MICHELINTouringCruiser

Commander III Touring

Name: Commander III Touring Motorcycle Tires
Brand: MICHELIN
Rating: 8.7 (6 reviews)

Michelin's flagship V-twin touring tire — built for loaded baggers, long miles, and all-weather confidence on every road in between.

MTC8.7/10★★★★☆Touring · Long-Haul Recommended

motorcycletireco.com

BrandMICHELIN

TypeTouring / Cruiser

FitmentFront

Sizes6

Extended tread life compound outpaces rival touring tires by a significant margin in independent testing — fewer changes, more miles

Siping geometry and silica-forward formulation maintain grip on wet pavement, painted lines, and metal surfaces throughout the tire's life

Reinforced casing handles the real-world demands of fully loaded touring bikes — passengers, saddlebags, and all — without accelerating wear

Optimized contact patch geometry keeps handling predictable from fresh rubber to the wear indicators, not just the first few thousand miles

Sculpted Premium Touch sidewalls are molded directly into the rubber, delivering a look that complements classic American V-twin styling without fading

Built-in progressive wear indicators let you track tread depth at a glance — no guessing on a 15,000-mile service interval

Riders Also Considered

Commander III Reinforced Touring

Sportmax Roadsmart IV

Select Size

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

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install

MTC Rating

MTC Score

8.7/10

★★★★☆

The Commander III is the go-to choice for V-twin touring riders who demand maximum mileage and all-weather reliability over weekend sport performance.

Performance

Dry Grip8.2

Wet Grip8.6

Street Manners9.1

Track Capability3.5

Mileage9.3

Value8.9

Best For

Long-Haul Tourer

You're running 10,000-plus miles a year on a bagger — often two-up with a full load. You need a tire that holds its handling character deep into its service life, inspires confidence when the rain rolls in, and doesn't require a tire change in the middle of a cross-country trip.

Perfect Match

Weekend Road Tripper

You put 5,000 to 8,000 miles annually on your cruiser or touring bike, mixing weekend runs through the canyons with the occasional multi-day adventure. You want a tire that looks sharp, lasts longer than average, and doesn't fuss when the weather turns.

Great Match

Aggressive Sport-Touring Rider

If you're pushing hard through the twisties and chasing sharper turn-in and maximum edge grip, the Commander III's mileage-focused compound isn't your priority tire. You'll get better feedback and response from a sport-touring compound designed for that style of riding.

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	120/70R19	—	0301-0828	70059	086699030016	$273.54$308.95Save $35
Front	130/60B19	—	0305-0912	44850	086699448507	$187.46$211.95Save $24
Front	130/70B18	—	0305-0683	96618	086699966186	$260.77$294.95Save $34
Front	130/80B17	—	0305-0913	80126	086699801265	$272.26$307.95Save $36
Front	90/90B16	—	0305-0687	72682	086699726827	$226.22$255.95Save $30
Front	90/90B21	—	0305-0686	49456	086699494566	$184.34$207.95Save $24

Frequently Asked

Front tires commonly run 15,000 to 20,000-plus miles in typical touring use, with rears ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 depending on load, riding style, and road conditions. These aren't marketing numbers — this is what touring riders consistently report in real-world use. The Commander III is a legitimate mileage leader in its class.

The Commander III is a meaningful step forward from the Commander II. The updated silica compound and revised siping pattern give it noticeably better bite on wet pavement, including the sketchy stuff — painted road markings, metal bridge grates, and damp morning pavement. Touring riders who've run both generations consistently prefer the III's wet manners.

That's exactly what this tire is built for. The reinforced casing is engineered to handle the weight and torque of fully loaded touring machines — passenger, saddlebags, top case — without wandering or wearing unevenly. Load it up and ride with confidence.

Michelin's Premium Touch design is pressed into the sidewall rubber during molding — it's structural, not a coating or painted-on graphic. It won't peel or fade the way applied finishes do. UV exposure and road grime may tone down the contrast slightly over time, but the design itself remains defined throughout the tire's life.

We don't recommend it. Michelin engineers the Commander III front and rear as a matched system with complementary profiles and handling characteristics. Mixing tire brands or models — even good ones — can introduce unpredictable handling, especially in emergency situations or slippery conditions. Run them as a set.

Like any long-mileage touring compound, the Commander III isn't as quick to heat up as a sport-oriented tire. Give it a few easy miles before leaning hard into corners, especially on cool mornings. That warm-up discipline is standard practice for any touring tire optimized for durability over outright sport grip — and well worth the trade-off at 15,000-mile intervals.

Michelin Commander III Touring Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA stocks the Michelin Commander III for V-twin touring riders across Orange County — from Irvine and Newport Beach to Anaheim, Fullerton, Mission Viejo, and Huntington Beach. If you're logging serious miles on a bagger or cruiser and want the best combination of mileage, wet-weather confidence, and loaded-bike stability available, the Commander III belongs on your shortlist. We carry front and rear fitments for the most popular touring and cruiser applications and can answer fitment questions before you come in — just call us at (714) 516-9059.

