If you think color doesn't matter, show up with a Pink Panther to a men's league. The reactions are priceless.
I had a pink panther and pearl panther, no one said a word when i shot 700+ the first night out....
Ken is still a rookie and hasnt gotten to the point yet in his bowling career to either realize or care about other things. Thats doesnt make him bad, just means he is thinking different. My only advice would be if you want to continue to grow and compete, than dont let the color of a ball deter you from buying it, the "ugliest" ball may just be the ball that matches up to you the best, never know if you dont try.
As far as Motiv goes, there are more and more people giving them a try. I was a 20+ year Storm and Roto guy who wanted to see what else worked, I do that now and then,not that I had any issues with Storm/Roto at all...still love them and have in the past always gone back. But curiousity got to me again and I tried Motiv and have been exceptionally pleased. The Venom Shock is one of the best balls Ive ever thrown, ever. If I didnt try it, I would have missed out on something very special for me. That ball between pots, pot games and tournaments has almost paid for the whole new Motiv arsenal I currently have....So just keep your mind open to trying different things....Storm/Roto makes great equipment but they are not the only ones...