Motiv Raptor Reign Review
A symmetric ball that bowls like an asymmetric — the .055 differential competes with asym equipment at $209.95. Video reviews inside.
This is one of them balls where you're like, "Yeah, [Music] CEO Ronald Hickler from Creating the Difference. Today we're going to talk about the brand new Motive Raptor Rain. This ball features the leverage MXV solid cover stock, the Affliction V2 symmetrical core shape, the RG is 2.48, the differential is 0.055. There is no mass bias because it's symmetrical bowling ball. The hardness is 73. It's finished 2000 grit LSS, which stands for
laser scan surface. It's scanned right at 2000 grit. Motive's great at doing that, by the way. The absorption rate is fast and the layout is 60x 4x30. Chris, black, green. We love those colors. Got a little yellow logo. What do you think about this Raptor Rain looking bowling ball? >> I like that black and green cuz I like camouflage. And it's got a eagle on it. It's real American looking, you know. All right. Well, let's find out what the Raptor Rain is all about right now. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, here's the thing. There's some colored pins in the rack. If we get a colored seven pin and
a colored 10 pin, there's going to be something special we're going to offer everybody in the first 24 hours of watching this video. [Music] I mean, that first shot don't count, but Chris, that ball hooked a lot, bro. >> Yeah, it seems like a trend. They like to make them hook. To be honest, I think this gonna be the craziest end of the year race you could have. Like it's gonna be which ball hooks the most. >> Yeah. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. You got three
pins. But it's three. >> But it's good and bad, bro. Like it's good and bad. Like we need a seven and a 10, which we have that. Here goes the deal. >> If I can strike, you guys are going to be able to get 15% off ctd.com. There's a few exclusions of course, but nonetheless, it's a special special very good discount. The problem is, bro, I threw one shot. Like, I need that. We need this to happen like on the back end of the video. I know what the ball does. But maybe we going to get lucky. I'm
going to give it my best and hopefully it's enough and we going to see what happens, man. So, what y'all need to do is pause the video, put down in the comments below, do you think he going to strike or not? Oh boy. Oh boy. Let's go. All right. All right. So, check it. That's cool. That was lucky. So, so you get 15% off only in the first 24 hours of watching the video. And you have to use the code raptor rain. That's going to be the code to get you 50% off
the website. You know what's cool? Like I actually missed like three boards left and it came screaming back, bro. It came screaming back. So, there it is. Thank you guys for watching the video. I mean, obviously because you're watching, now there's an opportunity. Save some money. Use that discount. Only available for the first 24 hours this video launched. >> I didn't know what was going to happen. >> No, bro. Me neither. >> I was like, he got it left. >> That's the worst possible thing that can happen. It happens that quick. >> It worked out though.
>> That one struck too. And you know, if you need a suggestion on something to pick up, get you some Incredible Clean. That is our best, most powerful bowling ball cleaning product. We say it's the best cleaner in the industry. We tested a lot of different ones in the industry. Haven't found one that's been able to compete with Incredible Clean yet. So, if you're missing a bowling ball cleaner, you're bowling league. Keep your ball clean. Get you incredible clean. >> Come on, man. >> We already did this, so that doesn't really matter. So, but this is what I'll do. If we get the one 710, three color
pins, so the head pin and the 710 to show up, I'll do something even double extra. It would be super nice. >> Come on. 1710. Big wheel, get back. Get back. I mean, shred the R. Hey, bro. Hey, bro. It's that eagle. >> This ball. I don't know, man. >> I mean, this one look really, really good.
Ring seven. I mean, the fact that you threw it like that and you just wrapped a seven like I mean strong, continuous, big hooking, super fast absorbing. Yeah. Yeah. Come on. Uh, it has the right shape, bro. It definitely is big hooking. Let's move left. Reduce the rotation. Come up the back of it some more. And let's see if it can stay how it holds that cuz that we're gonna be in the friction now.
