I own a 2004 Road King & I live in Cairns where we get a lot of rain for about 6 months of the year. We also fiind that the great winding roads that lead to the tablelands are particularly slick in the wet.

Approximately 8 months ago, I fitted a pair of Michelin Commander II tyres &, I honestly have to say, I think they are CRAP!!.

I don't ride particulary spirited, it is a bagger afterall but, these tyres just have zero grip in anything but, bone dry conditions. Even when going in a straight line, if I am not super cautious applying the throttle when the road is wet, the back end just let's go. In corners, around roundabouts etc... I find I have to travel at super low speeds in the wet or risk losing the backend when trying to lean it into a wet corner...

I'm sorry but, it really shouldn't be this bad should it??

Anyone else had similarly bad experiences with this tyre? Am I just unlucky with a bad set of these tyres?

I am planning to ditch these tyres next week and fit a set of Pirelli Night Dragons. I have experience with this tyre on a sportster & I'm hoping they will provide much better traction albeit with less mileage capability.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks Pauly, I will do that

I fitted a set of Commander II's a couple of months back and think that they are a HUGE improvement over the stock Dunlops that they replaced. I'm running mine on a Sporty but think they are great.

I went from the original dunlop to the night dragon on my fatboy and found the to be a big improvement in life and grip accept in a straight line and a buzzing vibration from the front at about 70 kph.
After 2 sets i went to the american elite and viration gone. Very good grip wet or dry. I ride pretty hard and mostly in the mountains. Still waiting for them to wear out.
Rear has now done 13312 ks and looks like it will go another 5 easy
Front has done 11558 ks looks about half worn.
I will be sticking with them i think.
Load rating is 425 kg at 42 psi
Plus they are cheaper than most of the brands.
I think i may have already have a post on milage from all tyres so far.
Cheers

I fitted a set of Michellin Commander2 tyres on in Brisbane while on my Lap of Oz last August. I had 34 to 38 dgree days with a couple 40 plus days while riding anticlockwise from Brisbane to Perth. In Katherine I got a puncture in my rear, so plugged it, to get to Perth. Got a new rear tyre in Perth as rear still kept losing air and started to delaminate. ( I was also towing a trailer). But from Perth to Melbourne we had absolutely Torential rain at least 90% of the way across the bottom. The Commander 2 tyres were faultless in both Bloody hot days and Torential rain. I now have a Dunlop Elite American on the rear now ( as asked by dealer to try it as they have good comments about them, But I still have the Front Michellin Commander 2. Done just on 20,000km with it, and still got a few more left in it. I know a mate from Albany who runs Commander 2 on his Fat Boy and been from Albany to Brisbane return, rides all weather. and loves them. So am I happy with the Michellin Commander2, Yes for both Dry & Wet roads.
Just my opinion.

If you have had a bad experience with a particular brand of tyre, (lower mileage than you expected,, cupping to early,, you feel it does not grip as they should on certain road conditions),, .. no about of opinions will change your mind, even if you find out you have'nt check and maintained your tyres as you should have.... You have lost confidence in them ... Move on ,, do some research ,, and replace tyre that suits/ fits your bike, from a well regarded manufacturer... Nothing worse than loosing confidence/trust in a very important component like tyres,, say no more !!!!!

Had a 180/17 Night Dragon and 21" Night Dragon on my 06 Wide Glide. The rear 180 lasted 6,500km, the front 21" lasted 10,000km. They felt great but I thiught the life was short. My bike is fairly a stock 88 and I dont hammer it to much around town, mostly longer runs 150 plus kms highway and twisties.

I have'nt found my last set of Commander 2's that crash hot in the wet. 20000+ k's . No problems dry.
Stock Dunlops were crap in the wet. 15000 k's
American Elite were probably the best all rounders . 15000 k's before I changed out for a cross Oz ride.
Now running Night Dragons and I don't care how long they last, I will stick with them . 8000k's and still going.
2012 RoadKing moderately hotted up and single rider semi sport / touring riding.
Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks for all the write-ups on the rubber blokes.

The Night Dragons will be getting my attention when it's time to get rid of the stock Dunlops (which are useless in the wet, OK on a dry warm road) I see Michelin have a set of rubber specifically for the Fat Bob but it still has that 'chunky' tread design that just seems to not make sense to me.

I can't talk for your Road King Outcast, but I installed a set of Night Dragons to my 08 Skirtster about 3k ago and these things are shit hot in both wet and dry, with the wet being the most noticeable.
At this stage I will be replacing them the same when needed.

Thanks for all the advice & comments guys.

New Pirelli hoops were supposed to go on yesterday but, for some reason the rear tyre did not come in with the order. Hopefully not too long to wait & I'll have the Night Dragon's on.

Loved them when they were on my Sporty too so, hopefully the love will continue on the RK.

I'll do an update when they've been on the bike for a little while.

i just booked my Dyna in for Saturday to get these fitted ...

Update...

I'm not changing the tyres now, I'm changing the bike...

Yet some more issues have come up with the bike & whilst it was a cheap purchase initially, I have thrown alot of money at this bike just trying to keep it running & handling right &, frankly I'm tired of throwing good money after bad. A local workshop has made me a decent offer on the bike which I will be taking (he knows what he's getting) & I'm currently looking closely at a Super Glide Custom I've taken a shine to.... My local garage has looked it over & given it a clean bill of health so; spend a little more this time, getting something a little newer with lower mileage & hopefully no issues.

First bike I've owned in 30 years that has continually had problem after problem & I usually only buy secondhand (can't afford new) so, guess that's not a bad outcome overall

Sorry to hear you haven't had much luck with the road king.
You must be looking forward to the superglide. How many kms and what year is it?

Got a 2012 Fatty , stage 4 , air suspension , about 60,000 ks . So far had Dunlops it came with new , then 2 sets of Commanders , and last week put on Night Dragons which I am already happier with . Performed pretty well in wet last night with only few 100ks wear on then .
Might not last as long as the Commanders did , will see , but already smoother ride on highway and perform better grip wise .

Hi JFE , paid $618 fitted at "Tyres For Bikes" in Vic Park WA

Cheers Ballistic. Will have to get a quote -- $618 is a lot, hopefully cheaper here. Wasn't that long ago I was putting the primo-spec Michelin sports tyre on my thou for circa $500 fitted!

I paid $309 fitted here (rear only) in Sydney. I also supplied my own disc pads (bought previously from the store though) and they fitted them for free.

Soft...

Get a pair of Dragons on the Super Glide Outcast. Done a lot of Peak hour in Sydney mate and they make you feel safe.

Gives you time to focus on the Lunas around you.

Cheers Wimbo,

Haven't decided on the Super Glide yet; still looking around & gotta move the Road King on yet.... The offer from the local workshop still stands but, we are trying to see if we can get a couple of grand more for it through advertising it locally. We'll see what happens I guess.

Trying to be patient (& struggling) & find the right bike for me; will definitely be running the Night Dragons on whatever I get. Had them on a Sporty & loved them.