There are different types of coasters that appeal to different folks. For whatever reason, I have always been a huge fan of any type of inverted coaster. I just love that feet dangling, hanging from the track sensation. I even enjoy the infamous SLCs offered by Vekoma, and I don’t find them to be as rough as others do. However, as a fan of inverts, I know as well as anyone that if you want to experience a world-class inverted coaster, only one manufacturer comes to mind – B&M. Inverts from those two are just in another, much higher, class. Dorney Park in Allentown is home to one of the finer inverted coaster installations by B&M – Talon. Perfectly perched at the front of the park, this beautiful deep blue and bright orange coaster sits quietly, watching over the park entrance, almost as if it is looking over the entering guests to decide who to take on its wildly thrilling ride!
Talon, like all of the coasters at Dorney, boasts a very quick and efficient crew which leads to shorter lines that move rather quickly. Every time I have traveled to Dorney, I have had no problem racking up a large number of rides on their coasters, including Talon. The coaster itself looks marvelous, as the color scheme works great. While in line, you also get some nice views of the layout, as the coaster passes by the queue several times. My recommendation on this is to go for either the front row or the very back row. Stellar rides can be found there, although honestly any seat on this puppy is a winner! Once you board, it’s just a quick check of restraints and you’re on your way! The lift is oddly quiet on Talon, thanks to sand-filled supports to appease the locals. In fact, Talon is one B&M that’s missing that customary roar that many of their other coasters have. Once the train leaves the lift, the real fun begins!
Soaring like a bird, the train takes the initial curving drop, almost a standard on B&M inverts. The drop is great and forceful, and Talon follows that fine maneuver up by then taking riders through a nice vertical loop, a wonderful zero-g roll (probably my favorite inversion on an invert), and an equally impressive Immelmann. Right before the Immelmann, you dive down underground into a trench, which is a really awesome effect! The pacing on Talon is one of it’s best assets, as the ride never really lets up throughout its course. After a fast helix-like elevated turn, you then hit a wonderfully designed drop, that actually delivers a pop of airtime! I was stunned the first time I rode, as I had never experienced airtime on an invert before! Simply awesome!! Next up is the fourth and final inversion, a low to the ground corkscrew. This is great, and in fact the whole second half of the ride after the airtime drop, to me, is stellar, with its many ground-hugging elements. Following the corkscrew, the train (while keeping up a nice amount of speed) flies through a helix a few mere feet above the ground. One more quick airtime dip and you hit the brakes. Wow! That’s what comes to my mind every time I hit the brakes. Talon is non-stop fun and action from beginning to end!
I decided to give Talon a full ten for many reasons. For one, Talon’s layout is unique and packed full of many exciting elements. Also, the pacing is truly outstanding, and I admire how this coaster just doesn’t let up until the brakes. The inversion assortment is excellent, and each of the inversions is forceful. Throw in some airtime, the fact that it is as smooth as glass, that slick first drop, and the low to ground frolicking finale, and you’ve got yourself a true upper tier inverted coaster on your hands! And most importantly, I’ve been to Dorney 3 years in a row, and will likely make it 4 in 2007, and although I’ve ridden Talon dozens upon dozens of times, it simply does NOT grow tired or boring with me, and that says something to me about this coaster – it has that sometimes elusive staying power. I feel Talon is a world-class coaster at a really
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