First Impressions
The Raptor Pursuit brings back that big shiny asym style motion from a big symmetric core that is all too familiar now.
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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 55 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.”
ExploreSports Gear
Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Motiv Raptor Pursuit uses the Affliction V2 Symmetric Core core inside the Aerial Propulsion Pearl Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .055
14 pound = RG of 2.5, diff of .053
Coverstock finish: 5000 grit LSP
Tweener’s Take
Motiv had the Sky Raptor in the Mid Defined Slot previously. Typically I fit shiny asyms there but there have been several syms that also give you that heavier volume coverage with a cleaner coverstock finish while also creating that slightly more forward motion. The Raptor Pursuit brings the Affliction V2 core back in a shiny cover and offers a nice one-two to the Raptor Reign, that itself will cover higher volume with the duller cover. As a one-handed tweener, I usually like the Mid Defined balls as they give me an opportunity to use big core balls without the diggy covers. Didn’t take me long to find the shot and you really feel the core starting up and reading the midlane. The ball is definitely on the strong side and you have to watch it carefully to see when the core has run out of steam and you need something cleaner and weaker. As a 2-hander it was a little more tricky as it’s a lot stronger once you go into the rev dominant mode. The odd thing was I couldn’t miss in but also the ball lost axis when I got it out. A little narrower zone than I thought I would have but it’s possibly the pattern playing a bigger role here.
Power Player’s Perspective
With Tyler, I was expecting him to really like the Raptor Pursuit as he really loves the Raptor Reign. He definitely liked the motion. However, in terms of getting te Pursuit to work on this pattern on this lane was trickier than we expected. He had similar issues to my 2-hand style. No miss room in but also some axis loss on misses out. So he also had a bit of a narrow window. The thing is despite that, we both really felt like the Pursuit would look so much better on a different pattern as we do like the motion itself. The pattern looks like it has no real hold in which makes misses in highly exacerbated on a strong ball. Misses out, I kind of expect some loss of axis but not as much as we saw which means there is a bit too much friction and the ball is draining energy.
Stroker’s Stance
Now with Bryan, in the past we have seen these big shiny balls to not be great matchups. The big cores cause him to move in but the balls tend to be a little forward and too clean so they just kind of poop out. That creates a narrow window to the pocket. The Pursuit didn’t seem to have that issue. He had decent room and the Pursuit did have a nice continuous look for him. So possibly the pattern matchup that gave Tyler and I in the rev dominant style.
Having 4 styles shows us what this Raptor Pursuit might do in the Mid Defined Slot. Rev and Speed matched tweener and stroker had a really nice look. That big motor helped out. Rev dominant styles struggled a bit on this particular pattern but we still were attracted to the motion so just expect it to be a strong piece.