Here are my thoughts on Motiv. I am surprised how far the 5000 grit pieces go down lane. Drilled up a burn and was pretty excited to see this ball in action. Threw in league at a house that has been known to been really fast. After a game throwing a 258 with a Forza GT @500/2000 by hand second game it just seemed a bit flat down lane so excitedly I switched to the Octane BURN expecting more length and a bit of pop off the friction. Stood 2 boards right of where I was and WOW I got the length but not the response I was looking for off the dry seem to roll similar to the GT off the spot result 2 8 10 split moved a bit more and still light. Now I ball seems really touchy to me and needs a ton of friction now this isn’t bad but I have other options for this condition that I prefer. This ball was supposed to bridge a gap between the smooth GT and my weaker balls like my Storm Joy ride and DV8 Hooligan. I guess next step is to break the cover and try a different surface. Anyone else seen this in this ball and what have you tried? What worked and didn’t work for you?

Another option is to possibly purchase the recently released Octane Carbon that will provide what you are looking for, length with a angular motion on the back;  It's Motiv's most angular ball in the light-medium line.

My opinion is the Burn suffers a little bit of the Motiv cover issues from the past.  With the intro of the Primal Rage, Motiv was finally catching up with the major companies in cover technology.  They have been able to stay close on the high-end side, but I feel they still suffer a bit on the lower-end equipment like the Burn. 

The Burn just doesn't have the same pop on the back-end as other company's lower-end equipment.  Doesn't mean it can't be successful, just may have to adjust the cover a bit and understand what makes it successful.  With the Burn you should be able to play in the dry a bit more and not get the over reaction some pearl balls may get when encountering friction.  I would even adjust the cover a bit to make it less allergic to oil and provide some consistency. 

Will it ever be a skid/flip type ball?  I doubt it, but it can work for you.  If you want skid/flip, the Carbon could be the ball.  It is suppose to be Motiv's most angular ball, but you might look at that like being the fastest person at a Weight Watcher's meeting.  It's all in the perspective.

Every Burn video I've seen, I've not been impressed with. It just never looked like enough of any one thing.

Thanks everyone. Maybe it was a reason my shop guy just gave it too me almost scot-free...well i'll give it a few more weeks maybe it will come into its own. I have had balls that took an entire season before it started to shine this may be one of them balls. Carbon might be next purchase.

I love the Octane Burn. It works very well on light to med-light conditions(for me). I tried my new Octane Carbon for the first time last night and was not impressed. For sure it will need a surface change, but time will tell.

Must be 1500 polished...

http://www.motivbowling.com/products/balls/octaneburn.html?retired=1

Based the eye test and Motiv, the ball isn't meant to be angular. It's a smoother pearl so the ball doesn't ricochet off the pattern. This means at box surface for most, It will be over under on fresh. This is more of a niche ball for burnt lanes, thus the name.

Just an update I took some of y’all suggestions and ended up doing 500 grit on a spinner followed by storm’s step 2 finishing compound (it’s just what I had on hand) and WOW much much more consistent. Still very clean but a hard definitive motion of the end of the patter. Very predictable now. Box finish just wasn’t working for me.

Thanks

In my opinion, Motiv has the worst "box finish" consistency of any brand. You never know what you are going to get. The best practice(especially with Motiv) is to put the finish you desire on the ball before the first use.