2011/2012 Kona Hei Hei 2-9 reports?

I have been through a bunch of threads about the Hei Hei but usually the posts are referring to the older versions. It looks like Kona has done a lot of changes through the years on these bikes and I expect what is true in the older version might not be true in the new so I want to hear peoples impressions of the latest ones. The LBS has one for a good price and the spec on these is fricken great. One the guys at the LBS really didn't like it. Another though it was ok and I don't remember the other guys impression.
It might be my next bike but I want to hear more about the riders impressions.
Story time!
Thanks
G
Oh and for the record, the 18" bone stock on the floor was 27lbs 5 oz on their Park Tool scale.

I've been on a hei hei SE since the summer. I'm in the process of switching to a Chromag Surface because it meets my needs a little better. The Hei Hei is a great trail bike, but I'm not sure I would call it a thoroughbred XC race bike. I found that by changing the front travel to to 120mm, the bike rode completely different and was super fun on technical BC singletrack. Climbing without propedal is as expected for a faux-bar bike, fair bit of bob, but lots of traction; with the propedal on, traction suffers a little, but it is much more efficient. Overall the bike is fun and well spec'd, so if you can get one for a good price I would go for it.

I upgraded to the 2012 Hei Hei Supreme from a 2009 Hei Hei Deluxe and couldn't be happier with the changes that have been made. I loved the older design, it rode well and was drop dead reliable, but when pushed it tended to feel slightly hinge-ey. FYI, I ride a 22" frame and at 6'4" and 210, I tend to exert some leverage and mass on bikes. I never had a pivot loosen up, it never creaked, and it had decent stiffness. But when things got fast and really choppy there was a bit of disconnect between the front and rear wheels.

With the newer frame design, they've made a bunch of changes so it's almost impossible to determine which one is responsible for the biggest impact, but the ride is much more balanced, composed, and the bike tracks excellently. I went from a QR fork with a straight 1 1/8" steerer to a 15mm TA and tapered steerer. The rocker arms are shorter and the shock has a longer eye to eye and stroke, so the shock works way more smoothly. The chain stays are now asymetric and beefier. Lastly, I think the move to the 142 TA from a 135 QR helps keep the rear end tigh and stiff. The only downside is the seat stays we're shortened up and that reduced the clearance for the rear tire there. I used to be able to fit a 2.4" Racing Ralph, but now a 2.25 is pretty much the max without rubbing under loads.

Most of the parts I've changed out as I prefer Shimano over SRAM, but those are truly a personal preference item. Even the stock bars have a nice bend and sweep to them. Overall I highly recommend the Hei Hei. It's not the flashiest bike on the market, but it works damn well as a do it all bike that can handle trailwork, endurance and cross country racing, and all around riding.