[Jonathan]

After reading some comments after Coaster Stock, I felt compelled to start this one.

Hurler seems to be the most polarizing ride in the park when it comes to these boards. Some people seem to really like it, some seem to absolutely hate it and there have even been a few "TAER IT DOWN" type comments.

For me, I guess I don't get the hate. It's an uninspired layout sure, and really rattles around the track these days, but I would probably say it is my third favorite ride in the park behind Phantom Flyers and After Burn. When it is running well, there are 4 or 5 great airtime moments, and I enjoy the rib busting fan turn near the end of the ride.

I guess what I have found over the years is that people have different tolerance levels for different TYPES of roughness. Rides like Hurler that just shake the living hell out of you have never seemed to bother me, which explains why I also liked all of the coasters with Gerstlauers, including Villain and the Myrtle Beach Hurricane, rides that a lot of other people hated. The roughness that kills me is jackhammering in the valleys of hills, because it destroys my back. Thunder Road can be a good example of this, but then most people don't seem to have a problem with that.

This may have been the nerdiest post I have ever written on these boards. Anyway, your thoughts?

[Jay]

Thanks for making this, I thought about making this thread as well, but wasn't sure how to go about it. I obviously agree with pretty much everything you said. I rode it at least 10 or 11 times Friday in the front as well as the back, and still really enjoy the coaster, and am confused with all the hate. I wonder how some of these guys would react if they had ridden a truely terrible ride such as Raging Wolf Bobs at the former Geauga Lake or Rolling Thunder at Great Adventure among others.

[BoociferPatch]

I used to be in love with the Hurler. I loved it more than Thunder Road, which I used to hate. Now it has switched around. I just don't know what it is about the Hurler, I just do not like it anymore. I think it has just gotten rougher and rougher over the years. I like for a ride to be out of control but not that out of control. If they start a really good refurbishment, then I will give it another chance. I would rather see it go for a better wooden coaster. However, if it does start to get some work done on it, then I will give it a second chance.

I will tell you what, if I ride it this Tuesday and see what I think about it. I will give it a second chance. However I am sticking to my guns right now.

[CarolinaCoasterFreak]

^^^Jonathan, you and me must be total opposites. For me, the shaking absolutely destroys me. Last time I rode, I had a head ache for a good half hour when I got off. I haven't had a problem with the left side of Thunder Road since it got new track, but that's off topic. Anyway, maybe I just ride in the wrong seats for hurler. I remember it was alright a few years back, but I think it needs retracking or something. The thing rattled me so much last time, I don't plan on riding again until something is done to smooth out the rough spots.

[carowindsman6654]

A few years ago, Hurler was great and was one of my favorite rides in the park. Now it feels like i'm going to have a seizure when i'm on the thing. I'm 21 years old and even I couldn't take the roughness. If they would re-track it like they did with Thunder Road then it would become a great ride again.

[Top Gun68]

The Hurler isn't that rough...until you hit the turns. I want to like Hurler but it's really hard to do so. While I don't want them to tear it down I do think a refurbishing is in order because if they leave it like it is it's possible that it may get worse.

[coasterbruh]

Its the constant rattling that gets me. It should be called "shaken baby syndrome - the experience". I guess cause it was my first wooden wooden coaster to ride in several years and I havent been "broken in" but I dont know how any regular guest would enjoy that...

[Davidtmp]

I have rode the back, hated it. I rode towards the middle of the train, and it wasn't that bad. I don't think I can really vote one way or the other, but I don't go out of my way to ride it either. When at the park last month, Thunder Road killed me, which was odd. They need to get rid of that seperatro in the seats, but that is a discussion for another thread. So I can tolerate Hurler as long as I'm not in the back. But sense I don't go out of my way for the ride, I would have to swing in the thumbs down direction. A few more rides next time I'm out there and maybe I'll decide, I'll try different seats and see what's up.

[swampfox43]

Rides like Hurler that just shake the living hell out of you have never seemed to bother me,
Anyway, your thoughts?

Jonathan, give yourself 30 years, and get back with me.....Oh wait! I'll be dead. Nevermind...