It definitely got into a roll. Um just got to make a little move off of that. This is one of them balls where you're like, "Yeah, when you go to the pro shop, bound two at a time." >> Yeah. Yeah. Let's move in. And we're going to move way in, get around it, create some more rotation, see if it comes back. >> Now, I think this will be interesting. >> Where you at? >> Cuz I think the way it rolls where
you've been throwing it, it's been blending out the friction pretty good, right? >> So, I'll be surprised if it still hooked like that in the oil. Yeah. [Music] >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we get further left. >> Yeah. >> Come back. No, it ain't real bad, bro. >> It almost got more angular as you got in the oil. >> I got around it, right? I got around it. So, that may be part of it, but but but nonetheless, I mean, it still performed great. >> Yeah, it looked good.
>> Yo. >> Yeah, >> you can go ahead and sign me up for this one. You go ahead and sign me up for this one. Right to League, bro. This crazy. I mean, I've been bowling for a long time, man. I ain't never seen this many great balls in one year. And we still got like three more months, bro. >> And to be fair, though, they're launching, in my opinion, they're launching more bullet balls than ever collectively.
I mean, bro, like it just does the right things off the back of it. You can roll it. It gets into a roll. It's good. or move away from the friction into some oil. It can still handle some oil. You get around it, creates some rotation, it throw reads right through it. I mean, I don't even know what else you could say. >> This one's good. Like, it's good. >> Come on, man. You can tell. You can tell the shape of this ball is the right shape. That's what's happening. It's the right shape. So, I know off my hand because it's
going to pick up in the mid lane. And when I know it picks up, it keeps going. >> We know what's going to be in your bag the rest of the year. >> I got that one in the friction early. Like I was like, "Okay, let's just keep seeing friction early." It still read off of it. Like Yeah. >> And you didn't split. >> No. >> Like you got a spare you can make. >> Yeah. I'm I don't even know if I want to change the surface to be honest with you. >> You better not. >> That boy is hard, bro. >> Man, listen. I mean, normally I'm all
about trying to change the surface. I don't really know if I should change the surface, but I feel like I feel like our viewers are expecting that, Chris. I feel like if I don't change the surface, I'm going to let them down a little bit. >> They'll understand. >> You think so? >> Yeah, they better. >> Hey. Yeah. So, so look, I need y'all to leave us a comment and let us know how important it is to change the surface of the bowling ball in these videos. I know I don't think anybody else really does that, but if we get a 100 comments that say do the surface change, then we'll we'll do another video. I'll do another video. The thing I like about Motive is
is the grit that they say is what it ends up being. So, it' be very easy to go back to 2,000 grit. What we'll do is if you guys 100 people say change the surface, then I will come back and we'll shoot another video and we'll change the surface cuz right now she looking all right the way she is. Look, this one's pretty easy. Go to the website cdbballing.com. Get you one of these bowling balls, add it to your bag. You won't be disappointed. It appears that this one
will make it to the end of the year because of what it does here. And like I said, if you guys want to see a surface change on it, you got to let us know. I am going to go throw this bowling ball on league. I'm going to get a better feel for it in that environment. But if you want to see it with a different surface, let us know. 100 comments. We'll come back do a whole another video talk about the service change and we'll talk about what we've learned since we've been able to throw it some more in league. With that being said on behalf of Chris Moldro I am CEO Ronald Hitlin. Talk to you soon.
Performance Analysis
Performance Analysis
Testing revealed the Motiv Raptor Reign to be a notably angular and aggressive symmetric solid, displaying significantly more down-lane shape than comparable offerings in the Motiv symmetric lineup. On the house shot pattern tested, independent reviewers observed the ball producing a sharp, pronounced arc through the mid-lane and down-lane, with quick angular motion characteristics that translated to strong pin action. When compared directly to the Primal Ghost and SubZero on the same shot and boards (approximately 25-30), the Raptor Reign demonstrated more aggressive motion earlier in the lane, picking up its aggressive motion phase sooner than its counterparts. Testers noted the ball’s strong backend response required careful speed and hand position management—throwing with higher ball speed and lighter hand position proved necessary to keep the ball in the pocket during house shot conditions where friction was abundant.
