It's awesome to ride..! I have more fun on this than any other bar my modern full-sus (except on tarmac going up hills, as those tyres REALLY don't work on the road!)
I've heard/read so many varied things about those forks too, but really they are spot-on one finely-tweaked, and totally adjustable to whatever terrain. I'd highly recommend the pedals too - relatively cheap, but incredibly grippy, & solid axles (from the couple of times I hit them on rocks & roots!). Time will tell on the bearings..
I'm still on the lookout for another RSP 853 frame, 'cos there's something I can't quite describe about it that just lets you flow. I think it can do more than I can, but it feels totally in tune with the way you're riding.