Booster Bike Explained

Note: For 'Booster bicycle' see Electric bicycle

Booster Bike
Location:Toverland
Type:Steel
Type2:Motorbike
Type3:Launched
Status:Operating
Year:2004
Manufacturer:Vekoma
Designer:Vekoma
Model:Motorbike Coaster (600m)
Track:Out and Back
Height Ft:50
Height M:15
Length Ft:1949
Length M:594
Speed Mph:46.6
Speed Km/H:75
Inversions:0
Duration:1:08
Acceleration:"0 to 46.6 mph (0 to 75 km/h) in 3 seconds".
Acceleration From:0
Acceleration Mph:46.6
Acceleration Km/H:75
Acceleration In:3 seconds
Gforce:2.5
Trains:1
Carspertrain:8
Rowspercar:1
Ridersperrow:2
Restriction In:55
Rcdb Number:2747
Custom Label 1:Layout
Coordinates:51.3975°N 5.9842°W

Booster Bike is a steel roller coaster located at Toverland in the Netherlands. It is the prototype of a motorbike rollercoaster, built by Vekoma.

Design and construction

In 2003, Vekoma premiered the Motorbike Coaster at the IAAPA Expo. The reception was good, as it received the Award for "Best Idea Euro Amusement Show 2004 – Paris" at the Euro Amusement Show in Paris.[1] The major difference with the normal sitdown rollercoaster is the positioning of the rider. Instead of the normal sitting seats, the rider takes place in a seat that is more leaning forward, like an actual motorbike. The rider can hold on to the 'steering wheel', and the rider is secured using a harness that pushes down on the back of the rider.

Ride layout

The ride layout is Out and Back, characterized by the long, stretching launch and the hills parallel to the launch. The ride starts with an S-curve, after which the train will be stopped before the launch. When the train is launched to 75 km/h (46.6 mph), it takes a stretched hill, which is followed by a turn to the right and the horseshoe. Then the horizontal loop and a left turn follow. The last part consists of two hills. After those, the ride ends with a brake run and a corner left.

Similar rides

After this motorbike coaster, two more were built. A clone of Booster Bike was built in China, in Chimelong Paradise. In Flamingoland, a custom model was built, with a different positioning of the helix parts.

Merchandise

In July 2024, to promote the coaster's 20th anniversary, the park offered a handful of special items for sale. These includes customized airbrushed motorcycle helmets for €1,495 each, plastic riding motorcycles for children at €94,95 each, and a selection of used coaster wheels, which are occasionally sold off by the park when in stock.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Booster Bike (Press Release) . 2010-08-11 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120324134216/http://rcdb.com/2747.htm?dt=126&d=122 . 2012-03-24 .
  2. Web site: Win exclusieve Booster Bike souvenirs. July 22, 2024. Toverland. July 29, 2024. nl.
  3. Web site: Toverland viert twintigste verjaardag Booster Bike met souvenir van 1495 euro. July 22, 2024. Looopings. July 29, 2024. nl.