and therefore nullifying the warranty. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@GeezeRider I've got 15K miles on a set of Commander IIIs (Touring version) over the last 18 months on my '18 CVO Street Glide with a tour pak (19" front and 18" rear). I still have approximately 20% tread life remaining. A lot of highway miles, but also an aggressive riding style on plenty of winding roads, both solo and two-up, light and heavy loads. I maintain my tire pressures (36/40 front/rear). The good: low wear rate, ride quality. The not-so-good: front tire buzz at certain speeds on certain road surfaces, and overall feeling that the tires are greasy or less sticky than the 2 sets of the Dunlops (OEM version) before the Commander IIIs were installed, and lack of tread in the center of the tire pattern seems to prevent water on wet roads from being evacuated. The buzz is annoying, and the nagging lack of confidence in the contact patch in dry and wet conditions means that I'll probably go to the Dunlop American Elite next.
I've been on them since January. Good price, not issues finding my sizes. As for the ride totally 100% like the way they take the road and traction.
Excellent review. Thanks. I just ordered a set from Revzilla. Taking a trip in June from Arkansas to Alaska and back.
Thank you, great video and vital info.
Hello fsriccobon8279,
Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you found the information useful.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I have a set of commander 2 cruisers on a 2006 Vulcan 1500. The bike is all decked out as a touring bike. I experienced the slight harmonic type vibration as the tire broke in....within 1000 KM it was unnoticeable....and within 2000 KM it was gone completely. I now have over 16,000 KM on the set and front and rear are still @ 3/4 tread ! Best handling tire ( hard cornering included), I've had on this type of bike !
While I was in Daytona for Bike Week 2 years ago, I happened upon the Michelin booth/tent area. They promised their tires would ride just as good and would outlast what I had been using (Dunlop). I generally get 13k miles on my rear tire and 26k on my front tire. I ride an Ultra Limited, 2-up about 30% of the time. And, I ride an average of 26k+ miles per year. This year, I rode 26,700 miles. I bought Commander III’s when I bought both the front and rear. I have only put 15k miles on the bike since I put both the front and rear on mine. I do need a rear tire pretty soon (not overdue, just about read). So, it looks like I’m going from averaging 13k to slightly over 15k on the rear. I would think the front would hit near 30k instead of 26k. I’ll take that. Plus, mine grip just fine. I ride the Dragon twice a year at least and many of the roads I ride are twisty. I’m not riding my bike as if I was on a crotch rocket, but I’m hustlin’ it through the curves. I don’t need more grip than what I have now.
Hello RevJRJJr,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Especially for providing detailed and specific mileage comparisons, as well as your comments in regard to traction. That information will be valuable to others in making their purchasing decisions.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I have Commander 3's ( Cruisers Reinforced ), on my 1500 Vulcan. The sizes match stock and am very happy with them. Any complaints about vibration / humming disappears quickly as the exterior finish scrubs off. Best gripping tires I've ever had on a cruiser. Going into year 2 on them and wear is awesome !....Can't see any !
Can you tell me how many ks or miles have you done on them and expect to get out of them?
Excellent video. I looking for the front tire for my 2016 HD Triglide. Since the Triglide handling characteristics are so different, it makes my search a little tougher.
Commander 3 will be the next set of tires for my 06 road glide. Wish I had went with them to begin with back in 2020. Instead, I went with American elites because of the commander issues you mentioned here. I like the elites in dry conditions but not wet. The rear tire has always been fairly easy to spin & skid. Even more so now the rear has succumbed to a couple alcohol fueled burnouts lol. Up until that point I was getting excellent wear. Thanks for the time & effort you invested to make this video. I found it very informative!
Hello Robert,
Thank you for sharing your experience and your appreciation for the video. Please stop back after you install your Commander III's and let us know how they do on your bike.
Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider No problem! I appreciate your reply back. I will definitely report back in the future. Ride safe!
Great video. Thanks for all the research. I'm getting ready to put new tires on my 2012 Ultra Limited and I'm going with the commander III. I do all my own work but one of the best ways to balance a tire in my opinion is Counteract Motorcycle Tire Micro-Glass Balancing Beads. Ceramic beads are not the way to go
because of static clumping. I never had tires so smooth throughout the life of the tire. Never have to worry about balancing again.
Thanks Rick. Please let us know how you make out with your new Commander III Touring tires, and if you could, share the sizes and date codes of the tires you purchased. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider.
Just to ad my own 2 cents on the subject..... I ran a set of Commanders 2 several years ago on a Suzuki LC 1500 they rode and wore great and that gave me the idea for running the 3's on my 2010 Ultra Limited and I ran 2 sets and once again I've never had any problems, wore great, long mileage/life and I can usually get 2 seasons worth out of them saving me $$ on install. The only small issue is they don't grip quite as well has the Dunlop's in rain but it might just be me.
Hello Doyle, Thanks for sharing your experience. If you have the time, could you please post the date codes of the Commander III tires you're currently running without incident? It might help others.
CONTEXT: 2021 FLHTK 130/70 B18 Commander III Touring. Purchased from cycle gear. Date code 0421. Front fork seals replaced 300 miles ago by dealer under warranty. Front end solid according to dealer after warranty repair.
PROBLEM: Vibration in front in straight line riding. Worst right about 40MPH but can be felt at all speeds in handlebars and floorboards. Lean left or right and it is very smooth.
The vibration began as soon as it was mounted by a reputable shop that does all my my motorcycle associations tires. This is a vibration and not a wobble. It’s more like holding onto a beeehive. There is also a visible mold line all the way around the circumference of the tire even after 300 miles. There also appears to be slight impressions around that centerline like there are low spots.
I don’t think this is improper balancing or mounting. It’s in the tire itself.
Here is an update. On 3/21/2022 Alvin with Michelin denied a warranty claim because the tire is improperly fitted to an FLHTK. He confirmed, Michelin does not make a single tire for an FLHTK. “it could be rubbing the fender.” It fits a 2021 CVO limited however and the FLHTK low. I’d recommend to stay away from Michelin if you have a Harley touring motorcycle.
