Jump to content

Firehawk vs B&M flyers


Ride On_17
 Share

Recommended Posts

I've ridden all the B&M flyers and Vekoma flyers in the US. I find B&Ms to be leaps and bounds above the Vekomas, but even within the B&Ms there are certain standouts.

I find Vekoma Flying Dutchmen to be boring and often times painful. The restraints don't get along with well-endowed females. Of the three, Nighthawk has been consistently the worst. It seems to have been very poorly maintained, and it sounds (and feels!) like a rattling deathtrap. I rode it once for the credit, then again during Con 2012 for some reason. Last trip to Carowinds, I happily skipped it.

As for B&M flyers, I was really, really looking forward to Tatsu last October because I adore B&M flyers and it had been really hyped up by everyone I'd heard talk about it. As a result, I ended up anticipointed (anyone remember our "KI Terms" thread years ago? Yeah, I definitely still use that one) because it wasn't leaps and bounds better than Superman. Sure, it was fun, but it just wasn't as amazing as I expected it to be. Among the 3 Supermans, I find SFOG's to be the best because the layout fits the terrain the best, so you end up with these awesome hand-chopper moments on some of the turns.

And then ... there's Manta. I adore everything about Manta. The theming, the experience, the park it's in.... and no, I'm not biased because I just got hired to work on the crew, I have loved Manta since the first time I rode it last January. I was afraid of being anticipointed like Tatsu, but I definitely was not. I love it when rides interact with their surroundings, and Manta does a fantastic job of it.

As for my overall opinion on flyers - I feel like the entire purpose is to feel like you're flying. The wide sweeping turns and in-line twists are what I feel like the coaster should be doing. I strongly dislike pretzel loops (I don't like intense positive Gs to start with) as it feels wrong for the type of coaster. I also do not like the loop and helix on the Vekomas. Overall, I'd say of the non-standard steel coaster types (flying, wing, inverted, stand-up, floorless, etc), flyers are definitely my favorite. Manta is my #3 steel coaster. Superman at SFOG was pretty high in my ranks for a long time as well.

I haven't ridden a Zamperla ... but I doubt I will enjoy it. They look like they should be called "Pain: The Ride." And egads, those transitions. Did Arrow make a come back just for those?

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've ridden all the B&M flyers and Vekoma flyers in the US. I find B&Ms to be leaps and bounds above the Vekomas...

As for B&M flyers, I was really, really looking forward to Tatsu last October because I adore B&M flyers and it had been really hyped up by everyone I'd heard talk about it. As a result, I ended up anticipointed (anyone remember our "KI Terms" thread years ago? Yeah, I definitely still use that one) because it wasn't leaps and bounds better than Superman. Sure, it was fun, but it just wasn't as amazing as I expected it to be. Among the 3 Supermans, I find SFOG's to be the best because the layout fits the terrain the best, so you end up with these awesome hand-chopper moments on some of the turns.

Superman? Really? ;)

(Sorry folks, inside joke. Carry on!)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've ridden all the B&M flyers and Vekoma flyers in the US. I find B&Ms to be leaps and bounds above the Vekomas...

As for B&M flyers, I was really, really looking forward to Tatsu last October because I adore B&M flyers and it had been really hyped up by everyone I'd heard talk about it. As a result, I ended up anticipointed (anyone remember our "KI Terms" thread years ago? Yeah, I definitely still use that one) because it wasn't leaps and bounds better than Superman. Sure, it was fun, but it just wasn't as amazing as I expected it to be. Among the 3 Supermans, I find SFOG's to be the best because the layout fits the terrain the best, so you end up with these awesome hand-chopper moments on some of the turns.

Superman? Really? ;)

(Sorry folks, inside joke. Carry on!)

Flight of Fear? Really?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...