MICHELINCruiserTouring

Commander II Cruiser

Name: Commander II Cruiser Motorcycle Tires
Brand: MICHELIN
Rating: 8.3 (10 reviews)

Michelin's long-reigning cruiser benchmark — built for heavyweight baggers, loaded two-up touring, and all-weather confidence across every mile.

MTC8.3/10★★★★☆Cruiser · All-Weather Workhorse

MICHELIN Commander II Cruiser motorcycle tire

motorcycletireco.com

BrandMICHELIN

TypeCruiser / Touring

FitmentFront & Rear

Sizes10

Silica-reinforced compound blends exceptional tread longevity with genuine wet-road grip — no trade-off required

Aramid-reinforced casing holds its composure under heavy loads and full GVWR two-up conditions without going numb

Aggressive water-evacuation grooves keep a solid contact patch in the rain while retaining dry-road feel

Wide fitment range covers Harley-Davidson touring and V-Rod platforms, Triumph classics, and the broader metric cruiser world

OEM-validated construction with 10+ years of real-world miles behind it — not a newcomer's promise

True all-season capability means you're not pulling the bike off the road every time Southern California clouds roll in

Riders Also Considered

MICHELIN

Commander III Cruiser

Cruisetec™ Reinforced

Select Size

Prices use MTC dealer formula · Load/speed index explained in the FAQ below

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

🛞 Running a spoked wheel? Parts Unlimited Standard Tubes fit 100/90-19 — from $8 →

Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install

MTC Rating

MTC Score

8.3/10

★★★★☆

The Commander II is the go-to choice for heavyweight cruiser and touring riders who want maximum mileage, confident wet-weather traction, and proven reliability over the long haul.

Performance

Dry Grip7.8

Wet Grip8.1

Street Manners8.7

Track Capability4.5

Mileage9.2

Value8.4

Best For

Long-Haul Tourer

You're putting 10,000-plus miles a year on a fully dressed bagger, frequently two-up with bags packed for a week. You need a tire that won't flinch in the rain, won't need replacing mid-trip, and delivers the same predictable feel on mile 15,000 as it did on mile one. The Commander II was built with your exact riding life in mind.

Perfect Match

Daily Cruiser Commuter

Year-round riding on a metric or American cruiser, mixing freeway commutes with weekend canyon runs in whatever weather shows up. You want a tire that handles a wet morning without drama, lasts long enough to make the price feel reasonable, and doesn't require babying. The Commander II checks every box.

Great Match

Canyon Carver

If aggressive lean angles, fast warm-up times, and maximum edge grip are what drive your tire decision, the Commander II's priorities don't fully align with yours. It's a competent street tire, but riders chasing canyon-carving performance will be better served by a dedicated sport-touring option like the Michelin Road 5.

Consider Michelin Road 5 or sport-touring alternatives

Full Size Chart & Part Numbers

Pos.	Size	Load/Speed	P/N	MFR Part #	UPC-A	Our Price / MSRP
Front	100/90B19	—	0305-0281	02690	086699026903	$163.75$181.95Save $18
Front	110/90B18	—	0305-0405	43160	086699431608	$227.29$252.95Save $26
Front	120/70ZR19	—	0301-0436	04550	086699045508	$225.15$249.95Save $25
Front	120/90B17	—	0305-0279	50337	086699503374	$202.58$224.95Save $22
Front	130/80B17	—	0305-0280	43863	086699438638	$225.15$249.95Save $25
Front	140/80B17	—	0305-0404	12651	086699126511	$273.72$303.95Save $30
Front	90/90B21	—	0305-0303	40891	086699408914	$175.28$194.95Save $20
Rear	160/70B17	—	0306-0301	02068	086699020680	$264.77$294.95Save $30
Rear	170/80B15	—	0306-0296	25755	086699257550	$235.39$261.95Save $27
Rear	240/40R18	—	0302-0729	24404	086699244048	$343.67$381.95Save $38

Frequently Asked

On a typical touring platform, rear tires commonly run 12,000 to 18,000 miles before needing replacement — front tires often push past 20,000. Heavier, fully loaded baggers like an Electra Glide tend toward the lower end of that range, while lighter cruisers can exceed it. Riding style and tire pressure maintenance make a real difference here.

Absolutely — the aramid-reinforced casing is purpose-built for exactly that application. It maintains structural integrity and steering precision even when the bike is loaded to its GVWR with a passenger and full luggage. Riders regularly report confident, stable handling on cross-country runs with every bag full.

For a cruiser tire, wet performance is a genuine strength — scoring an 8.1 on our scale. The tread pattern moves water out efficiently and the silica compound maintains grip even in heavier rain. Dedicated sport-touring tires may edge it out in outright wet performance, but for real-world mixed-weather riding, the Commander II is more than capable.

Michelin recommends running matched sets front and rear, and we agree. Mixed brands can create inconsistent handling feedback — particularly noticeable mid-corner and during transitions. If you're replacing one tire due to damage rather than wear, try to match the remaining tire's performance profile as closely as possible.

Yes — budget 100 to 200 miles of varied, moderate riding to scrub off the mold release agents from manufacturing and let the compound fully seat against the rim. Hold off on hard braking and aggressive lean angles during that window. Gradually building lean angle over those first miles also helps develop even wear from the start.

Yes, Michelin specs the Commander II for both standard and Muscle V-Rod variants. It's a solid street tire for V-Rod owners who prioritize longevity and all-weather capability. That said, if you're running a V-Rod hard on twisty roads and want more sport-oriented grip and feedback, a sport-touring option may suit your riding style better.

