Bryan,
It really pays to shop around and do your homework, which is what you are doing. I recently bought a tire and that was my first experience and I knew nothing, as Sgt Shultz used to say.
There are many threads on here about tires, go to search, type in tires, change the "when was this post last made" to all and go at it.
Buying motorcycle tires is diferent than buying car tires, but you alredy knew that. I asked the guy I get my car tries from, who I pretty much figured did not mess with motorcycle tires, but I knew had motorcycles and he gave me a good lead. That took me from someone local I trusted to someone that he trusted, which is better than nothing.
I got a dunlop k something, had a dunlop d404, but that did not seem to hold up very well around here. I had the guy put it on for me, but I kept thinking, "I could do that myself" Maybe, but he had all the tools and stuff right there to do it with. $140 (tire, tube, rim strip and labor) later I was heading out. The K does seem to be holding up better than the d, but it is a little too early to tell.
I know this got kind of long, but search and read on here, ask someone you know local, even if they do not sell motorcycle tires, they might have a lead for you, make your best decision and go ride.
Hope that helps.
Mike