Hello Tristan, thank you for all the details!
The 0421 date code falls in the range of tire manufacture dates that were found to be problematic at the time I did my research. Thank you for specifying the vibration and it's characteristics, and that it seems to be from the front tire. That also aligns with my research findings. Please note that I found multiple instances where remounting and rebalancing the tire either improved, or even fixed the issue. Your results may vary.
Could you also please specify the year of your FLHTK (Electra Glide Ultra Limited)? However, it may unfortunately not be relevant. I checked the Michelin Website and entered in the data for a 2020 FLHTK into their tire finder tool, and unfortunately the only hits for the Commander III Touring were for 17 inch front tires, for the CVO and Low, which is what you stated the rep declared as the only supported tire size.
This situation is truly unfortunate. Since you seem to be "stuck" with the tire, I would suggest verifying all inner fender clearances are good, and if so, try to have the tire re-mounted/re-balanced. Though your situation is a little different than others I researched, this did work for a fair number of people. Best of luck. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Best lesson I learned was to buy online and reaserch online for any tires period I usually just went to the motorcycle shop and what they had was always Dunlop 404s on a 99 Yamaha roadstar no actual vibrating just a lot of slipping in quick stopping I tried to upgrade to a Metzler and apparently I had more problems with gripping during braking I did get a 3rd extre year out of the Metzlers and finally got the night dragon and I actually stick to the road on a hard stop and the codes are a nice new 9 months or newer all other bought at stores were over a year old on the codes
Appreciate the depth of detail about the research on the tires, but it could have been shorter and to the point without stories about your 50k service or forks or previous tires. Most of the info I was looking for was in the last 5 minutes of the 30 minute video. Worth the watch anyway, thanks.
Excelente analisis, tenia dudas en los comentarios incluso en pruebas, pero mi experiencia con michelin fue muy buena. Mi moto es una dragstar 1100 y los neumaticos que calza (pirelli) en lluvia su comportamiento es deplorable. Mis dudas se despejaron con tu comentario el cual tu analisis es francamente correcto. Gracias por tu aportación.
3 choices for mileage rear tires.... 1. Michelin Commander..... 2. Dunlop American....... 3. Bridgestone H50
G'day GeezeRider, great vid, my 2 cents worth from down under in South Australia. I have a Moto Guzzi 1400 Eldorado, 320kg as it comes, plus rider and saddlebags with a pile of crap I usually carry around with me so probably looking around 420kgs all up, 1400 Moto Guzzis are not the most common bike out there and the Eldorado model is even less so and the only one that runs spoke 16 inch wheels front and rear (130/90/16 and a 180/65/16 tyres) so there are not too many of them, if I went looking for tyres that are specifically recommended for this model probably the only one I would find would be the Dunlop Elite because they are fitted as standard equipment. We cannot expect manufacturer to test their tyres on every model of bike out there that runs that size it would be too expensive so it is not going to happen so if I want to change from the originals then I have to accept the warranty issues. I've had the Guzzi for six and a half years, 85,000kms and in that time have run (apart from the original Dunlops) Metzler 888's 2 sets, Avon Cobra 1 set, Avon Cobra Chromes 2 sets. So you can see I like the Avons, for me they have great feel and grip in the dry and a better feel in the wet than the Metzlers, but as you said supply is a problem at the moment and the only pair of tyres my tyre dealer could get this time was a set of Commander 3's Touring, Basically 90% of his work is supplying and fitting tyres so when he said they were good tyres I went with them. Long story short in 2,500kms I like them, there are no vibration problems that I've noticed even though they are only gravity balanced, grip is up there with the Avons in the dry anyway, I haven't had the chance to really try them in the wet yet so that remains to be seen, if they feel as good as the Avons then I will definitely buy them again, and they also seem to have cured a slight head shake when pushing in fast sweeprs when hitting a bump maybe because the sidewalls are stiffer than the Avons. They are definitely taller than the Avons, I have a couple of blocks of wood I put under the bike too keep it upright when cleaning or working on it, they were a tight fit to get under it with the Avons but with the Michelins they are very loose, I need to add maybe another half inch to both of them. The original Dunlops were good for 11,000km, Metzlers around 15,000km, Avons around 11,000kms, it will be interesting to see what I get out of the Michelins. Dates on the Michelins 2021 front and 4621 rear.
I put a set of these on my 08 Ultra Classic this past spring. $600. I was replacing the original Dunlop Elites with 20K miles and still plenty of tread. I feel the vibration in the new tires and it is annoying. When you lean into a curve it feels nice and smooth and when you straighten back up there is vibration. Professionally installed and with the correct pressure. If I had it to do over again I would probably replace with the original brand less the white wall.
I agree, I had Commander lll and didn't like them. Have Dunlops now, like them much better
I got good mileage from commander 111 ,14,000 kms . The tyre was good in the dry but the worst wet weather tyre I’ve had and I’ve been constantly riding 45 years .I ride Triumph thunderbird storm . Just put on a Metzler cruise tech yesterday so we’ll see how it goes . I see and hear people say some tyres are good in the wet but they ride the highways ,when I say good in the wet it means getting the blood pumping in some nice twisty corners .👍👋
Thanks for relating your experience John. So everyone can make the most of the results you related- Were the Commander III's you had on your bike Touring, or Cruisers?
Been riding on Michelin on both on my bikes for over 10yrs an they are great tires VTX 1300c/ Victory cc..touring .
I've mounted and balanced my tires for over 40 years be it for street or road racing and use the typical balance stand which is extremely accurate when used correctly. Just go through the pits at the track and you'll see that most racers rely on these very simple balancers. Conversely the bubble balancer is notoriously inaccurate.
informative video. I may have missed it but where do you normally check tread depth on commander iiis? thanks for the help.
Hello Chrome Horse Rider, we're glad you found the video useful. Since the Commander III Touring tire has a bit of a unique tread pattern, I would refer you to Michelin's website for the authoritative guidance on checking tread depth to make sure you're getting the most accurate reading possible. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I have brand new Michelin IIIs on my Indian Scout and Suzuki Blvd. Excellent tires. great traction in turns. my gas mileage has increased significantly. I had Micheln IIs before.
