Michelin Commander II's on GS850

[Wingsconsin]

Anyone have any experience with this tire?

The review are coming in good and I like the longevity aspect of the tire. I have had good experience with Michelin brand in the past with great handling and good grip.

I believe the tire of choice for the forum tends to be the Shinko Tourmaster 230 --But reports of lower miles delivered (under 10K) have me wondering if this is a false economy?

The Commander IIs are MORE $$ (about $225 per set) but last longer reportedly so buying 2 sets of Shinkos VS 1 set of Michelins ...

I have time as the current tires are OK...but I will soon want to change them after riding season returns to the great white north here in Wisconsin...

[tkent02]

After just a quick look I didn't find them in our old skinny wheel sizes?

[bbjumper]

Try the Michelin Pilot Activ's, I'm on my second set with great results and your thinking the same way I am. One set of Michelin's will outlast two of the Shinkos. I have never run the Shinkos but based on what I have see here you would have better cost per mile on the Michelin's

Cheers

[Ton1959]

I had the Pilot Active on my F650 and it wasn't a good tyre in the rain. Even my old TK22 and 44 Continental was better on my 850G

[Steve]

After just a quick look I didn't find them in our old skinny wheel sizes?

Tires Unlimited seems to have them.
(but only for the "L"s )

FRONTS

130/90H16BW$116.21
120/90S17BW$112.24
130/80H17BW$132.31
140/75VR17BW$141.35
100/90H19BW$100.51
80/90H21BW$98.39

REARS

140/90H15 BW$119.92
15090H15 BW$161.47
170/80H15 BW$150.27
130/90H16 BW$138.00
140/90H16 BW$143.56
150/80H16 BW$137.56
180/65H16 BW$181.41
160/70V17 BW$161.29
200/55V17 BW$167.65

[tkent02]

I looked for 90/90-19 and 110 or 120/90-18 and found nothing.

[Steve]

Well, he is looking for sizes for his 850L, so the 100/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear will do just fine.

.

[Ton1959]

For the 850 the Avon and the Bridgestone are the best choice apparently. So the same as for our GS550 but in the corect size for the 850L

[Wingsconsin]

Maybe here too ...

Jake Wilson .com

100/90-19 --$98.99
130/90-16 -- $133.99

Free shipping

[Wingsconsin]

See ..? The L's are better ...

Well, he is looking for sizes for his 850L, so the 100/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear will do just fine.

.

Well said ...

[Wingsconsin]

Updated Information

I FINALLY got these tires on the bike and got out for a short test ride.

The Commander II's look great and feel good. As expected they handle pretty well - much better than the old piles of rubber from a long time ago that were well worn did.

As the rubber was NEW I did take it easy until I get them scrubbed in and a 30 mile test with moderate leaning isn't conclusive ...

BUT --
I DID like the way they felt when leaned over. They WANT to turn..You can feel it trying to go lower and turn more ..and then the back end swings around and you are turned...!

Once they are broken in..I am sure I will like them and they promise fabulous longevity...

[bwringer]

Awesome!

Flog the snot out of them for a few thousand miles, and make sure you come back to the forum and give us a report.

And when you wear 'em out, let us know how long it took and whether they turned evil near the end.

I've found the true test of a tire's quality is whether it faces death with dignity or spends its last 1,000 miles squirming, sliding, cupping, and shaking.

Michelin makes great tires in general, so I suspect you'll find these will live a long and happy life.

[Steve]

Just looked at the Tires Unlimited site (they are local to me), seems they only carry sizes to fit the L bikes.

The narrowest 17" tire is a 160.

.

[Wingsconsin]

Jake Wilson .com

100/90-19 --$98.99
130/90-16 -- $133.99

Free shipping

I get most of my tires from here ...
Free shipping..... quick service ..many brands ..

I need some reasonable weather now to go put some miles on her...

Mounted saddlebags today ...wiring in the lights and time to ride!

[tkent02]

Flog the snot out of them for a few thousand miles, and make sure you come back to the forum and give us a report.

And please while you're flogging them, do it on broken roads with sand, mud, ice, gravel, snow, cow ****, tar snakes, water, oil and anything else you can think of.

We don't need no stinking smooth asphalt tests.