I have a Specializied FSR expert and I bought it just for everything. I put on an old pair of rims with smooth tires for busting around town. I can lock out the rear which also makes that ride sweet. I put wider off road tires for adventure racing to free ride stuff. I can take drops of 3-4 feet without too much grief. It's the best around tough rig I have ever bought. I beat the hell out of it and it's solid. Under 2K i dont' think you can do much better. I did price out the Kona's when I bought mine. They put their money and efforts into their frames and durablity, therefore their components will be less for the price. IMHO
If you hitting drops taller than 4 feet I would diffently go with something that had more travel, but then your going to have a lug around town.
CHOICES, CHOICES.