We price Commander III tires below standard MSRP, and our walk-in mount and balance service means you're not waiting days for an appointment. Bring your wheels in and we'll handle mount, balance, and disposal on the spot — $69 mount, $9.95 balance, and $3.50 disposal per tire. No booking headaches, no dealership markup. Just fast, professional service from people who actually ride and know these tires.

The Commander III earns its reputation the straightforward way: it outlasts the competition, grips confidently in the rain, and holds its handling character for the full length of a very long service interval. For Orange County touring riders who measure value in miles covered and trips completed, this is the tire we recommend without hesitation. Stop by Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange or give us a call at (714) 516-9059 to check current inventory and pricing.

Riders Also Considered

MICHELIN

Pilot Road 4

Michelin's proven dual-compound sport-tourer built for high-mileage riders who demand wet-weather confidence without sacrificing corner grip.

The Daily Sport-TourerThe Weekend Canyon CarverThe Track-Focused Rider

View tire →8.7

MICHELIN Pilot Road 4

Michelin's proven dual-compound sport-tourer built for high-mileage riders who demand wet-weather confidence without sacrificing corner grip.

The Pilot Road 4 is the go-to choice for riders who cover serious miles year-round and need a tire that earns its keep in every condition.

Best for

The Daily Sport-TourerThe Weekend Canyon CarverThe Track-Focused Rider

MICHELIN

Commander III Reinforced Touring

Michelin's purpose-built touring tire for V-twin riders who demand class-leading mileage, two-up load stability, and all-weather confidence on every long haul.

Long-Haul LarryWeekend Warrior WendyCanyon Carver Chris

View tire →8.3

MICHELIN Commander III Reinforced Touring

Michelin's purpose-built touring tire for V-twin riders who demand class-leading mileage, two-up load stability, and all-weather confidence on every long haul.

Best suited for loaded V-twin touring riders who prioritize long tread life, wet-weather reliability, and two-up stability over spirited canyon performance.

Best for

Long-Haul LarryWeekend Warrior WendyCanyon Carver Chris

MICHELIN

Pilot Power 2CT

Michelin's dual-compound sport tire built for riders who demand corner grip on weekends and real mileage on weekdays.

Aggressive CommuterIntermediate Track-Day EnthusiastDedicated Track Competitor

View tire →8.2

MICHELIN Pilot Power 2CT

Michelin's dual-compound sport tire built for riders who demand corner grip on weekends and real mileage on weekdays.

The 2CT is the go-to choice for sport riders who split time between daily miles and aggressive weekend riding and won't compromise on either.

Best for

Aggressive CommuterIntermediate Track-Day EnthusiastDedicated Track Competitor

DUNLOP

Sportmax Q5

Dunlop's race-bred dual-purpose sport tire built for riders who demand real grip on the street and serious performance on track day.

Track Day RegularAggressive Street RiderSport-Touring Rider

View tire →8.7

DUNLOP Sportmax Q5

Dunlop's race-bred dual-purpose sport tire built for riders who demand real grip on the street and serious performance on track day.

The Q5 is the go-to choice for aggressive street riders and track day regulars who need one tire that handles both worlds without compromise.

Best for

Track Day RegularAggressive Street RiderSport-Touring Rider

DUNLOP

Sportmax Q5S

Dunlop's sharpest street-to-track crossover yet — built for riders who carve canyons on Monday and hit the pit lane on Saturday.

Track Day RegularAggressive Street EnthusiastDedicated Club Racer

View tire →8.7

DUNLOP Sportmax Q5S

Dunlop's sharpest street-to-track crossover yet — built for riders who carve canyons on Monday and hit the pit lane on Saturday.

The Q5S is the go-to choice for serious street riders and track day regulars who want elite grip without changing tires between sessions.

Best for

Track Day RegularAggressive Street EnthusiastDedicated Club Racer

DUNLOP

Sportmax Roadsmart IV

Dunlop's flagship sport-touring tire — built for Orange County canyon runs, cross-state tours, and everything in between without swapping rubber.

Aggressive CommuterSport-Touring EnthusiastTrack-Focused Rider

View tire →8.4

DUNLOP Sportmax Roadsmart IV

Dunlop's flagship sport-touring tire — built for Orange County canyon runs, cross-state tours, and everything in between without swapping rubber.

The Roadsmart IV is the go-to tire for riders who log real miles, attack real corners, and want one tire that handles both without apology.

Best for

Aggressive CommuterSport-Touring EnthusiastTrack-Focused Rider

METZELER

Racetec™ RR

Race-proven, street-legal grip for Orange County canyon carvers and track day regulars who refuse to run two sets of tires.

Track Day EnthusiastAggressive Street RiderDedicated Track Competitor

View tire →8.3

METZELER Racetec™ RR

Race-proven, street-legal grip for Orange County canyon carvers and track day regulars who refuse to run two sets of tires.

Best suited for advanced riders running modern sportbikes who split time between spirited street riding and regular track days and demand race-level dry grip from a single tire.

Best for

Track Day EnthusiastAggressive Street RiderDedicated Track Competitor