The reactive solid coverstock proved effective throughout the testing session, though reviewers found that the ball’s inherent angularity limited its versatility when lanes tightened or transitioned. The Raptor Reign’s shape profile—more pronounced than the Primal Ghost but with a different angular character than the SubZero’s smoother arc—suggests it occupies a specific niche within Motiv’s solid lineup. When the testing lanes became congested with oil, the ball’s aggressive motion became increasingly difficult to control, requiring testers to switch to smoother-performing equipment to maintain consistent pocket hits. This characteristic indicates the Raptor Reign performs best when there’s sufficient lane surface to work with and suggests surface adjustments might be beneficial during extended practice sessions.
Who Is This Ball For?
The Raptor Reign is ideally suited for bowlers with moderate to higher ball speed who regularly face medium-heavy oil conditions and want a solid coverstock ball that generates significant angular motion without requiring excessive hand positioning. This ball will appeal to competitive bowlers building a varied symmetric lineup who already own smoother-transitioning options and need an aggressive ball that picks up its angle early. Bowlers who throw with control and can manage the ball’s strong backend response will find it particularly useful during fresh oil conditions or on lane patterns with ample friction in the backend.
Conversely, bowlers with lower ball speeds, those new to reactive solid coverstock technology, or players who prefer smooth, predictable arcs should consider the SubZero or Primal Ghost instead. The Raptor Reign demands precision in both speed and hand position to keep the ball in the pocket during house shot bowling, making it less forgiving than other options in the Motiv solid category. At $209.95, it’s priced competitively for serious league and tournament bowlers who understand their rev rate and can capitalize on its aggressive angular characteristics.
The Pros
- • Affliction V2 core at .055 differential is one of the strongest symmetric cores on the market
- • Leverage MXV solid coverstock at 2000 grit provides aggressive midlane traction on oily conditions
- • Exceptional pin action — the ball drives through the deck with authority on every well-placed shot
- • Lower 2.48 RG reads the lane earlier, giving it a strong continuous arc rather than a skid-snap motion
- • Fills the gap between symmetric benchmarks and asymmetric heavy oil balls
The Cons
- • The aggressive surface and strong core make it too much ball for medium or lighter conditions
- • 2000 grit solid coverstock needs regular maintenance to keep performance consistent
- • At $209.95, it sits at a premium price for a symmetric ball
Who Is This Ball For?
A symmetric ball that bowls like an asymmetric — the .055 differential competes with asym equipment at $209.95. Video reviews inside.
Technical Specifications
How It Compares
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The Hype
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The HypeVerified Bowler Reviews (9 reviews, 4.8/5 avg)
Not enough reviews for AI summary
Summaries generate automatically at 5+ reviews
Ball is amazing hooks really nicely.Been using Motiv for over 5 years and still very impressed by them
IN, United States
Haven't drilled it up yet. I'm sure I will be please when I do. Motive are strong balls.
HI, United States
The new Raptor Reign is by far the strongest of the Raptors we have released yet. The new cover formula has created a similar strength in oil to the previous Raptors as well as the Subzero Forge, but with providing more overall shape downlane. This allows it to separate itself from the Subzero Forge and not overlap too much as it is more responsive, while also not stepping on the toes of the Jackal line as it provides similar strength but with more overall continuity through the pin deck. I decided to drill this one pin down to accentuate that shape even more and I am very impressed with the shape as pin down symmetric balls tend to become too clean, but this one is so strong front to back, it just gave me a shape unlike anything else in my arsenal! Fantastic addition to the MOTIV line and Raptor Family! - Anthony Evans, MOTIV Bowling Staff Member
Absolutely love this ball! I can throw it wherever I want and it finds the pocket with absolute destruction! I am literally a beginner bowler almost 18 months now and am averaging 181. I change my hand position at release and this thing reacts! I sold my Onyx and this was it's replacement. Good carry down lane and just the right flip to roll without burning up before driving through the pocket!
Frequently Asked Questions
What oil condition is the Motiv Raptor Reign best for?
Is the Motiv Raptor Reign good for beginners?
What is the RG and differential of the Motiv Raptor Reign?
How much does the Motiv Raptor Reign cost?
What type of bowler should use the Motiv Raptor Reign?
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