Metzeler 888 vs. Michelin Commander II

[Chuck A.]

Originally Posted by tonik

We are getting it because of the new types of tires that are out. They are dual compound, soft on the sides and edges....hard in the middle. Mich Commander II's. Dunlop Elite III's and the Metz 888's are the three I know of that have this new tech.

As stated, I'm running the Commander II's also. Just can't get much past 10k on a rear tire. Also, I don't slow much for curves. I just lay her over and scrape. New set in the boxes now in the garage waiting to be mounted.

[Chuck A.]

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

Run 40 psi front &rear and use Dynabeads.

I run the 130/90/16 MC II on the front at 32# cause of the way I ride the backroads. 130 corners better than the 150 to me. Pressure higher will put you in ditch here cause the front won't stick when the bike is layed over pretty good. Front is wearing even side wall to side wall.

[talon]

I have the MC II's front and back on the 1600 Nomad. They still have lots of tread. I bought my Vaquero a little over a year ago and it had a fairly new Elite 3 on the rear when I got it. I wanted to see the difference between the MC II' and the Elites, so when I needed a new front tire, I put an Elite 3 on to match the rear tire. I have put a little more than 9k miles on the bike and the rear tire still looks like it might have another 9k left. Don't know, but we will see. The front is wearing well too. I run 38-40 psi in front and 40 psi in rear. I almost always run the secondary roads rather than interstate and because I live in AR, we have lots of curvy roads.

[tonik]

Originally Posted by talon

I wanted to see the difference between the MC II' and the Elites.

Woohoo, I finally found someone that has run both. Wear aside, what about performance...grip, comfort and in the rain?

I am thinking of switching to the Elites next time also. If history is correct a radial should perform a bit better.

[talon]

Originally Posted by tonik

Woohoo, I finally found someone that has run both. Wear aside, what about performance...grip, comfort and in the rain?

I am thinking of switching to the Elites next time also. If history is correct a radial should perform a bit better.

So far, I like the tires. I don't "RIDE HARD" like some people do, but I still enjoy my twisted roads. I have scrapped the floorboards once or twice, although I prefer not to. The Elites handle nicely and seem to do fine in the rain. I've put about 4k miles on the front tire and it is wearing well. At this point, I haven't noticed a big difference in handling between the MC II's and the Elite 3's, both are great tires. Now it is about how they wear. I hope that helps.

[blowndodge]

I had E3 Elites on my bike and got 11K out of them before showing extreme signs of cupping. I'm at 19K with Commander II's and have a new front/rear set sitting in my living room ready to go on. Half my riding is fully loaded and a passenger.

[talon]

I haven't seen any cupping yet in the Elites. If I do, just means I will go with the MC II's on the Vaq like on the Nomad. lol

[hlknvlcn60]

I have Commander IIs on my ride and love them. They stick like glue and ride smooth and really stick down hard on wet pavement. I expect to get twice the mileage over the Excedra Max tires that just came off.