THIS ONE SURPRISED US! DV8 Mantra Solid | Deep Dive Ball Review

DV8 Mantra Solid Review

The Mantra Solid is a mid-priced asymmetric that punches above its weight with angular motion that feels premium at just $159.95. Video reviews inside.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Mar 31, 2026 9 videos analyzed 4 verified bowler reviews

Wow. [Music] CEO Ronald Higler from Creating the Difference. Today we're going to talk about the brand new DV8 Mantra Solid. This ball features the Excider Extreme Solid cover stock, the Mantra core. It is asymmetrical at 2.498, differential of 0.047, and a mass bias of 0.011. is finished 5002,000 grit sire scanned right at 1500 grit with the CTD version 2 surface scanner. The hardness is 74.

The absorption rate is fast and it's laid out 16x 4 and 1/2 x 30. And we're going to see what the mantra solid is all about right now. First shot doesn't count. Holy cow, that hooked. Wow. Hey, do me a favor. Let me know if you've ever tried out a DV8 ball in the comments. Uh if you have thrown a DV8 ball, let me know what your favorite DV8 ball is. If you haven't, let me know what your favorite bowling ball company is at this current time. Also, we've got two, actually three, uh three colored

pins uh in the rack. I learned something from uh my last video. We need to have more than two in there for you to get them to show up potentially the way we want them to show up, which is a seven pin and a 10 pin. If we get a seven pin and a 10pin that are colored in a rack and we strike, you're going to win something pretty cool. That's more room. And we still got too much hook. Holy cow. Mantra e hookie hookie. Keep moving right. Throwing it further left. That's better. Even further left. Still on an eight pin.

Wow. Wow. Too far left. Bingo. No eight pin that time. All right. Ball's hook. Big hook. Continuous. Let's get the lights on.

Wow. All right, we're going to go left and take our hand out of it. But man, I don't know, bro. This ball hooks a lot. It It's continuous but strong, so I It doesn't really like all the friction out there.

It's too much surface, right? I said it scanned at 1500 grit. It's just strong. I can get it strike, though. We can make them all strike. A close though. Hey, y'all like this shirt? Grip it, rip it, repeat. That could be a mantra all by itself, I guess. So, here's another little tip for you. If you have a ball that hooks too much, something that you can do is throw it harder. And the power to throw it

harder comes from your legs. So, I'm going to walk faster this time. So, that's a little trick if you want to be able to get more ball speed. It comes from your legs, not from your arm swing. This pull hooks a lot. We're going to put some polish on it to maybe get a little more control cuz right now it's big hook. All right. Now, the mantra is now polished with True Cut Hand Applied Polish Plus Power by Turtle Wax. It is

at 5,500 grit. Let's see what happens now to the performance. Hello. First shot doesn't count. It hooks, but it's definitely cleaner. And that's why we say first shot doesn't count. Yeah. So, it's definitely stronger down lane. Uh, still still good amount of hook though.

Still big hook, still continuous, just does it later down the lane. Now you got more information about the brand new DV8 Mantra Solid. Head over to our website, ctdbing.com. Pick you up one of these bowling balls. Man, we appreciate you guys watching it. We appreciate you giving us feedback. We're making these videos for you so that you can make the best decision for your game. On behalf of Creating the Difference, I am CEO Ronald Haitlin. Talk to you soon.

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7.7

Overall

Great Score

Weight

12-16 lbs

Coverstock

Solid

Core

Asymmetric

Hook

High

Price

$139.95

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed the DV8 Mantra Solid delivers aggressive backend motion with a relatively short hook window, making it highly responsive to friction transitions. On the Crown Jewel pattern (heavy oil in the middle with dry boards outside), independent reviewers observed that the ball reads the dry boards sharply and develops strong, abrupt directional change rather than a continuous arc. The solid cover stock paired with the original Mantra asymmetric core (RG 2.498, differential .047) produced consistent carry when kept in the oil longer, but showed a tendency to over-hook when launched too far down the lane into early friction. Reviewers noted the ball performed best in the 25-30 board range with moderate launch angles, where it generated enough backend energy to drive through the pins with authority. Speed-dominant players found they could throw this ball hard without fear of deflection, and the reactive solid coverstock proved more controlled than the original shiny Mantra variant, requiring slightly more oil to operate optimally.

The short hook window means this ball exhausts its energy quickly during the break point, which limits its effectiveness at extreme angles in heavy oil. Testing showed that when reviewers attempted to open up angles significantly (moving to 35 boards), the ball delayed too much and struggled to generate the necessary ball motion through the pins. However, this characteristic became an advantage when paired with straighter or moderate angles—the ball’s aggressive friction reading and decisive back-end snap produced reliable pin action in these zones. Surface adjustments were minimal; the out-of-box finish worked well for the speed-dominant release style tested, though slower-speed players could potentially benefit from a polish to delay hook development.

Who Is This Ball For?

The DV8 Mantra Solid is built for speed-dominant bowlers who favor aggressive, responsive equipment and throw with enough velocity to control a ball that reads friction intensely. If you’re a bowler who consistently plays straighter angles and likes a sharp, defined break point rather than a sweeping arc, this ball rewards that style with strong backend energy and excellent carry. The ball excels on medium-heavy oil patterns where it can stay in the oil long enough to build energy before making a decisive move—it’s less suitable for bowlers who need equipment that handles extreme angle shots or very heavy oil conditions.

