30 X 5 X 65
Description: The Tribal Fire is the second ball in the series using the Halogen Core. It utilizes a brand new cover, a hybrid version of the #Redball cover known as Fusion Hybrid Reactive. You will find the motion of the Tribal Fire to offer a great look in the light to medium oil category. 

Reaction: The intention of the Tribal Fire is to really create a ball with that in between shape. Something that doesn’t roll too forward but, also something that doesn’t go sideways. I would classify it as a milder benchmark ball. I have found that the Halogen core can really dictate the strength more than other cores, so with this core and the always very adaptable MOTIV covers this ball is crazy versatile! At the box surface and 30 X 5 X 65, the ball has blended out some higher friction patterns and at the same time has opened up patterns when I have seen moderate carrydown.

Comparisons: Comparing it to the original Tribal I would say that it is about 3-4 boards stronger overall and allows for even more continuation. Although the Octane forced me to play 2-3 boards deeper at the arrows than the Tribal Fire that is mainly because the Octane provides much more backend than Tribal…however, the shape of the Fire is best described as a combination of a Venom Shock and an Octane.

Summary: As I stated this ball is so versatile but, to be specific to my game it is THAT ball that is the perfect link in between those entry level ball and balls that are sometimes just too strong or force you too deep too quick. For those that need something cleaner than a Venom Shock (or something with similar numbers) or maybe at times the Octane (or something with similar numbers) provides too much hook downlane, then the simple answer is to throw a #Fireball!

Mike Magolan - MOTIV Staff/Turbo Staff/Boom Apparel Staff

Ball Specs:
Motiv Tribal Fire
Fusion Hybrid Reactive
5000 Grit Laser Scan Polished
Ball Specs: Symmetric Core
Layout 70 x 3 x 45 (no balance hole)

Bowler Specs:
Right Hand. PAP 4-3/4 Over 1/4 Up
Rev Rate 275. Tilt 20. Rotation 50.
Speed off hand 18

Review:
The New Motiv Tribal fire is a great ball to use when the Silver Tribal is just not quite enough.  The Fire reads the lane a few feet earlier and has a few more boards total hook than the original Tribal. My Tribal Fire fits rights between my Original Tribal Silver and my Sigma Sting. I am a big fan of the Halogen weight block and the Hybrid cover makes this a very controllable and hard hitting ball. The Fire has great shelf appeal and the colors gain a lot of attention. This balls comes on the heels of the popular Octane and I may use this combo as a 1, 2 punch on our house shot. We normally don’t have enough oil for the Revolt, so starting with the Fire then moving to the Octane makes sense to me. Even though it is summer, demand for the Octane was high and I see even more for the Tribal Fire as leagues start up.
The Tribal Fire is strong but predictable on the backend.  The continuation drives very hard through the pins. It seems as if Motiv balls increase carry percent each release!
I used this ball on a few sport shots and with my lower rev rate it still worked well even though for me the Revolt was a better fit on the oil. On a house shot this ball really shines. Predictable and powerful is how I would describe the reaction. I can be a little straighter with this ball than my Sting and this makes working through the transition easier to manage. The match between core and Hybrid cover is spot on and I believe Motiv has created another winner.

Summary:
Controllable with great hit
Very good looking ball
A must have for the Hybrid crowd

Glenn Wendel
PBA Member
Motiv Staff
Turbo Staff

Sportshot64@comcast.net
www.motivbowling.com

DRILL PATTERN:

40 x 4" x 30 with an extra hole 4" left, and 1" down (29/32 bit, 2 1/2" deep)

BOWLER STYLE:

Rev Rate: 400 RPM

Ball Speed: 18 1/2 MPH

PAP/Track: 4 3/8 LEFT, 7/8 UP


SURFACE PREP:

Grit: 1000

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): POLISHED


LANE CONDITION:

Length: VARIETY

Volume: VARIETY

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): BOTH


BALL REACTION:

Length: A little earlier read compared to the original Tribal.

Back End: A little smoother breakpoint compared to the original Tribal.

Overall Hook: Slightly less hook than the Venom Shock, and 2-4 boards more on average compared to the original Tribal.

Midlane Read: More mid lane read than the original Tribal, less than the Octane, and Venom Shock.

Breakpoint Shape: More rounded and arcing than the original Tribal. Similar shape to the Venom Shock. Less shape compared to the Octane.


COMMENTS:

Likes: I like the fact that I have a "weaker" dynamic ball to use on the fresh THS. I really don't need a lot of motion on the easier conditions I see so this ball and my Tribal will fit right in. I have a great 1-2 punch here.

Dislikes: It is a little stronger than given credit for so there may be times where you think it'll work but it's not the ideal ball to use. I have had it hydroplane on me because I tried to use it when there is too much volume present. But the shape it makes and how well it reads the mid lane (late) can play tricks with your eye.