Yo man, I just got new Michelin 3’s on my scout bobber too and notice a very fine vibration on my handlebars today after my first ride. To better explain it, it was like if I was riding on a road with fine horizontal lines, the vibration was like a buzz on my hands. Idk if it goes away or I need to change them again.
Love your profile pic and name. I had a Scout and loved it. On a Super Chief Limited now.
I've the Michelin Commander 3 Touring on my 2017 Harley Road Glide special (19+18 inch). With the rear no problems. The front has a buzz or high frequency vibration. It feels different then unbalanced tires (thats a low frequency vibration). It only occurs if the bike is straight up. With a very little lean its gone. Balancing was first done on a high spinning machine, later I tried it with Ride-On liquid.
Also tried less and more tire pressure, but that didnt help.
Its annoying, but I can live with it.
Don't know if I will buy them again (hoping that the newer version doesnt have the buzz/vibration).
Hello bartb7790,
Your experience sounds typical for those who've had a complaint with the tires. That complaint is little or no issue with the rear, and basically nearly the same as what you describe for the front. I've put thousands of miles on mine at this point, and don't think there's a safety or traction issue with the front. Just the occasional, situational, issue similar to your description.
While I wish Michelin would have come out and admitted there was an "issue" with these specific front tires, they instead quietly issued a redesign/refinement of the front tread for current production. If you look at the information on Michelin's website for the Commander III Touring tires, you'll now find this little "admission", or confirmation, that there WAS an issue for tires manufactured PRIOR to 06/2021.
From Michelin's website-
"Starting in June 2021, the Michelin Commander III Touring front tire has been redesigned, including an enhanced tread pattern, to limit its natural frequency. Internal testing has confirmed the redesigned solution eliminates the harmonic resonance or buzzing sensation to deliver an enjoyable riding experience."
There's also a pictorial reference on the page that has the verbiage above that shows the change in their tread pattern.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I 'm Triumph Thunderbird Storm owner. First, I never had vibration on my bike. Because of the front and rear size rim, I had to put Touring in front and Cruiser on the rear. My front in now nearly finish and my rear is good for another summer. WTF ! That never happened to me , because of my riding style, before with commander 11 or mitzelers ultra . For 1 rear, I always changed 1 and a half front. I will go back to a commander 11 in front as long as I can find them. I always had 2 lbs of air in both tires so to avoid cupping.
Great quality video, very informative. Glad the tires worked for you, but I consider it unreasonable to have to research date codes and understand which batches work and which don't. Although I understand the practical supply challenges you described, what you are really saying is that we have a manufacturer that does not have control of their quality control process for a safety critical item. Also, the idea that they "support" tires for a 2021 FLHTK Low and a 2021 FLHTKSE but not a 2021 FLHTK seems ludacris. I'm quite sure the volume of 2021 FLHTK's sold is significantly greater than the other two models. What manufacturer would deliberately target the two low volume models and ignore the high volume model? It is one more sign that Michelin just doesn't have it together. Too bad as I have used them in the past on cars, SUV, and motorcycles...and liked them. They need to get it together.
Hello Thomas, I agree with you that it is unreasonable to have to sift through all of this just to buy a set of tires and have them function as expected. That's part of the reason I made this video. So people who really wanted this tire could stand the best chance of success. To my thinking, Michelin does appear to be having some "issues"; and to my knowledge hasn't publicly addressed the issues described in this video and the myriad of online posts regarding the Commander III's. I also agree that what's "approved" in their fitment guide is puzzling at best, frustrating at worst. I raise the issue as a note of caution because that's their "out" in a legal battle should one occur if the tire(s) are mounted on a bike/configuration not specified in their compatibility matrix.
I have the commander 3 made 1320 on the front of my 2017 road glide. Installed and balanced by Harley Davidson. I noticed that at 60 to 65 mph I get a slight buzzing. I drove it for about a year and then I tried Ride on sealer and balancer and removing the weights. It is still exactly the same. Other than the slight buzzing no issues.
Hello Maurice, that date code was definitely in the problematic date range based on my research, and your vibration issue sounds typical for those having an issue. Could you please share if you notice it more in the front or back, and if you feel anything in the handlebars?
I have the same problem at 60 mph. Slight vibration that I noticed on my first ride on the Commander III cruiser tire. I have about 700 miles on these tires and the vibration is still present.
I recently (June 2023) had the front tire replaced on my 16 Indian Roadmaster with a Michelin Commander III touring in size 130/90 B16 73H. My local Indian dealer did the installation. I have been a believer in the Dunlop Elite 4's but nobody can get them. I don't know what the issue is but I hope they get their act together soon because they are driving customers to other brands and may never get those customers back. Any how I am now getting a very loud droning noise at highway speeds that is driving me crazy. Maybe it's coming from the rear tire which is an older Dunlop Elite 4 and it's about shot now with almost 13K miles on it but I never had this problem before. The date code on my new tire is 4022 which indicates around Sept 2022. This tells me my dealer installed a tire which was almost a year old. Now I need a back tire and because the Dunlops aren't available the dealer is recommending the Michelin C3 but they tell me that the C3 is not available in my size for the rear which is 180/60 B17 so they have been installing the C3 in 180/65 B16 on the heavy touring Indians. This size difference is 5mm taller side wall which equals a total of 10mm taller overall tire diameter. I'm not at all comfortable with this. What do you think ? Thanks, Jeff
Reply
Hello Jeff, thank you for your detailed comment. A dealer installing a 1 year old tire is not bad in my opinion. This is typical of what they'll get from the supply chain at the moment. If it were 2 or 3 years old, I'd say you'd have to weigh tire lifespan against any "deal" they might be offering (treadwear is not the only determining factor in tire life.). The droning noise could be the old rear tire riding down of the wear bars. It also could be the somewhat common complaint heard for certain C3 Touring front tires. Often described as a buzzing or droning noise. Since your back tire needs to be replaced anyway, 50% of the diagnostic will be performed when that's swapped for new. As for the suggested change in tire size, I would suggest proceeding with caution. The manufacturer specifies a specific size for a reason. The bike is meant to run a particular MPH/KPH in each gear relative to tire size. A larger diameter tire will have the bike going just a little faster in a given gear. This might not sound like an annoyance at first, but the bike will have slightly different resulting shift points compared to what you're used to. Yes, this is a bit "nit picky", but it isn't a 1:1 replacement and you should go into it with eyes open. I might suggest, as an example, seeing if Pirelli has your size in their "Night Dragon" tire. I'd go that route before mounting some other size. Ride Safe, Namaste -GeezeRider
I bought a set of Commander lll Touring tyres for my 2014 Victory Cross Country Tour earlier this year. Very disappointed in the wet weather performance. These things aquaplane terribly at normal highway speed on wet roads, and have caused me several 'moments'. Be very careful in the rain if you're riding on Commander lll Touring rubber.
