Valravn Coaster Restraints

I saw a photo of one of the cars and was disappointed to see the vest-style restraints. Guess I need to say goodbye to breathing and air-time.

I too am not a fan of the best style restraints. Maybe it's the way my body is proportioned.

The vests were very comfortable when I sat in the train during Chill Out. I did have a fleece on so that may add some cushioning, but I didn't really notice the vest.

I sat in it at WCO and it didn't seem to bother me any which is nice because I am 6'2" It's not really an airtime loaded layout anyway. There is only the one camelback which will provide a second of airtime. Blue Streak is only a few steps away if you want a chaser of airtime after Valravn.

The main problem is the comfort of the restraints. The ones on Gatekeeper hurt and I'm not able to breath fully when I get off because it gradually tightens throughout the ride.

That is no longer an issue, Gatekeper's vests no longer ratchets. The vests now keep a constant tension throughout the entire ride. Anyone who complains about the current tension can join me for a thirty mile day hike with a backpack weighing 33% of their body weight, I guarantee that will resolve the issue.

Restraints don't eliminate air time.

As long as they're looser than GateKeeper's restraints, I'm all for the new vests. No more head-banging through the inversions; just enjoying the ride like it should be enjoyed.

jscll said:
That is no longer an issue, Gatekeper's vests no longer ratchets. The vests now keep a constant tension throughout the entire ride.

I believe Keegaan was talking about the restraints as a whole. Throughout the course of the ride, the restraints tend to tighten up around the thighs for a lot of people.

The vest restraints on Gatekeeper are amazing and a big part of why I love that ride. I've never been a fan of the rigid OTSRs and worrying about smashing my head against them. Glad to see they continued using them with Valravn. The only thing I don't like about the vest restraints is that it seems they can't retrofit them to older B&Ms; Raptor & Rougarou* coul benefit from the upgrade.

Prior to the vest restraint on Gatekeeper, my favorite non-lap bar was the butterfly restraint on X at SFMM.

*Disclaimer: I didn't get to ride Rougarou last year, so that's an assumption. Didn't get to check out Maverick with its new restraints either but I think that will move Maverick up a few spots on my list when I do get to check it out...

Compare Raptor trains to Banshee trains, or Valravn to Griffon, and you will see why.

The vest restraints are significantly wider.

B&M have made new and updated restraints since Gatekeeper. Banshee's were much better and they didn't crush me

I absolutly love the vest restraints (I'm 6ft 2in for size reference). They are the recliner of coaster seats to me. While the tightening is no longer a problem I never really had a problem with the way Gatekeeper's tightened. It was only ever an issue on the brake run and with the Point's opporations you are never there long. I have been on Banshee, X-Flight, and Thunderbird since Gatekeeper and none of those tightened.

I have no issue with the vest restraints. They are very comfortable and seem very safe. The only problem I used to have would be a bruise the following day after riding gatekeeper on my collar bone, but since they loosened them I have not had that problem

CP Maverick said:
Compare Raptor trains to Banshee trains, or Valravn to Griffon, and you will see why.

The vest restraints are significantly wider.

Oh I get that they are wider and that's why it's not just a seat-for-seat swap. That's plain to see. Just saying it would've been great if they could retrofit the vests to older B&Ms.

When did the fix the restraints? I went on Gatekeeper in August of 2015 and the problem was still persistent.

They had fixed them later in the 2013 season. There shouldn't be a single seat that ratchets. Don't quite know what happened in your case.

The restraints ratcheting was not the only problem for some. For me personally the restraints are fine and I do not have issues . However for my smaller 5'2" wife it is a different story. She complains about the overall 'weight' of the restraint crushing down on her throughout the duration of the ride to the point where on the brake run it is almost unbearable. So @Keegaan I can definitely relate to where you are coming from and hope that Valravn's are slightly improved for her.

Keegaan said:

When did they fix the restraints? I went on Gatekeeper in August of 2015 and the problem was still persistent.

I rode GateKeeper in late July 2015 and I experienced the same problems. I wouldn't necessarily call it ratcheting, but the restraint feels heavy and tight so that by the end of the ride it's hard to breathe. I love the design on the vest restraints though, so hopefully Valravn's restraints are a bit looser.

Perhaps the tension they have set on the straps feels different for different people as the actual restraint locks down throughout the ride.