Webike staff member Ichimoto mounted the Michelin Commander III Cruiser, released in 2020, on his beloved XLH883 Sportster and used it for about 500 km of commuting and touring. The tires proved to be not only stable and comfortable but also nimble in cornering performance, as is typical of cruiser tires.
We were also very pleased with the design of the sidewalls with Michelin's exclusive Velvet Technology, which enhances the appearance more than we expected. Here is a description and test drive impressions of the Commander 3 Cruiser.
I want to ride the latest in the well-established Commander series!
My motorcycle is a 2000 XLH883 Sportster. It is a basic grade model that has been Harley's entry-level machine for many years, and the current model is the liquid-cooled engine "Nightster" released in 2022.
The 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheel sizes are traditional Sportster sizes and have been carried over to the latest Knightster. On the other hand, the rear tire of the XLH883 is a size 130, which is a bit smaller than the later XL series, and the Knightster, which uses a size 150.
The reason we decided to install Michelin's Commander 3 Cruiser was that we wanted to try a new cruiser tire.
Having previously covered Metzler's CruiseTec, and having witnessed the evolution of cruiser tires, I was also curious about Commander 3, which was released around the same time.
I don't need as much sportiness as Cruze Tech for my application. My basic focus is on balance for commuting and touring, but I wanted to taste the performance of the latest generation of tires, which are more advanced than the standard Dunlop D401, so the Commander 3 Cruiser is in the right position.
The Commander 3 lineup includes two types: Cruiser (see photo) and Touring. The former fits general cruiser models such as the Sportster.
The latter, as the name implies, is for heavier models such as touring models. Each has a different pattern, profile, and size lineup.
A key feature of the Commander 3 Cruiser is improved wet performance due to the use of full silica compound on both the front and rear. In addition, the void ratio (ratio of grooves to ground surface) of the front tires has been improved by 3% through optimization of the tread design.
Glad the Sportster travels more nimble! Plus, it's safe even on rainy days!
My review about the Commander 3 Cruiser on the XLH883 Sportster is that it's light too! The Commander 3 Cruiser is a cruiser tire that is stable enough in a straight line. As is typical of cruiser tires, the straight line stability was sufficient, and I was also impressed by the through lean when cornering. The Sportster is banked around the rear tire, and with only a slight shift of weight, the rear wheel falls lightly through, followed by a self-steering front wheel turn.
At this point, if the motorcycle is tipped down too quickly, it can become unwieldy, but the Commander 3 Cruiser is not too sporty and has a moderately light level of nimbleness. The latest casing profile ensures a uniform ground contact area both in a straight line and when cornering, and a constant feeling of ground contact can be felt even when the motorcycle is leaned over, making winding roads enjoyable enough.
During the test period, the team also conducted rides in the rain. The Commander 3 Cruiser felt almost the same as on dry road surfaces. In particular, the lateral wet grip was much better than that of Commander 2, which made us feel no uneasiness even on curves. Considering the possibility of getting caught in the rain while touring, choosing the Commander 3 Cruiser was a great advantage.
Furthermore, the Commander 3 Cruiser rides well, and the roughness of the road surface is hardly noticeable. And yet, the rigidity has been ensured so that it will not be defeated by the weight of a Harley, giving a high sense of security. The durability of the Commander series, which has an established reputation, is on par with the previous model, so we can expect good value for money as well.
The Commander 3 Cruiser is also used for commuting. It was able to ride easily on the roads of Tokyo without having to change lanes.
The Commander 3 Cruiser is very good in the rain. We were concerned about braking in the wet because the tire centers were not grooved, but there were no problems.
The Commander 3 Cruiser uses the latest casing profile to ensure uniform and optimal ground contact area, which contributes to road-following performance. It provides stable cornering performance on wet road surfaces and reduces uneven wear.
Velvet Technology sidewall design for a custom look
Lastly, the tire design deserves special mention. The Commander 3 features Michelin's exclusive Velvet Technology design on the sidewalls, with text, logos, and graphics using a darker black color than the black tires.
Velvet technology uses a laser to process the mold that molds the tire, forming microscopic bumps on the tire body.
This absorbs light, creating a contrast that reveals a jet-black design that is blacker than the black of the tire.
White ribbons on the sidewalls are the standard for cruiser tires, but the tires may look too assertive on some vehicles.
It also gives a strong classic image, which is a matter of taste. The velvet technology of the Commander 3 enhances the footwear without being too noticeable, giving it a custom look.
When I saw the tire pattern in the picture, it looked like a cruiser tire design and was too flashy, but when I actually installed it, I felt that it blended in well with the Sportster. Now I am convinced that it was a good thing that I did not choose a tire with a pattern like a sports tire.
If you look closely, you can see a pattern on the side of the tire with velvet technology, which is a fresh image.
It gives the motorcycle a glamorous feel.
Front tire pattern of the Commander 3 Cruiser. The previous Commander 2 looked like a sports tire with more grooves, but it has reverted to a simple pattern.
Rear tire pattern of Commander 3 Cruiser. The direction of the grooves is the opposite of the front, but the pattern is almost the same for both the front and rear. If you look closely, you can see slits at the bottom of the grooves, which is another design feature.
The Commander 3 series is available in a total of 27 sizes, including the Commander 3 Touring.
