Dunlop American Elite vs Michelin Commander III: Which Harley Tire Is Right for You?
Dunlop American Elite vs Michelin Commander III: Which Harley Tire Is Right for You?
If you ride a Harley-Davidson and you're shopping for new tires, there's a good chance two names keep coming up: Dunlop American Elite and Michelin Commander III.
Both are built around the needs of heavyweight V-Twin motorcycles. Both are designed to balance mileage, grip and stability. Both are available in sizes that fit many popular Harley-Davidson Touring and Cruiser models.
But they aren't exactly the same tire—and in 2026, the comparison has gotten even more interesting.
Dunlop now offers the AE2, or American Elite 2, as the newest evolution of the American Elite family. Dunlop says the AE2 improves mileage, wet-weather performance, construction and handling compared with the original American Elite. The original American Elite remains listed in Dunlop's current lineup as well.
Michelin's main competing V-Twin line is the Commander III, which is offered in separate Touring and Cruiser versions.
So which tire should you put on your Harley?
The answer depends on what you ride, how you ride and what matters most to you.
Dunlop American Elite vs Michelin Commander III: Quick Comparison
| Category | Dunlop American Elite / AE2 | Michelin Commander III |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | V-Twin touring & cruising | V-Twin touring & cruising |
| Current Versions | American Elite + newer AE2 | Touring + Cruiser |
| Mileage Focus | Very high | Very high |
| Wet-Weather Focus | Improved significantly with AE2 | Major focus, especially Commander III Cruiser |
| Rear Tire Technology | Multi-Tread dual-compound design | Michelin touring/cruiser compound & casing technologies |
| Heavy Touring | Strong fit | Strong fit |
| Two-Up Riding | Strong fit when properly sized/load-rated | Strong fit when properly sized/load-rated |
| Whitewall Options | Available in select American Elite/AE2 sizes | More limited |
| Harley Size Coverage | Broad | Broad |
| Best For | Riders wanting a traditional V-Twin touring tire with high-mileage focus | Riders prioritizing mileage, wet grip and responsive road feel |
There isn't one universal answer for every Harley rider.
A Road Glide rider doing 15,000 highway miles per year has very different needs from someone riding a Softail around town on weekends. Weather, load, riding style and tire size can all influence which one makes more sense.
Let's break them down.
What Is the Dunlop American Elite?
The Dunlop American Elite was developed as an aftermarket V-Twin touring and cruiser tire with a heavy emphasis on mileage and Harley-Davidson fitment.
Dunlop currently lists the American Elite in 28 options covering newer and older Harley-Davidson models as well as select Indian and Victory motorcycles. One of its most important features is Dunlop's Multi-Tread technology in the rear tire.
Instead of using exactly the same rubber compound across the entire rear tread, Multi-Tread uses a long-wearing center compound combined with different compounds toward the shoulders.
That's important on a heavyweight touring motorcycle.
A rider spending hours on the interstate tends to wear the center of the rear tire faster than its edges. A harder-wearing center helps fight that wear, while the shoulder compounds are designed to maintain grip when the motorcycle is leaned over.
That makes the American Elite particularly attractive to riders who do a mixture of:
- Interstate riding
- Long-distance touring
- Backroad riding
- Two-up riding
- Loaded touring
- Daily commuting
The original American Elite is also offered in several blackwall, narrow whitewall and wide-whitewall configurations, which gives it an advantage for Harley owners where appearance matters nearly as much as performance.
What Is the New Dunlop AE2?
This is where the comparison changes.
The Dunlop AE2 is the latest generation of Dunlop's American Elite concept.
Dunlop describes the AE2 as a comprehensive improvement over the American Elite and continues using Multi-Tread technology in the rear tire.
The biggest changes include a revised tread pattern, updated compounds and a new carcass construction.
Dunlop says the AE2 uses a 10% higher land ratio through the middle of the tread, designed to reduce heat generation, improve wear and increase mileage. Dunlop also increased the groove or "sea" ratio around the shoulders to improve wet-weather performance while the motorcycle is leaned over.
The company states that the updated compounds and tread pattern achieved an average 25% increase in mileage, although real-world tire life will always depend heavily on motorcycle weight, load, road surface, tire pressure, riding style and other conditions.
The carcass also incorporates aramid cords designed around the weight, torque and load-carrying demands of V-Twin touring and cruiser motorcycles.
