First Suspended --> BBWolf or XLR-8?

According to sixflags.com, XLR-8 was the first suspended coaster. I thought it was BGW's Big Bad Wolf. anybody know what the answer is?

I thought the first suspended was "The Bat" at PKI which no longer exists of course.
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"The Peoples Elbow" or "The Spinaroonie?. Cant decide which is the most electrifying move in sports entertainment!!! LOL

yeah it was the bat, but i'm talking about the first sucessful. The spinaroonie is better than the peoples' elbow

*** This post was edited by KIBeast on 2/26/2002. ***

if im not mistaken they were both opened the same season, but im not sure if it was 1984 or 1986...anyone know?? i do believe that BBW opened first, but i could be wrong....but i do know for a fact that they were opened the same year.
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ROLLERCOASTERS....BETTER THAN OXYGEN BABY!!!!!!

Both Big Bad Wolf and XLR8 opened in 1984.

I think XLR8 could have beaten the BBW opening simply because BBW was plagued with problems. I distinctly recall the ride's opening being delayed over and over. Why, the park even had an elaborate media day with Vincent Price, and the coaster didn't even operate then.

I know little to nothing about XLR8. I have ridden it, but that is about it.

Also, as a side note, the Bat was NOT the first suspended. Originally one had been designed for a World's Fair much earlier in the century. The Bat was the first to be put in motion as I understand it.

Shaggy

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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

I remember a few pics of that EARLY "hanging" coaster Shaggy. Kind of looked like a suspended dirigible if I recall correctly...

XLR8 opened before Big Bad Wolf by a couple weeks.

http://sixflagshouston.com

What's amazing in the difference in quality of the two rides, even though they opened at the same time. XLR-8 is one of the most laughed at coasters in history, and of course, BBW is legendary (and it certainly deserves ever bit of the credit it gets.)
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If the shoe fits, find another one.

Is what would have been great is if Mr Schwarzkopf could have put his footers to use for his track, instead of Arrow. That way would would have 3 companies with Suspended, not just 2. I bet his would be the most intense suspended coasters ever designed.
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I still have no signature.

Doesn't XLR8 have the same layout as the old Bat, except for the track being banked. Then I've also heard that the Bat was the most intense suspened ever made. So this would make ravenguy98's statment about XLR8 false.
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It's his turn to feast, when you ride the Son of Beast.

So what is so bad about XLR-8? I've ridden 4 Arrow suspendeds (Top Gun, Ninja, BBW, Iron Dragon) and of those, I'd say the first three are *great* while the last stinks. Does XLR-8 compare to ID then?
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

I don't know if Iron Dragon is Bad, the GP Loves it. It is what it is, it was made to be slow and not really that thrilling. It was never intended to have the high speed thrills of say Top Gun.
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Does CCI know how to make a bad coaster?

Alpenflug (Alpine Flight) Thats the first modern one, but not the first.

Iron Dragon and XLR8 are pretty similiar, though I'd say Iron Dragon's a little better.

XLR8 is over a swamp though, and you get hit in the face with weeds. That's the highlight.

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B&R-The Chiller is correct Alpenflug was the first true Suspended coaster. Here is a great article on the history of the suspended coaster. http://www.coasterglobe.com/features/history-suspended/index.cfm

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What's life if you never get to the PO!NT

The Bat was a maintenance head ache, but it was successful in that it operated as designed and was a fun ride. It was also the direct ancestor of all modern suspended coasters. I would have to consider it the first modern suspended coaster.

I've seen a photo of a suspended coaster that was built around the turn of the century that spiraled down somewhat like an overgrown Chance Toboggan. I don't know if it operated successfully.

Charlie,

I am not sure here, but I think the layout of XLR8 is totally different than The Bat. XLR8 also has swooping curves and no big drops, but is much slower if I am not mistaken. It also doesn't provide much in the swinging department.

-Sean

Thanks Sean for clearing that up. Some where I heard that they were the same. From badnitrus and a few pics here and there I couldn't tell and never bothered on asking until now.
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It's his turn to feast, when you ride the Son of Beast.

The ironic thing about the Bat is, although people speak of how wonderful and wild it was.... the coaster only went about 35 MPH at it's fastest point.

Shaggy

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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

That's about how fast XLR8 goes - in the 35-40mph range. The second half of the ride has some pretty good swinging, as well.