he Michelin Commander line of cruiser tires already has a lot going for it: great value, proven durability, a plush ride and terrific handling. But with lots of cruiser tires already on the market, some dealers may not have added Commanders to their inventory. Here’s why they—and you—should.
The Michelin Performance Center program is a partnership that lets participating dealers take advantage of margin-boosting bonuses, compelling P.O.P. materials and opportunities to earn free merchandise. To become a Michelin Performance Center, a dealer need only place a single order for a minimum of 20 Commanders—or other Michelin street tires—with a participating distributor, such as Drag Specialties or Parts Unlimited.

The Michelin Commander lineup offers outstanding value, great durability and terrific handling.

     Following confirmation of this initial order, a dealership qualifies to be a Michelin Performance Center at the Bronze level, the first of four levels that make up the program. Bronze dealers receive a quarterly Michelin Performance Center newsletter, a reference binder covering the entire line of Michelin motorcycle tires, a listing in the dealer locator at www.michelin.com/moto, and eligibility for special merchandise offers—more on that below.
     But the real benefits to being a Performance Center dealer come with larger commitments. An initial order of at least 35 Michelin street tires, for example, qualifies your dealership at the Silver level, for which you’ll net a year-end bonus credit to your account based on a percentage of the value of all Michelin motorcycle tires purchased during the year. Silver-level dealers get a credit worth 3 percent of the wholesale cost of their Michelin purchases. Attain Gold- or Platinum-level status by increasing the size of your initial order, and your bonus could be as much as 7.5 percent!

Superb handling is just one reason the Commander is popular with cruiser owners.

     Another benefit that accrues to Silver-, Gold- and Platinum-level Performance Centers is an Open House kit that includes a free pair of Michelin Pilot Sport sportbike tires or Michelin Cross 12 motocross tires.
Plus, if you enroll in the Performance Center program before April 30, 2004, you can get a free set of Michelin passenger car or light truck tires for your personal or shop vehicle. Your Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited sales rep has the details and enrollment forms you’ll need.
     What if you don’t need, say, 35 street tires? The Michelin Performance Center program also allows dealers to qualify by mixing and matching an order of Michelin street and off-road tires in specified minimum quantities.
Of course, if you do need to stock up on Michelin Commanders, you’ll be getting an innovative, performance-oriented tire that stands out from the crowd. Instead of the typical nylon carcass plies, the Commander employs rayon fibers in the casing. Rayon provides a supple, comfortable ride, as well as outstanding stability. The Commander also uses crossed Kevlar plies under the rear tread to inhibit centrifugation, or growth of the tire, at high speeds, so the size of the contact patch remains consistent.
     The superb handling and grip of the Michelin Commander have made it a popular upgrade for cruisers. Now the exciting Michelin Performance Center program will make the Commander even more popular with dealers.