For riders shopping today, that means you shouldn't automatically assume that every discussion online about the original American Elite represents the newest Dunlop option.
When comparing Dunlop against Michelin, check whether you're looking at an American Elite or the newer AE2.
What Is the Michelin Commander III?
Michelin takes a slightly different approach.
Instead of selling one Commander III for every V-Twin application, Michelin splits the family into two primary versions:
Michelin Commander III Touring
The Commander III Touring is designed primarily for heavyweight V-Twin touring motorcycles.
Think:
- Harley-Davidson Road Glide
- Street Glide
- Road King
- Electra Glide
- Ultra Limited
- Similar heavyweight touring motorcycles
Michelin places a major emphasis on tread life with this tire.
In a third-party wear test conducted on public roads in Dallas using a 2017 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Michelin says the Commander III Touring averaged 25% longer tread life than the competing tires tested, which included the original Dunlop American Elite and Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra. Michelin notes that actual results can vary.
That's an important distinction.
That test compared the Commander III Touring against the original American Elite, not Dunlop's newer AE2.
So we would not use that test to claim that a Commander III lasts 25% longer than an AE2. The newer Dunlop needs to be evaluated on its own merits.
The Commander III Touring also uses Michelin's Aramid Shield Technology, designed to provide a dense, rigid casing with stability and road feedback appropriate for large touring motorcycles.
Michelin Commander III Cruiser
The Commander III Cruiser is designed around V-Twin cruiser applications rather than being the same tire as the Touring version.
Michelin puts particular emphasis on wet grip with the Cruiser.
In Michelin's published testing, the company reports that the Commander III Cruiser delivered shorter wet stopping distances and stronger wet grip compared with the competitors included in its test.
That makes an important point:
Don't simply buy a "Commander III."
Make sure you're looking at the correct Commander III version for your motorcycle and application.
Which Tire Lasts Longer?
This is probably the biggest reason riders compare these tires.
Motorcycle tires aren't cheap, and replacing a rear tire every few thousand miles gets expensive fast if you ride a lot.
The good news is that both tire families place a major emphasis on mileage.
The original American Elite built its reputation around a long-wearing center section combined with higher-grip shoulders.
The newer AE2 takes that concept further. Dunlop says its updated compounds and tread pattern produced an average 25% mileage improvement.
Michelin, meanwhile, has published third-party testing showing the Commander III Touring averaging 25% longer tread life than the original American Elite and Metzeler ME888 tires included in that particular test.
But these two "25%" figures should not be compared directly.
They're based on different comparisons and testing methodologies.
What can reasonably be said is that both companies have engineered their newest V-Twin touring tires specifically around high mileage.
For a rider primarily concerned about tire life, both belong on the shortlist.
What actually determines motorcycle tire life?
Your results can vary dramatically based on:
- Motorcycle weight
- Rider and passenger weight
- Luggage
- Tire pressure
- Highway vs city riding
- Road temperature
- Pavement type
- Throttle habits
- Engine torque
- Suspension condition
- Wheel alignment
- Repeated hard acceleration
- Repeated hard braking
A tire that lasts one rider 18,000 miles might be worn significantly sooner on another bike.
That's why we'd rather help riders choose a tire based on their actual use than promise a specific mileage number.
Which Is Better in Rain?
For Harley riders who regularly encounter rain, this might matter even more than maximum mileage.
That's especially true if you live somewhere where afternoon storms can turn a dry ride into a wet one quickly.
Michelin has made wet-weather performance a major part of the Commander III's design and marketing.
The Commander III Cruiser in particular is positioned around wet grip and wet stopping performance. Michelin reports that it delivered the best wet grip and shortest wet stopping distances among the leading competitors included in its testing.
Dunlop has also specifically addressed wet performance with the newer AE2.
Its updated tread uses more open space around the shoulder of the tire, while revised front and rear compounds are designed to improve wet-weather grip. Dunlop specifically highlights wet handling as one of the areas improved over the original American Elite.
So which should a rain rider buy?
The Commander III has more established published wet-performance claims behind it.
The AE2, however, is significantly newer and Dunlop has clearly made wet performance one of the priorities of the redesign.
For someone shopping between the two today, we wouldn't evaluate a new AE2 based entirely on opinions about the older American Elite.
We'll go much deeper into this subject in our upcoming Best Harley Tires for Rain & Wet Weather Guide.
