First Impressions
First impression of the Forge Flare, why? Why make something so strong and when can I ever use this?

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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 350 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/4 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 4.75 x 45

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Pattern
THS: 40 ft Med THS

Specs
The Motiv Desert Tank Bowling Ball uses the Detonator™ Core (symmetrical) inside the Coercion™ MXC Solid Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.47, diff of .055
14 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .054
Coverstock finish: 2000 grit LSS

Category
I would consider this ball in the Strong Defined category.

Overall
I didn’t want to make my first take feel negative. It’s just that the Forge Flare felt like it hooked early and a ton. I mean a ton. My feeling was like this is literally the strongest Motiv reaction I’ve ever seen. Forget the Jackal Ghost, Alpha Jackal, even the Trident Abyss. The Flare feels bigger than all of them. As I look back at what Motiv says about the ball, they are definitely right. This ball has an insane amount of traction while still making a strong move downlane. Like any big ball with traction, you need to find oil and you can get a touch too deep where you start to break the reaction and lose carry. But the amount of downlane motion was still impressive. So much so, I actually consider this the ball in the Motiv lineup that fits in the strong defined category. Typically you see solid asyms there, but the motion dictates, not paper stats. I started pretty direct, around 12 at the arrows and the ball was hooking at 30 feet. I kept moving and it really didn’t start working until I opened up the angles significantly. This ball despite being a traction monster, wants to cover boards. It was really happy around the 4th arrow and I really didn’t feel like it would hit soft. Many snow tire ball reactions just don’t store enough energy for lots of board coverage. Rather they simply prefer heavier volumes. This one looks like it can do both. I really just got to the point where I can really toss it with huge angles and no worry that it will turn over. Yes I typically start to worry about corners from deep but it really didn’t happen. I did get a couple of slap out 7s by the 4 pin and those always make you smile.

Now onto the 2 hand test. I am an average speed 2-hander which naturally means if I’m already 4th arrow one-handed, this is going to be trouble. This ball simply has too much traction for my 2-hand speed and a typical house shot. Frankly, I couldn’t see ever finding a condition where my style 2-hand could effectively use this ball. I would never need this much traction. I really have to open up the angles and just throw it away. The ball does stand up strongly so I kind of have to rely on the slapper type strikes as otherwise, the ball was overreacting. I did find the shot but this is a lot of ball for me.

Sport Shot
TBD

Final Thoughts
The Motiv Forge Flare is actually a quite impressive ball. I know I’m thinking why such a big piece, but there’s something to be said for having the top dog in your bag be a ball you can trust will just flat out hook no matter what. This ball clearly fits in the strong defined category for me. This ball will help some speed dominant bowlers as well given how much traction and willingness to hook it has. Fun ball. I like when snow tires don’t quit downlane.