Hi Russ, thanks for sharing your experience. Could you please tell us how old the Commander tires are, and roughly how many miles are on them? It would also help to know what your previous tires were, and how they performed in comparable wet weather. Thanks. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Thanks GR. I bought them in April this year and the date stamp indicated they were manufactured about 6 months earlier. They currently have about 11000 kms (7000 miles) on them and they replaced a set of Commander ll which were certainly better in the wet. I've also experienced a low speed buzzing vibration from the front tyre. Fitting and balancing was done by a local motorcycle tyre specialist.
I have the Commander 3 touring Tire on my 2018 Honda Goldwing.... Great Tire
Hello @621stc,
Thank you for providing your experience. If you could provide the sizes and date codes for your tires, especially the front, and the approximate date you purchased them, it might help others to zero in on the date range(s) for which the "vibration" is not present.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I wish I had checked the online reviews for the Commander 3 touring tires before buying them for my 06 Suzuki C50. I had them mounted and balanced at my local Suzuki dealer. I've got the vibration issue from the front tire even after rebalancing them twice and making sure the tire was not out of round. Now I'm seeing things online and youtube. I will be contacting Michelin to see if anything can be done.
Hi Kenneth, thanks for sharing your experience. If you're able, could you please share the tire sizes and their date codes? That information will be very helpful to others trying to make a decision; and, so we can see if the issue is persisting into current production. It would also be helpful to know if your dealer has already tried remounting the tires in addition to the rebalancing. I read at least one persons account of having the tire spin true even though they discovered the bead was not seated correctly on the rim. It was discovered during remounting after they had exhausted all other attempts. Probably a fringe case/experience, but we're trying to get as much info out their as we can. Now, if only Michelin would make an official statement... :-/ Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider My tires are the Michelin Commander 3 cruiser, the size is 130/90 B16, as for the date code I’m not sure, but here are some numbers that are on the front tire-
002622/2012, (right side),on the other side there are the numbers-
DOT W8FI 00JX 3820, these numbers were inside tic tac shaped emblems on the left side. Hope this helps.
Hi Kenneth, a date code of 2622 indicates the tire was manufactured the 26th week of 2022. That date range is June 27th to July 3rd 2022. If you purchased your tires during or after that date range, it is disappointing to hear the problem is persisting into current production. If you purchased the tires before the timeframe noted above, it is likely 3820 is your manufacturing date. That would be the Week 38th week of 2020, which is from Sep. 14, 2020 - Sep. 20, 2020. That date range would seem to fall where reviewers noted they were having issues.
Thanks for the information, very much appreciated.
Great video! I had a pair of Commander 3 installed on my 2004 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100 about 2 weeks ago. I'm having vibration on the front tire at 30-35 and 50-55. I called Michelin and they said that they don't show "fitment" for my bike aka no warranty. My tire size is110 90 19 and that is the size I purchased. Date code is 2620. The shop where I purchased wants me to try balancing beads at their cost.
I'm thinking of putting up with it or installing a Pirelli Night Dragon on the front. I must admit these tires are great in the corners.
Hello Scott, thanks for the detailed info. Unfortunately, you are not the first person to report that if the bike isn't listed in Michelin's fitment guide, it's not supported/warranted. Hopefully your experience will help guide others. I saw several instances where remounting (rotating tire 180 degrees on rim) and rebalancing either fixed or helped the issue for others. Some of those "success stories" included use of balancing beads. I would caution you do some in depth research before mixing makes and models of tires on your bike. For some, that results in handling/performance issues. Especially where the 2 tires grip differently in corners and rain. Please update us after the balancing beads have been installed. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Z
I just installed a pair of night dragons on my 99 yamaha roadstar and compared to the former Dunlops and Metzler sets in the past it's a night and day different I wish I had found those years ago
Back in March 2021 I got a set of Commander III for my Softail Slim 103. Immediately I noticed the front tire was buzzing at around 25mph. The tire shop swapped it for a Bridgestone Battlecruise H50. No vibration with the Bridgestone, however even from brand new, the treat depth was very minimal and after 6000 miles, the Bridgstone is worn past the wear indicators. No problems with the Commander III on the rear, however I'm not expecting the mileage that many other people are reporting. Anyway, I'm up for a new front tire, so it won't be a Bridgestone Battlecruise, and despite having experienced the harmonic vibration of the Commander III in the past, I'm hoping it was just a 'bad batch' from Michelin, therefore I will be paying attention to the date code on the tires in my local store (subject to stock availability).
Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing your experience. Will you be putting a Commander III Cruiser, or Touring tire on the front? If Touring, please stop back and post a follow up with your tire size and date code, and let us know how it works out. Thanks! Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider You know what ... I really want to stick with the Commander III tires. Currently my rear is a 'Cruiser' (not a Touring) and I'd have no hesitation to carry on using the Commander III (either Cruiser or Touring) on the rear, but the buzz fro the Commander III on the front back in March 2021 was very disappointing. I was hoping it was a 'bad batch' issue ... then another rider on this TH-cam thread contacted me to say that he still had the dreaded front tire buzz on a recent issue Commander III tire, which kind of took the wind out of my sails. I might just go back to the OEM Dunlop on the front, as my current Bridgestone Battlecruise is not much more than a 'black rim protector'. I do feel that having first hand experience witht the Commander III tire buzz is got me on a quest to get this issue sorted one way or another. In my case, I believe it's a 'harmonic' vibration, based on the relationship between the tread dimensions and the circumference of the tire, hence the reason why some people have the problem and others don't (ie, a different diameter tire might not exhibit the problem). If Michelin could get this issue sorted, it would be truly appreciated. C'mon Michelin, ya hear me?