Which Is Better for Long-Distance Touring?
This is where the comparison gets extremely close.
Both tires were designed with heavyweight, high-mileage V-Twin motorcycles in mind.
If your riding looks like:
Road Glide + highway + luggage + passenger + thousands of miles per year
you're basically standing directly in the target market for both the AE2 and Commander III Touring.
The AE2 gets:
- Multi-Tread rear construction
- High-mileage center compound strategy
- Aramid-cord carcass
- Increased load-carrying focus
- Revised wet-weather tread
- Updated compounds
The Commander III Touring gets:
- Strong mileage focus
- Touring-specific construction
- Aramid reinforcement
- Wet grip emphasis
- Extensive heavyweight V-Twin fitments
Neither tire turns your Harley into a sportbike.
They're designed around the realities of an 800-plus-pound touring motorcycle that might also be carrying a rider, passenger and packed saddlebags.
Which Tire Is Better for Highway Riding?
Highway riders put a lot of miles through the center of the rear tire.
That's exactly the situation where a tire like the Dunlop American Elite or AE2 makes sense.
Dunlop's Multi-Tread construction specifically uses a long-wearing compound through the rear tire's center section.
The AE2 takes that highway-mileage strategy another step by modifying the center tread pattern to reduce heat generation and improve wear characteristics.
Michelin's Commander III Touring is also an excellent candidate for this type of use because longevity is one of its primary design objectives.
For riders doing huge amounts of straight-line interstate mileage, tread life, load rating and maintaining proper pressure become especially important.
Which Tire Is Better for Cornering?
Neither of these is a dedicated high-performance sport tire.
However, both manufacturers have made a deliberate effort to avoid the classic touring-tire compromise of getting huge mileage at the expense of cornering grip.
Dunlop's solution is especially easy to understand.
The rear AE2 uses a long-wearing center compound with lateral-grip compounds toward the shoulders. That means the section doing most of your highway work is optimized differently from the areas used as the motorcycle leans.
Michelin uses its casing and tread technologies to target stable but responsive handling on heavyweight V-Twins.
If you ride your Harley aggressively through mountain roads every weekend, there are also more performance-oriented cruiser tires worth considering.
But for the rider who wants:
good handling + high mileage + touring stability
both of these are designed around that compromise.
Which Is Better for Two-Up Riding?
A passenger changes tire demands considerably.
Now you're adding additional weight to a motorcycle that may already weigh well over 800 pounds before anyone gets on it.
Then add:
- Rider
- Passenger
- Tour-Pak
- Saddlebags
- Tools
- Riding gear
- Luggage
Suddenly tire construction, load rating and tire pressure become extremely important.
The AE2's aramid-cord carcass was specifically designed with the stability and load-carrying demands of V-Twin touring motorcycles in mind.
Commander III Touring sizes are also offered with load indexes appropriate to common heavyweight touring applications.
The key isn't simply choosing Dunlop or Michelin.
You must choose the correct tire size and load rating for your motorcycle.
Never substitute a lower load or speed rating simply because a tire physically fits the wheel.
American Elite vs Commander III for a Road Glide
Road Glide owners are one of the biggest audiences for this comparison.
For a stock or near-stock Road Glide used primarily for long-distance riding, we'd look heavily at:
Dunlop AE2 if you want Dunlop's newest high-mileage V-Twin technology and Multi-Tread rear design.
Michelin Commander III Touring if you want Michelin's high-mileage touring design with its established wet-weather and wear-performance focus.
Dunlop specifically lists AE2 fitments for popular Road Glide applications, and common AE2 sizes include 130/60B19 front and 180/55B18 rear configurations found on multiple Harley Touring applications.
Always verify your exact year and model before ordering.
American Elite vs Commander III for a Street Glide
The logic is very similar for Street Glide riders.
If you use your Street Glide primarily for:
- Highway travel
- Bike trips
- Two-up riding
- High annual mileage
we'd lean toward the Touring-oriented versions of these tires rather than choosing something based purely on appearance or aggressive grip.
Both Dunlop and Michelin offer relevant sizes for numerous Street Glide generations, but fitment varies by year and model.
A 2008 Street Glide and a newer Street Glide may not use the same tire sizes.
Shop by your exact motorcycle, not just "Street Glide."
What About Road King, Ultra and Electra Glide Models?
