I just don't get it, what's the point of having 5+ inches of travel up front and nothing on the back? If you're travelling sufficiently fast over terrain where you need that much travel up front, isn't what comes through the back end going to be highly uncomfortable / wheel damaging?
What practical advantages does is have? Is it just a case of what people have grown up with? Or is it largely a marketing gimmick?
So you can't bend your legs then? 
its just bloody good fun! 
Sorry can't give a more technical response on why.
Yep, but even with 3 inches up front, what comes through the back is enough to send the saddle into my b*lls in a very uncomfortable manner if I'm not extremely careful. Do you have to adapt your riding style a lot?
I think it takes a bit of an adjustment. For the first few months of owning mine I was pinch-flatting like a good 'un. The most embarassing was puncturing when riding up the kerb outside the bike shop. Having said that, you soon get the hang of riding the front and just letting the back end do its thing. I can't say saddle/balls interfaces are a big problem for me but maybe I'm just less pendulous than you. 
I think rs hit the nail on the head....
Saddle down!
And dual ply rubber on the back
There's definitely a different technique - weight over the fork to use it's FULL travel, trust the front tyre, and let the back end smash along in line. As oppsoed to sitting 'into' it more on a full sus. So more front rear<->weight shifts needed going in and out of corners than on a full-susser.
Really comes into its own on super steep techy stuff where you can shift the back end around more easily.
You be surprised how much abuse the rear wheels can take - and your calves
is it ever about need? I think you are missing the point
So what is the point?
it's fun & they look good.....
What more do you want.....
if you have to ask then you are not rad enough
6" of fork travel, 18" of leg travel. Bottom out at the back is rather more literal - High Roller/ringpiece interface 
.
If the trail is anything other than a climb or a fireroad what are you doing sat down?
Should be finishing off my Bfe tonight. REALLY looking forward to tomorrow!
Its all about control, having more bounce up front allows your front wheel to maintain contact with the ground without the jarring through the bars you'll get on a short travel fork, grip together with less of a beating through the wrists mean you can control the front wheels direction better allowing a faster pace through rougher stuff, the rear does its thing and by increasing your speed your rear wheel has more chance of not dropping into every dip and undulation on the trail, the legs are great shock absorbers and have quite alot of travel when used well.
Keep the front wheel in the direction you want it and let the rear do it's thing, it'll squirm and jump around at times but mostly it'll let you know you're having a great time.
It also allows a little extra cushioning through the arms when drops and jumps are landed a little front first.
Oh, and based on my Soda (5" forks) they're simply HUGE amounts of fun to ride, and not a massive amount slower than a full sus.
So what is the point?
Assuming the rider isn't just sitting there like a lump on a log, a long travel hardtail will do everything a short travel full susser does with less weight, expense and hassle.
They are FUN - thats all there is to it - pure unadulterated hooliganism, throw them around, treat em like you hate em, ride it like you stole it FUN.
You are more in touch with the trail due to having to be constantly moving body around - not having the get out clause of sitting on your suspension. Harder work - definitely, but worth it for the fun of the ride. Less maintenance issues as well.
If the trail is anything other than a climb...
I like climbing though...
... or a fireroad what are you doing sat down?
Saving my aging back and shoulders?
Once you get over the fact that going down, it doesn't matter overly much what the rear wheel is getting up to, then it makes all sorts of sense, they're lighter than a full suss, not very much slower, less moving parts to look after, and it's laugh out loud funny.
It's the way forward.
They're REALLY GOOD FUN... has anyone said that already?
i disliked h/tail for a while and spent a lot of money on other bikes.
i now like long travel h/tail again.
they are DABOMB innit......................
I can vouch for Sharki's speed on his HT.
It's only really scary when things get really choppy at speed. And your legs get a big workout and you get used to the rear-end skipping and sliding - it's exciting having to work your balance instead of riding the magic carpet. [I'm assuming you're not sitting and have lowered your saddle while descending]
I think HTs are actually better at slow, steep terrain because when you roll-down, you don't have a rear shock unloading you over the bars if you get it slightly wrong.
But my HT is noticably slower on rough ground under-power where you would sit and focus on pedalling with the FS, you have to stand and focus on balance. I'm sure there are some really good HT riders on here that don't have a problem with that even.
Despite some good answers (particularly sharki's post) you're not sounding very convinced: just try one...your aging back and shoulders should survive as long as you stand up and bend zee knees
because the front wheel does all the control, steering and braking.
the rear wheel just follows.
if you can kepp your legs loose so the rear is free to buffet around underneath you, you ride the fork, and youve still got the traction and therefore control that the long fork offers.
i havent got one 
i want a stiffee FR (amongst other things)
I like climbing though...
..and a long travel hardtail won't stop you... Saddle up and it'll climb like any other bike.
Saving my aging back and shoulders?
This would be the same back and shoulders that's constantly getting hammered up the arse and having to cope with all the weight getting thrown onto your hands to stop you going over the bars? Drop your saddle, stand up and you can be much more centred on the bike, with more weight on your legs. You can get also get lower and use your legs and arms more to absorb the trail.
I like mine for sub 4-hour rides when I can cope with the aggro without getting exhausted. For longer rides, I prefer the magic carpet.
lol at sitting down on the saddle when going downhill. Has only happened a couple of times right near the end of an enduro and you get bucked all over and have no control.
stand up and be free DoctorRed!!!
Lol at DoctorRad's Uun-rad give away!
My favourite bike is my long travel Ti hardtail with TALAS fork. 25lbs in XL, can ride it all day long, wind down the travel for the climbs and let it all hang out on the big descents. Great bike for big days out in the lakes, peaks, spain, wherever.
Like the guys say above, you just learn how to ride it differently, make the fork do the work, pick your way down the big stuff like the hero you are.
My comedy Lyriked-up B17 frame is possibly the most fun I've had on a bike since the Mini Burner I had when I was 5, and that's praise indeed. It's an absolute horror to climb on, though.
All the lightweight hardtail flickability and a fair chunk of the confidence-giving full suss rideoveranythingness.
They're for the sort of riding that marks you out to admiring female onlookers as a winner and a hero.
I just don't get it, what's the point of having 5+ inches of travel up front and nothing on the back?
Just get out and ride one and you will find out. If you like climbing then try one with an adjustable fork. I found changing to a 5" ht gave bags more confidence on the downhills compared to what I rode before which was a 3" ht. And way cheaper compared to an equivalent weight full sus with less mechanicals esp for winter riding.
because: 
nice workstand!
Cool subzero MrNutt
ps, on the sore back thing, i never noticed a difference going from 5.5" travel at the back to zero, my thighs after the first few rides though were murdered because of all the standing!
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