Edit: This is an interesting TH-cam post ... th-cam.com/video/Z7YoVq2X_fc/w-d-xo.html
@@GeezeRider Hi GR, I've moved away from the Michelin Commander III. I've now switched to Metzeler Cruisetec (front) and Marathon ME888 (rear). I would have gone Cruisetec on both front and rear if supply was reasonable, so had to get a ME888 for the rear when my Commander III wore out (14,300 miles). Changing to to the Metzelers was the best thing for me, as they are really nice to ride on. I have no idea of longevity as it's too early to know how long they will last. In my case, Commander IIIs were not for me, as the front tire had a harmonic 'buzz'. The rear Commander III wasn't even round, and the show bike shook badly. I didn't realise how bad the shake was until I wore out the rear Commander III and replaced it with a tire that was actually round. Personally, I believe that Michelin have quality control issues, and coupled with Michelin not answer emails, I'm rather disappointed in them. So far I'm happy with the Metzelers and when I wear them out, I'll probably get Metzelers again.
Hi Jonathan, thank you for stopping back and relating your long term experience, and where you ultimately wound up regarding tire choice. I'm sure others will find the information informative and helpful. You're not the first person I've heard comment that things seem to be "a bit different" at Michelin these days, and not for the better. Time will tell. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I have a 08 ultra classic and just put a commander 3 on after install and balance i dis a burn out to know off the newness and have no issues
Hello Kevin, Thanks for sharing your experience. Was that just the rear tire, or both front and rear? I ask because the majority of the reported issues so far have been with the front tire. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I replaced the rear then a month later replaced the front
Thx bud
Are you still liking the commander IIl touring? Im trying to decide for my Victory Vision . I think the Dunlop Elite 4 is a hard riding tire, but had great wet weather traction.
Hello Bret,
Yes, I still like the tires. It'll be interesting to see how much mileage I get out of them. The performance so far is on par with the Dunlop Elite's I had on that they replaced. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I know this vid is old but maybe this will still get to you. I was running Commander 2s on my Fatboy. I bought an Ultra Classic with a bad back tire. The C3s had came out so I ordered one from Dennis Kirk. The next day when it came I looked at the tire tread and was very disappointed. Not because of the tread design but because there was a lot less of it. When a tire is a week old it shouldn't look like it is half wore out. I don't push my bikes to the limit but that can't be great in the rain. After several thousand miles there was this nagging feeling in the back of my head, can this tire go longer or is it shot. I don't know if the Dunlop American Elite will get as many miles but I got my peace of mind back. When I look at the Dunlop I know at a glance were I am at. I don't know why Michelin though this was a step in the right direction but they lost a customer. Most touring tires don't have a lot of tread but I live a mile off the highway on a gravel road and I will take what I can get. I would prefer not to get half wore out performance out of a new tire. My opinion may not be shared by others but that's my story.
Thank you for sharing your impressions/experiences. I know what you mean regarding the tread pattern. It is VERY different from what you normally see in a touring tire. I must admit that when I was researching them in the beginning, I often wondered if the pictures I was seeing were just at some odd angles or something to cause it to "look like that". Once I observed them in person, I realized that's just the way they are made. They definitely changed things to get the extra miles out of them. I currently have thousands of miles on mine, and can say they barely look broken in, and are still handling well. Rain performance is still adequate/good, but certainly not phenomenal. That being said, I felt my previous Dunlop Elites were only slightly better in the rain, so I'm still happy with the CIII Touring tires.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I don't know if you have heard of or looked into centramatic wheel balancers I had them on a 2007 goldwing and the difference was beyond belief I know now they make them for the full dressed Harley I think they would make a big difference on the Harley also.
Hello Duane, thank you for your comment. I'd not heard of Centramatic's before, so looked them up. Seems like it's a pretty expensive solution to balancing wheels, especially since they're bike specific. It's functionally the external version of tire beads. I also have some concerns about offsetting the rotors from the factory position by installing these, even as thin as they are. All that being said, I'd still be very interested in hearing the experiences of others using them.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I wanted to ask about DOT date codes. I ordered from a local shop new Commander 3 for my ultra classic the shop installed them last week. I figured the tires would be manufactured in 2023. I just checked and found the rear tire was made 8-21 (2 1/2 years old) the front 6-22 1 1/2 years old which I think would be considered old stock. these tires will start cracking in 2-3 years here in dry desert New Mexico. Michelins tread cracks within 4-5 years, sidewalls weather check within 4-6 years. so I'll be looking at cracks in 2-3 years. I'm going to call Michelin about it, but I'll probably get the run around. I believe new tire should be made in the same year as installed. What's your opinion? Thanks in advance.
Hello Buddy,
While it is not unusual for a shop to have a tire that is 6 months to a year old in their inventory, you are correct that the age of the tire has an impact on overall lifespan. It is not merely the number of miles put on the tire, but also includes UV light exposure, and extremes of hot/cold. Obviously proper tire inflation and wheel alignment also are factors. That being said, I would not feel good about paying full price for a 2 and 1/2 year old tire. Especially the Commander 3 Touring which is known to have had issues during that timeframe.
My personal take on the issue for both my bike and my vehicles is that I'll ask the shop how old the tires are based on the date code (not just how long they've had them in their inventory, which is the usual response you get). If it's more than a year I'll either ask for them to be discounted, or call another shop and find someone who has newer tires. To my way of thinking, a 5% or 10% discount does not cover the lost life of mounting a 2.5 year old tire. You have to do the mental calculus for your particular situation to determine what's best for you, but if that shop thinks a 2.5 year old tire should be sold at full price, and they claim "it's just fine", I'd look for another shop with which to do business. Just my two cents on the subject.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
2013 Ultraclassic with Commander 2's front & back. Front sucks; vibrates, feels unbalanced. Rear has 21,000 miles & still has another season left, but starting to vibrate when applying brake. Hesitant about buying 3's.