Intermediate bowlers looking to upgrade from entry-level reactive resin should approach this ball with realistic expectations about shot placement; it demands more precision in launch angle and board targeting than some competitors at this price point. However, if you’re comfortable making minor adjustments and enjoy the feedback of a ball that clearly communicates what the lane is doing, the Mantra Solid offers excellent value at $159.95. It’s an underrated performer that will appeal most to club bowlers and league players with moderate-to-high rev rates who appreciate a ball that doesn’t over-complicate the game.

Hook Potential

8.5

Length Through Heads

7.0

Back-End Continuity

8.0

Pin Action

9.0

Versatility

7.5

Value for Money

8.5

The Pros

• Strong midlane read from the 2000 grit sanded solid coverstock — does not skip through the oil
• Asymmetric Mantra Core creates a defined, angular breakpoint with good continuation
• Excellent pin action at 9.0 with a heavy roll that drives through the deck
• Competitive price at $159.95 for an asymmetric ball with this level of performance

The Cons

• Early rolling motion (7.0 length) limits effectiveness when fronts are dry
• The .047 differential is moderate — will not match the total hook of higher-end asymmetrics
• Surface adjustments are almost mandatory to match this ball to most house conditions

Who Is This Ball For?

The Mantra Solid is a mid-priced asymmetric that punches above its weight with angular motion that feels premium at just $159.95. Video reviews inside.

House ShotAdvanced

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Mantra Core Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.49

Differential 0.047

Int. Differential 0.011

Coverstock DV8 HK22 Inciter Xtreme Reactive

Core Type Asymmetric

Factory Finish 2000 Grit

Release Date September 2025

How It Compares

8.0

Verified Bowler Reviews (6 reviews, 5.0/5 avg)

5.0out of 5

6 verified purchase reviews

100% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Not enough reviews for AI summary

Summaries generate automatically at 5+ reviews

Denise N Oct 9, 2025

I love my bowling ball. It's exactly as described and looks just like the picture. I just have to learn it.

United States

DMbowling Oct 6, 2025

As much as I love the HK22 cover variants, this is the ball that DV8 fans have been waiting for. This thing is STRONG. But at the same time, I love how predictable and smooth this ball is. It might not get much play for me during league nights but will definitely have a place in my tournament bag for a long time.

Bob Newman Oct 14, 2025

The DV8 Mantra solid is an early, strong rolling ball. It is predictable and continuous thru the pins. It has an asymmetric core but to my eye, it rolls smooth, more like symmetrical. This is one of the few pieces that does not have HK22 in the cover-stock recipe, so it won't be as sharp off the friction. To me, that means more control and less splits. :-) Definitely gets a spot in the arsenal.

RJ Alman Jan 14, 2026

BALL SPECS Pin Length: 3 to 4 Starting Top Wt: 2.9 oz Ball Weight: 15 DRILL PATTERN Pin to PAP: Demo Day Drill–Pin above fingers on vertical grip center line - MB in thumb BOWLER INFO: Style: RH Stroker – Speed Dominant Rev Rate: 260 Ball Speed: 16 -17 PAP/Track: PAP: 5” and 5/8" up SURFACE PREP It takes surface adjustments very well. Don’t be afraid to hit it with a pad for more or less traction. I also recommend that you clean it regularly as it will lane shine with continued use. LANE CONDITION Kegel Rt 66 (45’) – V2 modified to 25 mls House Shot COMMENTS This Mantra is a great first game ball. There are times I can stay in it longer, and times when it has to go back in the bag in game 2. The Demo Day drill gives me a smooth and strong ball reaction that reads the lane at the right time, but does not over react. On Rt 66 it gives me great hold area and carry. On the house shot it smooths out the wet/dry and allows me to play close to the friction. It’s a great match up for my game. Don’t overlook this ball if you get a chance to try it. Thanks for reading this review. Good bowling to all!

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the DV8 Mantra Solid best for?

The DV8 Mantra Solid is designed for medium-heavy oil conditions. It features a reactive solid coverstock with a 2000 Grit finish, which gives it the surface traction needed to grip through heavier oil patterns.

Is the DV8 Mantra Solid good for beginners?

The DV8 Mantra Solid is a high-performance ball with high hook potential, which may be difficult for beginners to control. It's better suited for intermediate to advanced bowlers who have developed a consistent release. Beginners should consider an entry-level ball like the Brunswick Rhino or Roto Grip Hustle series first.

What is the RG and differential of the DV8 Mantra Solid?

The DV8 Mantra Solid has an RG of 2.49 and a differential of 0.047, with an intermediate differential of 0.011. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The moderate differential provides a balanced combination of flare and predictability.

How much does the DV8 Mantra Solid cost?

The DV8 Mantra Solid is priced at $139.95. This is a competitive price point for a ball in its performance category. You can find it at BowlersMart.com with free shipping and 60-day returns.

What type of bowler should use the DV8 Mantra Solid?

The DV8 Mantra Solid is best suited for bowlers who want maximum flare potential and angular ball motion. With its reactive solid coverstock on medium-heavy conditions, it works well for medium to high rev rate players who need a ball that can handle oil and still make a strong move on the backend.