Are B&M Stand-Ups done for?

I hope they're (B&M) not finished building standups. Every B&M standup I've been on has been more intense than the floorless or sitdown of your choice. I've been on coasters I would say are rough, but of the standups I've ridden, none were even close to being uncomfortable. That said, if a park wants one, I'm sure B&M would be more than happy to serve one their way.

I wish that stand-ups were a little more popular. I personally think that the hype about them being painful is overdone. Yea, they hurt, but as long as you're not on your tip toes when you load, you'll me fine.

I love the sensation of stand-ups, especially at the top of their giant loops. I love Mantis' loop because you slow down quite a bit at the top. Looking straight down while standing is just....way more terrifying than sitting down. That moment alone beats any of the thrills from any other ride I've been on, and if it wasn't for the stand-up aspect, it wouldn't be the best for me.

with high pitch voice:
Oh i hope they're done for...

Two laps on Mantis was enough for me.

Rath, I tried to not be on my tip toes and stood there flat footed and the EVIL ride op on Mantis decided to pull the seat up on me and made me stand on my tip toes....OUCH all through the ride. Next time they try that I am going to tell them to fix it right and let my feet be flat or let me off.

Actually I rode Shockwave at PKD with no pain at all and loved it.

I also rode the Batman standup that was at Astroworld when it resided at GADv and was known as Shockwave (but was a B&M) and remember it being pretty pain free again the seat wasn't keeping me on my toes at dispatch.

Like others have said I think every park that wants one and can afford one has one so the demand has waned.

Seeing as SFA was supposed to get the last B&M stand-up (replaced by Batwing), I'd say that at least Six Flags is in no hurry to build another. I thought Vortex at Carowinds was ok, but it had a lot of mechanical breakdowns the day we were there (which worked in our favor). The one thing I despised about that train design (since changed), is that after the riders left, the seats would all pop-up to the same height. It was up to you to hold the seat down (as it's riding up your crotch the whole time) until the train was locked.

Speaking of how the "seats" all pop up to the same height when released, what is that height? Meaning, I wonder what the maximum height for a rider would be in order to have legs straight and feet flat on the floor.

Speaking of B&M stand-ups, didn't RR valley a couple days ago?

^^
I'm 6"4 and I know that the seat can easily accomodate people taller than that.
2 m could be a limit.

Unfortunately Riddler did Valley, but not do to any Mechanical issues. As of late, California has been really cold and all the open coasters were running uncommonly slow. It's very noticeable I must say. While on Scream, I didn't think we were going to make it through the rest of the course after the Mid course Break run.

On topic..... I love Riddler and Scorcher which also happen to be two of my favorite loopers. I thought mantis looked great but had way too much head banging for me. Iron wolf was a little boring, but it wasn't too bad, it kinda reminded me of a less refined version of Scorcher. My preference is that Stand ups should be really big, have very smooth transitions, be fast, and do this without a lot of positive forces due to the novelty stand up position. Riddler is perfect in my opinion.

I by no means am trying to sound like a "Fanboy" But Riddler is a very good ride. *** Edited 1/18/2006 10:47:43 PM UTC by Magicmike***

Yeah, I, too, am 6'4", and I might move the seat down maybe an inch when I load. But the main reason for it is I like to have my knees just so slightly bent.

Also, one of the main reasons I love the Georgia Scorcher is the first drop. It's a rare B&M with the dip and then staight into the drop. And if you're in the back row, the train flies over the crest at just the right speed to where you're floating perfectly... and you're standing. You're completely free.

What is the price difference between a stand up and a floorless coaster? (I don't know what kind of mechanics are involved with the raising floor with the floorless coasters, but I must imagine the mechanisms are NOT cheap. The main question we must consider is how the general public views the coasters. I would think simply based on the novelty of the idea of standing up while riding (sled to snowboard). On the other hand, I must say I enjoy inverts much more than standups simply because as many have pointed out, after standing in line, why would people want to stand more? I'm pretty sure the GP really likes the fliers - why doesn't the same apply to standups?

