Regardless of how great or terrible it rides, one thing is always true of Yeti; they love gimmicks. EDIT: Apparently people read "gimmick" with a negative connotation. Here's what gimmick means: device intended to attract attention, publicity, or business. Perhaps I should have said "Yeti loves radical, unique implementations of suspension design that significantly differentiate them from their competition." Better?
I got in a lunch ride at Yeti 2 days ago and had similar impression of the bike. Extremely smooth, no harsh bottom, firm climbing, and it felt like closer to 6" of travel. It looks a little complicated at first but it is more simple and much easier to maintain than the previous version. It has a downhillers geo as well. It's priced the same as the other guys out there and at the weight it hits its no heavier than other multi link designs. There aught to be sub $5000 build options soon as well.
Thanks! I know, I wish they could have nailed the guy, but at least they didn't make any money off of it, and they were placed on the cops radar. Added bonus, they jacked up the main pivot on the 575 by riding with it loose, and yeti warrentied my frame. Aalways cool to hear from a fellow tribe member, you should post your bike up! Cheers