Michelin Commander II Question

[1olbull]

Yeah...I just went with the tread pattern. Turns out the arrow is direction of rotation, the "rear" stamp must mean for rear application...just never seen one stamped that way before. After I got it mounted and back on the bike I looked at the front tire and sure enough it was stamped "front"

Good luck with the Commander II and let us know how it goes . . .

 

[EasTexRIII]

did anybody ever think that when the arrow is on the bottom it points to the rear and when it is on top it points to the front

Almost like the arrow is pointing out the "direction of rotation" ? ? ?

 

[BigNorm]

Good luck with the Commander II and let us know how it goes . . .

I really liked it on my road glide. I ran one on the front. I had a car tire on the back.

 

[Joesmoe]

I still don't understand tire sizes (actually make sense for bicycles).

So, the Touring has 16" wheels front and back, and on front stock size is 150/80 R16. So looking at the Michelin Commander II REAR tire to possibly put on the front, mounted reverse, I don't see 150/80R-16.

The three sizes I see in 16" are 130/90B-16, 140/90B-16 and 150/80-16 (no 'R'). Would these fit, and what differences ?

Or, give the man a fish, or teach him to fish ?

 

[barbagris]

did anybody ever think that when the arrow is on the bottom it points to the rear and when it is on top it points to the front

Ah - yes so hemisphere orientated.

 

[barbagris]

I still don't understand tire sizes (actually make sense for bicycles).
The three sizes I see in 16" are 130/90B-16, 140/90B-16 and 150/80-16 (no 'R'). Would these fit, and what differences ?
Or, give the man a fish, or teach him to fish ?

I would NEVER put a CROSSPLY/BIAS tyre on a bike with RADIAL defined suspension. I know folk do but.......
And I'd never mix RADIAL AND BIAS - EVER. Their deformation characteristics under BOUNCE are very different.

Paul - find yourself a GOOD local tyre shop. Where they actually know about tyres (not just "what we have on offer").

Last week I went to see mine - They sell&fit tyres - just that. The owner rides (A BMW NineT at the mo').
He not only understands the issue but also WHY (and will explain why) it happens. And is happy to help find solutions.
He has tried to find another Azaro - but not one except with VERY old mfg dates.
His dad who is 80 and has only ever worked with tyres is a true fountain of knowledge.

Next week (their specialist bike fitter is on leave this week) they will have sorted out a load of used tyres of various sizes - they'll fit them for free - I try around the local roads for 30mins or so and then after trying a few we decide what actually to fit. Favourite now are a Rear 150/70ZR17 (Bridgestone/Dunlop) or the Metzler Front 140/75ZR17.

 

[R3T-Too]

I still don't understand tire sizes (actually make sense for bicycles).

So, the Touring has 16" wheels front and back, and on front stock size is 150/80 R16. So looking at the Michelin Commander II REAR tire to possibly put on the front, mounted reverse, I don't see 150/80R-16.

The three sizes I see in 16" are 130/90B-16, 140/90B-16 and 150/80-16 (no 'R'). Would these fit, and what differences ?

Or, give the man a fish, or teach him to fish ?

Joe,
The Michelin's that fit the R3T are bias ply, with a speed rating of 138mph.
That said; I'm running Dunlop American Elites. Bias ply, rear mounted reversed on the front just as you described.

I've put 4k miles on them so far. The steering felt a little different at first, but not bad.
I expect to get well over 10k out of them.

Scott

 

[1olbull]

I still don't understand tire sizes (actually make sense for bicycles).

So, the Touring has 16" wheels front and back, and on front stock size is 150/80 R16. So looking at the Michelin Commander II REAR tire to possibly put on the front, mounted reverse, I don't see 150/80R-16.

The three sizes I see in 16" are 130/90B-16, 140/90B-16 and 150/80-16 (no 'R'). Would these fit, and what differences ?

Or, give the man a fish, or teach him to fish ?

We're I you, I'd go with the Dunlop Elite 3 it's a 180 by 16 radial and a very excellent Tire!

 

[Fingers]

@Joesmoe I went with the 130/90/16& 180/65/16 Commander ll".The bike handles Welland great milage.@Jag put these on earlier this year let' see what he thinks of them.

 

[Jag]

No complaints here, so far so good. My rocket handles much better and the steering is way lighter. 100 percent satisfied. If you have abs brakes the smaller size might throw a code and deactivate the antilock! Somebody here did figure what sizes work with abs.