DUNLOPTouringCruiser

Elite 4

Name: Elite 4 Motorcycle Tires
Brand: DUNLOP
Rating: 8.1 (9 reviews)

Dunlop's heavy-duty touring tire built for Gold Wing mileage, all-weather grip, and the long haul — not the canyon sprint.

MTC8.1/10★★★★☆Touring · All-Weather Recommended

motorcycletireco.com

BrandDUNLOP

TypeTouring / Cruiser

FitmentFront & Rear

Sizes9

Multi-compound tread construction extends service life well beyond single-compound touring tires — fewer replacements, more miles between stops

Bold tread geometry channels water aggressively, delivering above-average wet grip for a tire in this class

Even wear across the contact patch keeps handling predictable right up to replacement — no sudden changes in feel as the tire ages

Tread pattern engineered to minimize highway resonance, keeping cabin noise low on sustained freeway and interstate runs

Purpose-built for heavyweight touring and cruiser platforms — handles the load ratings and chassis geometry Gold Wings and VTX models demand

Direct OEM-replacement fitment for Honda Gold Wing and VTX series, including hard-to-fit touring sizes

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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

8.1/10

★★★★☆

Best suited for high-mileage Gold Wing and cruiser riders who need dependable all-weather grip and long replacement intervals over sport performance.

Performance

Dry Grip7.8

Wet Grip8.2

Street Manners8.5

Track Capability4.2

Mileage8.7

Value8.3

Best For

Long-Distance Tourer

You're putting 10,000+ miles a year on a Gold Wing, a Valkyrie, or something equally substantial. You need a tire that holds up through rain, heat, and two-up loads without demanding a replacement every few thousand miles. The Elite 4's mileage and wet-weather capability were built around exactly this kind of riding.

Perfect Match

Cruiser Commuter

You commute daily on a VTX or similar cruiser and you're tired of tires that wear fast or get sketchy in the rain. The Elite 4 brings a noticeable wet-grip upgrade over typical OEM rubber and quiets down the highway drone — a solid upgrade for everyday mixed-condition riding.

Great Match

Sport-Touring Enthusiast

If you're pushing lean angles in the canyons, tracking your bike on weekends, or regularly riding at the limit, the Elite 4 isn't your tire — it's a tourer, not a sport-touring performer. Step up to the Dunlop Roadsmart series for the sharper feedback and higher track-capable grip you're after.

Consider Dunlop Roadsmart

Full Size Chart & Part Numbers

Pos.	Size	Load/Speed	P/N	MFR Part #	UPC-A	Our Price / MSRP
Front	130/70B18	—	0305-0542	45119478	848983011015	$273.40$329.95Save $57
Front	130/70R18	—	0301-0662	45119687	092971284930	$295.38$356.95Save $62
FrontOOS	130/90B16	—	0305-0541	45119516	848983022394	$292.95
Front	150/80R17	—	0305-0599	45119300	848983014498	$363.68$438.95Save $75
Rear	150/80R16	—	0306-0570	45119986	848983022400	$279.00$336.95Save $58
Rear	160/80B16	—	0306-0571	45119546	848983022417	$374.95$452.95Save $78
Rear	180/60R16	—	0302-1098	45119319	848983011008	$380.72$459.95Save $79
RearOOS	180/70R16	—	0305-0602	45119303	848983014528	$435.54$498.95Save $63
Rear	200/55R16	—	0302-1398	45119548	848983022431	$395.73$477.95Save $82

Frequently Asked

Realistic expectations depend on load, speed, and riding style, but rear tires on Gold Wing applications regularly see 12,000–15,000 miles, with fronts often pushing past 20,000. The multi-compound construction and even wear profile are the key reasons this tire outlasts most single-compound alternatives in the touring segment.

Honest answer: no. The Elite 4 is engineered around longevity and all-weather stability on heavy platforms — not maximum lean angles or sharp cornering feedback. It handles spirited street riding fine, but if aggressive canyon work is a regular part of your riding, look at sport-touring options like the Dunlop Roadsmart series instead.

Most riders notice a clear improvement over OEM Bridgestone fitments, especially in standing water and grooved pavement. The tread pattern moves water efficiently without sacrificing the contact patch, and the compound holds up well in cool, wet conditions that trip up lesser touring tires.

Yes — the tread geometry is specifically developed to reduce harmonic resonance at sustained speed. Riders switching from older touring tires frequently comment on how much quieter the Elite 4 rides, particularly on long interstate stretches. It's a real-world benefit, not a marketing claim.

Yes — plan for a 100-mile break-in period with conservative lean angles and no hard braking or aggressive acceleration. This allows manufacturing release agents to scrub off and lets the compound properly seat against the rim. Don't skip this step, even on a familiar bike.

Dunlop recommends matched front and rear sets, and we agree. Mixing tire models — especially across different compound types — can introduce handling inconsistencies that show up most in wet conditions or panic-stop situations. If you're replacing one, replace both for predictable, balanced performance.

Dunlop Elite 4 Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA carries the Dunlop Elite 4 for Gold Wing owners, VTX riders, and heavyweight cruiser enthusiasts throughout Orange County — including Irvine, Anaheim, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, and Fullerton. If you're running a big touring bike and need a tire that delivers genuine mileage without sacrificing wet-weather confidence, the Elite 4 is one of the best options in its class. We stock it, we know it, and we can mount it the same day you walk in.

Our walk-in mount and balance service keeps it simple: $69 mount, $9.95 balance, and $3.50 disposal per tire — no appointment required. We also price the Elite 4 below MSRP so you're getting dealer-direct value without chasing it online and waiting on shipping. For a tire that's going on a Gold Wing or a heavy cruiser, having it professionally mounted and balanced by technicians who work on these platforms daily matters. Call us at (714) 516-9059 to confirm fitment for your specific year and model.

The Elite 4 earns its reputation on long-haul touring bikes because Dunlop engineered it to solve the real problems heavyweight tourer riders face — fast wear, marginal wet grip, and road noise on extended highway rides. It's not a sport tire and we won't pretend otherwise, but for the rider who puts serious miles on a serious machine, it's the right tool for the job. Stop by Motorcycle Tire Center and let us get you set up.

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