Raptor Restraints

So this has been driving me crazy for awhile now, so I figured why not ask the experts. I have ridden raptor twice now, and something a bit "intense" has occured.

Now on most rides featuring over the shoulder restraints, you get in the seat, you pull them down and "click, click, click" until they don't click anymore. Depending on your build, you might be left with an inch or so of loose clearance. Just before getting ready to leave the station, I don't know if they kick on hydraulics or what, but your restraints finally settle in and snug up.

On raptor however, both times, I found myself halfway up the hill with that inch or so of clearance. Finally, right before I'm getting ready to totally freak out, the restraints settle in. Is this normal?

That's quite a moment of panic, especially for a first or even second time rider. I mean, an inch of clearance on a ride that pummels you like Raptor, I could see incurring some serious injuries, or at least having a seriously painful ride and some serious bruising.

I do admit, that I tend to fiddle and fidget with my restraints like a total schizo. I can't help but picture some ride op seeing this and deciding to screw with me.

Just curious about this, really.

It is normal and it is totally safe. An inch of clearance is not that much; sometimes the restraint is loose on me, it really isn't a big deal. I am pretty sure it would be safe to ride with just the seatbelt in place.

coolkid said:
It is normal and it is totally safe. An inch of clearance is not that much; sometimes the restraint is loose one me, it really isn't a big dead. I am pretty sure it would be safe to ride with just the seatbelt in place.

Not to belittle you or anything, but your incredible amount of excitement and your complete lack of attention to proper spelling and grammar makes it hard for me to trust you. Not that I'm perfect.

On a ride like Magnum or Gemini, I'm willing to give the restraints some clearance, even if I get charlie horsed/froggered in the end.

I really don't believe a seat belt is all one would need to survive Raptor.

B&M over the shoulder restraints commonly have the lift hill lock (as I call it). Usually the restraint stays in the position it was locked in but, sometimes the racheting mechanism is not fully locked into a position so the restraint shifts into a proper position. The design is for this to happen.

Just to throw this out there everyday they are inspected, and raptor every season is up and running. Personally i trust raptor the most out of any other ride it might be tied with MF or Max air. I would say there is nothing to worry about. I feel more safe with shoulder restraints then just a lap bar. Only downside to them is I like to put my hands up and its hard to do with these kinds of rides. if we want to talk about getting concussion on a ride mean streak is a good one even some times Mantis.

thescythian said:

Not to belittle you or anything, but your incredible amount of excitement and your complete lack of attention to proper spelling and grammar makes it hard for me to trust you. Not that I'm perfect.

Sorry for the grammar mistakes; I was trying out an auto correct feature for my computer (apparently it is very lousy). In my opinion, I find it slightly obnoxious not to trust someone over a couple grammar mistakes. I see a couple mistakes in your grammar and conventions. "Not to belittle you or anything"...

Ok people, time to get this topic back on the right track. thescythian, there's no need to be let us know what word you were "starring out". That sort of defeats the purpose of "starring" them in the first place does it not? ;)

While Rule 2 indicates the use of stars to replace offensive words, it does say to keep them to a strict minimum. So I think you should find alternatives to using profanity (starred out or not). This isn't a forum for pirates so lets try to keep the salty language out of the discussion. Savvy mate? :)

On topic, what you experienced thescythian is normal. I've experienced this myself multiple times. It's just the locking mechanism adjusting to the "slack" when a considerable amount of downward force is applied.

I have no idea what I even said. I have a terrible habit of playing on the internet while inebriated. Apologies for whatever was said.

You can definitely type better than me inebriated! haha

^^No harm no foul.:)

It's comforting to know that this is normal.

Also, if someone could shoot me a PM with maybe a quick recap of what I said, I would really appreciate it. Unless it was something really embarrassing, I would just rather not know.

If you truly don't remember, and the posts were deleted, and you didn't mean what you said, then I see no need to recap......past is past. That is unless someone sends you a PM otherwise.

I've ridden Raptor many times and my experience
has always been that gravity is what causes the restraints
to snug up. When I'm in the station upright, I usually
can't get one more click on the restraint, but once I start
up the lift, gravity settles me back into the seat a little
more and I'm able to pull the restraint down another click,
snug against me.

I understood that perfectly...But I guess we all get the point he was trying to make...

thescythian said:

Also, if someone could shoot me a PM with maybe a quick recap of what I said, I would really appreciate it. Unless it was something really embarrassing, I would just rather not know.

What great grammar you have for an intoxicated person. Like TTD 120 said, the posts are above. Seriously, stop trying to cover yourself up.

They're actually gone. :P

Why do people like their restraints snug anyways? I hate the feeling of being smushed into my seat.

^ Me too. Even though when I ride, theres always plenty of room between me and the restraint, even when i push it all the way down, lol. I guess I get all the airtime! ;)

the only seat I am totally snug in is Maxair's. After all the seats lock in though. But maxair lasts so long, I dont need to worry about airtime on that, hehe.

All I know is if my restraint isn't snug, and I have any slack, that cobra roll tears me a new one.

The only part on Raptor that does that to me is the brake run. Ouch.