My thoughts on SFOG Goliath

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superman said:
So Nitro or Raging Bull don't have the same problem?

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Nitro was pretty smooth when I rode it last. So.....no.

*** Edited 4/1/2006 5:48:26 PM UTC by Antuan***

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calcajun said:
There will be some that will complain and not like it, cause they MAY be expecting to gray out on the helix or something.

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I grey'd on the helix starting on my like 8th ride all the way until I was done. Give it time.

I would be throwin up before i got to greying out! LOL

I gotta take a break between bout every three rides.

Getting older sucks a little.

:-)

I just hope they don't add any NEW trims on the ride! I may not be able to get there for a few years and I want the same fast airtime filled experence people are getting on Media Day!

I've noticed the vibration majorly on Hydra (which still rocks) and Batman Knight Flight (not so much). I did NOT notice it on Silver Bullet (only a year and three months old), Superman Ultimate Flight, Talon, or Medusa. These are all fairly new so I'm not sure if it's luck of the draw or what.

I rode it 8 times today. I loved the coaster!!!! As everyone has stated, it has air time on EVERY hill. I even found the bunny hops to give me ejector air. As the day heated up, the coaster seemed to go faster and I started to grey out on the helix. SFOG has put in a great ride and I am thankful to live only 2 hours away.

Raging Bull did not have any vibration for its first few seasons. Minor vibration kicked in during season 3 or 4.

It definately has air over every hill. I didn't seem to feel the vibration at all, although I am familiar as I have felt it on a couple of other B&M's.

I took 4 rides on Sogo yesterday...two in back and two in front. I LOVED it. Despite the vibrations everyone has mentioned, I thought it was amazing and easily comparable to AC. It's the perfect addition for SFOG.

Today I made my first visit to the park, just for a few hours. Mainly to get my pass processed and get a few of my first rides on Goliath.

All I have to say guys, is go in open minded. After reading the few replies in this post, I didnt really know what to expect.. i.e. if it would be a let down or not. To my fortunate surprise, this ride is awesome.

Every hill has airtime, and some have copious amounts. I loved the helix and the back row on the first drop is insane. This ride is definitely top tier, and better than the only other B&M hyper Ive ridden - AC (which was one of my personal favs before this)

If you liked SFoG before, youll love it now, as they finally have a signature coaster. Goliath is one awesome ride, and delivers a great experience.

Yet Goliath @ LaRonde looks like it would blow even the awesome SFOG's Goliath. out of the water. The SFOG ride easily looks like the best hyper in the USA but there is no wasted track IMHO on the LaRonde ride like on every single other B&M hypers. B&M finally got their head out of their butts and designed a turnaround that had an airtime drop and no wasted track & energy on helixes on the LaRonde coaster all save for airtme hills. Those fan turn turnarounds like on RB, Nitro and Silver Star don't do a damn thing for me! I wonder if the LaRonde ride will beat the world's steel coasters' airtime record?

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Pink Floyd Fanatic said:
The SFOG ride easily looks like the best hyper in the USA

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I promise as good as SFOG's Goliath is, it will not rank higher thank most, or any, of the Intamin hypers. Or at least I will be totally shocked if it does.

But perhaps you're just speaking from your own personal taste, or only referring to B&M hypers. *** Edited 4/4/2006 1:27:24 PM UTC by matt.***

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superman said:
So Nitro or Raging Bull don't have the same problem?

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Over the last couple of years, the slight back and forth vibration on Nitro, particularly in the first valley, was becoming more and more noticeable. Having ridden it on Friday, however, it seems like it's become less of an issue. There's still some vibration, but nothing like it used to be.

matt.

Nitro constantly ranks higher than every Intamin hyper except SRoS SFNE and ExGeF and MilF every year, so I'm pretty sure SFoG's Goliath will trump just as much as Nitro does, considering there are a TON of people who rode Goliath who think it is way better than Nitro. Not me of course, but Goliath is just that good, I can almost guarantee it comes out in the top 7 or so steel coasters on Mitch's poll next year.

JC

^ But this comes from someone who has NITRO on top of their list....;)

LOL! I'll get a back seat ride with Joe, THEN I'll let ya know where this Beema lands in *my* upcoming novelette "The Fat Guys' Guide to Extreme Air"....if it TOUCHES those few magical rides I got on AC, then it will surely land in my top-10....if it's more like the "generic" rides I've gotten on AC, or the heavily-braked rides on Bull, then it won't.

P.S. I don't expect MY opinion should carry any more "weight" than anybody else's...'cept Joe's, cause he's 100# soaking wet! :~P

For some reason I was thinking that Nitro wasn't rated as high as it is. I still don't think that Goliath is going to come anywhere close to the first three you mentioned, but I'd love to be surprised in that aspect.

But for now Intamin has a lock on those top 3 spots and I don't really see that changing any time soon.

I just faxed in an application for a workshop in Atlanta. If all goes well I will be making my first visit to SFOG on June 12. Actually, it will be my first visit to any of the "good" Six Flags parks.

I think GOLIATH will debut in the top 10 of Mitch's poll with ease - just how high up? I can see it being neck and neck with Nitro and beating both "other" ROS's. It really is that good, even though I personally prefer Apollo's and NE's Ride of Steel (heck, I don't think GOLIATH is even the #1 in the park, that green, looping gem is still my fav :)), it found its way into my top 5 and I'm sure it will be in the top 5 of many future visitors.

Of course, having an awesome event like Spring Fling coming up won't help but add to the rating.

A gallery of pics I took on opening day. Enjoy!

http://www.pbase.com/goliaththriller

...and my second gallery of pics from opening day:

http://www.pbase.com/goliaththriller1