Vekoma and B&M flyers

Let me make this clear, this is not a "which designer is better" topic. So please do not bash either of the manufacturers. I simply would like to hear the opinions of those who have ridden both Vekoma flyers and B&M flyers, and would like to know which flyer you enjoyed more. Thanks

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I enjoyed the Vekoma flyers way better than the B&M's. The Vekomas are longer than the B&M's so far, plus Vekomas restraint's are a little more comfortable. I am comparing Batwing to Superman: Ultimate Flight.

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I have not ridden a flyer yet so what I'm saying it ONLY based on reputations of both manufacturers and what I've experienced from both manufacturers. I would have to say that I think I would like the Vekoma intensity (akin to the fall into the loop in the back seat from the vertical tower on Deja Vu) but it has some blood rushing problems with their train design (from what I've heard) unless if they operate the "lay down" feature on the lift. However B&M's do not have the blood rushing or the unique rattle that Vekoma flyers can occasionaly create and while the pretzal loop on SUF is said to be VERY intense, I would bet that that is the one trick in the approprately named one trick pony ride. That's my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

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Bash me if u want, but ive been on X Flight and Superman: Ultimate Flight and while the pretzel loop on SUF is intense, to me it doesnt even come close to XFlight's vertical loop. Vekoma's flying dutchmen, to ME, pull alot of positive G's and back it u with some negative G's as well, and im a G force whore,while SUF seemed a lil on the fluffy side. And yes, for once Vekoma's restraints were actually more comfortable, some of the most comfortable ive ever been in actually, very soft shoulder harnesses that u slide our arms through and then are pulled tightly against your chest, not the big horse collar harnesses of B&M, and while X flight might rattle, headbanging was impossible, i dont care what anybody sez :) So give me a Vekoma Flying Dutchman anyday, its a way more intense ride and layout in my opinion. Alot of people complain that u dont spend enough time in the flying position on a dutchman....i think it makes for a great ride to be flipped from the face down to face up position and back again.

This topic just reminded me on how perfect my XF ride was yesterday... Never been so smooth.. No vibrating of the zero car or nothing.. Running smoother then ever! It was the best ride on XF I ever had.

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I know this is off topic but I didn't want to start a new topic cause this reminded me of somethin. What if Vekoma and B&M joined together? We would have the smooth headbangless ride of a B&M with the intensity of a Vekoma. Back to the topic, I would have to say both have their strong and weak points, but I find B&M flyers to be better because you are in the flying position a lot longer.

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I am proud to say my homepark has 3 B&M's, soon to be 4, hopefully.;)

I don't think that Vekoma needs B&M to be smooth - as proven with their latest rides (Deja Vu's, Jubilee Odyessy, Dutchmen, Millenium Coaster). What they do need is to majorly iron out downtime.

As for the flyers, I think we can all agree on which ones are inferior..... Zamperla Volare's!

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The Other Siebert

That would probably never happen. If it they then there goes Intamin.

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And B&M doesn't need Vekoma for intensity either.

Canadas Coaster Drew said:

As for the flyers, I think we can all agree on which ones are inferior..... Zamperla Volare's!
Forget headbanging. That coaster invented throat/Adam's Apple banging. OUCH!!!!
About intensity comparisons, remember it's not the designer, but the parks that ask for intensity. B&M have even been quoted saying they wish they could build more intense coasters!
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- Peabody

Tough question Indeed. But this is the way I look at it. The Veloma fliers aren't so much good as they are different. The restraint system sucks, going up the hill on your back sucks, the control system sucks (who ever decided to put PLC's on the car?)

Aside from all that the ride is amazing. The forces are awesome, the only problem in my eyes is the bad restraint. It's a good ride.

Now Superman adresses all the previous problems and then also provides an amazing, 100 percent flying ride. The forces at the bottom of the pretzel last so long and are so strong that all the air is pushed out of your lungs. The restraint system is second to none. You feel very secure and if you can get into an inverted restraint you can get in to them. Superman is rather short but that is a model rather then the actual type of ride. Superman is what they asked for, I am sure theu could be made much longer if anyone asked.

Superman is head and shoulders above X-Flight in my opinion. That is not to mean that they both aren't good though. Superman is a top 10 steelie for me, X Flight is top 25.

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*** This post was edited by MagnumForce on 9/14/2002. ***

I've only been on X-Flight, which is smooth and comfortable. davidnc25 makes a great point though. The X-Flight vertical loop is intense. Like an Arrow shuttle loop backwards on steroids.

My only complaint is how they essentially dropped it into the middle of the parking lot.

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Talk to the claw...

I'm probably a ways from riding a B&M but the one Vekoma I've ridden thus far (PGA's Stealth) has been a very impressive ride for my wife and I. It's her favorite ride at PGA.

We'll likely be riding another Vekoma next month when we head out to Cleveland. A stop by SFWoA is in order.

B&M flyers must be pretty bad according to some of your opinions. I've only ridden Stealth and I can't stand that ride. Nearly no enjoyment whats so ever. I geuss I'll have to ride a B&M flyer to compare.

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84 coasters and counting

I have been on X-Flight alone, but not for long (my local SF park is GAdv). However, I felt the ride on X-Flight was smooth, fun, intense, but too restrained. That bar was not comfy, and the vest felt too restraining. The lift hill is also quite irritating, but manageable. I hope B+M improved onn the design, but based on your comments...

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How many rides must a man go on, before you may call him a fan?

I've only ridden X-Flight but I love it. It's by far my favorite ride at Sfwoa. I know it may be shaky/bumpy/uncomfortable, or whatever else you might say negatively about the ride.....but, I haven't found any ride that has matched the intensity level that it puts up.

I don't know about you, but I would honestly lay on my back than lay on my chest (and I'm a guy) going up the hill. I like that level of suprise the first time you flip over on to your chest is just an awesome feeling. My favorite part of the whole ride though, is the horseshoe by far! I know many people like the loop best, but I really like the feeling of watching the whole world tilt around me, while i get pulled through the horseshoe.....in the very back. The loop is very good, especially in the back, with the pull. Very Intense ride, I really don't know if a Beemer would match up to Vekoma for me. Because, well atleast with their speed coasters, I found them to be very unintense and not exciting. That's why I like Intamin hyper's to be so much better, the intensity. I may get the chance to ride a beemer flyer next year at Sfgadv, but honestly, I would rather see an Intamin woody.

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Does anyoe have any pictures/explanations for the different restraint/loading systems of the Vekoma and B&M Flyers? I'm curious to know the difference.

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Check out pics of both on www.coastergallery.com That should give you a good idea.

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- Peabody

I'd take the Vekoma flyer over the B&M version any day.

From what I've heard both designs have had their share of problems but at least on the Vekoma flyer you don't have to wait on the brakes in the prone position like the B&M's,I read a TR about a month ago in which someone was riding S:UF and upon completing the circuit the ride experienced a breakdown resulting in the train being held on the brakes for an extended period of time.

Now if a similar incident occured on a vekoma flyer at least you would not be stuck in the prone position and be forced to have your entire body weight carried by the restraints,I've been stuck on the brakerun on Batwing at least once and even though I had to deal with the sun in my eyes for a good 10 minutes or so I'd still take that any day as opposed to having to hang in the harness for the same length of time.

Amazing how all you people say how much a B and M flyer sucks when you haven't even rode one.

BTW the restraint is not a horsecollar. It is a vest just like on a vekoma that you pull down over you instead. And it the lapbar is right with it.

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All I need is 4.5 million bucks and a half a mile long sliver of land and maybe someone could build me my very own Shivering Timbers. ;)