IAAPA 2004: Best new products announced

Yay Vekoma! Now can we get one in the U.S. please?

No kidding. That layout looks like so much fun.

How Ironic,

When Vekoma is mentioned amongst coaster boards readers they are always slammed for bad headbanging coasters and now they are getting praised*** This post was edited by Markieb 11/18/2004 11:55:33 AM ***

Considering how comfy Vekoma's other coaters are, motorbike styled cars + males without some kind of protection=a very painful and short stay at the park.....

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Considering how comfy Vekoma's other coaters are

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You are kidding right ?

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motorbike styled cars + males without some kind of protection=a very painful and short stay at the park

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You rode BoosterBike ?
In my opinion, the seats are very comfortable.

Vekoma has since changed some things around to offer a more comfortable experience. They have improved their track design by using something very similar to the heartline concept. Now, I haven't ridden one of the motorbike coasters yet, but from the folks I know that have, the ride is very comfortable and very smooth. I also find it ironic though that they were able to get a hydraulic launch to operate with very little downtime, if any.

I would also love to see one of these coasters over here.

-Sean

Vekoma... eliminating head banging and nipple burn in one fell swoop. (company slogan material?)

Is it too early to want a VekoHyper? :)

Bullguy,

Vekoma does offer the option of custom versions of the coaster. Anything is possible. There are plans of a custom version opening next year in England.

-Sean

As much as alot of people hate their coasters, they are extremely safe. Have you heard of a Vekoma accident?

Besides I think Boomerangs are a blast, if they are smooth. I love the one at SFDL, going through the loop backwards feels awesome.

An Vekoma accident where riders were injured? No. But they've more than their share of mishaps with the Boomerang, including multiple stalls in the boomerang element and a serious cable break. And only one of their four Giant Inverted Boomerangs [the one outside the U.S....hmmmm] opened on time and operates without troubles.

But none of that means their rides aren't fun.

I, personally, am a Vekoma Fanboy. I've liked everything I've ever ridden by them (and that includes T2, and 2 other SLCs), love the Jr. Inverts, can't wait to finally ride one of their LSM launch coasters, and even liked the Rollerskaters. I hear they have great wood, but the problem is that the stuff they have now is considered rough, but parks usually aren't going to have them retro-fitted with new trains and the like for comfort.

I can't wait to see the next gen of Veko coasters, esp if they start using the new track from Everest on newer models of SLCs and the like.

I guess Ride of Steel isn't old enough to remember the "Great SLC Shutdown" of 1998, when stress fractures where found on the ride vehicles and every Vekoma SLC worldwide was taken out of service for about four weeks during the busiest time of the year.

Moosh is right, their 'rangs have a less than stellar record. The Sea Serpent threw its last axle but fortunately came to a halt right side up (unlike a similar incident on Arrow's Demon). Fiesta Texas had the last car of their Boomerang separate from the rest of the train while it was being hoisted up. Fortunately it hadn't gotten very far and the front 6/7s of the train skidded down into the station and hit the brakes.

But this is the new Vekoma, so perhaps they finally have their act together. Kudos.

Hmmm... anyone remember the Steeplechase...same concept... poor execution by Arrow...

I hear S&S is coming out with a new design, its called "Honey I doinked the the kids!"

I stopped by the Vekoma booth, and I'm surprised at just how comfortable the bike is. Seriously, this makes more sense than any Vekoma restraint I've ever seen. The rep said they were close to closing a deal on another one, but naturally wouldn't say where.