in your price range: (they go $6k plus)
Kona- Lisa HT
Kona- Caldera
Kona- Hoss
Kona- Blast
Kona- Cinder Cone
$999 bad ass Full Susp bike- Kikapu
any one of these Kona's would do great at scraping up your knuckles and knees
never been a Specialized fan, so I can't help you out there.