Hey Justin: For desert riding like you do, you need a great front tire that tracks in the sand. I have used for years D 755, but there arent't many left. I have a D 733 on now, but they are discontinued also... I have used on my 450f a B M59 lots of guys in the desert use them. Great turning, weak sidewall, use a HD tube. The forks should be slid up in the clamps to the 2nd ring, about 1/4" My forks are plush, so the front end settles in the turns. I have ridden my kx500 on Tecate single track for 10 yrs. It has PC valving and rides like it has ground effects. It hugs the trail. If the front end is up in the air, it will never turn. My 450 has stiff forks and doesn't like to turn, the 500 will dive in deeper! ELRUKO