Layout:
55 x 5†x 40
On medium conditions, fresh or after the first transition, and want a ball where you can just let it rip? Insert the MOTIV Ripcord here. The introduction of this ball into the current lineup provides the most flipping action within the ball motion chart seen in quite some time. To achieve such a dramatic skid/snap reaction, the proven Oblivion core (2.53RG, .047Diff) has been wrapped in the new Infusion Reactive coverstock (5000 LSP).
Working under such expectations, I laid my Ripcord out with the intention of taking advantage of the core’s power (thank you dual density) while making sure to get a quick response off of the spot; this ball exceeded those expectations. My trial run for this came out in Vegas during the doubles portion of the minors event. On this longer-medium pattern I was initially having difficulties with my strong equipment hooking early and my other step-down pieces being a little slower, so I grabbed this ball to see what it’s backend power could do and, thankfully, it saved me. Getting down the lane cleanly allowed the Ripcord to really take advantage of the friction it could find downlane, which was before the end of the oil as the Infusion coverstock has just enough teeth to bite through the thinner parts of such patterns. The response time at the breakpoint was truly impressive, transitioning to the roll to hook phase dynamically. While not swinging the ball dramatically, I was able to get around fourth arrow and watch this ball tip back into the pocket with enough power to drive all the way through the 8-pin. When I did eventually have to get out of this ball it was because I needed to blend out the backend a little, something the Ripcord did not want to do as it kept its impressively-strong backend performance going.
When I got back from the OCs, I tested the Ripcord on a slightly used house pattern. Once again, I was shown that this is not a straight down-and-in ball, but rather one that loves opening up the lane. The back end on this piece may be the sharpest I have thrown in quite some time which allows for some extreme, and deep, angles to be utilized as a pattern breaks down. I started that particular transition practice laying down 22 and crossing at 16. By the end of my quick three-game set I was already at 32-22 and there was still no quit in this ball; I could have had at least another one to two games before I would have had to transition to a Venom-line ball.
Overall this ball fills its Medium-Oil/Angular Motion spot on the MOTIV chart perfectly. While the Ripcord can be used on fresher medium-volume patterns, its true colors shine when you can start getting left and give it some room to the friction. Whether this is thrown on house or sport conditions, I believe this ball fills a vital spot in anyone’s arsenal.
Trent Overbey
In the Zone Pro Shop
MOTIV Staff
www.motivbowling.com
