New tire option for 16" rims

[duanelr]

I wanted to share some pictures of a new tire that fits on our bike. The Michelin Commander 3 is a new model and it comes in a 150/80/16. The last tire I had was a Pirelli Sport Demon. IMHO that tire was fine, it never slid, never got a puncture, held in the rain, it was fine. But I wore it out FAST, in less than one Summer I almost took it down to the cord.
This Commander III, though, the profile is MUCH wider, much more round, and the tread is very deep. I hope to get more miles.

I put about 80 miles on it today and the beach-ball-profile felt really nice when leaning into a corner. I still have a Pirelli Sport Demon on the front and even though the two tires don't match, there are no ill effects.

Also, the Michelin Commanders are now broken to two model ranges, Cruiser and Touring. Only the Cruiser version fits on our 16" rims. Meh.. not a problem, but the profile is much wider and it just squeezes into the swing-arm, coming about a 1/4" from the torque-link bar. This is about as wide a tire will fit.

[T Legg]

It looks nice but I prefer a V speed rating for the "occasional" high speed run.

[Charlie-brm]

Ooh that's a lot of money. In Canada they are C$300. My Avon Spirit ST 17" is about $100 less and it's speed rating is (Z). The Storm 3D X-M 16" I had before switching to a 17" rear rim was essentially the same in all respects. It's a model being replaced by the Spirit so choices are limited. It's still got a lot of life left in it, still on my 16" rim looking for a new home.

I've had several Pirelli Sport Demons for the fronts and I've been pleased with those, no complaints and they give far better feel than any Bridgestone Battlax's I have had on two different types of motorcycle. However if I have two nickels to rub together this summer, the front gets a matching Avon Spirit ST.

[Millietant]

In an accident, having the wrong tyre speed rating would result in insurance cover being rescinded here (if it was noted). Tyre's have speed ratings for a reason and insurers are wise to it.

Not worth the risk of not being covered for me.

[aviationfred]

I would offer a bit caution with the tire. As with the Metzeler 880 and 888. This is a Very High Mileage Cruiser tire. The rubber compound is much harder than a typical Sport-Touring tire. In a straight line and an exuberant amount of throttle may spin the tire and spirited riding in twisties could have this tire break traction while leaned over in a curve.


Fred

[duanelr]

The rubber compound is much harder than a typical Sport-Touring tire. In a straight line and an exuberant amount of throttle may spin the tire and spirited riding in twisties could have this tire break traction while leaned over in a curve.

After riding on this for a couple hundred miles, I'm not so sure. From Michelin's claim and my experience this rubber seems more than adequate. What's not being said is how deep the tread is. My concern isn't, is the rubber soft enough? Instead it's, when it finally wears, it's really going to be squared-off. The depth of the rubber is very deep.

[balky1]

The rubber compound is much harder than a typical Sport-Touring tire. In a straight line and an exuberant amount of throttle may spin the tire and spirited riding in twisties could have this tire break traction while leaned over in a curve.

After riding on this for a couple hundred miles, I'm not so sure. From Michelin's claim and my experience this rubber seems more than adequate. What's not being said is how deep the tread is. My concern isn't, is the rubber soft enough? Instead it's, when it finally wears, it's really going to be squared-off. The depth of the rubber is very deep.

Every tire gets squared-off if you ride it that way. Don't get me wrong, I know this from experience.   
In normal street riding it is something that should be normal. Streets are not race track. Or am I wrong?