Has anyone ridden the "new" V² @ SFMW?

I am heading there for my first trip back in well.........forever, it seems. I want to know how all the rides are running this season, and what the wait times seem to be like. My big query, though, is what is V² like NOW? I must know!
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Won't you help the guys out?

Well, V2 is.. great! Even though it isn't as fast, stalling upsidedown is freat. But, the holding break hasnt been at full power lately. Go to V2 first... wait times are shortest. Then, hit Roar, and work your way to Medusa. If it's just you or tow of you, you can find empty seats and re-ride forever. Next, go back and hit Boomerang and Kong. Kong should be your longest wait.

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How much more floorless can they get?

The "new" V2 is great. If you ride in the very first row, on the first and third trips up the spiral end, you will stall on your side. It's not as uncomfortable as it sounds though. Running up the spiral end on the second trip is also great, as is the view. While your on the ride, you start to sort of wonder when you'll finally stall and go backward. Going backward through the new spiral spike for the first time is strange...trying to anticipate when you'll spin through it just heightens the fun. The front row does not go completely vertical (some nitpicking here). This is not very noticable on the ride until you look up at the track and see the curve...as many of us who have ridden S:UE, V2 (SFMW 2001, and SFGam) look up at the track in the front row when it holds you on the back spike and you'll get a very good idea of what I'm talking about. It is noticable though when you're watching the ride. And as someone mentioned, the back brake while functioning, isn't working at full and at times, the train does slip by and is not held at all...more than likely a result of further tweaking that's needed as the brake did not work for most of V2's first season (I think it only worked for roughly 2 weeks before it stopped). I can tell you, having been able to ride V2 last year with the brake working, the hold on this "new" V2 is more like a quick tug and release and I'm hoping they adjust it a bit more so that it's a full on hold like last year (even if it was for only a second or two if not that).

Preferred rows are front for visuals, back row for the height on the back spike, and row 4 because you will stall upside down on the front spike. Overall, good ride and still the most intense ride at SFMW by far. Oh and for an added thrill, ride in seat 1-1 (front row, right side) and when you stall and trips 1 and 3 on the sprial spike, look to your right and you'll be facing the ground while stalled on your side...all of a sudden, that OSTR seems mighty important.... Make sure you hit it first and as always, have fun!

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my signature is empty

*** This post was edited by decoy on 7/11/2002. ***

have we decided on a name for this ride yet....

I'm sticking with V2.1 or Semi-Vertical Velocity....

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Welcome to the Cedar Point skyride....we'll take you up 50, drop you down 30, all at an amazing speed of 6 miles per hour....we won't see you back unless you make the return trip!

I liked it...it was a neat change from V2/S:UE. The person who I went with loved it - he hadn't been to a park in nearly 20 years! He said I have created a monster...he ended up getting a season pass!

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Posting, "Me too" like some brain dead AOLer. I ought to to the world a favor, and cap you like old yeller...

redman822 said:
He said I have created a monster...he ended up getting a season pass!

.....and another enthusiast is born....re-born? good work, redman822....:)

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Welcome to the Cedar Point skyride....we'll take you up 50, drop you down 30, all at an amazing speed of 6 miles per hour....we won't see you back unless you make the return trip!

If they made the spike lower at a different angle then why wasn't the other changed. Aren't they the same height? Also wouldn't it have 2 inversions now becasue wouldn't it be a banked 0-G Roll.

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-Sean Newman
88 coasters in Track Record!! Hypersonic XLC Coaster # 100 in July.
Nitro Laps:105
B+R Launches:28

That whole inversion thing is something I have thought about too. I think so:) I mean, come on, it's absolutely a Zero-G roll, but I don't think you turn the full 360 degrees, right? What I really want to know is how you are propelled backwards on the 45 degree incline without that major thrust of gravity that you get when you are sent vertical.
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Check out the baby!

Probably LIMS. Like the ones that launch you.

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-Sean Newman
88 coasters in Track Record!! Hypersonic XLC Coaster # 100 in July.
Nitro Laps:105
B+R Launches:28

actually, rollergator, I did see someone at SFMW with a shirt that had the V2 logo modified to read "Not So Vertical Velocity". Apparently he made it himself too...do a search over at SFMWonline's boards and you'll find it.