Up until about 15 years ago, I didn't really mind the shaking and jostling around so common on unmaintained wooden coasters. As you age, your body just can't tolerate it as much. Laugh now, you'll all be there (God willing) one day.

I loved the Hurler in 1994. I marathoned it quite often but would more than likely skip it today.
My opinion of the ride would be slightly better today if there were a left turn or two. The simple fact that Paramount allowed such a coaster (2 of them) with all right turns is a little perplexing. Mix it up a little. Get your money's worth from these designers. My 2 cent.

[b&mcoaster1095]

My opinion of the ride would be slightly better today if there were a left turn or two. The simple fact that Paramount allowed such a coaster (2 of them) with all right turns is a little perplexing. Mix it up a little. Get your money's worth from these designers. My 2 cent.

I agree completely. There needs to be more change of direction. You just keep turning the same way the entire ride. Can you say... boring?

--------------------------------------------------------

When I rode it for the first time a few years ago, I thought it was great. There are great spots of airtime when it's having a good day, like Jonathan said. And since my first ride was not too long ago, and didn't think it was exceptionally rough in the turns, I think it has just begin to age. Unfortunately, in years to come, this could get worse if the park decides not to do any thing with it.

However, when compared to other woodies I've been on like Mean Streak (aka "Death on Wheels") we don't have the worst of it, BY FAR. They can be ALOT worse. You guys should try a ride on MS and see if you can still call Hurler rough. I honestly think my ride on MS was the closest I've ever been to breaking my neck. It's like Hurler's first turn x10, the whole ride. If anything Cedar Fair, needs to re-track that thing before us. Let's just hope Carowinds doesn't let it get that out of hand...

[alecscrews]

After reading some comments after Coaster Stock, I felt compelled to start this one.

Hurler seems to be the most polarizing ride in the park when it comes to these boards. Some people seem to really like it, some seem to absolutely hate it and there have even been a few "TAER IT DOWN" type comments.

For me, I guess I don't get the hate. It's an uninspired layout sure, and really rattles around the track these days, but I would probably say it is my third favorite ride in the park behind Phantom Flyers and After Burn. When it is running well, there are 4 or 5 great airtime moments, and I enjoy the rib busting fan turn near the end of the ride.

I guess what I have found over the years is that people have different tolerance levels for different TYPES of roughness. Rides like Hurler that just shake the living hell out of you have never seemed to bother me, which explains why I also liked all of the coasters with Gerstlauers, including Villain and the Myrtle Beach Hurricane, rides that a lot of other people hated. The roughness that kills me is jackhammering in the valleys of hills, because it destroys my back. Thunder Road can be a good example of this, but then most people don't seem to have a problem with that.

This may have been the nerdiest post I have ever written on these boards. Anyway, your thoughts?

110% agree...

[chargercrazy]

I would like to report that there is absolutely no jackhammering on the left side of Thunder Road if you ride in the front row. And I still can't believe it.

Anyhow, I can take the rattling, it's the jolts that get me. The slam to the left on the uphill turn gets me everytime -- I know it's there and try to prepare for it, but I can't stop the momentum. It's like the train isn't agile enough to make the turn and the ride's momentum forces it through there anyway. It does have good airtime. I prefer to ride it in the front car.

[RctWeekly]

Hurler is great ride on front, but back.. ouch! thunder road is rough to on the back I rode it 20 times on back at coaster stock and when theres no one else in the train but a few in front it's bad.

[Mr.Nitro]

The Hurler isn't that rough...until you hit the turns. I want to like Hurler but it's really hard to do so. While I don't want them to tear it down I do think a refurbishing is in order because if they leave it like it is it's possible that it may get worse.

Agreed, the turns are so ROUGH omg... ROUGH! If they would retrack the turns to be smooth it would be great. I love the airtime and getting my stomach taken on the small drops though.

[carowinds4ever]

I loved it when it first opened, but it needs some tlc. Here is an idea, replace the track with some steel, but leave the wood frame ( oops i think i was dreaming).