Comments on: Top 3 Roughest Steel Coasters

By: Matt McIrvin

Matt McIrvin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:06:59 +0000

I think I'm lucky to be about the shape and size that they make coaster restraints for, and as a consequence rough coasters with OTSRs don't beat me up as badly as they do most people. My head doesn't bang even on the Canobie Corkscrew, and everyone gets headbanging on the Canobie Corkscrew.

But Drachen Fire was rough and headbangy even for me. Since I didn't know any better, what I took away from it was "this was fun, but gee, the big coasters are getting really rough these days", and it took over a decade and the rise of Internet fandom for me to learn that it was actually an unusual case.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:04:23 +0000

Don't hate on Arrow, I love the Iron Wolf, Ninja is another Vekoma-copies-Arrow thing. Never been on a SLC, or a normal boomerang, but G.I.B.s don't hurt. Anyway, the roughest steel that I've been on…….. V2 at SFGAm. The front hits that twist and My head went flying past anything that the Iron Wolf, Demon, GASM, Shockwave, Viper, and Mind Eraser could have ever done to me. I fell down the ramp leaving the exit, my ears were bleeding. Roughest woodie hands down Zeus at Mt. Olympus. Close second A.E. at SFGAm (Intamin woodie) I don't hate it it's really great BUT comin out of the huge helix cracked my neck every time.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:11:16 +0000

I thought scream machine was smoother than the other loopers. Annaconda is fine, but right in-between the helix is rough. I thought superman at six flags was rough last time I rode. And batman had a train that vibrated like a massage chair. I still think that rough steels are better than smooth ones. And I'd take scream machine over green lantern any day.

By: L.J.

L.J. — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:11:09 +0000

Ive never been on Mantis, but it looks so fun its a bummer that so many find it painful -__- is it still fun tho? I totally agree with Ninja im from GA and I've ridden that ride a million times headbanging nonstop lol.

By: brian fishman

brian fishman — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:52:00 +0000

the roughest steel had to be drachen fire at busch gardens it got on the crurve to the lift hill and the cork screw after the brake run.But what i heard was the roughest coaster of all though storys is the comet at crystal beach back in the 20,s

By: Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:35:55 +0000

Great Adventure's Viper (a heartline coaster) was torn down after only a few years. When I got off, battered and broken, I remember the guy in front of me telling his friend GA should tear it down and put up something useful, like a water fountain.

By: The Coaster Critic

The Coaster Critic — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:46:05 +0000

I disagree. Almost every foot of track on Scream Machine was rough. Anaconda's not nearly that bad.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:28:39 +0000

I think Anaconda is just as bad as or worse than scream machine. They both throw you around horribly, but anaconda's post brake run section is just horrible. The roughness is untolerable. I like anaconda's layout better though because it has the underwater tunnel and is on top of water instead of a parking lot. But i hate them both.

By: The Coaster Critic

The Coaster Critic — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:22:39 +0000

I skipped Viper as I was running out of time at the park, but I've met my share of abusive Arrow loopers. So I know what you mean.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:54:14 +0000

Did you ride Viper at SFMM? Scream's admittedly a bit shaky, but Viper beats you into submission. After one ride my wife hasn't gone since, and she loves coasters.