And to answer the question of do you turn the full 360 degrees on the front spike? Yes you do on the second trip. The train stalls slowly on the front spike, and slowly starts to roll backward through the twist. It's a strange feeling really. And to clarify, there are no LIMs on the front spike, though I think that the LIMs on this one do a bit more work to keep the momentum up.

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my signature is empty

*** This post was edited by decoy on 7/11/2002. ***

SFGadvman: They chopped one section off the back spike too.

So, obviously (?), the momentum of this ride certainly doesn't rival its counterparts. Is the ride a hugely unique variation on the other V²'s? I know that it, structurally, is quite different, as the other versions don't have the weird 45 degree climb. Does it lose that much speed? Sorry if I am asking the same question over and over, but I am interested enough. I just don't know if I want to make another trip to SFMW just to hit a coaster I have yet to ride. I do love Medusa, though.
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Yummy music for my tummy

The momentum of this V2 doesn't rival its counterparts coming back from the front spike...watch the train go backwards and if you watch carefully, you will notice that the train is ever so slightly slower going backward...the LIMs give it a very good push to cut it within a couple of feet of the plunger of the back spike.
I can safely say that SFMW's V2 is unique for that front spike alone. In my review of the ride I gave this version of V2 a slight nod over the previous incarnation due to the front spike alone. Now it may not be as tall or the launch as intense (the launch is still intense though), but it is unique. The sensation going through that front spike of flying through the spiral and then stopping either upside down or on your side a bit is unreal and not uncomfortable at all. Unlike the vertical spiral, the 45degree spiral leaves you guessing when you'll hit the spiral; whereas the vertical spiral, well, you were already in the spiral when you stalled. A ride on this V2 alone is worth the trip IMO. There's nothing else like it. In a nutshell, it may look ugly but the ride itself more than makes up for the looks.

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Total number of V2 laps (SFMW-post mods) = 27
Total number of V2 laps (SFMW pre-mod) = 12
Next SFMW trip on 07.27.2002

Sold!

Thanks for the info guys. I will accept more gladly, but this will do.:)
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Still rocking after all these years

BTW, Decoy, I might be there when you go. I will try to arrange my trip schedule, and let you know....if you want a riding partner, that is.:) Sorry, I guess not everyone wants to hang out with a drummer.;)
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So be it, so it shall be done!

the new v2 is awsome...as well as medusa and roar. You shouldn't miss any of these, but don't worry if you miss kong and boomerang. Kong always has the longest wait and in my opinion is the worst coaster in the park. Its very bumpy and slow. Boomerang is the same as all others, maybe bumpier though. You should also check out some of the animals and shows...they're better than the rides in some cases.

I like Horizantal Velocity or Not So Vertical Velocity.

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Mamba;The inspiration for SD2K. It doesnt get much better than that. Come to the Midwest;and ride the most underrated coaster in the U.S.

nasai, just let me know if you'll be there. I'm pretty sure I'll be there but it depends also on my girlfriend (we all know how that goes I'm sure). Just look for the guy with the black Oracle cap on.

Oh, and a quick heads up, if you do go on the 27th, be prepared for a large crowd. Crowds haven't been a problem except for the 4th of July, but on the 27th the park is hosting the first annual Kababayan Festival which is a filipino cultural festival..."expect heavy crowds" as in July 4th type crowds according to people that I know who work there.
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Total number of V2 laps (SFMW-post mods) = 27
Total number of V2 laps (SFMW pre-mod) = 12
Next SFMW trip on 07.27.2002

*** This post was edited by decoy on 7/11/2002. ***

Ooooooooooooooo... I don't know about that. I guess it depends which direction I ultimately come from. (It's a long story...:)) I don't want to go on a Saturday (I checked), so I guess we will have to meet some other time. Still, I will try to let you know when I am in the area.

~Rob

Not So Vertical Velocity seems to fit better...I ought to find the guy over at the SFMWonline boards and see if he'll let me use the logo he made so I can make a shirt out of it too. And I still remember one of the ride-ops on V2 saying, "that's not right," when they saw the shirt.

nasai, just let me know. We'll figure something out I'm sure.

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Total number of V2 laps (SFMW-post mods) = 27
Total number of V2 laps (SFMW pre-mod) = 12
Next SFMW trip on 07.27.2002