Michelin Commander II Tires in Orange County — MTC

At Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA, the Michelin Commander II is one of our most frequently recommended tires for Harley-Davidson touring riders, V-Rod owners, and metric cruiser enthusiasts throughout Orange County. Whether you're launching a cross-country run from Irvine or clocking daily miles through Anaheim and Huntington Beach, the Commander II's combination of exceptional mileage (9.2 out of 10), genuine wet grip, and load-rated construction makes it the practical choice for riders who demand reliability without compromise.

We stock the Commander II in the full range of cruiser and touring fitments and mount them same-day for walk-in customers across the region — from Newport Beach and Mission Viejo to Fullerton and beyond. Our flat walk-in mount and balance rate is $69 mount + $9.95 balance + $3.50 disposal per tire, and we price the tires themselves below MSRP so you're not paying a premium for expert installation. Questions about fitment for your specific bike? Call us directly at (714) 516-9059 and we'll confirm compatibility before you make the trip.

The Commander II earns its place as the cruiser tire benchmark not on marketing claims, but on over a decade of OEM validation and real rider miles. It's not a track tire — and we'll tell you that honestly — but for the heavyweight touring and cruiser rider who wants a dependable, all-weather tire that goes the distance, it's hard to beat. Stop by Motorcycle Tire Center and let our team put a fresh set on your bike today.

Riders Also Considered

MICHELIN

Commander III Cruiser

Michelin's flagship cruiser tire built for V-twin riders who ride in all weather — serious mileage, serious wet grip, zero compromises on confidence.

All-Weather CommuterWeekend Touring RiderAggressive Canyon Carver

View tire →9.3

MICHELIN Commander III Cruiser

Michelin's flagship cruiser tire built for V-twin riders who ride in all weather — serious mileage, serious wet grip, zero compromises on confidence.

Best fit for V-twin riders who log real miles in unpredictable weather and want maximum wet-road confidence without giving up tread life

Best for

All-Weather CommuterWeekend Touring RiderAggressive Canyon Carver

MICHELIN

Scorcher 11

Michelin's Harley-Davidson co-developed radial cruiser tire — built for spirited street performance on V-Rod, Fat Boy, FXDR 114, Breakout, and Street models.

Canyon CruiserOE Replacement SeekerAll-Weather Tourer

View tire →8.2

MICHELIN Scorcher 11

Michelin's Harley-Davidson co-developed radial cruiser tire — built for spirited street performance on V-Rod, Fat Boy, FXDR 114, Breakout, and Street models.

The Scorcher 11 is built for Harley riders who want OE-grade fitment with genuine cornering confidence on dry canyon roads and city streets.

Best for

Canyon CruiserOE Replacement SeekerAll-Weather Tourer

MICHELIN

Road Classic

Bias-ply performance with modern wet-grip technology — purpose-built for retro and modern classic bikes that demand both period-correct style and real-world safety.

Modern Classic Daily RiderAll-Weather Touring EnthusiastAggressive Sport Rider

View tire →8.2

MICHELIN Road Classic

Bias-ply performance with modern wet-grip technology — purpose-built for retro and modern classic bikes that demand both period-correct style and real-world safety.

The Road Classic is the go-to tire for modern classic and retro-styled bike owners who ride in all conditions and won't compromise the look of their machine for grip.

Best for

Modern Classic Daily RiderAll-Weather Touring EnthusiastAggressive Sport Rider

MICHELIN

Scorcher 21

Michelin's sport-inspired cruiser tire built for lightweight platforms — responsive, rain-ready, and purpose-built for riders who want more than standard cruiser rubber.

Urban CommuterWeekend Canyon CarverLong-Distance Tourer

View tire →8.1

MICHELIN Scorcher 21

Michelin's sport-inspired cruiser tire built for lightweight platforms — responsive, rain-ready, and purpose-built for riders who want more than standard cruiser rubber.

The Scorcher 21 is the right call for Street Rod owners and lightweight cruiser riders who prioritize wet grip and handling sharpness over marathon mileage.

Best for

Urban CommuterWeekend Canyon CarverLong-Distance Tourer

METZELER

Cruisetec™

Metzeler's performance-first cruiser tire — built for V-twin riders who want real cornering confidence without giving up highway mileage.

Canyon CruiserAll-Weather TourerPure Highway Cruiser

View tire →8.2

METZELER Cruisetec™

Metzeler's performance-first cruiser tire — built for V-twin riders who want real cornering confidence without giving up highway mileage.

The Cruisetec is the go-to for V-twin riders who carve backroads on weekends and need genuine wet-weather grip every other day of the year.

Best for

Canyon CruiserAll-Weather TourerPure Highway Cruiser

METZELER

Cruisetec™ Reinforced

A performance-forward cruiser tire built for heavyweight V-twins — handles canyon sweepers and loaded touring runs without compromise.

Performance Bagger PilotAggressive Street CruiserMaximum Mileage Tourer

View tire →8.1

METZELER Cruisetec™ Reinforced

A performance-forward cruiser tire built for heavyweight V-twins — handles canyon sweepers and loaded touring runs without compromise.

Best suited to bagger and power cruiser riders who want real wet-weather confidence and canyon-capable grip without abandoning touring durability.

Best for

Performance Bagger PilotAggressive Street CruiserMaximum Mileage Tourer

DUNLOP

D207 ZR

A purpose-built performance tire for Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Night Rod, and Street Rod riders who expect their rubber to keep up with the machine.

V-Rod Canyon CarverPerformance Cruiser EnthusiastRelaxed Highway V-Rod Rider

View tire →8.2

DUNLOP D207 ZR

A purpose-built performance tire for Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Night Rod, and Street Rod riders who expect their rubber to keep up with the machine.

The D207 ZR is the go-to rubber for V-Rod owners who ride their bike like it was built to be ridden — hard, confident, and in control.

Best for

V-Rod Canyon CarverPerformance Cruiser EnthusiastRelaxed Highway V-Rod Rider