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.
Don't change. >> Got no regrets. I'm on the run. Chasing the check. Dropping the top. Riding the vet. Telling myself what you expect. You know I'm with it. No better feeling cuz I could have quit but I didn't. [Music] >> New Raptor for Motive. I know. I think we always ask the same question. Motive does this right. like, you know, solid solid solid and then a Yosa Pearl. But
again, certain balls are just good in a lineup and that they're happy with. So, I think that's more or less why they do that. And the Voca Stereia, there's no reason to come out with another one. I think I have to believe like Subzero sales are slowing down, you know, and they just went another bigger solid. Um, but I honestly I thought like one shot house shot and this definitely feel like a different shape from even a primal. So that's what we going to do, man. We going to check both all three of them out. Um, all the
the the symmetrics and then maybe in the subsequent video, right, we'll jump into a jackal. Um, but yeah, so that's what we're going to do. Going to check these out, have a little fun. Um, make get into a full game. See how my time permits. Uh, yeah. and your boys will be on a timer. And as you see, it's a lot going on in here. But, uh, yeah, man. Let's have a little fun. Throw the ball. Uh, layout for this one, 60x 5x 30. Again, I want to give, again, it's in the top end spectrum. So, that's why with the slightly longer pin on this one
instead of my normal um, stronger drill. So, yeah, man. Like, subscribe, all the stuff down below. Appreciate you guys. Um, best way to support. Pick up the merch. New shammies are in, everything. merge t-shirts. Hype life gets a cool wig and 12 bagger for all the jerseys, hoodies, pullovers, all other stuff they have, man. So yeah, let's get on links. All right, first shot 25. See what we get.
Good old Margate. Good old Margate. All right, my jump really left cuz clean back ends and this place has plenty of friction. And you'll see that like cow shots like a lot of times, you know, clean back. Oh, everything turns starting out and then as you continually bowl now, you got to move right or it gets funny. You see some carry down.
All right. So, as you can see, like honestly, I feel like this even has a little more shape than a jackal. I mean, primal. Yeah. Like even more than a primal. Like, this is translating to more down lane. [Applause] Okay. Okay.
Let's pick up the primal um primal ghost and see like am I crazy or is this ball really doing this? Like that is looks pretty insane currently. I'm staying same spot again. I'm pretty much on 30. Arc. Smooth arc.
I'm going to try to move right off that shot with the primal. I caught it. Oh, wow. Very smooth. All right, y'all. Y'all saw that? That ball held. All right, I'm doing the same thing. Roll 25 raptor.
>> Definitely more higher flush. Definitely more higher flush. I'm not going to lie, we've done quite a bit of striking since I picked up the ghost. like on the board right now. It's like uh what is that? Six in a row. It's not bad. Oh, that's in the ditch. I talked too fast. Of course, I mentioned what's occurring and that's what happens. We're on a
great run right there. All right, let's throw another one. A little out of bounds on that last shot. So much of what we saw like that first shot or two when that it just took off. Still seeing some of that. Let's try to sub zero. Want to see what it does. Let me get this to the gutter.
Substantially smoother. So I'm going go to the Raptor. Try to repeat that exact same shot. See what we get. All right, it's going 25 as well. See what we see. So, didn't get it nearly as far to the right, but the characteristic of this ball has been like again really smooth control. Put a lot of service on it. Use it for the tough. So, it doesn't surprise me to see the
subject fours being smoother. All right. Same thing. grabbed her. Didn't buck it, but I'm definitely again cleaner, right? Like this one definitely feels like it's pushing out of lane. Sharper shape. That's the vibes. That's the vibes. And I will jump all the way to the right because I'mma start the game a little bit straighter cuz I'm seeing that
little wiggle to the right. And I'm going to try to again hit that. Yep. Soon as I say that, oh, you catch it and it it picks up so much faster before you can get to the break point. Yeah. 25 my feet. try to use some of that and hopefully we we can throw a couple more strikes.
Hopefully. So, so far this is a more angular ball than I'll say in a primal ghost and a Subzero. So, you look at the symmetric category, right? Like this is I think it's going to be like as far as like shape. You got Jackal Jacko Onyx, right? that shapes pretty good for the big ball. And then you got this one that shapes pretty good. It's probably going to be a little bit quicker than the Jackalonics. Um, as far as the solids go, I'm talking about solid bone balls all in all.
