Description: The Venom Shock is the third installment of the Venom series and again placed in the lower mid-price range. The Venom Shock coverstock has the new Turmoil MFS, which is a modified version of the Turmoil HFS coverstock on the recently released Covert Revolt. For the core, MOTIV again used the Gear Core from the previous two Venom’s and the much older GT-1. 

Reaction: In a one liner the Venom Shock is very clean through the front part of the lane and provides a consistent controlled downlane motion. I have found myself throwing the Venom Shock when playing straighter angles, but when my more predictable pieces do not seem to respond fast enough downlane. The shape it provides is between a mild slower response piece and something mild that is longer and has a faster response. My style doesn’t quite allow me to throw this ball on the fresh or heavier patterns at the box surface, but that is not exactly the intention of this piece, however altering the surface to 2000 allowed it match up very well. Believe it or not the Venom Shock is a benchmark ball for me, it allows me to get straighter and still maintain a great shape downlane.

Comparisons: For me, the Venom Shock plays when the Tribal is either too long or too angular downlane. It also plays well when my Covert Revolt pushes me in on the pattern too fast, as the Venom Shock is cleaner. I have identical patterns on the Covert Revolt and Venom Shock and although the Covert Revolt is much stronger in the front and middle part of the lane they both provide continuation and similar shapes in the back of the lane. I also think because the box surface is less on the Venom Shock compared to the Covert Revolt and because I tend to play closer to the friction with the Venom Shock, it does respond faster downlane, therefore I see more backend than with the Venom Shock. As I mentioned, this will be a benchmark ball for me. The Venom Strike was not though, as it was too smooth downlane and the Venom Toxin was too long to be considered a benchmark piece. I guess for me the Venom Shock has the best attributes of both of the first two Venom’s combined.

Summary: For being one of MOTIV’s smoother motion pieces it still provides a lot of continuation, but still maintains a predictable motion. With that being said this will be making the bag for USBC’s this year in Reno.

Mike Magolan
MOTIV/Turbo/Boom Apparel Staff Member

LANE CONDITION

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The Venom Shock is a great compliment to the recent releases from MOTIV.  The low RG / Medium Differential Gear core, paired with a new solid coverstock provides a smooth roll throughout, with just enough at the backend to give me consistent carry.  The best way to describe it is that the ball seems to drive forward through the pin deck, with less deflection. The pins also seem to stay lower – which I’ve seen with previous MOTIV balls that utilize the Gear core.

Here is a link to my ball reaction video. In the first part I compare two Shocks, the first one is layed out 60* 5” x 40*, the second is 80* x 2” x 70*.  In the second part of the video,  I compare the motion of the Shock with the Covert Revolt, Sigma Sting, Primal Rage, and Cruel Intent.


After bowling with the Venom Shock for a few weeks, I’ve determined that my favorite time to use it is on a fresh medium to heavy oil pattern.  It really helps to smooth out the lane from front to back. I’m able to groove it right up the track area in those conditions. On short sport patterns, this one also comes in very handy when I’m looking for a “hook/stop” type shape from an outside angle. I feel like this really widens the pocket for me, when more angular equipment would over-react on the back end. This piece is a “must” in my bag when it’s tournament time!

--Kevin Gallagher—
     PBA Member
     MOTIV Staff

BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 3.2"

Starting Top Weight: 2.2 oz

Ball Weight: 15


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP: 4 1/4"

CG to PAP: 4"

X Hole (if there is one): None


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 375-400

Ball Speed: 16.5 mph (monitor)

PAP/Track: 4 1/2 --> 3/4 ^


SURFACE PREP

Grit: 4000

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):


LANE CONDITION

Length: 41'

Volume: Medium-Heavy

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


BALL REACTION

Length: On the heavy-ish THS synthetics I bowl on most often, the Shock gives me easy length. It has what I would call a mild mid lane read. Doesn't exactly perform like a pearl, but closer to that length wise than a more traditional solid.

Back End: A surprising amount of backend. I expected a nice easy arc, got a pronounced backend motion. Allows for slight misses outside where it just comes screaming back to find the pocket.

Overall Hook: WAY more than expected. I expected a ball that was significantly less than my Covert Revolt. It is NOT significantly less. If anything it is barely less. Typically I will start with the Revolt, and when it starts going a bit early I can stay right where I was playing with that and play the same line. It's longer/stronger motion gives me the angularity I need to carry corners after it's time to put the Revolt away.

Midlane Read: Again, enough to keep it controllable, but "mild" at best.

Breakpoint Shape: Surprisingly drastic arc.


COMMENTS

Likes: very controllable ball for me. A lot higher hook potential than I expected, but a welcome surprise. It still plays the role I wanted from it, I just have to stay deeper than I thought I would have to. It looks awesome going down the lane with the bright orange graphics, which gives me really good feedback as to how I released it. Also, it hits like a Motiv. (the only way I have figured out how to describe that..."what was that noise?" "i hope I didn't break anything" pin shattering hit I've come to expect from my Motiv pieces.

Dislikes: The only dislike I've got so far is that OOB, even though advertised as 4000 wet sanded, it looked very shiny. For me, the surface made it a bit touchy and slightly over/under. I have since brought it to 4000 on my spinner and it rolls beautifully. Evened it out enough to completely get rid of the over/under touch nature OOB.


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

I'd love to help answer any questions you have about this ball, any of the other Motiv stuff, or anything in general. I'm not on staff with Motiv. Just a big fan who truly believes they offer the best equipment on the market.


Matt Fortney
Century Lanes Pro Shop
Holland, MI

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2CH4CqHcDw

Left lane has USBC 2014 singles/doubles pattern
Right lane has the USBC 2014 team pattern

speed 17.5
rpm  325
tilt 11
rotation  45
 Drilled pin above the bridge, cg slightly kicked to the right.

 The Venom Shock has allowed me to play the lanes from many different angles and still get the job done.  The Shock floats through the front part of the lane and make a great controllable move off the backend.   

 

LANE CONDITION

Length:

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Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:

My video for the MOTIV Venom Shock


http://www.motivbowling.com/products/balls/venom-shock.html
Angela Wilt/AKA MOTIV GIRL Motiv Staff Member

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Venom Shock
So another release from Motiv has hit the shelves and I know all of you are saying it can’t get better than where it is today. Prepare to be SHOCKED! This lower cost release does everything that the big boys do and more. For me its surprisingly strong on the back and provides that insane continuous motion through the ins that all of Motiv nation has come to know and love.
The Shock is listed as a medium to dry ball but is incredible on the THS providing a consistent  and  predictable shape throughout the lane. Using my favorite layouts both pin above the bridge and one with pin below I was able to maximize the usage of the Shock over varying conditions. During my recent visit to the USBC nationals in Reno the shock was my go to ball after one game in Double and Singles. The extra length with still sharp finish shape it provides me allowed me to retain my original shape when the Sigma Sting became a bit too strong and early. This ball is very versatile and will be an incredible addition to your arsenal along side the likes of the Primal Rage, Sigma Sting, Covert Revolt and Cruel Intent.  Don’t miss out on this one and the PRICE is RIGHT!
Rick Zakrajsek
Motiv Staff Ohio
WWW.MOTIVBOWLING.COM