Just came back from a Yeti Dirt Demo. Got to do an extended parking lot test (too tired post trail ride on 575 for another loop). Stock, Large.
Thoughts:
1) the cockpit was a bit tight. It was built up with a 45mm stem, and a 6'4" that made the cockpit far too tight. A 55-60mm stem would have been perfect. I also like a very long top tube (see large Yeti DH-9 with a 60mm stem).
2) Holy crap can it manual. I haven't tried to manual a DH bike in almost three years. I was able to kick up and hold it for almost a full city block. The bike is extremely well balanced and takes small inputs very well.
3) Holy crap it can turn. Full sprint to 180* turn around in the width of a narrow 2-lane city street. With the bar 1' off the ground pushing the corner hard there was no back end flex, and I think I could have push it harder, but I got tired... Snapping it out of the corner, there was not chain lag. Pedaling out of the corner it was extremely quick and responsive. It almost felt like a heavy slalom bike.
4) Pedaling. There was a bit of pedal induced bob, but the bike was under sprung by substantially. I'm 215, and it was setup for a 180 pound rider. Based on the bob, it was clear that proper spring rate would correct a large amount of the bob. It did feel a bit heavy, but I would attribute a lot of that to just being out of shape. *I was on flat pedals.
5) Weight. The stock build is about 40# on the nose. An integrated stem, lighter bar, crank, wheels, seat, and post would easily drop it to 36-37. I would consider it a must do.
6) Suspension. Again, it was too soft for me, but damn. Just damn. It felt SO nice. Just buttery smooth with a good ramp-up towards the end of the travel.
All-in-all I was quite impressed. I won't be rushing out to get one, as I don't race DH, and I'm pretty sure the wife would kill me, however if I was in the market for a DH bike, I would definitely add this to my short list.
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