Overall I am very satisfied with this latest edition to the MOTIV line up. It has more mid lane presence than its predecessor and a slightly smoother break point. It will handle slightly more oil as compared to the original Tribal too. I have used it successfully on broken down flatter conditions with success, particularly WTBA Atlanta comes to mind. The drilling I utilized has my Fire stand up a bit as opposed to being so continuous and whippy. It complements this ball's intent very well. I have lightly touched the surface with 3000 and 4000 grit to break through the polish for the harder patterns. However, I can honestly say that I didn't have to crack the shell on this particular ball to use it immediately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIqOKL4-auk


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Layout:
   60* x 5.5” x 35*

Just because the summer is ending does not mean that you still cannot turn up the heat with the Motiv Tribal Fire.  The combination of the proven Halogen core (2.55 RG, .037 Diff) with the new Fusion Hybrid Reactive coverstock (finished at 5000 grti laser scan polished) creates an exciting reaction that gives you skid through the heads and devastating power through the pins.  I laid mine out with the intention of using it for the later games when I needed cleanliness for downlane projection but the strength to turn the corner and continue through the pins; idea fulfilled.  Once my Octane starts to rev too soon, or jump too hard, I can transition into this ball with a simple 3-2 right and maintain a similar shape.  The projection through the heads is very clean allowing the ball to give me an accrate read of the midlane (which, of course, leads to better transition management).  Even with this pines-read the ball still does not pick up early instead saving its energy for a strong, but controllable, backend motion that does not give up until it enters the pit.  I have actually found the Fire to be the most continuous and powerful ball through the pin deck in my bag.  My teammates and I have been quite pleased with the results that this ball has delivered in the later games of league.  If you need a ball that handles the breakdown without sacrificing power, grab yourself a Tribal Fire.

Trent Overbey
In the Zone Pro Shop
Motiv Staff
www.motivbowling.com

Rev Rate:420             
Axis Tilt:20               
Axis Rotation: 45
Ball Speed:17                 
PAP Measurements: 4 1/8 

Layout: http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj344/TheSuperHitMan/tribalfire.jpg
 2 ½ pin to pap
6 1/8 psa to pap
 1 ½ pin buffer


Description:  Back for the second time is the Tribal Fire armed with the Halogen weight block that was featured in the original Tribal and Fusion Hybrid Reactive coverstock. The cover stock allows the Tribal Fire to read the lane earlier and provide a smoother ball motion than its predecessor. The box finish on this fireball 5000 Grit Laser Scan Polish.

 Out of box surface: 5000  Polished

Ball Reaction: I loved the original Tribal ball motion, in comparison to the original Tribal you will see a stronger response to friction out of the Tribal Fire whereas you saw a smoother reaction out of the original Tribal. In comparing the two the Tribal Fire hooks 4 to 5 boards more because of the Fusion Hybrid Reactive cover. I feel I can play anywhere on the lane with the Tribal fire, especially when I need to go west. The Tribal Fire retains energy so well that continuation is not a problem.

Conditions

THS (40 feet):  On THS I found myself playing straighter standing 10 targeting 5, because of surface being at box (5000 polished) I was able to stand right and play right for the first two games of league, I found this to be a bonus as I did not have to move left unless I wanted too. In the last game I stood wear I normally would standing 15 from the left targeting 10 to the right and watched the ball roll up and push through the pin deck.
 


Nationals Singles Pattern (38 feet): I had no trouble playing right of my target all three games, the cover really shined on this pattern as the 5000 finish got down the lane with ease. I saw a reliable and predictable reaction on this pattern, it definitely allowed me to stay further right longer and my square my angles.

Summary:  Depending on the amount of friction the lanes are offering me the Tribal Fire is the first ball out of my bag, it provides a stronger mid lane reaction than the original Tribal. It’s the versatility that stands out about this ball as I was able to use it for the duration of leagues and tournaments, it was just a matter of moving my target or chasing the pattern friction.  The Tribal Fire is a must have for those looking to conquer light to medium conditions or flat patterns, they say it is dangerous to play with fire but I say it’s dangerous if you don’t. Give in to your inner pyromaniac and put this in your bag. It’s worth your time I promise you.

K.C.White II
MOTIV Staff
www.motivbowling.com

I was using mine today for practice.  It is less than 1 month old and it cracked all the way around the ball.  The pro shop did the right thing and will replace it.  Has this happened to anyone else?

I personally have not had that happen.  I am supposed to be getting one soon....so hope it is just a fluke.  HOWEVER, I was chatting with my local pro shop and another guy in the shop, who has started throwing Motiv.  Well he is wanting to throw the Octane, and has had 2 of them with problems with cracking by the logo....also got a Covert Revolt and out of the box...undrilled, the ball was cracked all the way around.

I was/am looking forward to trying Motiv, but a little concerning hearing this about their covers??

Ball Specs and Layout:
Fusion Hybrid Reactive Coverstock
5000 Grit LSP Box Finish
Halogen Core
14lb 3oz
75x4x70 (no balance hole, pin down)

Bowler Stats:
Rev Rate – 425
Ball Speed – 17 mph (downlane)
PAP – 3 ½ over, ¾ up
Right-handed

Test Enviroment:
42’ THS (fresh)

Review:
The New Motiv Tribal Fire is a great choice for league play and lighter-medium conditions. The layout and shape is unlike anything I have ever thrown. I tested mine against the Octane and original Tribal, both layed out 50 x 4 ½ x 40 (pin up). I generally use pin up layouts on house conditions due to the heavier concentrations of oil in the middle and dry outsides. Pin down layouts for me on house conditions doesn’t quite make the turn at the breakpoint and tends to hit flatter. This combination on my Tribal Fire makes me forget what the layout is. The ball is very clean through the heads, and is slightly angular, but continuous on the backends. I do find this ball great to be used when the Octane is too much and when the original Tribal is not enough on the backends.

Likes:
Clean through front part of lane, hard hitting at the pins
Versatile coverstock and drill layouts
Retains lot of energy

Dislikes:
None

Summary:
This ball is worth every penny. Granted the combination of drilling layout is stronger than usual compared to my other layouts, the hybrid cover is versatile enough to compensate for that. For league play, there is no difficulty getting through three games.  For some, an extra coat of polish would not hurt. This will be one of the bowling balls you will want another and another of.

Darryl Carreon
MOTIV Staff