These bikes are another natural match for high-mileage touring tires.
For a Road King, Ultra Limited, Electra Glide or older FLH platform, the deciding factors may include:
- Your exact wheel sizes
- Blackwall vs whitewall preference
- Annual mileage
- Passenger use
- Wet-weather riding
- Tire availability
This is also an area where the original American Elite remains interesting because Dunlop offers a wide range of older Harley sizes and whitewall options.
Owners of older Touring motorcycles shouldn't assume the newest tire generation automatically exists in every size they need.
What About Dynas and Softails?
This is where you need to pay closer attention to Commander III Touring vs Commander III Cruiser.
A large Touring bike isn't the same application as every Dyna or Softail.
Depending on model, year, size and riding style, the Commander III Cruiser may be more appropriate than the Touring version.
Likewise, Dunlop offers numerous V-Twin sizes across the American Elite family.
Before buying any tire, confirm:
- Front tire size
- Rear tire size
- Load rating
- Speed rating
- Wheel type
- Tube or tubeless requirements
- Manufacturer-approved application
What About Whitewalls?
For some Harley builds, this decision gets much easier.
If you're building a Heritage, Deluxe, older Road King or classic-style Harley and you want whitewalls, tire appearance immediately becomes part of the buying decision.
The American Elite family has historically offered:
- Blackwall
- Narrow whitewall
- Wide whitewall
in select sizes.
Dunlop also lists blackwall, wide-whitewall and narrow-whitewall sidewall options for the AE2 family, with availability depending on tire size.
Always check the exact size because every sidewall style isn't available in every fitment.
Do Dunlop American Elite and Michelin Commander III Fit Every Harley?
No.
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for motorcycle tires online.
A product may say "Harley-Davidson tire" and still not fit your Harley.
Fitment depends on:
- Year
- Model
- Front vs rear
- Wheel diameter
- Tire width
- Aspect ratio
- Construction
- Load index
- Speed rating
- Wheel design
- Modifications
This becomes especially important on motorcycles with aftermarket wheels.
If you've changed wheel diameter or width from stock, OEM year/make/model fitment alone may no longer be enough.
Can You Mix a Dunlop Front Tire With a Michelin Rear?
We generally recommend treating tires as a matched system and following the motorcycle and tire manufacturers' approved fitment guidance rather than creating your own combination.
Harley-Davidson specifically warns riders to use specified tires and states in its service information not to mix approved tire brands. Harley also warns that front and rear tires are not interchangeable.
The safest route is to verify the approved front/rear combination for your motorcycle before installation.
We'll cover this subject separately in our upcoming guide:
Can You Mix Motorcycle Tire Brands on a Harley?
What Tire Pressure Should You Run?
Don't use an internet comment telling every Harley rider to run the same pressure.
Harley-Davidson publishes motorcycle-specific tire pressures, and specifications can differ between models and tire combinations.
For example, Harley's published specifications for certain Touring applications call for 36 PSI front and 40 PSI rear when cold, but that does not make those pressures universal for every Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Use the specification for your motorcycle and approved tire application.
Tire pressure also needs to be checked cold. Harley notes that tires warm while riding and can remain warm for up to two hours afterward.
Correct tire pressure affects:
- Tire life
- Handling
- Heat
- Load capacity
- Traction
- Tire wear
- Motorcycle stability
If you're buying premium high-mileage tires but riding them significantly underinflated, you're working against the exact mileage you're paying for.
Dunlop American Elite vs AE2 vs Michelin Commander III
Here's the easiest way to think about the three.
Original Dunlop American Elite
Consider it if:
- Your Harley has an older or less-common tire size
- You want a proven V-Twin touring tire
- Whitewall availability matters
- You value Dunlop Multi-Tread technology
- You find a correct fitment at a good price
Dunlop AE2
Consider it if:
- You want Dunlop's newest American Elite generation
- High annual mileage is important
- You do significant highway riding
- You encounter rain
- You want a tire designed specifically around heavyweight V-Twin demands
- You're replacing older American Elites and your size is now available in AE2
Michelin Commander III Touring
Consider it if:
- You ride a Road Glide, Street Glide, Road King, Ultra or similar Touring bike
- Long-distance mileage is a major priority
- Wet-weather performance matters
- You want a tire developed specifically for heavyweight V-Twin touring use
Michelin Commander III Cruiser
Consider it if:
- You ride a cruiser rather than a heavyweight Touring application
- Wet grip is particularly important
- Your motorcycle has an approved Commander III Cruiser fitment
- You want Michelin's V-Twin cruiser-focused tire rather than the Touring version
So, Which Harley Tire Should You Buy?
