I found the Maxxix Maxx Cross Desert IT. It looks like a pretty beefy tire, and one of the reviews came from a 500 owner, and he said it lasts longer than any tire he has ever run. The 60.00 price tag is pretty nice also. If you want to check it out here is the link.
http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&priceRange=allPrices&navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webTypeId=139&webCatId=8&brandId=161&prodFamilyId=3242
Just bought a '96 KX 500 that had a brand new Maxxis Desert IT on the Back... and one on the front had mild wear.
My first ride was out in Victorville -> Stoddard Valley. Thought I didn't spend a great deal of time Monkey'ing with Tire pressures, I did drop the pressure on-the-trail because they didn't feel like they were hooking-up all that great out there.
I never really got a confident feeling from the front... escpecially in rocky sections with your typical desert shale stone. The front tire would deflect off smaller rocks in an almost scary fashion. A little of this may be suspension clicker settings... but the bike was setup for a slightly bigger and heavier rider than myself.. but i'm very aggressive on the desert floor.
I dunno... I'm thinking more of a Soft-to-intermediate terrain tire may be more confidence inspiring out there in that particular terrain.
I'm curious to here what other SoCal riders out mounting on this Beast for Gorman? For Victorville? For Lake Elsinore?
And please... I'm very interested in the WHY you like tire X in terrain Y. What behaviours about them did you think excelled in this locale over which other tire you've also ridden at that same locale.
Any input greatly appreciated. Thank you.
BTW... di I mention that I thoroughly LOVE this K5! This thing romps ALL OVER the '01 KTM450 MXC I used to have.