I also find the front of a car on Arrow trains to be a lot more comfortable than the back of the cars.

At my size (6'6" 240 lbs), I HAVE to basically lock myself in, or else the ride just beats me to death. I have too much legs and torso to fit right, have to squeeze down to fit under the restraint, which puts my knees right at the height of the lip.

5-1 is a great ride. The front, which I still stupidly jump in from time to time, just beats me to death.

Thank you, I feel less like an Old man lol

I also find the front of a car on Arrow trains to be a lot more comfortable than the back of the cars.

I agree with this. My legs are too long to sit comfortably in the back of a car. On most coasters for me it's like this.

I circled the spots on Vortex that give me the most uncomfort. I suggest that you brace yourself through these sections.

The spot circled closest to the station is just the final break run, which if you ask me, it's quite excessive.

I only agree with two of the four spots you have there.. interesting.

I have created a photo that shows what areas of Vortex I think are uncomfortable.

Photo by Joyrides.com

I circled the spots on Vortex that give me the most uncomfort. I suggest that you brace yourself through these sections.

The spot circled closest to the station is just the final break run, which if you ask me, it's quite excessive.

That "worst spot" that you've circled is a part that personally I have grown to like. I like the "out of control feeling" it gives.

Having just gotten off Vortex about five minutes ago, I can say 5-1 is as smooth as ever.

Groovy times.

I dont think Vortex is all that bad, all you have to do is brace yourself for the midcourse brakerun.

There's no way it was ever smooth. I know this was before computers but still, a high school physics class could tell those transitions were ridiculous.

Plus it's the beauty of hand bent, hand worked steel, and not always in contact upstop/guide wheels. Reason why I love my arrows. Such a priviledge to work em

There's no way it was ever smooth. I know this was before computers but still, a high school physics class could tell those transitions were ridiculous.

It wasn't before computers.

I used a mainframe UNIVAC computer from Sperry Rand in my fifth grade science class in 1966. That's 21 years before Vortex and 23 YEARS before Magnum debuted. And if a fifth grader had access more than two decades before, Ron Toomer & Associates certainly did.

Everytime I ride Magnum, it feels like I GET a Toomer.

And besides, you have to think... It was a massive coaster for its time, and still is!

I'm proud to say we have Vortex !

Everytime I ride Magnum, it feels like I GET a Toomer.

Everytime I ride Magnum XL-200 I feel as happy as a fat kid with a Snickers Bar!

Seriously? But what about the jackhammering? Oh wait you're not Big Sexy.

@Jr for Birdy... Hey! Watch it!

There's no way it was ever smooth. I know this was before computers but still, a high school physics class could tell those transitions were ridiculous.

By comparison to other rides in 1987, it may have seemed smooth. At one point in the last century or so, a 6 mph coaster in Coney Island, New York was the most thrilling thing ever.

I honestly don't think Vortex is rough if you just keep your head against the headrest like the ride-ops tell you.....It makes a big difference

The bottom of the first hill was worst for me. Haven't ridden in it in a very very long time.

I rode Vortex tonight and it still feels great to me! I had to listen to a couple teenage boys in great shape cry about their necks hurting after the ride(maybe they should focus on working out their necks and not their arms so much? Meanwhile my 13 year old female family member who is a twig loved every minute of the ride! Vortex jerks you around a bit but I love that about the ride.

Yes to the holding the head back. I was told from the day the ride opened to do that and only once did I dare not to and ended up getting stabbed my earrings and a blinding headache. Kept my head back after that!

Depending on your size, pushing yourself up in the restraints seems to help as well.

I have created a photo that shows what areas of Vortex I think are uncomfortable.

Photo by Joyrides.com

Interesting, you happen to have circled all of the parts of Vortex that I think are thrilling, fun, and just generally amazing.

In fact, I seem to be in a very small minority in that the only way I think Vortex could actually be made better is to give it Vekoma's new trains like you find on the Carolina Cobra.

Coincidentally, this is the first, and possibly last time you will ever see me offer praise to Vekoma for anything.

"Me and my Arrow, do do do do do do do do do...."

- Harry Nilsson

I rode Vortex two times on Friday. I rode in the very front once and then 2-1 the second time. It really isn't that bad, and I still find the ride quite enjoyable. It isn't butter smooth, but its great for a 26 year old roller coaster. The inversions have some excellent g-forces and I love the small amount of hang time you get in the corkscrew element. If you're looking for the best ride, the front of the train is absolutely the way to go as with most Arrow loopers. I do, however, enjoy the nice pop of airtime you get in the back on the first drop.

Mr. Toomer said the smoothest seat was 5-1, around which the ride was designed. But what would he know? He just designed them, but did not ride them.

That being said, I do find 5-1 to have the least violent ride.