Should B&M ever make a launch coaster

[madmagic200]

Do you think that B&M should ever make a Hydraulic launch coaster that can rocket riders from 0- 80mph+ in seconds?

[astromattical]

I don't see anything wrong with it. If a park has a height restriction where a launch will make a certain concept work, then there is no reason why B&M should not consider that option. B&M will do what they do best, and if it means getting up to speed via a launch (hydraulic or other), then so be it!

[Miltonmx]

I don't see anything wrong with it. If a park has a height restriction where a launch will make a certain concept work, then there is no reason why B&M should not consider that option. B&M will do what they do best, and if it means getting up to speed via a launch (hydraulic or other), then so be it!

 

Maybe this could be the latest option. At Alton Towers, none of the B&M coasters uses a Launch system. Also Rita is the only launched coaster, and is manufactured by Intamin.

[coasterfan21]

I dont see why not, if not hydraulic, maybe a LIM launch. Also Hulk at Islands of Adventure is a launch coaster. So in a sense they already have built a launched coaster (just not hydraulic), so all they have to do now is create a hydraulic launched version. I could see some great coasters designed by them with a launch if they tried it.

[thrillseaker92]

I dont see why not, if not hydraulic, maybe a LIM launch. Also Hulk at Islands of Adventure is a launch coaster. So in a sense they already have built a launched coaster (just not hydraulic), so all they have to do now is create a hydraulic launched version. I could see some great coasters designed by them with a launch if they tried it.

 

If I remember correctly, Universal had to contract another company to make the launch because B&M refused to do it.

[jarmor]

no

[Vekoma Fan Boy]

I dont see why not, if not hydraulic, maybe a LIM launch. Also Hulk at Islands of Adventure is a launch coaster. So in a sense they already have built a launched coaster (just not hydraulic), so all they have to do now is create a hydraulic launched version. I could see some great coasters designed by them with a launch if they tried it.

 

If I remember correctly, Universal had to contract another company to make the launch because B&M refused to do it.

 

That is correct. And I agree with Jarmor.

 

"no"

[nin]

Well, it's not necessarily that i think they shouldn't make one, but the fact that they won't be making one.

[Jerrykoala2112]

I really think in the future. But imagine, B&M's are already really expensive...if they add a launch, it will be a lot also. And since that isn't their expertise, they will have lots of problems with it...

 

But I still voted yes..I kinda want to see another launched B&M

[themeparkman25]

I know at some point someone is going to say,

B&M only build tried and true coasters, something that has been proven to work already

 

I thought about that for awhile, and though B&M does stick with usually tried designs; the invert, the flying, the floorless and the drop machine were all untried before they were introduced and all of those turned out to be successful. I think they issue B&M probably has is the reliability of launches. It just seems like every launched coaster has some form of issues that hinder complete operation, or it just explodes and wont move (Ring sitter). Until the technology significantly improves, I doubt we will see it.

[astromattical]

^Very good point - in my experience, B&M has a history and image of reliability. Because of the known issues with the various launch systems out there, it is unlikely they want to associate their name with any of them until it has become "tried and true".

[jarmor]

let me clarify my "no". I answered "no" to the question at hand, not "no" they they wont ever do a launched coaster 100% their product.

[FLIPDUDE]

I know at some point someone is going to say,

B&M only build tried and true coasters, something that has been proven to work already

 

I thought about that for awhile, and though B&M does stick with usually tried designs; the invert, the flying, the floorless and the drop machine were all untried before they were introduced and all of those turned out to be successful. I think they issue B&M probably has is the reliability of launches. It just seems like every launched coaster has some form of issues that hinder complete operation, or it just explodes and wont move (Ring sitter). Until the technology significantly improves, I doubt we will see it.

 

Very good argument. B&Ms for the most part are very reliable, at least from my experience. I don't remember the last time I went to a park and a B&M was closed through the day, whereas launches act up all the time.

 

 

However, if I may go off subject to the "tired and true" point, I do think it's about time B&M spiced things up layout wise, and not just in the department of where the rider is facing, and car design.

[yankees15]

I really doubt B&M will ever build a launch coaster of any type. I would absolutely love to see them build one, but I think it's very unlikely.

[Jumboshrmp]

However, if I may go off subject to the "tired and true" point, I do think it's about time B&M spiced things up layout wise, and not just in the department of where the rider is facing, and car design.

 

What's wrong with vertical loop, dive loop/immelman, zero G roll, cobra roll, double flat spins OR vertical loop, then flat spin?

 

Thats just about every B&M there.

 

Being a Florida person, almost every major coaster I have been on was a B&M.

 

Should B&M do a launch? Definitely.

If any company has the ability to make a reliable launch, they will. I know they wouldn't put one on a ride unless they knew it would work.

[ericmichaellucas]

As much as I would like to see a B&M Launched Coaster, I must agree that I don't believe B&M will use any launch system until they have designed their own with at least 90% reliability. But I won't rule it out.

[hobbit]

YES!

like hulk,

but B&M must be have his own launch style.....

not that it looks like a intamin disigne.......

 

 

 

new question:"

 

do you want a B&M woody?

[themeparkman25]

^No way! I love Hulk and all, but tire launch just seems so last decade! They would have to go with LIM/LSM technology for sure, at least IMO.

 

Again, I don't think we will see anything like a B&M launch until the technology becomes fool proof. I think the technology is still a couple years out, but either way I am all for it.

 

In regards to the B&M woodie, I don't know how I feel about that. In that case I would probably say, stick with what they know best, steel. Follow this link for that discussion.

[PortugePunk]

I say no.. not until they develop a system that works really well like everything else they do. Launched coasters seem to have LOTS of downtime like everybody has said here, but you know what bugs me? Old Schwartzkopf launch coasters never had lots of downtime! (Greezed Lightnin, Montezooma's Revenge, Tidal Wave, etc.) I say bring the old ghetto weight-drop catapult back! Haha!

[Rickrollercoaster]

Several years later...

[rcjp]

^The question was "Hydraulic Launch Coaster" so, in that case, it's still no. I'm looking forward to seeing how they will develop their LSM system with future rides. Ideally they would be able to have faster and more forceful launches as time goes by as well as being able to have slightly bigger cars. However, taking into account that these LSM systems seem to be limited to a relatively small number of cars per train if yo want a good acceleration, I don't know. Just one question: for those who have tried a few LSM launched coasters (because I haven't), was there any whose acceleration came close to those of hydraulic launched coasters?

[gerstlaueringvar]

^ Yes, Maverick. Don't know if the Gerstlauer LSM launch coasters are very forceful but based on the statics, Karacho's launch is faster than most hydraulic launch coasters. Look forward to ride it someday.

[rcjp]

^Wasn't fluch von novgorod one of the most powerful LSM launches? (0-100 km/h in 1.4 s)

[BDG]

^Wasn't fluch von novgorod one of the most powerful LSM launches? (0-100 km/h in 1.4 s)

Those stats are false.

 

1. Fluch von Novgorod doesn't have a "standing launch". There's a 4.5m drop before the launch, bringing you up to at least 25 kph, maybe more.

2. The top speed of the ride is 88 kph.

 

based on the statics, Karacho's launch is faster than most hydraulic launch coasters. Look forward to ride it someday.

Karacho not only has a drop before the launch, you take the drop at a speed of at least 30 kph, bringing you up to probably 50 kph heading into the actual launch.

Edited August 1, 2014 by BDG

[rcjp]

^You're right, I forgot that it's already moving when the launch kicks in but I didn't know about the 88 km/h.

RCDB says otherwise