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06-25-2017, 08:39 AM | #1 |
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DBQ Iowa
Posts: 1,807
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A negative observation on the Michelin Commanders…
Greetings,
Was riding west bound on I-88 out of Chicago last week in the rain. It wasn’t a heavy rain, but roads were definitely wet. The cruise was set at 65, as traffic was not heavy (I do not want to discuss setting cruise in less than perfect weather…) . There are tar strips filling the gaps between the lanes. Some were wide tar strips, 4 or 5 inches. During a lane change, when the rear tire (Michelin Commander II with 5K, good tread showing) crossed the tar strip, the rear end slipped and danced. The engine revved up while the rear tire spun and rear end danced! As soon as the tire was back on concrete, the bike straightened up and resumed. However, that half-a-second of spinning-n-wiggle sure shook my faith in the Michelin Commanders. I have been an advocate of these tires for their life and wear. This experience truly shook my faith (figuratively and literally). Others have posted about their observations regarding MC II’s in wet conditions, I now understand. FYI, the front “stone” was a rock in those same conditions. Short version, the Dunlop Elite 4 or American’s are going to be looking good next tire change… Ride safe,
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Last edited by smokier; 06-25-2017 at 08:41 AM.
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06-25-2017, 12:56 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 1,434
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I don't know how well any tire would do on a wet tar strip with power being applied. And it is common knowledge, at least on this forum, that the Commander II isn't the best tire on wet roads. But the mileage is outstanding! We always have to pick the strong points most important for our ride. I have used the Commander II for over 60k, they have been everything I expected, including a little loose in the rear on wet roads. Now however, my commute distance has come way down, so I will consider other options for my new Blaze. Regardless, glad it was nothing more than a pucker moment!
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Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles! |
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06-25-2017, 03:45 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Psychiatric Ward FL
Posts: 3,429
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How long did it take to remove your underwear from your ass?
I've been running the Shinko's, even 450 interstate miles during a tropical storm. Not once have they slipped wet conditions. And here in south FL riding in the rain is an almost daily occurrence. But some won't give a Japanese tire made in Korea a chance.
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MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936 |
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06-25-2017, 06:29 PM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Quote:
The stone was rock solid because there was no power trying to sin it out from under you. I think you should just learn the lesson and not blame the tire for your mistake. JMO
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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06-25-2017, 07:07 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Piedmont OK
Posts: 2,207
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I have to agree with TC on this one. I've rode the Pig Trail twice in wet conditions this year and my bike has never wiggled at all and the MC II had over 10,000 miles.
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06-25-2017, 07:38 PM | #6 |
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DBQ Iowa
Posts: 1,807
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Greetings,
TC, of course you are right on all points. Cruise, front with no power, wet tar, etc. All of that agreed to, back when I ran Metzler's this sort of thing was not encountered. Yes, many have commented on the wet performance of the Commanders. This really was my acknowledgment of what they had observed. Doesn't change that the confidence in the Commanders has been shaken in my head. And what goes on in our heads while we ride, navigate and set up for curves and hills is the biggest battle. Ride safe, |
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06-25-2017, 08:07 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Quote:
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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06-26-2017, 07:26 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bixby, OK
Posts: 117
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Quote:
Yep, they suck..... my front tire (Commander) slipped out on me around a corkscrew ramp in St. Louis 2 weeks ago because someone leaked oil on the road..... same as you, as soon as I was off the oil and back on concrete, it stopped slipping. Seriously, I've heard about people having wrecks hitting "dry" tar snakes on sunny days in Wisconsin, they warn us about them everytime we go up to Boscobel. Softer tires should do better in the rain, but can you run over a doe's leg at 50 with 'em and not get "jostled'?
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Kopperhed VBA 3484 2011 Vaquero |
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06-26-2017, 07:43 PM | #9 |
Sr. Contributor
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I have over 40k miles on Commander II's and never had a wet weather issue. Tar snakes are another matter that no tire I've ever ran didn't wiggle when wet. Wet tar snakes affect all tires. I'll use nothing but Commander II's. Like TC said. Setting the cruise in the rain............. nope...
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06-26-2017, 07:48 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Just asking, do you know of a tire that will not slip on oil
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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06-26-2017, 08:19 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bixby, OK
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No, I don't....... that was kinda the point.... that you missed.
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Kopperhed VBA 3484 2011 Vaquero |
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06-26-2017, 08:55 PM | #12 |
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Location: Newburgh IN
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No such tire exists.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00TD using Tapatalk
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06-26-2017, 09:00 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
Posts: 15,154
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Yup, sorry, I read your first 3 words and that kinda set the tone for me as I read the rest of your post. Sorry again
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
Last edited by Top Cat; 06-26-2017 at 09:54 PM.
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06-26-2017, 09:38 PM | #14 |
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 838
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Cruise control and rain (tar snakes or not) don't mix. Cruise control and tar snakes on a blazing hot day don't mix, either. They are actually more slick when hot than in rain, IMHO...
...unless it is the start of rain where it has not rained for a while, especially in warmer weather. In that case, any pavement will be more slick because of oil buildup on the surface. After a few minutes of decent rain, the oils will be lifted and will run off with the rain. But those first few minutes can be treacherous, especially on tar snakes and reflective pavement paint or coatings. |
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06-27-2017, 07:24 AM | #15 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey
Posts: 426
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Hot tar snakes = bad
Quote:
As I said earlier this road is in need of repair, So I guess I should be happy that they are going to tar and chip the road next week. At least I will expect to crash with the tar and chips (if I choose to ride it) rather than be totally caught out of the blue with a drifting lesson. To top is off - the wife behind me on her Spyder said - didn't bother me at all. HOT TAR SNAKES = BAD |
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