Hello Carl, thank you for sharing your experience. I had seen several instances of issues with the Commander II's during my research, but it was much more prevalent (or more people documented their experiences) with the Commander III's. That's extremely disappointing, and appears to point to an ongoing quality control issue at Michelin. I was VERY hesitant to buy the Commander III's. Recent posts/comments have stated that even some of the Commander III's with newer date codes have had issues, so it's starting to sound like I just "got lucky". At this time: I would only recommend buying III's that are in the Michelin "Fitment" chart for someone's specific bike/year; and only from an authorized Michelin dealer who agrees to swap them out or refund your money if they don't work out. Best of luck to you. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Dear Geez: Your response is much appreciated! Thanks.
You are right to take reviews with a grain of salt.
1. Tires didn't cause "death wobble." That was a design flaw that HD fixed on their tourers with a new frame in 2009. If it was truly wobbling, it was more than likely an older model. Stuff they leave out of most reviews.
2. People complain about all front tires on bikes. Especially, if they have a fairing or windscreen. As front tires wear, they often do so unevenly. Guys will take their hands off the bars and the bars will shake. Nothing HD specific. Nothing unsafe about the tire either. Riding with their hands off the bars is the problem.
My problem is Michelin doesn't make my size for the rear, 170/70 18. A 180 won't fit and don't want to go down to a 160. I'm running Metzeler with no complaints.
I have a commander 3 tires on my 2020 road glide installed and i get a vibration on my handle bars. Went back to the dealer three times for the same problem. So i called michelin tires and they are going to replace the tire i. The front lets hope that there will be no pronlem with it. Tbe vibration come at 45 to 50 mph then at 60 to65. But not at 70 and above.
Hi Tommy G, Thanks for sharing your experience. Please let us know what the date code is on the new (Commander III Touring?) tires, and if those replacements fix your issue(s). Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Did you have any improvement?
Did you notice how slick the tires were when they were new ? I don't mean the usual new tire slickness that you scrub off after a few miles I am talking about so slick you could push the bike backwards with the front brake fully on.
Hello James, I did not have that issue with the pair I got, and hadn't seen any mention of that condition in my research. Did it seem like any substance was on the tread area of the tires? Maybe excessive use of bead lubricant from when they were mounted for example?
@@GeezeRider No, this was more than lubricant for the tire installation or the release agent used in the mold.
This was like the actual rubber compound itself was very slick and an incident during an emergency stop 10,000 kms after the tires were fitted also reaffirmed the slickness of the tires. Having said that the tires handled well in the corners. Very hard to explain.
I've not found traction to be an issue ice, sand, gravel, all tires slip, I bought commanders for hi wear, got no better wear than Dunlop, did ride smoother, note, speedo is calibrated for Dunlops, 2 or 3 mph difference
I found your video because I recently had a Commander 3 put on the front of my FLHRSX Road King Special during a 10k service and now have a buzzing type vibration like the others do.
The tire is a 160/30 B19 with date code 1521.
After reading the comments here, I looked on the Michelin site and found they do not list an FLHRSX Road King Special in "find my tires". I had one put on the rear at the 5k service because of a screw in the factory tire and now wonder what I should do if they aren't meant to fit my bike. I wasn't given an option either time, they just put on what they had in stock so, hopefully they go good for it if it isn't covered by warranty because of improper fitment.
Hello Brandon, thank you for sharing the details of your experience. Can you please include the installed tire size? It might help us narrow things down if that size keeps giving people issues. I think your first, and unfortunately maybe only option, would be to go back to the dealership, explain the vibration issue, and ask them to remount/rebalance the tire. If they protest, or if the problem persists after they remount/rebalance, point out that the tire they installed is not supported in the "find my tires" tool and see where it goes from there. Please let us know how things progress. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider I edited to include the tire size.
I'll be taking it back to the shop in a couple days. I did notice a loose weight that was kinda hangin on because it was attached to another one but not the wheel itself, looks like they stuck them on without cleaning the dirt off first... Maybe it's just a balancing issue, IDK.
Thanks for the additional info Brandon. Hopefully this will help others as well. My research showed that even "experienced/professional" shops sometimes had difficulty mounting the Commander III's correctly. That's apparently part of the reason why there was a change in the bead area design from the Commander II's, but obviously some shops still struggle with the III's. Improper balancing was one of the most common issues I saw. Fortunately, it's also one of the easiest to fix. Let us know if the dealer is able to correct your issues. Thanks, ride safe. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider I went back to the shop today and they were aware that SOME bikes have an issue, mostly Road Glides in their experience. The Road King Special is basically a Road Glide without the fairing though so, IDK why they didn't think it through first.
Anyway, what I was told is that its an issue with the way the tire connects with the pavement and the vibration is a reverberation issue between the tire and the engine. Michelin is aware of it and are going to change the pattern of the tire to extend the channels past the center line of the tire in hopes of preventing it.
I really don't know how the model of the bike would factor into that but, that's what I was told.
I am getting a new tire, hopefully one without the issue, free of charge with the condition of, if it still has the vibration issue, I'll have to pay the labor fee to put a different brand on the next time and I'm good with that because I'm choosing to go with the same tire since I have the Commander 3 on the rear and would like them to match.
Hello Brandon, thank you for sharing the update.
At least the shop is trying to work with you. Some places won't/don't, although I'm not sure I believe their explanation...
You're making a smart move to keep the front and rear matched. Hopefully you don't have to get a different brand as that would mean buying 2 more tires to keep them matched.
Please let us know how things progress. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Well done sir. A few points to bolster your position. 1) Empirical evidence is almost never quoted in online forums, you-tube and the like. 2) The process of mounting and balancing is no joke, where too many indy shops give this work to the least experenced grunt on hand. 3) Vigilant rider maintenence on wheels and tires will save you money and protect your family from greif. I have mounted dozens of the touring C-II's on my vet groups machines, and about 8 of the C-III's without a single complaint or issue. We ride safely and securely on them all year and have found them to be the best value per mile. New sub here.
