Tony, you forgot to mention the most awesome guy I've ever seen ride a CR500(AF) in the desert, our own Kiwibird! Welcome Rob. I'm just a stones throw from you in Victorville. The Wrecking Crew has a ride coming up this Saturday, ( which I will miss since I work Saturdays! ), and I'm sure you would be more than welcome. This trip will entail a ride over the ridges which run parallel to Hwy. 138 between Hwy. 2 and the 15 frwy. ( the view is breath-taking! ), a run over to the Phelan sandhill, a must climb for your big-bore, and a trip through the Manzanita trail, a tight, twisty, rocky, up-hill, down-hill, death-march! I do it all the time on my 360, so it's do-able on a big bike! Click on the link for the SoCal Wrecking Crew in Tonys thread and look for the Saturday the 21st post.
If you can't make it the Crew always has several outings each year, more-so as it cools off. There's also a big group that does Kennedy Meadows every 4th of July, and Jawbone Cyn. every Thanksgiving. Welcome to DRN!