The Ball: MOTIV Tank

The Layout: “Zeroed Out.” Pin above fingers, zero side and zero finger.

The Style: Power Stroker. 16.5-17 Speed. (Rev rate untested since shoulder injury.)

The Conditions: Riverside Lanes in Laughlin, Nevada. 40 FT House and 39 FT Modified Tournament Pattern. High friction environment.

The Plus: A smooth transitioning Urethane ball that looks fantastic going down a lane.

The Minus: It is Urethane so you get what you would expect from it. Not a minus exactly but can be misconstrued to be something it is not.

The Score: 5 out of 5.

The Review: I have long been a fan of more controllable bowling equipment as I have stated in many of my reviews in the past. Being on a byproduct of a high friction bowling environment, I find myself in dire situations at times when the oil breaks down and I am out of options to keep the ball on the right side of the head pin. Fortunately the new Tank allows me to keep ahead of the breakdown and have a great transition downlane with some remarkable hitting power thanks to the Gear core.

Now don’t let me fool you, this ball is still a Urethane throwback and as such is not designed to be a monster on the lanes. Due to some videos floating around on the web, people seem to think that the Tank is a hooking machine which is a laugh at times. The comment I make to people is that just because a ball is dull and looks great on a video does not mean that it is designed to be a monster. However, what this ball is made to do fills a huge gap in the Motiv line and allows a great comparison to other Urethane pieces on the market today. If you are someone with a bit of hand or on a dry condition, this is a great ball to pick up. If not then you may find yourself throwing a high priced spare ball on occasion.

In conclusion, the Gear core combined with the controllability of the Urethane coverstock makes for one heck of a ball and a great addition to any bowlers’ bag. If you need that niche piece of equipment in your bag, pick up a Tank and get motivated today!!!

Dustin J. Markowitz
Motiv Staffer
Owner BowlingEvolved.com