For most riders, we'd narrow the choice based on how the motorcycle is actually used.
If your priority is highway mileage and loaded touring, start by comparing the Dunlop AE2 against the Michelin Commander III Touring.
If wet-weather confidence is especially important, Michelin's Commander III deserves serious consideration, while Dunlop's redesigned AE2 should also be on the list because wet performance was one of the areas specifically addressed in the new generation.
If you want whitewalls or need fitment for an older Harley, Dunlop's broad American Elite lineup may give you more choices depending on your size.
If you're riding a Dyna, Softail or other cruiser, don't automatically choose a Touring tire. Compare the correct American Elite/AE2 fitment against the Commander III Cruiser application for your motorcycle.
And if your current tire says American Elite, remember that Dunlop's AE2 is now a different, newer tire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dunlop AE2 the same as the American Elite?
No. The AE2 is Dunlop's newer evolution of the American Elite platform. Dunlop says it has updated compounds, tread design, wet-weather performance, mileage characteristics and carcass construction compared with the previous tire.
Is the Michelin Commander III a good tire for a Harley-Davidson?
Michelin designed both Commander III versions around V-Twin applications. The Touring version is aimed at V-Twin touring motorcycles, while the Cruiser version targets V-Twin cruisers. The correct fitment depends on your motorcycle.
Is the Commander III Touring the same as the Commander III Cruiser?
No. They are separate tires intended for different V-Twin applications.
Does the Michelin Commander III last longer than the American Elite?
Michelin reports that in its cited third-party test, the Commander III Touring averaged 25% longer tread life than the competing tires tested, which included the original Dunlop American Elite. That test does not establish the same advantage over the newer Dunlop AE2.
Does the new Dunlop AE2 last longer than the old American Elite?
Dunlop states that its updated compounds and tread design produced an average 25% increase in mileage. Actual mileage will vary with riding conditions and motorcycle setup.
Which tire is better for a Harley Road Glide?
Both the Dunlop AE2 and Michelin Commander III Touring are designed for the type of heavyweight, high-mileage riding common on Road Glide models. The correct choice depends on your exact year, tire size, riding conditions and priorities.
Which tire is better for rain?
Michelin emphasizes wet-weather performance heavily with the Commander III, particularly the Cruiser. Dunlop redesigned the AE2 with revised compounds and additional shoulder groove area specifically to improve wet-weather performance.
Can I run an American Elite in the front and Commander III in the rear?
Follow the motorcycle and tire manufacturers' fitment guidance rather than mixing tires solely because their sizes match. Harley-Davidson's published guidance states not to mix approved tire brands.
Are Dunlop American Elites available in whitewall?
Yes, select American Elite sizes are available in narrow-whitewall and wide-whitewall configurations. Availability depends on size.
What is the best Harley tire for high mileage?
There isn't one tire that produces the highest mileage for every rider, but the Dunlop American Elite/AE2 and Michelin Commander III Touring are both specifically engineered around long-distance V-Twin riding and high tread life.
Find the Right Tires for Your Harley
The best motorcycle tire isn't simply the tire with the biggest mileage claim.
It's the tire that matches:
your bike + your riding + your load + your weather + your tire size.
At Skyway Cycle Supply, we carry new motorcycle tires and parts for Harley-Davidson riders ranging from older machines to modern Milwaukee-Eight Touring bikes.
SHOP HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE TIRES
Not sure what fits?
Use your Harley's year and model to confirm fitment or reach out to us and we'll help point you in the right direction.
Keep Reading
[Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Tire Mega Guide — COMING SOON]
[Best Harley Tires for Rain & Wet Weather — COMING SOON]
[Best Tires for Harley Touring Motorcycles — COMING SOON]
[Harley Motorcycle Tire Size Guide — COMING SOON]
[How Long Do Harley Motorcycle Tires Last? — COMING SOON]
Fitment and safety note: Always verify tire size, load rating, speed rating, wheel compatibility and manufacturer recommendations for your exact motorcycle before ordering or installing tires. Modified motorcycles may require additional fitment verification.