First Impressions
The Raptor Reign looks like it’s going to be a very usable ball considering it’s overall strength.
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: 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: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 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: 5 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: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The Motiv Raptor Reign uses the Affliction V2 symmetric core inside the new Leverage MXV Solid Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .055
14 pound = RG of 2.50, diff of .053
Coverstock finish: 2000 grit LSS
Power Player’s Perspective
If you’ve been following us for the last 15 years we’ve been testing, you know we almost always test at a minimum on a standard THS. Sometimes that doesn’t show off the best of the strongest balls since they aren’t very high volume. Here we have the Raptor Reign and despite it being a clear Strong Control ball, it looked fantastic here. It’s got a decently strong cover but not the digginess of the Subzero Forge so it gets decent length even at 2000 grit. It also has a big volume core which makes the Raptor Reign roll heavy and strong. It reminds me of something like the Roto Grip X-Cell or RST X1. Even though those were asyms, the rolled with a more continuous type roll and didn’t use the highest strength cover which made them more versatile. That’s what the Raptor Reign looks like. A strong ball that can easily be used on fresh house shot, even a medium volume one without feeling overly strong or forward at the end of the pattern. The shape looked fantastic for Tyler with that decent length but great midlane and strong continuous move down lane. He can really see this being extremely usable as he was so comfortable with the shape.
Tweener’s Take
Now for me, while I struggled a bit with physical issues, the Raptor Reign bailed me out. It really looked the same way for me in terms of being the strong control ball that still immensely usable on the house shot. The just enough length but not so early thing worked very well. If you recall, the Subzero Forge was really strong for a strong control ball in that the cover was even stronger and started earlier while the big Detonator core created that heavy roll from the mid lane and backend. Motiv noted that the Motiv pro staff were quite successful with a polished Subzero Forge on tour. So essentially they wanted to create that same heavy roll with a cover that isn’t as strong, in the hopes of allowing a solid in that space that doesn’t need polish to get it downlane. Regardless of what the pros ultimately do, the rest of us mere mortals will be enjoying the Raptor Reign. I used in on the PBA Scorpion pattern as well and it held its own there as well.
Stroker’s Stance
Bryan was just as excited as Tyler and I were with the Raptor Reign. He made similar note of not having big difficulty getting it down lane while also having that strong arc to the pocket. He used the word trust and I think we all felt the same way. You don’t feel like you’ll easily blow through the spot. You get some forgiveness outside as it isn’t a forward type roll. Bryan could get into the 3rd arrow, swing it out and watch it pop back and drive very well. It was really easy and kind of killed this pattern.
Bottom Line
Motiv I think has a winner with the Raptor Reign. There are the stalwart strong control balls like the Phaze II. This Reign looks like it wants to fill those shoes for the Motiv lineup. It was a great match up for all of us and we could all see keeping it in the bag.
Thanks for watching.