whats good tires for the hi-desert

[StevePSD]

I believe I need some new tires. I am just doing general all-around riding in the hi-desert of california - dirt trails, some sand, some rocks.

My '87 XR600 currently has a Dunlop D739FA 80/100-21 front and a Bridgestone ED-12 110/100-17 rear. The front seems very unstable on slight sandy jeep trails, even with my slightly flexable steering stem (bad stem bearings - soon to be fixed). I have played with the air pressure and it seems best at around 12-15psi front and 15psi rear; but it could be much better.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[jws]

Maxxis IT rear ?

[JackAttack]

Maxxis IT rear ?

?

with a Kenda Carlsbad front.

?

[XR4DEZ]

Pirelli MT18HD is a very good 4 stroke front tire, sticks real good.

[Desertskyy]

I run a Maxxis IT in the rear and I am very pleased with it.

Just my .02

[StevePSD]

Only thing is that the Maxxis IT is not available in a 17" rear.....

[XR4DEZ]

How does the Maxxis compare to the Dunlop 739AT.

[DelTronXR]

I've ridden with both the D739 on my 426F and the IT on my BRP. Unlike many others with the IT on their 650R, I'm not at all pleased with it. I thought I'd give it a try based on what I had heard in the past, but I now know it was a mistake. I ride the Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, 29 Palms area on a regular basis, and for these desert terrains, the IT is all over the place---low speed and hi speed. I'm looking to get something else that will keep me a little bit more stable in these terrains......just like the good old days on the good old 426 with the good old D739.