Exedra Max + Michelin Commander 2 + GO PRO2

mhunt75

.020 Over
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
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I just wanted to start a thread on the combination of Bridgestone Exedra Max 240/55/16 and the Michelin Commander 2. I know that there have been several scattered posts about this combination and I thought it really deserved it's own thread. I am not sure who was the first to try this combination but it is BRILLIANT!

I have had this combination on my 2007 R3 classic for about 1500 miles. I can't even begin to tell you how much better this set is over the stock Metz. I know that other posts have said that it makes the bike feel about 100lbs lighter. WELL, it does, for normal riding. It adds some flick ability to this big bike. I would say that the change is about the same as when I replaced the stock shocks with the 440 HD's. It could be because the back is lifted and the front is somewhat lower. AND I no longer have to get a new back tire 2-3 times a year.

The first test ride on this combo, I went on a 300 mile day ride to Hells Canyon. It included 120 miles of interstate, 80 miles of Oregon's freshly Chip Sealed roads and 100 miles of Idaho twisty roads. I also had a new Go Pro Hero 2 mounted to the top of the helmet of my passenger. We were getting footage on a You Tube project showing women passengers how to ride on the back. My GF/passenger is a natural and I do find myself reaching back to make sure that I didn't leave her at the last stop. For real!

The chip seal road was a good test. I have always found that the front Metz was not that good in gravel everywhere situations. The front just wanted to wash out and follow ruts. However, that is not true of the Commander 2, it is very noticeable how stable it feels.

I would recommend this combination as the go to set, until the Exedra Max comes out with the correct front size and rating.

Here are the links to the work in progress video's . I am still working on my video editing skills, as this is a new hobby. The posting to the web takes about 1/2 of the resolution with it, and on your own computer the video is far better, and I am working on that. The first Video will show just how crappy riding on chip seal is. The second was done on my favorite Idaho twist road, it was cut off before I may have exceeded the recommended cager speed limit. Please remember that the camera was on the top of her head, and she is just turning her head and not leaning. She knows better then that….

Video #1:





Video #2:


 
I believe that I am the pioneer to whom you refer regarding this tire combination, however all credit goes to IMFASTTOO for recommending it to me. At this point I have over 6,000 miles on the Exedra Max and about 4,500 miles on the Commander II. A superb configuration which has the effect of making my R3 feel 150-200 lbs lighter than it actually is, dramatically improving both handling and response.

Here's the factory info for the Michelin tire, the correct size for our front wheel being their 140/75 R17: Michelin Motorcycle Tires
 
Some of you are riding and love the combination, but my question is if having different brand/size tires from the stock setup is safe? My dealer tells me that tires should always be the same brand/type in front & back. I talked to some of my friends that race and they always have matched tires and wouldn't have different brands and sizes like you folks have been talking about.

I'm just trying to figure out what's safe and OK to do, and what's not.
 
For starters I don't know of any bike that does't have different sizes front and back.
I like to match brands but can't give you a good reason why. Having said that I've had non-matching brands the whole time I've had my Rocket until recently when I fitted a Bridgestone on the front to go with the rear. I'd very happily run an Avon on there again.

Changing the size from manufacturer recommendation is possibly an issue but I can't really see it causing problems per se. Bikes are designed and set up for the average rider yet seem to work fine with very light and very heavy riders with and without passengers. This would change the overall geometry as much or more than tyre size. I like the higher profile rear; some like a lower profile front. Either seems to give you better turn in and improved responsiveness. Do both and I believe you get a bigger improvement. I'm sure there's a point where it might not work but the small changes we're talking about are unlikely to hit that point.

Bike racers may well use a single brand because someone else is paying for them.
 
What do you think of the Bridgestones Richard as opposed to the Metzelers, for wear, cornering and general handling? I am happy with the Metz so had some put back on again. I seem to get a bit of uneven wear on the front tyre but generally happy with them but am thinking of trying something different (not darkies) after the ride north. Traditionally I have always used Michellin's but unfortunately not made for Rockets,so they could be missing out on a lot of cash here in my view.
 
This combination of tires represent new compounds that likely were not available when the Metz decision was being made back in 2004. But, there is little incentives for Metz to improve the 880. It has to be one of the more profitable tires in their line. And Dealers love to see you for a tire change every 4-5,000 miles. I have gone thru 5 back and 3 fronts so far.

But, the problem I had with the Metz set up was that the back lost it's grip after about 3000 miles. Up to that point it would hold the line in corners, but after that I would find myself having to do slight corrections because of back end slide. This may not sound like a big thing, it does add up after several hundred curves on a normal ride. The tread would wear down really fast on the last 2,000 miles. I have used Metz on several other bikes and was very happy with the performance and value. But not the 880.

I have heard that mixing tire brands is bad. But I think that most tire experts are referring to the mix of Radial and Bias. I also have yet to hear of an accident that was cause by mixing brands. I know very few people keep the OEM tires that come with their car or truck.

Anyway, like most of the riders here, I came from the sports bike and I know what good steering is like. The Commander 2 was the final ingredient. I will also up my estimate and say that is does make the bike feel 150 lbs lighter.

I just got tired of paying top dollar for a really poor product.

Thanks again TriumPhil for thinking out side of the box! This site is great, I would have not tried this setup without the positive feed back from other captains. IMHO, Just try it out, you will never miss the Metz, but if you do, they will still be there for you. $$$$$
 
Glad to have been of service, Sir!

The dealer quoted above was talking thru his arse, IMO, probably for the same reason given for racers using the tires that they do - dealers make money pushing their tires of choice . There is nothing wrong with mixing tire brands, but mixing tire types (radials with bias-ply and vice versa) is definitely unsafe and therefore taboo.

Unless or until B'stone comes out with an Exedra Max in a 140 size for the front, I'll be sticking with the mix that I'm utilizing currently. It never hurts to use matching tread patterns, but is certainly not necessary provided that they are similar.

BTW, I'm at nearly 7,000 miles on the rear Max and it has at least 3-4,000 miles to go before I'll be even thinking about its replacement. At this point with the Metzelers I hadused before, I'd be riding on very borrowed time!
 
Great info everyone, thanks for clarifying the tires for me!
I spoke with a different Triumph dealer and they have no problems installing different makes/sizes of tires that stray from the stock tires as long as the sizes aren't altered by more than 10mm. Beyond that they say the handling gets sketch. It just goes to show us how some dealers are in it to make money, and others want to keep their riders happy and share in the love of riding.

On a side note, I contacted Triumph corporate in the USA about why such a large price difference between Triumph dealers on the cost of mounting and balancing the rear tire on my Rocket. The one dealer wanted $100 and the other $29. Same labor rate at both dealerships. Triumph corporate opened a case and said they will investigate this and that there shouldn't be large differences like this. Each dealer has a degree of leeway on prices/charges, but should be close in price. Just an FYI to everyone.

Kissell's in State College, PA is the great dealership with the $29 price by the way. Support them if you're in the area.
 
Duplicate Post...

Just Curious here.. would this work with Triumphils Mitch recomendation ?

Both Mitch's and this one looks more rounded.. anyone who is an X-Spirt know
 
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