And then you ball down to, of course, the uh max drill solid. Nope. >> Yeah, I did that twice. bad. Wasn't I wasn't looking at nothing. I just threw it. >> Open the lanes up. Let's get away from the out of bounds.
>> There she blows again. Use some of the hold. I don't Whatever little bit that's out there, you going to use it. All right. So, I move I'm getting a lot closer to 30. Oh my goodness. I don't got to do that much with this ball right now. I don't got to make it
hook. It's enough on the length. And this ball is definitely showing me like it has all the shape you need. Like if you don't get it into that zone right where it's almost out of bounds, you cooked cuz this ball's hooking so much. All right. So really again, I'm trying to throw this ball
out here. And it is. >> So we going to call it that. We not even going to finish that because this is change balls. Like it it hooks too much, bro. Like again, it's early enough, but it's the whip is just it's going crazy. Like the only move for me practically is to take handle the ball and you know
pray a little bit cuz this joker is everything just screaming off of it. See get too weak of a hand position then it didn't hook enough. Move further right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Moving right. again. Taking a little hand out of the ball. Move a little further right. Find us out of bounds.
The funds the funds are figuring out ball motion. What works? Um, yeah. I think the fix right. I want to strike go to the ghost primal ghost and we we're in the pocket. Oh, baby. So, that one hooked. Other one didn't. Oh, yeah. She still hooks. Still hooks.
But throw a little faster. Throw a little faster. A little harder. probably going to be my best look. So, let's do that with the new Raptor. I'm going to move my feet a little bit faster. Try to get a little more ball speed. See if this ball can get to the pocket. All right. Same thing. Move your feet a little faster.
Yeah. When the lanes get like this, bro, like that just seems to work. I could do that and repeat that shot pretty regularly. Let's see if we can repeat it. I said it, but can I do it? Sitting on 20 currently carry baby. Like, so again, the real question is
like once I get to saw grass, um, what does it do there? Like that I want to know cuz this honestly is like giving me phase two angle, right? Which we didn't see from the previous ones. more speed. >> I'll throw that a lot faster than that
one. That would look reasonable. But yeah, this is definitely again quick quicky quick quick quick stirs. Nope. So you see the limit, right? Like again, I get it too steep, too clean at the bottom. We get that. But we throwing a lot of shots. So, I'm going to throw the primal from across the lane. Subzero across the lane. It won't end this, man.
It's been a long time, bro. And we got more stuff coming. Of course, we're going to compare this with another green ball that's coming out. That is in play. It's not in play for the Raptor though. [Music] Even smoother in play. So, not always are you going to
want the most angular ball when you're trying to repeat. And most people say that their house shot looks like this. A lot of friction sometimes can be out of bounds. You see how the smoother balls work? They look pretty good. >> All right, one more time. [Music]
Y'all saw that. I got to talk more about that. All right, this to end on the strike. We got to do it. This ball is angular. I don't care what nobody say. >> EJ special. I'm telling you, EJ is going to have a plethora of options come the tour season and every Moto Stafford. And
some of them like you might look at on paper and be like, is there really a difference? Yes, there is a difference between all of these symmetric solids. They all are again difference I feel like as far as like how early each of them pick up and shapewise off of it right like and the smoothest being again subzero 100% the smoothest of this bunch and then you have a little bit cleaner ball right that has a little bit more pop in a primal ghost then you have the most down lane in the Raptor right so you have a lot of options just within
the symmetric ball lineup so yeah man don't be afraid to again pick up one of these motor balls. Yeah, honestly I I kind of feel like that they're kind of worth the money >> just a little bit. But all right, man. Hit that like subscribe button. Pick up some merch. New stuff on the way. Appreciate you guys always. [Music] With the music up, I'mma keep them groove. You sleeping on me, just keep snoozing.
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
More Videos (4)
MOTIV RAPTOR REIGN | Ball Of The Year Contender!
Luke Rosdahl
Raptor Reign Ball Motion Video
bowlmotiv
Charlie Strikes With Motiv Raptor Reign!
The Hype
New Motiv Raptor Reign! Different motion! #thehype #HypeNation #bowlersmart
The HypeVerified Bowler Reviews (11 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!
Great ball. Just bowled my first 700 series with it Tuesday night. I like that it has a stronger back end. Definitely what i was looking for
United States
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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