I lost a friend and co worker about 5 year ago but it wasn't sudden like your friend.
The Kenda K270 is what I will go with when I need new tires. The IRC tires that came on my Honda never failed me. They will pack up in mud but in sand, grass, loam and hard pack they are good.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331978072687...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
The picture keeps me focused but I will probably buy from Rocky Mountain.
I have a question, didn't the website used to be called Rocky Tucker or something like that?