@WT
I like the ride of the Verlicchi/IH. It is a joy. You have to know how to ride it. With somewhat adjusted riding style (big ring pushing, not to much hammering out the saddle) you can reduce pedalling influences to a -to me- very acceptable minimum, while still benefiting from the suspension. It is still not my fastest bike to go round on my local XC trail, but at some sections it blows the rest of the stable away.
That is for so far the ride is concerned. It is of course not as hassle free as a steel HT would be. It is made of Al what is more prone to cracking, especially with all those welds going on. The damper can get leaking. Heart zocchi still services everything, but it could mean extra work.
1-1/4 indicates it is older than mine. Some modifications had been made over time, downsizing the headtube is one of them.