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One oddity of the Elite 4 is conditional road noise . Although the new tread design was designed to be quiet , there is an exception . On very smooth pavement and on tar strips , the tires emit a loud chirp-like hum reminiscent of a swarm of cicadas . Generally , it ’ s an intermittent occurrence , but on long stretches of certain smooth surfaces the noise can linger . On roads with an abundance of tar snakes , the cicadas seem to practice Morse code . That said , on most road surfaces the treads are nearly silent , and the periodic hum is a minor tradeoff for the otherwise stellar performance of these tires .
Dunlop claims improved wet weather performance thanks to a new tread design and , during my rides through light and moderate rain showers , the Elite 4s delivered , gripping confidently without hint of slipping . And there is virtually no sign of wear after more than 2,000 miles of hard use . With the Elite 4 , Dunlop may have just captured the trifecta of exceptional grip , wet weather performance and long tread life . – ERIC TROW
For more information : See your dealer or visit dunlopmotorcycle . com