The Steely is kool, but rocking a Tora on 5' drops will only last so long. You may wanna look into a beefier fork when that one breaks.

Many of the best AM/FRHT frames are being d/c'd.


2010 Jamis Komodo II is decent. Komodo I is an uninspiring build for the $1500 budget that the OP has. 2011 Komodo is sorta bleh. If I were going 2011...I'd go frame only and build it up.
2010 and prior Kona Five-O is a beautiful machine. Wheelworld still has frames...dunno what size. May be able to ebay a complete, or OEM somewhere else.
Brodie Bigshot, Brute etc...are some ****** frames.
OEM Transition Vagrant (good luck finding)
Transition Trans Am will probably handle the OP's requirements if he's somewhat skilled and not a hack.
Older Fisher Bigguns bikes are the schwizzle. GED, Mullet, Opie.
Rocky Mountain Flow is a noice choice depending on the year. I think there was one particular one in 2008 that was designed around a 4" travel fork but had a 66.5' HA. Super slacker fun...but shorter travel for techy riding.

As far as anything that's being produced complete in 2011...
Brodie series - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2011/bikes/hardass.php
Transition's TransAm I mentioned, but the Bank and TOP will probably be too small in the seat tube arena: http://www.transitionbikes.com/Bikes.cfm
RockyMountain Reaper series is kinda like the Komodo I...but you could get a better fork and have a decent ride: http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_101+...ATID=59&Y=2011
SantaCruz Chameleon is a beautiful beast...and props to my boyeee Roskopp for transitioning from skateboarding to the next phase in our lives: http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/chameleon/
Norco BC Trail series is something to drool over: http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/bc-trail/
Banshee Amp is schweeeeeeeeet...but again, more of a DJ with a short ST.
Sinister Ridge is probably out of the OP's price range, but thuper thweeeeeeeeeet!!
On One 456 is a great frame on the cheap.
Dan may have a word or two to say about the DMR lineup.



I dunno...there's more out there fo sho!