Thankfully, *if* any more are built, a Scorcher clone is a likely option... :)

I've always contended (to whom, I don't know) that the problem with stand-ups is that they never fulfilled their potential. Two of the first stand-up rides were converted from sit-down rides, and the last few stand-ups might as well have been sit-down loopers. That's my problem with Riddler's Revenge - it might as well just be a sit-down ride. Like all other stand-ups, it does nothing unique other than put you in the standing position. And you're so confined by the restraints, especially on B&Ms, that you can barely appreciate the fact you're standing.

Perhaps I'm crazy, but I think putting minimalist stand-up trains on a hyper's layout would be incredible and more akin to what designers had in mind. Think about it - all those stories of people getting tossed from coasters because they were standing up (or trying to stand up) - those were mostly on wooden coasters. I hate to say they were on to something with that, but in a way, they were. Airtime has to be intense when it affects your whole body as opposed to just your butt on the seat. But, as mentioned, regular stand-ups really don't provide that sensation with the exception of a few moments. I think that's exactly what they should be focusing on.

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DWeaver said:
Flyers do seem headed in the same direction, especially now that it looks like B&M will lose Six Flags as a client for a good while.

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Wait wait wait...since when did this information come about? I've never heard anything like it...what makes you say this?

I think he is insuiating that the new Six Flags owners are looking for more family oriented attractions at their parks.

Speaking of potential, while it's never been attempted, but I would love to see a Vertical Drop coaster with Standup Coaches. It just seems evil enough to be fun.

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Fun said:
I think he is insuiating that the new Six Flags owners are looking for more family oriented attractions at their parks.

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Have to say I agree, Tatsu could very well be the last blockbuster coaster we see from SF for quite a long time (they also recently stated they felt their SF parks had enough coasters). CF and Busch may be the only ones building any big coasters from now on, and I don't see either one of those building any new stand ups. But I could definitely see both building huge next generation Flyers once Tatsu hits a home run.

*** Edited 1/19/2006 6:41:10 AM UTC by jomo***

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Fun said:
I think he is insuiating that the new Six Flags owners are looking for more family oriented attractions at their parks.

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Maybe Snyder hasn't RIDDEN their B&Ms, LOL....what could be more family-friendly than a really tall scary ride that has no forces whatsoever... ;)

I have ridden 3 B&M stand-ups. Chang (which is in my home park of SFKK) and Mantis and Georgia Scorcher.

Mantis was painful to my ears and honestly one of the few B&M's I have not been eager to re-ride.. Georgia Scorcher was really smooth and enjoyable, but a little short. Chang is wonderful, but the ride can really vary from one day to the next. I rode Chang at least 4-5 times in 2005. There were times when the ride was very smooth, and other times when it would box my ears (although not too badly.) I have heard that Chang has gotten rougher over the years (and it desparately needs to be painted!) But I still love the coaster and you can still get some decent rides on it. It seems to ride better early in the day, or at least seemed that way to me...

Gator, of course! The last person to feel anything while riding a B&M was Fabio.

:rimshot:

I don't think they're done for, but it may be awhile until we see another one. Don't forget that the B&M Dive coaster type was dormant for 5 years (G5 in 2000, then Sheikra in 2005). Now that we have a Dive Machine in the US, it wouldn't surprise me to see 1 or 2 others spring up in the next few years.

As for the standups? They'll likely be more, but not for awhile. I think that if/when standups come back, though, it'll probably be something like a standup hyper or standup dive machine. (Although how cool would a standup shuttle loop be? ;) )

EDIT: Also, don't forget that there was 4 years between when Vortex and Mantis were built. I know it's been more than 4 years since Georgia Scorcher, but this type has gone into "hibernation" before. *** Edited 2/13/2006 5:48:14 AM UTC by dannerman***