Bowler Stats-Ball Speed 15.5 MPH Rev Rate-App 280 Axis of Rotation-30 to 60 degrees

Axis Tilt 9 degrees Right Handed PAP-5 over, 1/4" up

The Motiv Raptor Talon is designed for heavy and long oil patterns according to

Motv. The ball is as advertised and more for me on fresh house shots also. It

pushes through the heads surprisingly well on fresh house shots. The ball revs in

the mid lanes and make a strong arcy continuous move at the end of the pattern. In

addition, the core/cover combo allows me to move deeper then normal for me with

oilers. I have had the most success playing up the boards with the Talon until the

shot transitions. The Core of the Ball, the Predator Core, revs early with a lot

of track flare. I am able up to play up the boards as long as the friction is far

down lane, or swing it out to the dry until their is no longer enough head oil to

get it down the lane. I am also able to tug the ball into the soup on house shots

and it still manages to carry. The carry of the ball is excellent as the surface,

for me, seems to match up much better to the core then either the original Raptor

or the Raptor Attack. I know when to put the ball away as I will begin leaving

weak corner pins, no matter what adjustment I make. I have used this ball on

heavier oiled lanes/long sport patterns and was able to get the ball to pick up

early and create more angle then players with more hand. I think it will be a

great match up for me early in long format tournaments on wood (with higher

friction), league nights on heavier centers and on longer length/higher volume

patterns. I am excited about my arsenal for Nationals now, as I have a very logical

progression from the Talon to the 2 Cruel to the Venom Strike to the Sigma Tour to

the Backdraft. The Raptor Talon cover is very tuneable and with tweaking the

over/under reaction on the fresh is minimized.

If you use this ball as designed, that is on heavy or long oil patterns it will be

a very effective ball. To throw it on a burnt conditions will require a healthy

polish and a longer drill pattern and a lot of speed. With the Raptor Talon Motiv

has a piece of equipment that is stronger then the original Raptor or the 2Cruel.

I'm very colorblind but the Neomark Graphic makes the ball very pleasing to the eye
and give it good shelf appeal.

Dug Barker
Motiv Staffer
BTM Youth Writer
Ken Bowl Lanes Youth Director
Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach
BWAA Member
SWBA Member
USBC Silver
2003 GLBA Youth Coach of the Year