I build VERY high horsepower and torque Dyna's for a living and all my street legal bikes get Michelin tires.
Dunlop last about 1000 miles on the engines I build. FACT.
Shinkos last about a week.
I got one of the “first run” front tire and it did vibrate.. From what I understand, it has been cured..I just ordered a Cruiser front tire, so we will see.. the only problem is that Michelin doesn’t make the size for my 2017 Indian Roadmaster.. Apparently Indian runs a radial in the rear and Bias on the front…I just run the bias on both and no problems..
Thanks for your feedback Michael. I was hoping it was a bad batch or at least Michelin were able to correct it. The only way I can find out is to take the gamble and get another new Commander III for the front as my next purchase. I'll probably go for the Touring variant, and not the Cruiser model of the Commander III as I prefer longevity. Fingers cross that lightning won't strike in the same place twice. We shall see in the fullness of time.
Sad to relay to you that the one I just put on does the same and “born on” date was less than 6 months ago… exact same vibration as the first.. you can actually see the seam..
@@michaelbell3915 Thanks Michael, you've saved me a both money and frustration. Whilst I really want to run the Commander III on my bike, the front end vibration isn't acceptable. I don't have any complaints with the rear tire, however there's always a visible 'join' in the tire, on the outer surface that meets the road, all the way around, and slightly off center. So with regards to the front tire, I'm not sure what I'll be fitting next time around ... definitely not a Bridgestone Battlecruise (tread depth is poor and mileage is terrible), not a Commander III if Micheline haven't fixed the buzzing issue, so not sure about Metzeler, Avon or perhaps Pirelli Night Dragon (I don't mind Pirelli calendars from the 1970s though) ... or maybe even Shinko or some other obscure Chinese black rim protector. Maybe I'll just go for the OEM Dunlop Harley Davidson brandedd tires ... Decisions, decisions.
Hi Michael, just confirming that the latest front tire you bought was a Commander III Cruiser, and not a Touring? My research was confined to the Touring version, but I'm hearing a lot more instances with the Cruiser as well. Unfortunately some of those posters are stating their experiences (with both models) are still happening with newer date codes. Thanks. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider this one is a touring.. The last one was a cruiser and only lasted around 9000 miles..
I like your cadence and considerations, easy to listen to. However, your actual experience with the tire after 2 weeks was not as thorough as I thought it would be, even if subjective. Also, I would have liked to be told how much more mileage can be expected by the Mich's. The Dunlops I love have a great rainy grip. My biggest concern. I have a Vrod 2003. I ride it like a touring bike, I'm old. I had a Pirelli on the front once. Did fine but wore quickly. I expected that. I have 130K on Dunlops, 16 rears and 8-9 fronts to date, with zero troubles regarding wet weather and heavyweight in hot conditions. I too ride year-round from 100+ degrees to 15 degrees with the Gerbing outfit. The Dunlops get hard at that those low temperatures. Care needs to be taken, but we should already be taking extreme care due to ice etc. I had one Metzler on the rear. It blew out inside the Baltimore i95 Tunnel one summer. Can't really safely stop in there. Turns out it is a very thin delicate tire for a lighter sporty bike. I trusted the guy who said it was the thing to get. But it did run flat ok at low speeds for 10 miles till I got to a dealer.
Hello Ben, thank you for your comments. The scope of this review was much more centered on the "Vibration"/"Buzzing" issue some people were experiencing with the Michelin Commander III touring tire vs. an overall review of the tire.
Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
The cruiser tire has a lower weight rating. Nothing to do with handling. "DeTh wobble was fixed in 09 with a touring frame redesign. Looks like you really dive deep on your facts
I had most serious issues with the front tire on my Road King Special - it was terribly loud between 90-105 km/h.... which became worse while putting miles on it - STAY away from it !!!
Hello Camouflage, Thank you for sharing your experience.
If you are able, can you please post if you bought the Cruiser or Touring version of the tire, the size, the date code on the tire, and when you bought them? That information will help others make a more informed decision about a potential purchase. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I used Dunlope elites, I won't put any bs tire on my bike.
Hi Tracy, Many feel like you and would rather buy a time tested tire than jump through hoops to make sure they get a good set. That being said, I switched from Dunlop Elites to the Commander III's. I was "lucky" since I didn't have any issues. So far I think the Commander III's are marginally better handling than the Elites. Where I expect them to payoff is getting more miles out of them. Time will tell.
Michelins are far from BS tires 😂
If u want to give the dealer too much $ to do work for you, that's fine but peace of mind should be reserved for when u do the job yourself and know exactly what was done and to what degree of exactness was followed according to the factory service manual. Right tools, proper procedure, ect. But every man has a bad day at work. And as u watch all that $ trickle down thru the dealership u find someone a little disconnected from the value of the service of which you are heavily invested in, both in dollars and faith. That kid in the garage in stall 4 who will performing the procedure is, well, he will let u down. And now peace of mind sells, but who's buying? (sorry had 2 stick that joke in there)
love my c3 touring tires on my 2012 Voyager 900+lb bike. got 20,000 on my rear and only changed it because of a 2k trip this year
Just put the commander 3 on my 2015 CVO street glide and I have vibrations. Going to take it back to Harley shop.
Hello Michael, and thanks for the comment. Would we be correct in assuming the vibration is coming from the front tire, in that you feel it in the handlebars, maybe more so than you feel it in the seat or from the rear?
Could you also please provide the 4 digit date code off the side of the tire? Please update us after the bike has been to the shop. A lot of people are following issues with the Commander III Touring tires, and your information will help everyone, and hopefully some of their information will be helpful to you. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
I have owned 7 Harley’s and replaced tires on them all with the OEM Dunlops designed for the bike.Michelins on two cars were horrible if the car tires were bad twice why would I support a company responsible for a vehicle I ride with two tires
Michelin totally redesigned. The commander threes in 2023
100x times better now.
Hello joescalia6175,
Thanks for your comment. Could you please provide a link to an article, or an information release from Michelin, that addresses the 2023 redesign? I'm sure people considering purchasing them would find it helpful.
Thanks,
Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Michelin commander three touring second generation review
That’s the name of the TH-cam video
From sinister speed co.
th-cam.com/video/nKwM2On7QVw/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Sorry just figured out how to do this
Hello joesscalia6175,
Thank you very much for posting that link!
His video was made 11/16/2022. In the video he states he got some "test tires" from Michelin a couple months before the video was made. It will be interesting to see if anyone states they have issues with a tire that has a date code after 11/16/2022.
Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge Michelin themselves has never publicly acknowledged that there was an issue, nor offered any remediation without jumping through significant hoops (i.e. no recall). Someone correct me if you've found a Michelin press release or NTSA advisory to the contrary.
I went out to Michelin's site, and can't find any reference to the current offering of the Commander III Touring being "2nd Generation" or that there was any change AFTER a specific date. The only reference on their site ( www.michelinman.com/motorcycle/tires/michelin-commander-iii-touring )
is under the "Enhanced Tread Design" section of the product descriptions where they state: "Enhanced Tread Design- Michelin enhanced the front tread pattern of two MICHELIN Commander III Touring tires in order to reduce noise and the possibility of vibration. These changes, which consist of longer intermediate rain grooves, are designed to give a more uniform and comfortable ride to the wide variety of motorcycles using the popular sizes 130/60B19 61H and 130/80B17 65H."
That really isn't a direct admission that THEIR tire, the previous version of the Commander III Touring was defective, nor are they outwardly offering any remediation for buyers of the previous design, but; it's a step in the right direction.
I have reached out to Michelin via their review/comments section on their website for the specific date code on which the revised tire went into production. While this won't help anyone stuck with an older tire, if they provide this information it will help those making a purchase now and forward avoid the older date codes in which the issue was prevalent.
Thanks again,
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Avons and Michelins are now running the same patten , on cruz/mods . Nothing new both great tires , michelin copied avon
I have a 2001 Sportster still has the original Dunlop tires 😂
The lighter weight of a Sportster is certainly an advantage in regard to tire and suspension wear. Just to be safe, I would respectfully suggest you very closely examine the sidewalls and inner tread grooves of those 22 year old tires for checking and cracking. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
to much vibration with the fronts..... hate them...20 RoadGlide....
Hello Rusty, Thanks for sharing your experience, which unfortunately, is not uncommon. Would you be able to share the date code from the front tire, when you bought it, and how/where it was mounted/balanced? That information can help others as we continue to determine if the "bad tires" have "cycled out" of production. In other words, if it's now safe to buy these tires, but only if the date code is after a certain date.
Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRider 1721 date code in the SFV California...my guy has done 50 tire changes for me so he is 100%....swapped it out with a dunlop elite....smooth as butter......he said I was the only complaint out of about 20 sets of the Commanders....my luck...FTW!
That vibration went away in 2000 miles or less....10,000 miles on my " Set", and they still look like new....excellent handling beyond any other tire I've had on my bike !
Years ago I bought a 1998 Ford Explorer new. At this time stories started coming out about Ford Explorers and the Bronco II flipping over going down the highway when the tire would blow out. Ford sent me and other Explorer owners a check for $700 to buy new tires. I think the OEM tires were Bridgestone. Bridgestone blamed Ford and Ford blamed Bridgestone. I will never buy Bridgestone. I think the Bridgestone Tire plant is East St. Louis went on strike. An article came out where Bridgestone blamed the hourly employees for making faulty tires. Ford was accused of under inflating the tires to provide a softer ride.
You DO NOT have to spin balance (dynamic balance) motorcycle tires. I'm not sure where you got such an idea especially since you're clearly just cruising. I've never known anyone who spin balanced motorcycle tires - even pro high-speed racers. It get the impression by that and other things you said that you may suffer from OCD. I've statically balanced all my motorcycle tires since the late 60s and I've never had a single problem. It appears that you've never even changed a tire yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if you have someone else do your maintenance work. You need to relax and stop obsessing.
How many R1s have u owned 😂
Not learning anything from him Stories not personal experience.
Hello Lou, We're sorry you weren't able to readily find the information you were looking for. Please look at the comment I pinned at the top of the comments for this video where I relate my experiences with these tires, which include findings from a contiguous 2,100 mile round trip. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
30 minutes of talk about a tire? Please
Whats the best tire for a 2023 wing
Hello John, I haven't done the research for a 2023 Goldwing so I don't feel confident speaking to that, but I know there are a ton of Goldwing forums out there where you may be able to get that specific guidance. I'd suggest starting there, and maybe checking the Fortnine TH-cam channel for Ryan's tire reviews. He's VERY thorough [although he seemed to have missed this whole C3 Touring front tire issue :-) ]. Ride safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
@@GeezeRiderten thousand opinions
Used to run Michelins & Michelins only... 3 rear tires cupped & had to be replaced prematurely. Huge, early, piss me off expense. Should have gotten another season out of them every time. I will never buy Michelin tires ever again for any reason for any vehicle ever.
I let put a set DOT 22 and DOT 23 (fr) comm3 at my HD Ultra Limited 2021. Now i have a terrible vibration in handlebar, floorboards and whole the bike. This between 40 and 90 km per hour. It is only riding straight…when i go a little left and right…it disappears. It looks just like driving over a ridged white line, so to speak.... I get and keep terribly tingly hands and forearms....this lasts for hours!!!
The store will mount another one,….but….and here is the big butt! He said, when Michelin does not accept the claim i have to pay again….! I will buy an tire at the dealer because i have a motorweekend and the store has not time for me! So…i bring this crap tire to michelin myself!!!, 🫵🏻👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Please let us know how your case with Michelin progresses. I'm sure others would find that valuable information. Thanks. Ride Safe, Namaste. -GeezeRider
Excellent video. I looking for the front tire for my 2016 HD Triglide. Since the Triglide handling characteristics are so different, it makes my search a little tougher.
Hello Darwin, Glad it was helpful!